The Old Hartley Shale Railway – 21 October 2017

Posted on October 30, 2017 by Dave Noble

A group of us were heading up the Blue Mountains on the weekend to attend a book launch at Mt Tomah the next day. We intended to camp that night at Mt Wilson so we could get to the book launch in time, and wanted to do a bushwalk on Saturday.

We eventually decided to have a look at the old shale railway at Hartley. This is an old railway formation that once operated to service a shale mine in Hartley Vale. The ore (or oil?) was taken up the valley by a very steep funicular  railway and from there it was transferred to another line that joined the main western railway line near the old Grose Valley Colliery.  Continue reading →

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A Wet Walk at Blackheath – Colliers Causeway – 20 October 2017

Posted on October 30, 2017 by Dave Noble

Bob and myself had gone up the mountains and were wondering what bushwalk would be best. It was wet and misty and more rain was forecast during the day. I suggested the walk at Blackheath – through Centennial Glen, then along Colliers Causeway and back up to the tops via Porters Pass. I knew this walk offered plenty of shelter, in overhangs along the way. Bob had not been along the Causeway before and thought it sounded OK, and I was keen to photograph the waterfalls in Centennial Glen.

We started from the trail that goes around the Christian School at Blackheath. A path through their grounds has been signposted for bushwalkers to follow. It soon leads down to Fort Rock. On the way, through the mist, we could see another track that led to Fort Rock from the direction of the top of Porters Pass. We thought it may be a better way to return rather than walking along some of the back streets of Blackheath. Continue reading →

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Royal National Park – Northern Coastline – Photo Essay

Posted on October 30, 2017 by Dave Noble

Here are some photos of another trip to Royal National Park.

This time I was concentrating on the area near Curracurrong and Eagle Rock. I walked there and back from Bundeena. Continue reading →

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Oatley Park – Nature Walk – 17 October 2017

Posted on October 27, 2017 by Dave Noble

This was a very pleasant walk around Oatley Park. It was organised by Brian Everingham for the National Parks Association. In the party were Brian, Ken, Allen, Val, Sue, Esther, Peter, Theo, myself and we were later joined by Digi Dave.

We met outside Mortdale Station and then set off for the short walk to the creek leading into Lime Kiln Bay. After watching a group of Water Dragons basking in the warm sun, we continued along the path on the west side of the creek.  Continue reading →

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The Gap to Bondi Walk – 16 October 2017

Posted on October 27, 2017 by Dave Noble

This was a pleasant walk along the Coastal Track from The Gap to Bondi Beach. I started by catching a ferry to Watsons Bay and then walking the short distance to the reserve at The Gap.

After a bit of time looking for whales, I set off along the path to the south. For a long way it mostly follows the cliffs, but deviates on roads for short sections. Continue reading →

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Birds at Bicentennial Park – 15 October 2017

Posted on October 27, 2017 by Dave Noble

I spent a full day wandering around the wetlands in Bicentennial Park at Homebush Bay photographing the birdlife. There was a lot to see!

Here are some of what I photographed. I have grouped them by species. But also some habitat – Continue reading →

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Birds at Tempe Wetlands – 14 October 2017

Posted on October 27, 2017 by Dave Noble

I joined the Tempe Birdos for their monthly bird count at Tempe Wetlands and Tempe Reserve. The group met at the wetlands at 7:30 am and then broke into two subgroups – one to survey the wetlands and the other the Reserve.

We were also all distressed to see the recent bushfire damage.  Continue reading →

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Nature at Royal National Park – 12 October 2017

Posted on October 27, 2017 by Dave Noble

I spent a very enjoyable day at Royal National Park, accompanied by Digi Dave, photographing the wildlife.

We started off at Audley. Quite a few birds were out. But also a large Lace Monitor (Goanna) was wandering around. This seemed to upset some of the birds – the Sulphur Crested Cockatoos in particular where quite alarmed. Perhaps they had nests with eggs in nearby? The waterbirds did not seem so worried. It was interesting to observe the Goanna and its interactions. Continue reading →

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Cooks River Birds – 11 October 2017

Posted on October 27, 2017 by Dave Noble

I spent part of the day cycling along the Cooks River between Cup and Saucer Creek and Tempe Reserve looking for and photographing the birds.

At the Boat Harbour, there were the usual Cormorants and Pelicans. It was interesting to watch a failed attempt by one of the Pelicans to take off and land on the protected area at the Boat Harbour –  Continue reading →

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Little Switzerland and Wentworth Pass – 10 October 2017

Posted on October 25, 2017 by Dave Noble

I was heading up the Mountains with Bob for a day trip. We had discussed a few possible walks, and had decided on a walk at Blackheath, but when we stopped for coffee at Lawson, the weather was not the best – misty with some drizzle, so we though that a walk with some shelter – e.g. caves, may be a better option.

So we decided to visit Wentworth Falls and do a circuit around Wentworth Pass and then back via the clifftop tracks. To make it a little different, we started from Little Switzerland, which is at the end of Hordern St, Kings Tableland. Continue reading →

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