Bob and myself decided to do a walk out to Ahearn Lookout in Nattai National Park. Neither of us had been to the lookout before, and it has been on my “to do” list for a fair while.
So we headed down to Hilltop, and were soon on Wattle Ridge Road to the parking area. we then set off along the fire road, and took the turn off to Starlights Trail, and then turned off that and took the track out along a ridge that goes to Ahearns Lookout.
Not many of these roads and tracks is marked on the current topographic maps, but they are marked on Open Street Maps.
on the fire trail we saw this fungus – Pisolithus microcarpus – a type of puffball –
On the ridge, early on at Point Hill is a lookout –
A bit further along we could look south and see Mt Jellore –
Earlier, we had passed Wattle Ridge farm. There was certainly a lot of wattle on this part of the ridge –
There was a true off to watch for. A side track heads south to the Slotway.
A few places were open and rocky.
The Boronia was starting to flower –
As we approached Ahearn Lookout, a Wedge-tailed Eagle flew past –
Now at the lookout, it was very exposed to the weather. It was very cold and windy, so we did not stay too long.
Towards the south, Russells Needle stands out –
And here is a panorama of the Nattai Valley –
The damage to the river caused by recent floods is very evident.
And another panorama –
The lookout is named after Leon Ahearn, an early ranger at Nattai National Park. See my earlier post for more information (and see the comments).
It was too cold to linger, so we soon started walking back.
On the way, we had passed another lookout, very close to the track and it also provided great views down the Nattai Valley. It was more sheltered so we stopped here for lunch.
But again, we did not stay too long, wanting to warm up by walking.
Lichenomphalia chromacea
Back on the fire road, we paused a few times while I tried to get some bird photos.
Eastern Spinebill
Rock Warbler
Eastern Spinebill
White-throated Treecreeper
Back at Bob’s car, we were grateful to get out of the wind. We then headed back to Sydney, with a stop for hot drinks at the Hilltop Bakery.
You take some beautiful photos David , as you can see you walk in a very sacred place and my brother obviously still floats around the cliffs.
Is the plaque still ok, because I have never returned there since we laid him there. Really enjoyed your photos of the birds baronia and wattle and the wedge tail still sings very softly .
My grandmother loved taking us kids to pick baronia in the bush and we spent many happy years living out on the farm , but that was so many years ago now and only the cliffs , mountains and bush remain the same and keep growing.
Enjoy your time there.
Regards Judith
Thanks Judith. When we were at the lookout – it was very windy and cold – so we didn’t want to stay too long. I knew about a plaque, but the weather was too nasty to look for it.
Hi again David
Thank you for your message and that’s ok that you didn’t see the plaque.And yes the bush does what the bush does, if it doesn’t want you there it chases you off, I have learned that over many years out there, it’s a very powerful place . It was enough you saw the eagle.
Keep enjoying your walks.
Regards Judith