Stroms Lookout - Daley's Point - Tristan's 14th

Bouddi National Park
Rocky Point Trail
Stroms Lookout

Lighting Tristan's 14th Birthday Cake

I love these Spear Plants

During these school holidays, we bush walked on a couple of trails we haven't been on before.  One of these was the Rocky Point Trail to Stroms Lookout.

Snake on Rocky Trail

Spring Flowers on way to
Stroms Lookout

Tristan and Zoe
Looking out over Brisbane Water
and Pretty Beach

 Just as we started on the trail, there was a snake under our feet!  It was traveling as quickly as possible across the path.  By the time I had my camera out, it was moving into the grass.  The picture above, left is blurry.  The snake was a nice Rust color with good pattern.  Clara thought the tail had been lost.

View from Stroms Lookout
Hardys Bay and Pretty Beach

Pretty Beach and Wagstaffe

Ettalong Beach (Right Point) by sandbar

 Beautiful day, nice walk, awesome lookout.  We enjoyed the time together and in nature.

Zoe with Flannel Flowers on path

Cool Notch in Tree

Heart-shaped bark

Spring Wildflowers on Daleys Point Fire Trail

Sign at the beginning of the Daleys Point Fire Trail

 It's the school holidays here in New South Wales.  The weather has been warm and sunny, perfect for bush walking.  I've been wanting to walk the Daleys Point Fire Trail for some time.  The Parks Department has been upgrading the car park, sparking more interest on my part.  Finally walked it this week, and it was beautiful and enjoyable.  The walk ends with views over the Brisbane Water. Here you'll find some of the Spring Wildflowers we encountered and a few views.  Enjoy!

Wildflowers on the Daleys Point Fire Trail

Brothers on the Daleys Point Fire Trail Walk

White Flannel Flowers.  These flowers are very soft and velvety.

View of Brisbane Water from The Daleys Fire Trail

Another view of Brisbane Water from Fire Trail

Small cave in the rock formation

Tristan thought this was a blood tree....
I don't think that's correct, but the sap is amazing

Google Trekker

Google Trekker (photo from Google Trekker webpage)

Google is continuing to map the world - now in hard to reach places.  The Google Trekker will be carried by NSW Parks and Wildlife staff in Bouddi National Park.  The street view camera system captures 360 degree views of some amazing walks and landscapes.

Coastal Walk in Bouddi National Park, NSW

The Coastal Walk in Bouddi National Park will be mapped.  The World Heritage listed Old Great North Road will be mapped with the trekker as well.
Read the full article from the Express Advocate, Wednesday 10 September 2014.  School Holidays are just around the corner (next week).  Since it's spring, I think I'll take the kids for one or both of these walks - and add some more photos for a sneak peak of what the Google Trekker will display.

The Old Great North Walk trail sign

Little Tallow Beach - the "Secret Beach"

On Friday, I took the kids to see if we could find the "secret beach". It's located in the Bouddi National Park, next to Tallow Beach, but the trail is not easy to find.  The beach is very small.  There is a small waterfall flowing down to the beach.  The peace of the place was only interrupted by the whirring blades of a helicopter searching for the missing 5 year old boy, who was swept off Pearl Beach the day before.

Little Tallow Beach from above

Tristan near small waterfall

Waterfall on "secret beach"

View of Little Tallow Beach

View towards Pearl Beach where
5 year old boy was swept away on Thursday

Putty Beach Boardwalk

Rocks below the Gerrin Point lookout

We have walked most of the paths in the Bouddi National Park and areas surrounding us. One of the major exceptions was the Putty Beach Boardwalk. Many have recommended it to us, but we were slow to take them up on it. We finally went on a recent Sunday in July and this is what we saw.


Tristan in front of a small cave on Bullimah Beach

Upclose look at the beach materials


Bullimah Beach

Our family

Rocks and waves below the boardwalk trail

Boardwalk stretches from Putty Beach to Bullimah Beach


Trolling for a sliver ?

Boardwalk

Dave

Along the way, Neo and then Zoe picked up slivers in their hands. Even so, it was a wonderful family walk and great views!

The Box Head Trail and Tallow Beach

The Box Head. The land across the water is part of Sydney's Northern Beaches.

Dave enjoying the view from the Box Head. Lion Island directly across The Brisbane Water.
Here's another view of Lion Island - from Blackwall Reserve Lookout

Looking from Box Head trail towards Maitland Bay.

Lion Island and to the right is Umina Beach/Woy Woy area. The Brisbane Water.
Here's another view of this area - from Mt. Ettalong

Dave had Monday 7 March off from work. With Neo in preschool and the other children in their schools, we had the day to go for a bushwalk. We decided to walk the Box Head Trail. The morning was cool and overcast, but it soon warmed to a beautiful sunny day. We were glad we went early, as the temperature was in the 80s F (26 C). As we neared the Box Head, we had to duck under many, very large, spiders. If you wish to see a Map of The Box Head Trail and Tallow Beach, click on the link at the web page that comes up.

One of the many, large, spiders at the Box Head

Once we climbed down from the Box Head, we walked down to Tallow Beach. Tallow and Little Tallow Beach are part of the Bouddi National Park.

By the time we return home for a late lunch, it was time to pick up the children from school.

Dave on deserted Tallow Beach.

Tallow Beach

Catherine & Dave on the trail...I'm flushed