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Showing posts from 2020

Davis Lookout 2020

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 Tuesday 24 November 2020 Richea scoparia  one of the few bushes out in flower most were just at bud stage It had been 10 years since I went to Davis Lookout and I fancied going there again. The route was over Windy Moor on the boardwalk then on to moorland and woodland, with several nice open sections that are found there. The highest part of the final snowgum woodland is traversed towards Davis Lookout.  However, from this direction the actual summit cannot be seen, and one highpoint gave every appearance of being the top, but Davis Lookout  was a bit further on.  Two went over the top of this false summit and two of us sidled around it.  In hindsight keeping more northerly may have been the best option.     Return was on a route to the west of the approach way and went through more woodland and  over part of Windy Moor to another belt of forested land,  The intention was to cross but the exit was off a south facing slope and beyond looked to have copious thick scrub, including s

Mike Howes Lookout

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Friday  13 November 2020 Ozothamnus scutellifolius This walk in the Midlands was organised with Shirley from Oatlands and it left from Bowhill Road and Mike Howes Lookout was roughly 3.5k away from there.   It was not a particularly hard walk, that followed vehicle tracks through farmland and bush until heading up over open country to the summit. The return took the western side of Mike Howes making it a circuit walk. In all it was a pleasant outing; there were many Pardalotes singing and during the climb   we encountered and impressive patch of Ozothamnus (thought to be O scutellifolius) and also prostrate Baeckea (now known as Euryomyrtus ramosissima).  One of the highlights was seeing two eagles above us whilst we were on the summit. The lookout is named after the bushranger Mike Howe who was quite notorious and violent, even knocking off several of his fellow bushrangers.    There are several websites with details of his history.   Tasmanian Geographic Australian Dictionary o

Sand River Cliffs 2020

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  Friday  16 October 2020 There have been a few people and groups walking to the Sand River area. It has been frequented by rock climbers for the last 3-4 years and there are good directions on how to get there and to the various cliffs.   What was a surprise was the extent of the climbing routes put in and the number of metal supports drilled into the sandstone cliffs. The tracks were also clear and well used, so a lot of climbers must go there. Tracks went along the base of the cliffs and this made it fairly easy walking, although there were several small scrambles and ledges to negotiate. The flowers were splendid, initially lots of colourful Tetratheca (Black Eyed Susan), with two shades of mauve and several of the less common white form. Then the area became dominated by Oxylobium (Golden Rosemary) which was quite brilliant. Many other plants were flowering at their peak. The main location of our walk was named the Colosseum and was an extensive cliffline. Towards the end of t

Basin Hills 2020

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Tuesday 29 September 2020 The first part of the walk up to the top of Basin Hills was notable for the bits of car, including burnt out wrecks. But the last section along to the high point was much better from that perspective.   The grasstrees were most prolific and attractive until we reached an open plateau with many colourful bushes.   It was here lunch was taken, before descending steeply to reach a vehicle track taking us back to Risdon Vale; again there were lots of wrecks and associated debris.   Grasstree at high point Hibbertia Open plateau  Overall, the walk was pleasant and the day quite warm.   The photo album is at this webpage

A Second Visit

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Mount Faulkner Tuesday 15 September 2020 View to Mount Dromedary After walking to Mount Faulkner in 2016 I did not anticipate returning there this soon, but Dave said he would like to go there so why not I thought. Greg, who was on the previous walk, was also agreeable to going again and a date was quickly set. Graham and Alan were also starters. The same route as before was taken, but this time it was nicer weather and instead of being blasted off the top by freezing snow falls, we were able to enjoy lunch on top in a sheltered spot. The scrub was also appeared to be less formidable and bush and scenery better appreciated. This time there was a gate with an indication to contact Collinsvale Fire Brigade for access key. This part of the road reserve does pass through private property for a short distance.  View to Kunanyi/M Wellington Uphill Euucalypts and Aotus It took 3:45 including two substantial breaks which brings it to 3 hours actual once those are taken out and 3 hours