Thursday Walkers enjoy autumnal jaunts

BRIGHT sunshine and blue skies greeted the Thursday Walkers for their first April ambulation – a local discovery around Tea Gardens’ streets, parks and waterways.

They took in the length of the new footpath along Marine Drive to Sanctuary Close, then cut through Admiralty Avenue to follow the artificial lake’s edge; then over the bridge into Windward and Leeward circuits – stopping for morning tea at the Captain’s Cove parklands.

The multitude of pedestrian paths throughout Myall Quays and the other side of Myall Way, facilitated their return journey.

They came out at Coolabah Close, then it was through the back of Dunshea Estate to the back of Tea Gardens cemetery, down to the river and back to the library – a distance of almost nine kilometres.

April’s second week was a warm one, so the walkers took a long paved footpath parallel to Medowie Road, through some forested areas; noting several relatively new housing developments, then through established suburbia and several parklands.

“Medowie was all quite interesting because it was a new one for the group, even more interesting because it led to the Macadamia Farm Cafe, an ideal stopping point for brunch, nice coffee, some special treats and the opportunity to cool down as the day got hotter,” convenor Ray Hughes told News Of the Area.

Autumn capriciousness brought a cooler Thursday for the next one, but the sun shone as the walkers prepared for a beach walk in Myall Lakes National Park, starting at Sandy Point four-wheel-drive beach access road.

“It was a tough start through and over the sand dunes in very soft sand after the track had been churned up by previous vehicles, but the view over the ocean and out to Broughton Island when we reached the beach made it all seem worthwhile,” Ray said.

A light sea breeze kept later heat at bay as the walk progressed along the beach to Little Gibber and a well-earnt stop for morning tea, then back over the sand dunes to the Dark Point access and eventually back to the cars and home for lunch.

The next week saw a return to Newcastle Harbour on a day that defied forecast showers, with an easy drive to Stockton Ferry, across to Queen’s Wharf, then following the foreshore promenade through Honeysuckle, Wickham and Maryville to Tighes Hill, crossing Throsby Creek and circling to Mount Carrington for a picnic lunch and a boomerang back to the cars.

“A very interesting experience with lots to see – a working harbour on one side, the continual construction of home units and shopfronts all around Honeysuckle and the rows and rows of townhouses through Wickham, Maryville and Carrington.”

The final walk for the month took the group back to the local National Park, this time visiting from Mungo Brush campground along the shoreline of The Broadwater through a diverse forest dominated by Cabbage Tree palms.

They saw the entrance to the Myall River and the small village of Tamboi;  a collection of shacks utilised by both prawners and or fishermen at various times of the year.

Plans to continue to Brambles Green were thwarted by a flood-damaged wetlands boardwalk.

The weather turned on the way back, with drizzle growing heavier over the three-and-a-half-kilometre return, only stopping with 300m to go.

May will see the Walkers set up their annual Camp: four days exploring walks in and around the North Haven/Laurieton area including North Brother Mountain, Perpendicular Point, Queen’s Lake, a beach walk and riverside, with a local walk for those not attending the camp.

Other walks planned include Columbey National Park near Clarence Town, with three adjacent forest communities and a variety of flora, and North Arm Cove, a mix of suburbia and forest – all with magnificent views of local bays and out across Port Stephens.

Then a visit to the Hunter Region Botanical Gardens, and a special outing on Wednesday 3 June to visit the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Base at Broadmeadow.

By Thomas O’KEEFE