The Great North Walk part 5: Cowan to Brooklyn

On track again, after a few months of Covid induced hibernation, my bushwalking club's Great North Walk adventure resumed yesterday. Twenty two fully-vaxed and certified bushwalkers turned up. And what a great day out!

 

Exercise parks of Lockdown 2 - No.98: Cowan Park

 
This one was an unexpected gem. I was aware of it, but had never checked it out properly. It's got fine views over lower Berowra Creek.

Taffys Rock from Cowan

 

This one's an old favourite. Down to Jerusalem Bay from Cowan station, up the big up, and turn right at the top. Then it's a few zigs and zags and ups and downs, and a few hours later you're there!

It's a great little walk, especially on a gorgeous sunshiny day like yesterday. And usually you see no other parties. Yesterday was exceptional though, with Sydney's current Covid 'latte lockdown' bringing out exercisers by the million. At least they presumably weren't clogging up the shopping centres.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Along the way there are several interesting rocks, caves, crawl holes, and an aboriginal carving or three. Lots to see.

Taffy was in fact a Welsh-born bushwalker called Dorothy Townson. She died in 1948 in a particularly unfortunate bushwalking accident on the Overland Track in Tasmania, involving a snakebite and a sensitive part of the anatomy. I'd often been told the cautionary tale while living there, and only recently made the connection with this Sydney bushwalking location. The memorial plaque was placed here because it was her all-time favourite place.

It's also one of my favourite places. It was the destination for my first overnight camping trip with All Nations Bushwalkers more than 20 years ago, and I've brought many groups back there since.

The Great North Walk part 4: Berowra to Cowan

 

The intrepid bushwalkers are progressing gradually on their march to Newcastle. Yesterday it was the good old Berowra to Cowan bit. Some great scenery and some very fine views.