Walk: Shrub species of Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden

Registration essential

Early spring is the ideal season to explore the Hawkesbury Sandstone area of of Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden. See and identify shrubs in the Proteaceae, Ericaceae (heath) and Rutaceae (citrus) families as well as many less well known plants. Various tracks and trails radiate out from Caley’s Garden, Lambert’s Clearing and Cunningham’s Rest. The route will maximise the chance to see the greatest variety of shrubs in flower. Many of the plants have botanical signs which include name, family, distribution and a brief description. Moist gullies on the Smith, Bentham and Caley tracks are particularly rich in heath species while the Knoll garden has been augmented with less common species of Persoonia, Banksia, Grevillea and the elusive Hal (pictured).

Date: Sunday 4 August
Time: 9.15 for 9.30 am start
Length: 2 km
Grade: moderate, gradients mostly gentle but with some short, rocky sections
Highlights: winter/early spring flowering shrubs
How to get there: Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, 420 Mona Vale Rd, St Ives (take Mona Vale Road from St Ives shops in the direction of Mona Vale and after 2.5 km turn left onto Richmond Avenue, right into the gardens, right once inside the gates and follow the signs on a narrow, sealed road to the car park beyond Caley’s Pavilion)
Park and meet: under the power lines in the car park below Caley's Pavilion
Bring: your mobile phone mostly as a camera (reception is patchy for all networks). The walk is not very shady, so wear a hat and bring water and snack food and any i.d. books you normally use. It can be chilly so bear that in mind re clothing. Public toilets available at the start and at Lamberts Clearing and the Visitor Centre.
Leader: Wendy Grimm (0419 323 035)
Limit: 20 walkers
Contact: Helen Wortham (0423 534 148)