Dharawal National park - 10 Trail Walk

Wednesday 22nd January 8:00am

Walk leader: Belinda Baccarini - please email illawarrabirdersinc@gmail.com if you plan to attend.
Walk description: A stroll along a fire trail in the heathland and low woodland at Madden’s Plains. An especially good event for new and inexperienced birders.
Parking: Park opposite Glenberrie Darkes Cider Orchard ‐ 259 Darkes Forest Rd, Darkes Forest. There are parking bays also at the Dharawal National Park information board.
Toilets/Water: Bush toilet. No water.
Terrain/Distance/Time/Shade/Seats: Easy flat walking, crossing a creek that may be full, bring a pole for the crossing. Approx 4kms return. About 3-4hours. Little shade, no seats.
Bring: Carry water, hat, morning tea. Wear sturdy shoes.
Notes: Possible byo lunch or buy lunch at Darkes Cider Orchard if open.

Stafford's Farm Track - Mt Kembla

Friday 24th January 8:00am

Walk leader: Catherine Kirby and Fiona Leo - 0405 214 480 - please text if you plan to attend.
Walk description: A wide dirt track through beautiful eucalypt forest and rainforest sections with small running streams. Fabulous views of Mt Kemble and Lake Illawarra. A chance to see some of the rarer birds like Logrunners, Noisy Pitta and Crested Shrike-tit.
Parking: Start of the walk is off Harry Graham Drive between O’Briens Management Trail and Wollongong Motorcycle Club. Parking is a bit restricted. 4-5 spots opposite the start of the walk. Otherwise park along Harry Graham Drive.
Toilets/Water: Bush toilet. Carry water.
Terrain/Distance/Time/Shade/Seats: A 3km mainly shaded return trip. Slight incline on the way up. High point has a grassy area with trees. Approximately 3 hours.
Bring: Carry - water, hat, morning tea. Wear sturdy shoes.
Notes: Suggest leech protection if wet. Occasional mountain bikes use this path.

Jerrara Dam and Spring Creek - near Kiama

Wednesday 29th January 8:00am

Walk leader: Martin Cocker - 0418 429 132 - please text if you plan to attend.
Walk description: A slow walk to the dam at Jerrara ‐ carry morning tea. Followed by a short drive and then level easy walk at Spring Creek to visit bird hide and regenerated bush.
Parking: Mount Brandon Rd Jerrara. Then near 20 Glenbrook Drive Kiama.
Toilets/Water: Drop toilet at Jerrara but nothing at Spring Creek. NO water at either location.
Terrain/Distance/Time/Shade/Seats: Good wide path, some short steep gravel and then grass on slope at Jerrara, 2.3km and 90 min return. Spring Creek is level with walking tracks, 1km and 60mins return. Plenty of shade, limited seating at both.
Bring: Water, hat, carry morning tea.
Notes: Both are good spots for photography.

Wollongong Botanic Garden ‐ Lunchtime Walk

Thursday 6th February 12.30pm

Walk leader: Martin Potter - 0437 683 677 - please text if you plan to attend.
Walk description: A gentle stroll through the Garden, via the Duck Pond, rainforest and other habitats.
Parking: Meet at the Discovery Centre. Parking is available in the nearby car park on Madoline Street. However this can fill up quickly at lunchtime; if this car park is full then there may be more parking in the Murphys Street car park or the surrounding streets.
Toilets/Water: Yes
Terrain/Distance/Time/Shade/Seats: An easy 1.7 km walk on paved or mulched paths. A circuit is walked lasting 1-1.5 hours. Some seats.
Bring: Carry ‐ water, hat & sunscreen. Wear sturdy shoes.
Notes: This is an especially good walk for new and inexperienced birders, and also for photographers.

Tallawarra Wetlands - Yallah

Friday 7th February 8:00am

Walk leader: Michelle and Dave Rower - 0421 335 037 - please text if you plan to attend.
Walk description: Walking around the Tallawarra Ponds - looking for shorebirds and waterbirds, some woodland birds.
Parking: Drive into Yallah Bay Rd which leads to the Energy Australia Tallawarra Power Station. Yallah Bay Rd is only accessible from the Princes Highway southbound from Dapto. Meet at the carpark opposite the security gates just before the bridge.
Toilets/Water: No (toilet is available at the Security check in).
Terrain/Distance/Time/Shade/Seats: 4km round trip, easy walk on wide trails. Minimum shade.
Bring: Water, hat, sturdy shoes, morning tea (carry).
Notes: Path may be muddy after rain. Bring a scope if you have one.

