A Wet Walk on North Head – 24 October 2022

We had quite a wet day on the National Parks Association walk to North Head from Manly. But despite the rain we still had a great outing.

The walk was led by Brian Everingham, and the party included Valerie, Sue B, Paul, Amanda, Suzanne, Sue F and myself.

Most of the party travelled to Manly by ferry.

On the way we could see the light at the Hornby Lighthouse on South Head still flashing.

At Manly, we were soon on our way, walking towards Shelly Beach. Umbrellas were popular accessories.

We continued past the beach and climbed up to the lookout above.

We continued on the rather wet track.

Near the barracks we spotted some nice orchids – Erythrorchis cassythoides –

Here is some Grevillea sp. – 

We stopped for a brief break under the arch at the barracks.

Continuing on we found some nice stinkhorns – Aseroë rubra –

We took the track to the Hanging Swamp. In the rain it had its own special beauty.

On a rather wet fire road we saw numbers of these small frogs. Thanks to Ken Griffiths for identifying it as a Common Eastern Froglet –

Here is a nice cluster of Flannel Flowers  that somehow are not bedraggled –

We then visited an WWII Coastal Defence emplacement. This was the site of a 9″ gun. Part of the North Head Battery.

At the carpark we saw a pair of Masked Lapwings with three chicks –

Lady Fairfax Lookout was closed. Here is a view from the lookout at the carpark –

And looking at South Head –

And the cliffs near Dover Heights –

We then caught a bus back to Manly Wharf, and after refreshments at the Manly Wharf Bar we headed back to the city via ferry.

Back in town, I went with Sue and Valerie to see if we could spot the Powerful Owl in the Botanic Gardens. it didn’t take us too long to find it.

Thanks to Brian for organising the walk.