18 of us set out to do this much talked about walk. I had been looking forward to it ever since I pulled out the last time due to bad weather. 

We left at 7.30am for a 2 hr drive, the time passing away quickly as we caught up on the holidays, and what every one had been doing over the Xmas period. We soon arrived and it was over to The Talisman cafe for a quick coffee. Soon the others arrived and we were off on this overcast day with a light sprinkling of rain. This did not dampen our enthusiasm and it soon cleared reaching temperatures during the day to 29 degrees,thank goodness we were in the bush. 

After a brief history given by our leader Jeanene, we were soon off heading over the very new swing bridge, we started on the Windows Walk. The 'Windows' of the walk are four open holes, once used to tip tailings into the Waitawheta Gorge below. They frame dramatic views from their midway vertical vantage point. Looking down, the sunlit track of the Crown Walkway hugs the cliff face opposite.   

One cannot help but be impressed by the magnitude of what the workers of the time achieved. We stopped for morning tea on the pipeline then followed the Crown Track alongside Waitawheta River going through the tunnels past the junction that leads to the Dickey Flat Campsite and on back via the Dubbo 96 Track to the car park. 

This park marks the Northern limit of Kamahi, Red Beech and Silver Beech. It is the Southern limit of the mighty Kauri. This unusual combination of semi-coastal and Montane plant species makes the forest composition unique and highly significant. 

We had achieved 17,000 steps and 12kms. 

18 very hot sweaty girls made their way back to the cars and onto Paeroa for cold drinks and icecreams. 

Many thanks Jeanene for a wonderful day. 

Carol

Click here to view the photos from Carol

And click here to view a map of the walk