9 intrepid OFF members and friends enjoyed a beautiful excursion to Palm Beach, then a relaxing half hour ferry ride took us to Patonga. From there walkers climbed a rough and steep bush track up the ridge before ambling down a fire trail to Pearl Beach. A swim was enjoyed there by most of the group and then it was time to return to Patonga for the last ferry. It was a warm day for walking but the views from the ridge were spectacular and the swim at Pearl Beach was fabulous. After lazing around at the beach, there was no time or enthusiasm to visit the arboretum. The weather was very humid as well as warm, and the breezes from the ridge and at the beach were very welcome (meanwhile back at Oatley a brief storm dumped 20mm of rain!). Thank you Shayne for organising and leading the walk.
PROMO
A moderately challenging day walk through red gums and eucalypts, the Patonga to Pearl Beach walking track takes in a stunning lookout and ends at the ocean in either direction. The track follows part of the Great North Walk through Brisbane Water National Park and will take us past the spectacular Warrah lookout with views of Hawkesbury River and Pacific Ocean. then past sandstone caves with a natural hanging garden of native ferns.
At Pearl Beach we can visit the Pearl Beach Arboretum, established in Pearl Beach since 1976, is a natural botanic garden open to the public for free. The Arboretum is a sanctuary for rare and threatened plant species, spanning 5.5 hectares of land in the Pearl Beach community.
The Arboretum, established in Pearl Beach since 1976, is a natural botanic garden open to the public for free. Our Arboretum is a sanctuary for rare and threatened plant species, spanning 5.5 hectares of land in the Pearl Beach community.
We will catch the 10.30 ferry from Palm Beach to Patonga, then walk 3km to Pearl Beach ( steep in places) visit Arboretum, then walk back to Patonga to catch 3.30 ferry back to Palm Beach (there is also 5pm ferry).
Bring lunch, snacks, water, hat, sunscreen, appropriate shoes, and perhaps poles if unsure on descending steep tracks. There may also be time for swimming, so brings cossies/towel if so inclined. Confirm with leader Shayne Burrell (0419 604 462) on the day before.