The walks are set by main and prominent features, and not grade or length. Day walks from Newnes – Part 1 starts with the history of the area with 13 walks that feature historical sites, and the second half of the book containing 14 walks that feature lookouts.
Their next book, Part 2, will cover walks that include cliff and rock formations, slots and passes. Then later down the track, Part 3 will entail walks around caves and overhangs, rainforest ravines, ledge and traverses. Still so much to come. There are about 70 of these walks in this series.
The area covered in Part 1 is Wolgan River on the western half and Mount Morgan on the eastern half. The maps required are Department of Land Topographical Map 1:25,000, Ben Bullen and Mount Morgan.
By the way, day walks mean that you can travel from Sydney, up to the walk, complete the walk in a few hours and get back to Sydney for the night if you wanted to.
The book encapsulates the history of the Wolgan Valley with reference to the major Wolgan Valley landholders. A lot of research has been done for this book and reading about the old town when it was in its glory, along with the original pictures of the township is fascinating.
Moving onto the walks, take note, there may be some by track, which can be easily navigated such as Newnes Industrial complex, Pipeline Track, and the Glow Worm Tunnel track, and some of which are offered to guests staying at the cabins. Other walks have faint or minor tracks or off-track walking along the way. Navigation is required on a lot of these walks and it is recommended that you know how to navigate before exploring this vast area. There are over 500,0000 hectares in the Wollemi National Park that you could get lost in. Also take note that some of the walks documented have been exploratory walks, which require prior arrangement through private property access.
Each walk describes what the weather was like on the day of the walk, background notes, maps required, walk description, gear taken, comments, track notes and a snippet of the topographical map with GPS tracking overlaid. They are not “Track notes” but an account of the walk, like a chronological events of the day such as what time they set off, reached a certain point and what time they reached the cars etc so it feels like you are part of the exploration. Especially when they make a historical discovery, the way they explain the flora or even when they find a slot to ascend, like a secret passage they have been waiting and wanting to find in the area. The way the walks are written makes you want to join them to be a part of the discoveries, oh and which you are all welcome to join by the way. At the end of the notes there is an explanation of the total distance covered and ascent. Also included is a table of times, location, grid reference and elevation of their walk. Thus, with a map, compass and GPS, you could follow in their footsteps.
I have enjoyed a few of their exploratory walks in and around the Wollemi National Park, so I have first-hand experience on some of the areas they have documented. I must say the area is magical. And the way the Bush Explorers have documented and described these walks is brilliant. Anyone, with navigational skills can go and explore these areas. Well done to the Bush Explorers for such a well-researched and documented book on day walks in Newnes. So where is my compass, see you later. I will be out exploring if you need to contact me.
Bushwalk
