I had had this walk on my “to do” list for a fair while. And had even set out to do it on solo walk back in 2016. So when Bob suggested it for our weekly bushwalk, I was quite keen. He had done that section of coast many years ago – back in the 1970’s I think, and had thought it worth doing again. On my 2016 attempt, I had started from Werrong Beach and got about 1/3 of the way perhaps to the Figure Eight Pool before I was turned back by big waves.
This trip, we started from Garawarra Farm, and walked down to Burning Palms, and then continued to the Figure Eight Pool. Next, we continued under the cliffs all the way to Werrong without any major difficulties.
Not far from the carpark, we surprised a Swamp Wallaby that was foraging near the track. It also surprised us.
And there were a lot of Bonnet Orchids – Cryptostylis erecta in flower –
We continued down the much improved track, though a nice section of forest.
Here is an Eastern Yellow Robin –
Below, on the spur, we obtained fine view of Burning Palms Beach –
Quite a few lizards were out. First a Jacky Dragon on the boardwalk –
And a Water Dragon at one of the Burning Palms shacks –
Next we walked along Burning Palms Beach.
And we were soon on the rock platforms heading to the Figure Eight Pool.
The Figure Eight Pool was “occupied” –
The first bit of the main section of our walk was easy – along a nice rock platform.
But it soon turned into bounders. Lots of boulders – of all sizes.
It was warm day, it was hot work, making our way through the boulders. Balancing, hopping, scrambling our way through. There was no shade, except behind or under the odd large boulder – and the solar radiation was intense.
But it was quite interesting negotiating our way through the jumble in front of us. There were no really difficult sections.
Bob had suggested the walk when he did because it would coincide with low tide (about 10:45 am). And also the swell was low.
We were glad to reach Werrong Beach. We both had a swim, and found the sea rather chilly for this time of the year.
Then it was relatively easy – slowly climbing up the track to eventually reach the Coastal Track near Otford.
We then continued along the Garawarra Ridge Track back to Garawarra Farm. Along the way, a lot more orchids –
Lots of these – Bonnet Orchids – Cryptostylis erecta –
But also some – Blotched Hyacinth Orchids – Dipodium variegatum –
Along the way is some impressive new trackwork.
Fringe Lilly
Boletellus emodensis
This Lace Monitor was climbing a tree. Perhaps rot raid a bird’s nest?
We had enjoyed nice cool sea breeze at Werrong Beach, but it had stopped when we were walking in the forest, so we went out to one of the lookouts near the Garawarra Ridge fire road for lunch.
This had been a fairly strenuous, but very interesting and rewarding walk.