Walk: Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park (FULLY BOOKED)

BOOKINGS CLOSED

STEP knows a thing or two about local bushland and the Centre Trail is truly Sydney's best wildflower walk north of the Harbour. It follows an undulating sandstone ridgeline which is mostly clothed in heathland and shrubland with patchy woodland glades. This combination of good light and decent rainfall ensures a multicoloured display every springtime. The track is a service trail throughout, a little stony in stretches but otherwise easy walking with only modest hill climbs. Highlights are:

• numerous species of flowering shrubs and herbs of all colours, but notably Boronias, Eriostemons, Grevilleas, Dillwynias and Phebaliums
• wide, sweeping views of Ku-ring-gai Chase and Coal and Candle Creek
• aboriginal engravings
• no guarantees but usually some bird life; saw three wedge-tailed eagles there once, and a square-tailed kite on another occasion

Date: Saturday 17 August
Time: 8:45 for 9 am
Length: 6 km (about 3 h)
Grade: moderate; boots more comfortable than joggers because of the stony stretches
Meet: General San Martin Drive, just after branching off McCarrs Creek Road
Bring: camera, plant i.d. book(s), sunblock, drink and snack
Weather: it can be exposed and windy in August, but rain not usually a big issue
Leader: John Martyn (0425 830 260)

Getting there

Take McCarrs Creek Road from Terry Hills, then when it veers to the right, keep straight on as if for Cottage Point and Akuna Bay. Park immediately on the left, near where the old park entry kiosk used to be.