Pippas Pass - Blaxland

Pippas Pass at Blaxland in the lower Blue Mountains, is an extension of the Florabella Pass walk from Warrimoo. Our aim on this very warm day, was to examine/enjoy/photography some of the Spring wildflowers we came across along the way.

The white flowers above are  Philotheca sp. formerly Eriostemon

The orange-yellow pea flowers are

one of many species commonly known as 'egg and bacon' 

Grevillea sericea

We started this short walk near the Blaxland Library car park. Some of us continued on the track and turned off at the Ross Cr. rock outcrop exit (see 'wildwalks') while others returned the same way.
(Returning to the library via Ross Cr. and the Great Western Highway is ~3.7 Km)

 

Australian Botanic Garden (2)

White Faced Heron with 'Kangaroo paws' behind

After my earlier enjoyable visit to the Australian Botanic Garden at Mount Annan, I have wanted to return in better weather. This post has some photos from my return visit to see the spring flowers and complete a longer walk around the site. 

The Wattle Garden picnic area

Lechenaultia biloba

Garden near visitor centre

Australian Botanic Garden
    -map          -information



PlantBank visit 

'Everlastings' or 'paper daisies'

Murphys Glen walk

The unsealed road leading to the camping ground, near Woodford in the (mid) Blue Mountains, follows a narrow ridge top heathland. I think it is best walked during the week, as it is popular for mountain biking and 4WD on weekends.       Spreading Fan Fern (Sticherus lobatus) (below) on the side of the road.

Murphys Glen is situated in an old volcanic steam vent. The weathering of rocks in the area has resulted in richer soil than the surrounding sand stone derived soils, which supports a tall forest of blue gums and towering turpentines.

We turned off the Murphys Fire trail and followed 'The Turpentine Walk' down to the camping ground.

Corymbia gummifera (right)
(previously Eucalyptus gummifera)
or Red Bloodwood, is seen flowering along the rocky ridge in late summer.


 Note: Murphys Glen campground was closed due to road damage and facilities maintenance when I published this post.

Location map

North Head Sanctuary

North Head was the home of the Army's School of Artillery until the late 1990's. The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust opened the Sanctuary to the public in 2007.

Sydney Harbour from North Head

The sanctuary provides protection for for the flora and fauna of North Head, which includes an endangered population of  Long-nosed Bandicoots.

 

Bandicoots were once common in Sydney where they foraged in parkland and back-yards but now are declining in numbers, due to numerous threats, including collision with vehicles and predation by dogs, cats and foxes.

Hanging Swamp, North Head

To reach North Head we caught a Manly Ferry from Circular Quay, then a 135 route bus from West Esplanade, near Manly Wharf. Our bus went as far as the entrance to the Old Quarantine Station, so we needed to walk further along North Head Scenic Drive, to North Fort (former artillery museum).
- see the map for Sydney Buses Route 135 (quick search in right hand column)

              Location Map                   North Head Sanctuary info.              Extra photos & frog call video

North Head Sanctuary Foundation -  Flora Walk Brochures

Charles Darwin Walk - Wentworth Falls

This Blue Mountains walk which starts at Wilson Park at Wentworth Falls, is named after Charles Darwin who visited the area in 1836. The 2.8Km walk follows Jamison creek almost to the top of Wentworth Falls where there are great views of the falls and the National Park. The walk was reopened after the replacement of some of the timber board walk and three foot bridges due to flood damage last year.

Coreopsis

Weeds are a problem in the upper reaches of the creek. Coreopsis (above) is an attractive perennial yellow daisy from USA. Seeds are washed down watercourses and invade open sunny areas crowding out native plants such as those below. 

 

 Blue Dampiera (Dampiera stricta) shown above, have unusual ‘diamond shape’ leaves. The 'Trigger plant' (Stylidium sp.) left, has a trigger which transfers pollen to insects that lands on the flower.

The walk is also popular with  locals

Jamison Creek, Wentworth Falls

 Location map

Another Wentworth Falls walk.

Transport details
Wentworth Falls is about 1hr 50minutes from Central by CityRail Intercity train. 
It may be possible to catch a Route 685 bus back to the station after the walk, by walking up Falls Rd to a bus stop past Fletcher St. See Upper Mts bus timetable (Use 'Valley of the Waters' stop times as a guide)

More information about this walk at WildWalks

Blackheath Rhododendron Gardens

The eight hectare 'Campbell Rhododendron Gardens' at Blackheath in the upper Blue Mountains was established by the Blue Mountains Rhododendron Society and is maintained by volunteers. The site is much larger than this and has walking trails around the garden and bushland.

One of the things that struck me when visiting was the good effect of the exotic plants set within the Australian bushland.

Waratahs

April - May and September to November are likely to be the best times of the year to visit, but it is open all year.

The garden features a large pond and tranquil areas suitable for a picnic. Admission was just a 'gold coin donation'.

Location map

Wattle Day

Australia's Wattle Day centenary (1910-2010) is being celebrated on Wednesday 1 September 2010.
This wattle (Acacia amoena) was photographed on a recent walk in the Blue Mountains near Hazelbrook. Australia's national floral emblem is the Golden Wattle.