Illawarra Escarpment: Stanwell Park to Austinmer Walk

We started the walk from Stanwell Park Station, climbing gradually uphill through a narrow track, Wodi Wodi Track. This is a historical trail through the rainforest.

 
The ground was very wet due to the heavy rain we had the night before. Not long after the walk, we headed steeply down to the creek crossing. Looking at how wet and muddy the ground was, of course, we had visitors. A lot of visitors. LEECHES!! Along with many female screams....

We got down to the creek and the water was probably over knee height. Usually the rocks in the creek are quite slippery, but the leap to the opposite side was a bit of stretch for short legs like mine. Luckily, with the assistance of some longer legged bushwalkers, I got over without getting wet. A few people slipped or fell into the creek. Usually that person is me, but not today. It's all part of the fun of creek crossing.

 
I am glad I was wearing long pants. People who got the most leech bites were the ones wearing shorts and hiking sandals. Usually I can see the leeches on my shoes or on my pants, and I have time to fend them off while they were figuring out how to get inside my pants. Hmm... didn't know this sentence can apply to leeches too.

The track then ascend up to the Forest Path, which goes along the cliff top rainforest and dry eucalypts. It is a flatter track with amazing panoramic views of the coasts below.



 

We walked past a small waterfall, and a few smaller creek crossing.....


 
 
 
 We came across some lizards, frogs, and snakes along the way......
 


The snake got away too quick. I would be too terrified to stand there and take photos of them anyway....

Finally we reached Sublime Point Lookout with a view of the south coastline, all the way to Wollongong. There are barbeque shelters, toilet facilities, cafes and visitors information.


From Sublime Point Lookout, the walk headed down steeply on Sublime Point Track to Austinmer via a narrow cliff ledge, steps, and some ladders. Just glad we are going downhill, not uphill!!

 

This walk offers many different environments.... rainforest, dry bushlands, dry eucalypts, creek crossings, steps and ladders. A very scenic, interesting, and long walk.

Total distance: 17.3km
Climb: 689m
Difficulty: Hard

Go to the link below for information and map for this walk.
http://beyondtracks.com/walks/illawarra-escarpment-state-conservation-area/stanwell-park-to-austinmer/

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