A wander around Woy Woy

An old friend got in touch with me and wanted to know if they wanted to go for a bushwalk around Woy Woy to see a waterfall that we could potentially swim in. Since it was summer and I had not seen him for a while, I was in.

After catching up at the trailhead we start walking along a fire trail, and not even 50 meters in, there’s a large, beautiful Red Belly Black snake, sunning next to a pool of water. Normally, in the summertime, there’s always a chance to see a snake or two on the trail.

After admiring the snake, we enter Brisbane Waters National Park and are met with a sign “HELP STOP ROOT ROT” (Phytophthora). I don’t normally see these signs around Sydney, but this was a first. The sign had some good tips for how to clean your boots and prevent this mud-loving fungus from spreading around the bush. It recommended having a mix of 70% methylated spirits and 30% water in a spray bottle and one of those dishwashing brushes in your car and scrubbing your boots before and after use. As I bushwalk in a lot of different environments I think it’s important that I start doing this. In Tasmania, they had boot cleaning stations with hand pumps which are very handy.

After walking a little while, we get to the cross-section to go down to the waterfall. I suggest we go climb Mount Wondabyne (251m) then come back down to the waterfall to cool off.

Having decided to climb Mount Wondabyne first, we get to a bridge and my friend spots an engraving in the stone. It’s a bit odd. It’s on a vertical sandstone face and not flat on the ground, and it’s a bit cartoon-looking, ruling out it being indigenous. This area has a history of fake glyphs engraved in its sandstone. There are some very popular Egyptian-styled glyphs elsewhere in this National Park that have spawned all sorts of fun theories over the years. Sadly, those glyphs are graffiti, like our rabbit-like creature with a bucktooth here.

Being warm, there are all sorts of insects out and about. There’s a decent amount of Golden Orb Weaving Spiders (Nephila plumipes) that are blocking the trail and these things aren’t small. We even spot a Botany Bay Cockroach (Polyzosteria limbata).

Just before we start to ascent Mount Wondabyne, we pass a nice campsite. It has pit toilets and ample room for tents. No doubt this is here for bushwalkers on the Great North Walk.

As we ascend Mount Wondabyne via its spur, the trail narrows and there’s a bit of scrambling to the top. As we get higher the view gets better and the environment changes. I can count three different species of butterflies flying around us as we climb up. The spiders are also hunting with their large spider webs across the trail.

The top of the mountain is marked by a tig station (TS5606) as well as spectacular views. Moving about the trees you can get a 360° view around the Central Coast. South southwest you can see the Buddhist Temple in Terrey Hills. North east you can see Gosford. North West you can see Dharug National Park in the distance and southeast you can see the South Pacific Ocean
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After enjoying the view we make quick work of getting to the waterfall. The waterfall (The Trough Waterfall) is actually a man-made water reservoir situated underneath an existing natural waterfall and on top of a rock shelf. It creates a picturesque pool that you can swim in. The history of the pool is unknown. It has been used as a reservoir for various reasons over the years.

After a swim and a bite to eat, we head back up to the top of the waterfall where I discover indigenous tool-sharpening grooves which are always great to find. There is also an odd convict-like marking at the top of the waterfall.

Shortly after this, we head back to the trailhead and visit the nearby indigenous engraving site, with many indigenous engravings including a kangaroo, dolphin, fish and the famous Bulgandry man who wears an impressive headdress. After this, we call it a day and grab a coffee.