Dharawal National Park Walk – 23 November 2023

I joined Bob for a pleasant walk in Dharawal National Park – on the western, Wedderburn, side. The walk we ddi was not too strenuous, which suited me as I was recovering from a cold. And it was similar to a walk I did back in 2018, but with a few extra bits.

Like the previous walk, we went to the end of Victoria Road at Wedderburn, where Bob parked. The end of the road is also the start of Dharawal National Park.

We first walked down to the Minerva Pool on Stokes Creek. It is an easy and please talk to the pool. On the way the wild flowers were magnificent. I particular the Tea Trees –

And also some of the Eucalypts –

There were quite a few Trigger Plants –

Here is a view of the Minerva Pool for the lookout.

Then we walked down to the creek. Here are some Christmas Bells – Blandfordia nobilis –

I saw an Azure Kingfisher fly upstream, but had no luck locating where it had gone.

On the rock just above the Minerva Pool is this old engraving. I wonder when and why it was made?

The area above the Minerva Pool is quite interesting with potholes and polished sandstone.

And a panorama view of the Minerva Pool –

Then we walked back up the track.

This Variegated Fairy-wren has a moth –

Back on the fire road, we then walked down to Stokes Creek Weir.

This weir looks identical to the one downstream, below where Stokes Creek joins O’Hares Creek. I understand the lower dam was built as a stream gauge. I would think this one would be a stream gauge as well. The dams probably date back to the 1930’s and where probably built to assess the suitability of the valley for a much larger water supply dam.

We then walked back up the fire road, almost back to the start, and took the trail to the Jingga Pool.

On the way – another Variegated Fairy-wren –

The trail (road) down to the Jingga Pool and the O’Hares Creek Weir is incredibly steep. Great care is needed as you descend. Then at a bend, you turn off and follow thee old stone steps down to the junction of Stokes Creek and O’Hares Creek.

And I believe this is the Jingga Pool –

An Eastern Spinebill came down for a look at us –

We then climbed back up the steps to the trail, and followed it down to the O’Hares Creek Weir.

Below the weir is a very attractive pool. I had aswim in the pool formed by the dam, which is much easier to reach – but it was very poor. It is not very deep. The pool below the waterfall is much better for swimming.

This was a  good place for lunch.

We later climbed back up the very steep trail, back to the main fire road. Our last objective was the O’Hares Creek Lookout.

On the way, I spooked a single Horned Orchid, Orthoceras Stricta –

The track to the lookout is accessible.

There is a good view of the creek –

That section of O’Hares Creek looks quite good for walking.

On the way back a few more birds –

Variegated Fairy-wren

And we were quiet surprised to see a Brush Turkey in this area –

And a Bullant –

And there were more where that one came from.