June 2013 report
Six friends walked from Macquarie Park station down to the entrance of the Lane Cove National Park near DeBurghs Bridge. We walked through the park along the southern side of the river, had lunch at the Fullers Bridge end and then walked along the more up and down northern side of the river back to DeBurghs Bridge and on to the station.
Interesting points included:
· Porters Creek Bridge – built by volunteer labour 1932-1933, the Depression years;
· Two sightings of Bush Turkeys – the first was a female scratching the ground to hunt for food – the second was two turkeys sitting on the branches of a tree while another scratched for food;
· Four kookaburras feeding together on one of the picnic areas;
· Two large termite nests on a huge tree with a rainbow lorikeet entering the nest for food;
· Two galahs entering and exiting tow holes in a big white gum;
· The sounds of several other birds calling from the trees;
· Lots of native plants, trees, shrubs, and ferns (see photos) scattered throughout the walk;
· The vegetation was often different depending on the side of the river and the height of the path above the river. (eg the hanging wall of ferns on northern side) Along the ‘river to the ridge’ section from Fern Tree Creek, a restoration project was being undertaken by volunteers.
· Swartz Homestead – an original Queenslander home built in the 1800’s.
Details
Total distance with elevation and decline: 16.8 km (from coffee shop to railway station - not including the escalators!)
Total incline: 174 m Total decline: 125m
Highest elevation: 75 m Lowest elevation: 15m
Total walking time: 4 h 2 m Total resting time: 1h 36m
Six friends walked from Macquarie Park station down to the entrance of the Lane Cove National Park near DeBurghs Bridge. We walked through the park along the southern side of the river, had lunch at the Fullers Bridge end and then walked along the more up and down northern side of the river back to DeBurghs Bridge and on to the station.
Interesting points included:
· Porters Creek Bridge – built by volunteer labour 1932-1933, the Depression years;
· Two sightings of Bush Turkeys – the first was a female scratching the ground to hunt for food – the second was two turkeys sitting on the branches of a tree while another scratched for food;
· Four kookaburras feeding together on one of the picnic areas;
· Two large termite nests on a huge tree with a rainbow lorikeet entering the nest for food;
· Two galahs entering and exiting tow holes in a big white gum;
· The sounds of several other birds calling from the trees;
· Lots of native plants, trees, shrubs, and ferns (see photos) scattered throughout the walk;
· The vegetation was often different depending on the side of the river and the height of the path above the river. (eg the hanging wall of ferns on northern side) Along the ‘river to the ridge’ section from Fern Tree Creek, a restoration project was being undertaken by volunteers.
· Swartz Homestead – an original Queenslander home built in the 1800’s.
Details
Total distance with elevation and decline: 16.8 km (from coffee shop to railway station - not including the escalators!)
Total incline: 174 m Total decline: 125m
Highest elevation: 75 m Lowest elevation: 15m
Total walking time: 4 h 2 m Total resting time: 1h 36m