Walk: Cowan Trail

Registration essential

Waratahs along the first kilometre or so will hopefully be in bloom. We may also see the uncommon white-flowered form of Boronia pinnata (see right) and we’ll certainly see heaps of pink waxflowers. Spirit Rock at the end of the trail is a nice rock engraving site and the rock platform has views down to Appletree Bay, and we'll linger around there for a snack before we retrace our steps.

Date: Sunday 6 September
Time: 8.45 for 9 am start to approx 2 pm
Length:  8.5 km 
Grade: Moderate (firetrail for full length but rough in places)
Meet: Start of the Perimeter Trail (that joins the Long Trail) at the end Cullamine Road (near junction with Bulara Street)
How to get there: Follow Booralie Rd for 4 km from Terrey Hills centre, past the country club entrance whereafter the road sweeps left past the gun club entrance. Take the first right turn after the bend and follow sealed road for 0.5 km reaching a T-junction and turning right onto Mallawa Rd for 0.35 km to another T- junction. There you drive downhill to the left on a wide but rough gravel road. The road turns right at the bottom, curving round to the park entrance gate. There’s a broad, rough area of verges to park on, though it can be popular with cyclists’ vehicles on weekends.
Safety risks: It’s a longish walk but relatively safe apart from sun and wind exposure. Loved by cyclists who are mostly civilised, but keep your eyes and ears pierced in interest of personal safety.
Bring: Wildflower ID books, camera, plenty of snacks and water
Afterwards: drink and snacks (provided)
Footwear: What you usually wear on bushwalks — easy track surface though with short rocky sections
Limit: 20
Leader: John Martyn (0425 830 260)