Kaoota Tramway 17 Aug 2021

 Today's walk was to have been to Cathedral Rock but with the weather forecast for snow to 600 meters and strong southwesterly winds it was decided that a more protected walk should be undertaken and so a  small hardy group set of on the Kaoota Tramway track behind Margate.

The group is  ready to go.

The starting point overlooks an area of small farms and landholdings.

The track follows the old Kaoota Tramway which was constructed in the early 1900's to enable access to coal at mines near Kaoota and transport the coal to Margate.

The first part of the old track is relatively dry but there were several muddy sections due to the recent rain.

Lyn enjoying herself on a swing which was not here the last time that we walked this way.

Our original destination for today's walk, Cathedral Rock to the left of the big tree with quite a snow covering.

Morning tea by the side of the tramway.

One of two bridges on the track with both built across rainforested creeks.

Nearing Kaoota there is a large stand of Black Wattle trees with a well kept marsupial lawn underneath.

And comfortable seats for a lunch spot before undertaking the return journey to the cars.

As an alternative walk for the day it turned out to be a very pleasant walk with no rain and little wind to contend with.

There was 7 walkers who covered 12 km in 4 hours.

Wielangta Forest 10 Aug 2021

 The walk today started at the picnic area in the Sandspit River Conservation Area and for the majority of the walk followed the Sandspit River. Bob was leading the walk which was another new walk for the group.

 Everyone getting ready to start the walk.

At the commencement of the walk with everyone reading the information about the area.

 

 

Stereum Ostrea ??

The initial part of the walk followed what we believe have been a slide track for getting the fallen timber of the steep slope to the tramway closer to the river.

Gaestrum Triplex - Earth Star

The boys spent a bit of time trying to determine firstly how the vehicle remains got to where it was and what type of car it might have been. Consensus on the make was probably a 1950's Morris but how it got there was anyone's guess.

Lunch spot on a clear section of the track.

We have just left the steeper part of the track and are now on the tram way proper.

The track passes through some thick rainforest and a number of stands of man ferns.

Crossing the Sandspit River.

Our good samaritan walker helping everyone across so there were no wet feet.

An interesting spiders web but no spider in sight.

The walk was relatively flat this point and pleasant although a little wet and muddy.

First glimpse of the Sandspit River beside the track.

Apparently the track had been closed previously because of this landside.

In this section the river views and sounds make for a pleasant walk.

A recently cut branch removed from across the track. We noted that track clearing had occurred recently.

The group looking for comfortable lunch seating at the end of the track which connects back to the Wielangta Forest Road. 

This area was where the small sawmilling town was located for about 15 years in the early 1900's when the timber was processsed and then transported to Rheban by rail for shipping to the markets. 

There is little remains of the industry and village that was located at this spot.

 And now for the return to the cars.

Recrossing the river on the return walk.

This was an enjoyable walk in an area that we have not undertaken walks previously.

There were 15 walkers who covered 8kms in 3 hours.