Trips Away

Trips Away are frequently included in the walks program with members spending time away from one night 'sleep - overs' or up to five to nine days walking by day and socialising in the evenings. Among the many and varied successful locations have been Newnes, Bright (Victoria), the Warrumbungles, the Snowy Mountains, Central Tilba, Canberra, Twofold Bay, Gloucester Tops, Tumut and the Blue Mountains.

Barry Virtue wrote a report about staying in the comfort of the Timor View Holiday Camp in 1996 in the Warrumbungles. "After a not too promising Monday night - cold and with rain squalls - where we needed to snuggle around the slow combustion stove, the following days were ideal walking weather - mild and generally sunny.

"Warrumbungle National Park id dominated by the spines and gorges of long ago volcanic activity and plant communities which are a mixture of coastal and western plains species. There are quite steep climbs on most walks, but all are on well graded tracks which take the walker through the diversity of landforms and habitats which are a feature of the park. Maps and walks information are available from the park information centre. These outline the special features of each walk, and times, distances and levels of difficulty.

"We followed the suggested program for a three day visit, with two of the shorter walks on the first day to Fan's Horizon and Goulds Circuit, which were a good introduction to the park. Next day we walked the most popular track to the Grand High Tops for closer views of The Breadknife and the major outcrops of past volcanic activity. Some of the party carried on up to Bluff Mountain and we followed West Spirey Creek track to the cars. Day Three was a longer walk (19 kilometres and steep) to Mount Exmouth and the Cathedral Arch. Mount Exmouth is the highest peak in the park, with views to the west and over a volcanic crater. We also visited the Cathedral Arch and spotted four koalas at different places along the way. The week was also a learning experience with sharing of knowledge and a visit to the Observatory and Starwatch."

Stuart Leslie wrote a short article for the Ettremist entitled 'Shoalhaven Bushwalkers Invade Bundanoon' after a stay at the Bundanoon Youth Hostel in June 1993. "The weekend ... was so popular that the numbers approached the tally of a normal Wednesday walk! On Saturday night we had twenty eight people, ranging in ages from nine months to seventy four years.

"Those with children chose easy walks to Erith Coalmine and Fairy Bower Falls. A few fairies were glimpsed in the rainforest and the tooth fairy must have been there too because two 6 year olds suddenly developed wobbly teeth. And of course there was the compulsory nocturnal stroll to Glowworm Glen. It is amazing that the glowworms do not seem put out by the huge number of people tramping past every night. Those without little ones chose more adventurous pursuits, undertaking a long walk around the escarpment and down to Bundanoon Creek.

"On Saturday night the hostel was abuzz with people cooking culinary delights, playing games, toasting marshmallows or just relaxing by the fire. Finally, at 12:30am, the last weary souls crept off to their ice-cold dormitories.

"Besides walking, many found time to explore the district on bikes and to visit the Sunday markets. Alwyn, Bronwyn and Ray finally tired of walking on tracks and felt the urge to do some bush-bashing. They even took a poor unsuspecting hostel guest with them. Everyone agreed that it was a great weekend and it will probably become an annual event."

Margaret Brown writes with pleasure of these outings away. "Our group has had some very enjoyable trips, going regularly to Blackheath and Jindabyne and doing many walks there. But one I specially remember was to Mystery Bay in 1994. We went out to Montague Island, seeing the sea lions and seals, and at evening watching the penguins coming back to land for the night. The next day we climbed up Mount Dromedary. We have also stayed in the huts at Tilba Tilba and Kiola, walking the nearby areas.

"In April 1998 a group of us spent a few days at Edrom Lodge, on the southern side of Twofold Bay. Mount Imlay was walked the first day, followed by other walks, mainly along the coastal area. This was without doubt my best time away with the Club - it was tops, and a very happy group found our way home on the last day. Congratulations to Leila for programming it and John for driving the bus."

From a recent visit to the Blue Mountains October, 2001 Sigrid Linke reports - "It was a great trip to the Mountains and again the weather was laid on for us. We did all sorts of walks - on track, off track, up and down lots of steps, admiring wonderful scenery and stopping for great displays of wild flowers. The rhododendron gardens were spectacular. We had free entertainment each night while enjoying first class food. Everyone enjoyed it and we may go back again - there are still plenty of walks yet to be done. To all the leaders, many thanks."

Arranging and leading Club trips to explore the sites of Sydney won for John Prior 'The Schoolies Award', one of the Year 2000 'Oscars' presented at the Christmas Party on Bristol Point. John has a wide knowledge of the lesser known bushwalks (?) around Inner Sydney.

A very different outing was held in April 1999 when twenty Club members climbed 'all the way to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge', and had great views and an 'exhilarating' experience.