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22 June 202221 June 2022

Kanning Walk Kincumber Australia

Exposed rocks and boulders along the Kanning Walk

Kanning Walk Kincumber Australia

Located near Kincumber on the New South Wales Central Coast, Kanning Walk is a 1.2 km track as well as a cave and beautiful scenic Australian bush to enjoy.

We parked near the “mud brick building“, which is also marked as a kiosk. Unfortunately, it is closed, so any thought of a coffee was put aside until we finished the walk. This area also has toilets, electric barbecues, tables and sun shades. Along with the large grassed area, this would be a great place for a family picnic in summer. Also located here is Honeman’s Rock, a small rock outcrop overlooking the picnic grounds.

Kanning Walk

The walk begins near the carpark, where a sign points the way to go. One of the first sights is the root system of a fallen tree, which you pass through at the start. The well maintained track leads through eucalypt forest which was very shady and peaceful dover their uring our visit early on a winter’s morning.

After 200m, the track follows the base of a small sandstone outcrop which contain several small caves (more like rock overhangs). Probably so that visitors don’t think this is the main caves, a nearby sign points to its location 150m away.

Surprisingly large, the main cave is around 7m by 9m and provides nice shade from the weather. During summer this would be a great spot out of the sun.

Continuing on the walk, we passed some interestingly shaped trees that have been sculpted by bushfires over the years. As the track neared the return trail, some banksias in bloom were seen growing in the more exposed areas.

Around 100m passed the cave, the walk meets the Yanina Trail, which is a wide fire trail. Well signposted directions show the way back to the mudbrick building or adventuring on to other walks..

This was a fun easy walk with an interesting cave to see along the way.

Fallen tree at the start of the Kanning Walk — Fallen tree at the start of the track

Steps on the Kanning Walk — Fallen tree at the start of the track

6 March 202122 March 2021

Seaham Swamp Nature Reserve

Managed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Seaham Swamp Nature Reserve, is a small, but important park. Located 40km north of Newcastle, it contains colonial heritage and an important bird habitat.

We parked in a car park near St. Andrew’s Church, which let us walk to Tom’s Cottage and to the swamp and its bird hut. The walk is graded as 5, implying that it is difficult, however, this is due to a lack of signs. The walk is flat, but you need to follow the tracks made by previous visitors as there is no signage.

St. Andrew’s Anglican Church

Built in 1860, St. Andrew’s Anglican Church is an interesting little church, notable for being one of the few buildings in Seaham to escape the 1939 bushfires. We parked nearby in the car park, so spent a few minutes wandering around looking at it.

Tom’s Cottage

Seaham Swamp Nature Reserve is home to a historic slab cottage known as Tom McLellan’s Cottage, or simply Tom’s Cottage. This is an example of a typical colonial era rural dwelling which was moved to its current location in the early 1900s. Though it’s named for Tom, the cottage was actually first built as a retirement home for his mother, Mary McLellan.

Seaham Swamp

An important bird habitat, Seaham Swamp provides refuge for migratory waterfowl. Depending on the time of year, different species are present, but during our visit, we only saw a few ducks. It was still an interesting walk because the swamp and trees provided interesting photos opportunities.

Only 300m one-way, it is an easy walk, but no signage means you need to keep track of where you are.

Birdwatching Hut

The birdwatching hut is an all-weather bird hide allowing you to watch from a platform, ensuring you get great views and photos of the birds without disturbing them. Identification photos show the species that frequent the swamp, along with information boards explaining about the local wildlife.

Information Board Inside the Birdwatching Hut — Inside the Birdwatching Hut

What Did We think?

These two short but interesting walks were fun. Not only did we see an old colonial slab hut and the swamp, but were able to see an old church too. Simple to find with easy parking, it made for a fun morning out.

27 February 202130 March 2021

Cape Baily Track Kamay Botany Bay

Cape Baily Track Kamay Bay National Park

Getting There

Located in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, the Cape Baily Track winds along coastal cliffs with amazing ocean views. The track starts at the end of the park’s road, past Cape Solander. A car park next to a helicopter landing pad provides easy access to the start of the walk.

Cape Baily Track

The track is well maintained and in many places is a formed board walk, which makes the hike easier than walking over rough terrain. As we walked, the surroundings changed from coastal scrub to bare sandstone rock. Several areas had steps, but these were in excellent condition and easy to climb and descend.

At 4 km each way and often exposed to strong winds and heat in summer, remember to take plenty of water and sunscreen. There are no facilities on the track, so take what you need for the walk, which takes around 2.5 hours.

Board Walk Through Coastal Scrub Cape Baily Track — Board Walk Through Coastal Scrub

Ocean Views

The amazing sandstone cliffs which line the ocean side of the walk are beautiful. Lookouts along the walk provide great vantage points to see them, but obey the signs and don’t go near the edge.

We might be biased, because we’re local, but in our opinion they are far better than the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland. Not only are they high with vertical drops to the ocean, but they are not as crowded and more scenic.

Ocean Views and Sea Cliffs — Sea Cliffs and Waves

Tabbigai Cliff Dwellers

Fishermen built dwellings on some of the cliffs and lived there from 1920 until the 1960s. As can be seen in the photo from that time they were precariously perched on the cliffs, although some were quite extensive. We had not heard of these buildings before the walk and found out about them from the information boards on the trail.

The Department Of Lands ordered their eviction and removal of structures in the 1960s.

Gully Where the Cliff Dwellers Lived — The Tabbigai Cliff Dwellers

Cape Baily Lighthouse

At the end of the track the Cape Bailey Lighthouse sits high on the cliff, warning ships of the rocks. It isn’t a particularly interesting building, being plain and functional. There are many more lighthouses of note around Sydney, such as Macquarie and Hornby Lighthouses. We didn’t do the hike for the lighthouse but for the scenery, so we’re not disappointed.

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Tag: track

Kanning Walk Kincumber Australia

Kanning Walk Kincumber Australia

Kanning Walk

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Seaham Swamp Nature Reserve