Twelve WOPpers including our leader Elizabeth met at Hooten Reserve carpark Albany on a rather damp grey morning. A special welcome to 5 new WOPpers who came today. Duly kitted out in our raincoats we set off on the 1st of many varied bush tracks thru the Albany environs. This suburb that we know as Albany was originally called Lucas Creek but renamed Albany in 1890 after the fruit growing district called Albany in Australia, but this area also very prolific in fruit growing market gardening etc. 

The walkway commences by crossing over the bridge at Mills Lane & then a sharp left along a meandering track thru bush which comes out at Gills Road, then a pleasant walk alongside Lucas Creek & of course a stop to view the Lucas Creek waterfall. The waterfall very sedate today. Thankfully, the rain started to ease & eventually just a drizzle on & off. After crossing the highway, it is thru Kells Park, The Landing Reserve & then join the Esplanade pathway continuing on thru bush looking down on Lucas Creek & come out at the end of Wharf Road. A short walk up Bass Road, cross over the highway & then into the Fernhill Escarpment following the top side track. A beautiful spot of bush primarily Totara.

Another road crossing over the busy Bush Road with its endless streams of cars on their way to Albany Mall no doubt! then into Burnside Escarpment also known as Kanuka Reserve. There are many tracks in this area & the local community in conjunction with the Council put in a lot of work maintaining the area tracks we did a few loops & covered part of Tornado Alley. We pointed out to our new WOPpers the quirky Alien Parachutist hanging in the tree! The bush looking great with the recent rain freshening up everything & new fern fronds uncurling everywhere. We then continued back coming out at Bush Road again & crossed over back into Fernhill Bush this time on the other side of the creek eventually to pop out near The Landing Reserve & then just a matter of retracing our steps back to. 

Lunch was enjoyed in a little lookout spot overlooking the Oteha Stream which was very calm today. Instead of continuing on up the top the Hooten carpark. 

Total walking distance about 12 kms today. Many thanks Elizabeth for another enjoyable jaunt, great to be out in the fresh air despite the rain which thankfully was not as heavy as initially forecast. 

Colleen W.

For pictures from Colleen and Carnette, click here