In the week leading up to Easter, members of the Koonung Bushwalking Club (KBC) enjoyed spectacular walks in Sydney and the Blue Mountains. For many years, on a bi-annual basis, KBC have conducted base camps in Sydney. This year, led by Anne Fyffe ably assisted by Wayne Fyffe, Karen Sheedy, Wilma Waters and experienced “whips”, the base camp was located at the YHA in the Rocks, a great place to stay, with stunning views of the harbour from the roof-top terrace.
All walks were carefully planned and organised to cater for the varying hiking capabilities of walkers. The weather was perfect on all days.
Use of the Opal card (Sydney’s Myki) ensured easy access via public transport to walk starting and finishing points. Walks included:
- A lovely cliff walk following the coastline from Maroubra to LaPerouse
- An inner harbour walk involving ferry rides enabling walkers to enjoy views of the bridge, Opera House, Kirribilli House, Milson’s Point and Luna Park with lunch in the calm and refreshing oasis of Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden. Travelling by foot from Barangaroo to the Rocks via a new bathing area completed this walk
- A trip by train to the Hawkesbury River provided a relaxing option for the team. Members experienced the Hawkesbury River and History tour on the river leaving from the Brooklyn wharf
- A group of 12 members left Circular Quay for a walk around the Opera House, Mrs Macquarie’s Point (chair), past the Finger Wharf townhouses, to Elizabeth Bay and on to Rushcutters Bay, out to McKell Park at Darling Point then to Steyne Park at Double Bay where walkers caught the ferry back to Circular Quay
- 15 members headed to the Lower Blue Mountains to enjoy a beautiful walk from Springwood into Sassafras Gully. Lots of ups and downs, 20 creek crossings, waterfalls, and a bit of scrambling over rocks and trees. Dealing with leeches did provide some unanticipated and blood-letting experiences. Some thought they had escaped the leeches until socks were taken off that night!
- On the final day the walk started at Watsons Bay with 20 walking to Bondi and 10 finishing up at Bronte. This walk provided lots of lovely views once again, including some on the beach!
A special time for KBC members! Particular mention goes to Dougall Bruce who on the morning of his flight home, trained out to West Concord to participate in one of the 489 nationwide ParkRuns in Bicentennial Park, achieving third place in his age group.