THE local Thursday Walkers ventured out on a delightful series of Spring walks during September.
The first Thursday was blessed with mostly sunshine and a slight breeze as the group followed the Salamander Bay shoreline from Soldiers Point to Corlette, taking in extensive views across Port Stephens to the relatively untouched shores of Jimmy’s Beach.
The northern side of the bay was chequered with a mix of beach, lawns, tracks and paths, and a lot of houses capturing the views.
“There were a couple of dolphins frolicking about, a school of fish fleeing a flock of seagulls, several boats plying the waters and a few fishermen here and there, all adding to a fun day experience,” Cherry Hughes told News Of The Area.
Winter made its blunted return, bringing cold, wet and windy conditions in the second week of September, forcing the cancellation of yet another walk, this time the planned “Morpeth Meander”.
The following week was neither too hot nor too cold for a walk out to Johnson’s Beach in Myall Lakes National Park.
The flora presented some magnificent old angophoras, paperbarks and grey gums. As well as marvellous grass trees, spectacular palms, the occasional elkhorns and ferns, plus a wonderful array of wildflowers.
Six walkers braved the 750 metre climb to Johnson’s Hill lookout before all enjoyed morning tea beside Boolambayte Lake.
The final Thursday of the month presented another nice Spring day for a walk up and around Mt Sugarloaf at West Wallsend, a particularly ambitious ambulation.
“Linking three different stages, it starts with an optional climb to the top lookout, a really testing little jaunt up a very steep walkway to a series of ladders and steps to finally get to the top,” Cherry explained.
“Everybody took the challenge and all were relieved to get there.
“Views of 360 degrees made it all worthwhile, then a short-circuit around the top of the mount through forest and flora before moving downhill to follow the ‘Clifftop Walk’ along the nor’west side of the mount with viewing points looking out to farmland and townships below.
“The track passes several very interesting rock formations, some nice old trees and a variety of flora peppered with flowering Gymea Lilies.”
The Walkers’ schedule for October will see a contrast of walks starting with a discovery walk through and around Newcastle East, a wildflower walk from Fingal Head to Boulder Bay and a jaunt through some magnificent regenerated forest at Wootton.
By Thomas O’KEEFE
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