13 OFF members and 2 visitors had clear blue skies and no wind for a lovely quiet walk from Simmos Beach (Macquarie Fields) along the upper reaches of the Georges River. Walking upstream, we enjoyed pleasant shade, taking time to photograph wattles, orchids, pattersonia, and even a few unknown species. The river showed the effect of the recent rain in its colour, although clean otherwise, no doubt helped by the presence of the Holsworthy military base on the opposite band and more bushland upstream.
Morning tea was a pleasant affair in what was once a quarry now a park, while an eel was spotted in the adjacent pond not far from a few ducks. We then continued uphill through more open woodland near the adjacent housing along the boundary of the reserve. Here we saw more orchids, hardinbergias, grevilleas, donkey orchids, prickly moses, hakeas, turpentines and blackbutts, before dropping back down along the river to return to our starting point at the steps down to Simmos Beach.
A very agreeable 6km walk, very quiet and relaxing. Surprisingly there were few other people about on such a glorious day.
PROMO
Tbis walk was moved from its programmed date in July and replaced the programmed August walk.
Simmos Beach is located on the Georges River. with easy access, picnic facilities, and beach area making it a popular site for local residents. The reserve, which was officially opened in 1986, is named after Simmonds, a past resident, who mined sand adjacent to the Georges River for a number of years. You can enjoy scenic views of the Georges River from the timber deck. A stairwell also allows you to easily access Simmos Beach.
The Reserve is home to a number of vulnerable and endangered ecological communities. Some of these include: Sandstone Shale Transition, Hinterland Sandstone Gully Forest, Forest Sandstone Riparian Scrub and Coastal Sandstone Ridgetop Woodland. There are also a number of threatened flora and fauna in the reserve, including Persoonia nutans (Nodding Geebung), Pterostylis saxicola (Sydney Plains Greenhood Orchid), the Little Lorikeet and Hibbertia puberula (Grey-headed Flying Fox ).
A short circuit walk will take us from Simmos Beach through Sydney Hinterland Apple-Blackbutt Gully Forest along the upper Georges River, where it is relatively unspoilt. Enter from Fifth Ave, Macquarie Fields, parking available. Meet at steps down to the beach at 9.30am. Moderate track, total distance 5km. Toilets near start of walk. Bring morning tea, snacks, lunch, water, hat, sunscreen, rain gear in case of rain. More details from Leader, Vicki Bolling, on 0427 870 240.