Sand River Cliffs 2020
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 the track we used a marked way to the top and followed tapes for several hundred metres before deciding it probably only lead to another access way to the area. However on reading another website later that night, it was apparent that it did go to another set of cliffs.
Return was on a track down to a valley floor with tall Pomaderris (Dogwood) making this a part circuit walk.
Impressive cliffs could be seen to the south east, given the name Panopticon and that would be a good spot to explore on another occasion.
Our walk was 7k and 1:45 each way. With lunch and morning tea, the elapsed time was 5 hours.
Oxylobium ellipticum Golden Rosemary
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| Colosseum area |
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| Bird nesting site |
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