Fitzroy Falls ‐ Morton National Park

Friday 14th February 8:00am

Walk leader: Martin Cocker ‐ 0418 429 132 – please text if you plan to attend.
Walk description: A flat walk either side of Fitzroy Falls escarpment rainforest.
Parking/Meeting Place: Park at the Visitor Centre Carpark (1301 Nowra Rd Fitzroy Falls) parking fees apply $4 at the carpark or buy online
https://pass.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/pass/selection
Meet at the Visitor Centre.
Toilets/Water: yes – at the Visitor Centre.
Terrain/Distance/Time/Shade/Seats: Dirt track. 2 km return either side of the Falls. Approx 3-4 hours. Well maintened track and boardwalk. Shade and seats.
Bring: Carry water, hat, morning tea. Wear sturdy shoes.
Notes: Rainforest and woodland birds. Lunch byo or eat at café if you would like to stay a little longer.

Lake Illawarra southern shore all day trip

Friday 21st February 8:00am

Walk leader: Belinda Baccarini - please email illawarrabirdersinc@gmail.com if you plan to attend.
Walk description: A days activities looking for shorebirds on the south side of Lake Illawarra: Purrah Bay/Passionate Palate Café/Macquarie Rivulet/Koona Bay/Whyjuck Bay. An especially good event for new and inexperienced birders.
Parking/Meeting Place: Purrah Bay Playground carpark opposite 11 Murra Murra Rd Kanahooka.
Toilets/Water: No water/some public toilets.
Terrain/Distance/Time/Shade/Seats: Flat walking along paths, on sand. Finish approximately 3pm.
Bring: Carry water, hat, lunch, afternoon tea. Wear sturdy shoes.
Notes: Bring a scope if you have one.

Wattle Forest picnic area - Audley

Tuesday 25th February – 8.00am

Walk leader: Sharon Redman - 0413 492 646. Please text Sharon if you plan to attend
Walk description: We will be walking along a short track along the riverside. We hope to see a Superb Lyrebird, Green Catbird, some Bassian Thrush and Azure Kingfishers
Parking/Meeting Place: Meet at 8am at the Wattle Forest picnic area.
Directions: Coming from the north - turn left off the Princes highway at Farnell avenue and proceed down to Audley. Drive across Audley Weir and take a right turn after Weir Café. Dirve left over Varneys bridge and follow the road veering to the left. It follows the Hacking river for about 750 metres. Park at the end of the car park where the picnic shed and toilets are located.
NB: Parking fees to enter the Royal National Park are $12 per day.
https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/picnic-areas/wattle-forest-picnic-area
Toilets/Water: Flushing toilets available. Bring own water.
Terrain/Distance/Time/Shade/Seats: Easy level walking of about 3kms and 3 hours. Large undercover picnic area with picnic tables.
Bring: Carry water, hat. Wear sturdy shoes. Carry morning tea.
Notes: A good walk for beginners and photographers.

Wollongong Botanic Garden ‐ Lunchtime Walk

Thursday 6th March 12.30pm

Walk leader: Martin Potter - 0437 683 677 - please text if you plan to attend.
Walk description: A gentle stroll through the Garden, via the Duck Pond, rainforest and other habitats.
Parking: Meet at the Discovery Centre. Parking is available in the nearby car park on Madoline Street. However this can fill up quickly at lunchtime; if this car park is full then there may be more parking in the Murphys Street car park or the surrounding streets.
Toilets/Water: Yes
Terrain/Distance/Time/Shade/Seats: An easy 1.7 km walk on paved or mulched paths. A circuit is walked lasting 1-1.5 hours. Some seats.
Bring: Carry ‐ water, hat & sunscreen. Wear sturdy shoes.
Notes: This is an especially good walk for new and inexperienced birders, and also for photographers.

Tallawarra Wetlands - Yallah

Saturday 8th March 8:00am

Walk leader: Michelle and Dave Rower - 0421 335 037 - please text if you plan to attend.
Walk description: Walking around the Tallawarra Ponds - looking for shorebirds and waterbirds, some woodland birds.
Parking: Drive into Yallah Bay Rd which leads to the Energy Australia Tallawarra Power Station. Yallah Bay Rd is only accessible from the Princes Highway southbound from Dapto. Meet at the carpark opposite the security gates just before the bridge.
Toilets/Water: No (toilet is available at the Security check in).
Terrain/Distance/Time/Shade/Seats: 4km round trip, easy walk on wide trails. Minimum shade.
Bring: Water, hat, sturdy shoes, morning tea (carry).
Notes: Path may be muddy after rain. Bring a scope if you have one.

Killalea Lagoon walk ‐ Killalea Regional Park, Shell Cove

Wednesday 12th March 8:00am

Walk leader: Martin Cocker - 0418  429 132 - please text Martin if you plan to attend.
Walk description: A solid walk down to the lagoon along the beach and return around the lagoon and wooded areas. Mixture of habitats makes for an interesting walk.
Parking/Meeting Place: Near cafe inside the park. Killalea Drive Shell Cove.
Toilets/Water: Both at the parking area near cafe, none on the walk.
Terrain/Distance/Time/Shade/Seats: Some steep sections, sandy beach, grass and gravel wide paths.  4-5 km return. Approx 3 hours, little shade.
Bring: Carry water, hat, morning tea. Wear sturdy shoes. Something to sit on if it is damp.
Notes: A wide variety of reasonably common birds, lists of 60 species not unusual.

