Thursday is bushwalking day. It was a struggle to leave the comfort of bed before sunrise. However, after a quick breakfast and short drive we arrived at Cox Scrub at 07:30 for a hike we have completed on numerous past occasions. Although this my second post about Cox Scrub, I would like you to join me on this more detailed recollection.
First section
We left home under the coastal cloud cover, arriving in clear bule skies and a temperature of 15 degrees. Learning from our first hike here, a clockwise direction gets the hard work through the soft sandy track over and done with early. There were deep tyre tracks in the powdery sand from a recent Parks vehicle – it was like walking through talcum powder, so we tried to keep to the sparse vegetation on the sides.
With the sun still low, our shadows stretched into the bush to our right and, on our left, regimented rows of vines marched up the hillside. This first section runs parallel to the road, so the occasional 100 km/hr vehicle rudely interrupted the silence that was otherwise the backdrop to the dawn birdsong and the gentle creaking of my backpack as we made our way uphill.
Second section
At the 1.6 km mark, the route veered off to the right and onto a more walker friendly surface of hard packed sand and gravel. I noticed that it was still too cold for the ants to commence their daily scurrying, however, the omni-present New Holland Honey Eaters busied themselves from bush to bush. K spotted three Blue Winged Parrots posing on top of a dead tree for a few photographs. Heading away from the road the track gently ascends before dropping down again. With the sun on our backs and not a breath of wind, I stop to admire the multiple tones of green, yellows and amber of the scrub and notice that the ants have woken up, making a mental note to be careful about where to stand.
Third section
After 3 km of wide 4 WD tracks, the route diverted to the right onto a single file track with low shrubs on both sides (great habitats for the snake population, but thankfully still too early and cool for them). As I walk along, what is left of the morning dew rubs off on my bare legs, a pleasant physical connection with nature to accompany the warming sun, the sounds of the birds and smells of the vegetation.
800m further on we reach a high point into the full sun and views across the reserve to the distant rolling green hills with occasional small black dots of grazing cattle.
Coffee stop
In another 200m we reach our personal BYO coffee stop, AKA the quarry. This tranquil spot allows us to wonder why this part of the picturesque landscape was plundered and where the unusually white and amber coloured rock was destined for. In enjoying the peaceful surrounds with only bird song to keep us company, we reflect on the power of nature as it reclaims the scarred landscape with trees and plants growing at the quarry base and from the smallest cracks above. Our 20 minute rest here is enough to refresh our weary muscles and enhance the wellbeing gained from our hike.
Bird Photos
Some of K’s bird photos
Fourth section
Rather than taking the short cut along the quarry track as we usually do, we elected to complete the full loop and set off along the ridge line where, on the highest section, we caught a pleasant cooling breeze. Before too long we turned west onto another wide gravel 4WD track that follows the boundary fence down to the lowest point of the route where we reached the half way point.
Turning north east along the Rymill Track, there was a large area of blackened tree trunks nurturing new bright green growth, causing me to marvel, not for the first time, at the ability of nature to recover from the ravages of a bushfire.
Fifth section
Turning off the wide gravel surface onto another single file track, the terrain started to rise, and rise, and rise. Continuing to the end of the hike, this track was at times like walking along the base of a trench with sides a high as my knees. On the steeper sections, sturdy horizontal tree routes stretching cross the trench formed convenient steps of varying heights. At the top of this long incline, we arrived at the junction with the short Stringybark Hike from where it was downhill all the way.
This east heading return leg of the hike was disappointing with respect to birdlife, the day had warmed up to a comfortable 24 degrees and I guess the birds were resting after a healthy breakfast of all sorts of flies and bugs. The exception to this was a Golden Whistler spotted by K.
At the bottom, K stopped with her eye pressed against her camera, having spotted a few Rainbow Bee-eaters, she spent some time photographing them. I got fed up waiting in the sun and walked the short 500m back to the car and waited.
Back at the car, we had covered almost 10km with an elevational gain of 280m in 3 hours – an enjoyable and healthy start to the day.
7 Responses
Well done. Sounds like a wonderful walk with lots of variety especially the birds. Love all the photos and K’s bird ones are great. I try to take photos up at the lake but, only having my phone, means that I fail miserably.
Thanks Janeen, taking photos are as much for your own enjoyment, so I hope you enjoy taking and looking at yours.
Photos are great and description of walk really interesting.
Thank you Ruth
Nice descriptions of your hike. Sounds like you enjoyed yourselves! Thx for sharing.
Yes, it is one of our favourite local walks.
So happy to see the bee eaters made an appearance! Love following along on your journey, although I’m tired just thinking about walking through those tracks.