Riverina Camp - Narrandera and Griffith

19-25 March

Walk leader: Ralph Stadus - camp is full - email ralph.stadus@gmail.com to be put on a waiting list.

Wollongong Botanic Garden ‐ Lunchtime Walk

Thursday 3rd April 12.30pm

Walk leader: Martin Potter - 0437 683 677 - please text if you plan to attend.
Walk description: A gentle stroll through the Garden, via the Duck Pond, rainforest and other habitats.
Parking: Meet at the Discovery Centre. Parking is available in the nearby car park on Madoline Street. However this can fill up quickly at lunchtime; if this car park is full then there may be more parking in the Murphys Street car park or the surrounding streets.
Toilets/Water: Yes
Terrain/Distance/Time/Shade/Seats: An easy 1.7 km walk on paved or mulched paths. A circuit is walked lasting 1-1.5 hours. Some seats.
Bring: Carry ‐ water, hat & sunscreen. Wear sturdy shoes.
Notes: This is an especially good walk for new and inexperienced birders, and also for photographers.

Tallawarra Wetlands - Yallah

Friday 11th April 8:30am

Walk leader: Belinda Baccarini - please email illawarrabirdersinc@gmaill.com if you plan to attend.
Walk description: Walking around the Tallawarra Ponds - looking for shorebirds and waterbirds, some woodland birds.
Parking: Drive into Yallah Bay Rd which leads to the Energy Australia Tallawarra Power Station. Yallah Bay Rd is only accessible from the Princes Highway southbound from Dapto. Meet at the carpark opposite the security gates just before the bridge.
Toilets/Water: No (toilet is available at the Security check in).
Terrain/Distance/Time/Shade/Seats: 4km round trip, easy walk on wide trails. Minimum shade.
Bring: Water, hat, sturdy shoes, morning tea (carry).
Notes: Path may be muddy after rain. Bring a scope if you have one.

Wollongong Botanic Garden ‐ Lunchtime Walk

Thursday 1st May 12.30pm

Walk leader: Martin Potter - 0437 683 677 - please text if you plan to attend.
Walk description: A gentle stroll through the Garden, via the Duck Pond, rainforest and other habitats.
Parking: Meet at the Discovery Centre. Parking is available in the nearby car park on Madoline Street. However this can fill up quickly at lunchtime; if this car park is full then there may be more parking in the Murphys Street car park or the surrounding streets.
Toilets/Water: Yes
Terrain/Distance/Time/Shade/Seats: An easy 1.7 km walk on paved or mulched paths. A circuit is walked lasting 1-1.5 hours. Some seats.
Bring: Carry ‐ water, hat & sunscreen. Wear sturdy shoes.
Notes: This is an especially good walk for new and inexperienced birders, and also for photographers.

Abrahams Bosom Walking Track– Jervis Bay

Friday 2nd May 8.30pm

Walk leader: Martin Cocker - 0418 429 132 - please text Martin if you plan to attend.
Walk description: We will be walking a shorter walk or the longer walk. Along heath track with views of beaches.
Parking/Meeting Place: Meet at the carpark at Abrahams Bosom Beach. https://currarong.org.au/things-to-do/bush-walking/
Toilets/Water: Flushing toilets available. Bring own water.
Terrain/Distance/Time/Shade/Seats:
1. Coomies Walk 9km – 3-5 hours
2. Wreck Walk2.5km – 1-3 hour
Bring: Carry water, hat. Wear sturdy shoes. Carry morning tea and lunch if you plan to do the longer walk.
Notes: Notes: If you plan to continue on bring lunch. And water. And swimmers.
NB there is a walk the next day at the Beecroft Weapons Range so you may want to stay overnight in the area. See walk 3rd May for more details.

Beecroft Weapons Range – Jervis Bay National Park

Saturday 3rd May 8.30pm

Walk leader: Belinda Baccarini - Please email illawarrabirdersinc@gmail.com if you plan to attend.
Walk description: We will be walking on a well maintained heath track some way to Little Target Beach. We may also visit Point Perpendicular Lighthouse.
Parking/Meeting Place: Meet at the carpark at Little Target Beach.
All visitors to the area must read the Beecroft induction brochure: https://www.defence.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-12/beecroft-brochure.pdf
NB – Plans may change at the last moment if the weapons range is closed.
Toilets/Water: No. Bush toilet. Bring own water.
Bring: Carry water, hat. Wear sturdy shoes. Carry morning tea and lunch if you plan to stay after lunch.
Notes: Notes: If you plan to continue on bring lunch. And water. And swimmers.
NB there is a walk the previous day at Abrahams Bosom Reserve so you may want to stay overnight in the area. See walk 2nd May for more details.