Shene - Pontville - 19 Aug 2025

The walk today around the Pontville property "Shene" was suggested to us by Ingrid who scoped it out and obtained the owners permission for us to enter the property.

 The forecast was for clear skies and light winds so a perfect winters walking day.

 

We started the walk from Shene Road. 

 

Heading up the road towards the low hills in the distance. 

Mount Wellington standing out on a very clear day.

Looking back towards some of the walkers with Mount Wellington in the background.

Commencing the 300 meter climb.

There were a number of bee hives beside the track with the bees working very hard  collecting in the native forest.

Our morning tea spot beside the road with a view of Mangalore.

Mount Dromedary.

We have reached the top of the climb and walked across a short plateau before descending into a valley.

Quite tall eucalypts on the crest of the hill above the track.

Looking through trees to the next line of hills with Colebrooke over the other side.

Following the track towards the valley floor.

Midway Point in the distance.

Out of the trees and the valley opens up to pasture.

 

 

We stop for lunch at the bottom of the hill by a small unnamed creek.

 

Looking back up the valley after lunch.

Heading out  on the track that will take us back to the cars.

Fortunately we did not climb this hill as there is a track to the right that crosses between two hills.

Looking towards Tea Tree Road.

Greg admiring a tree at the crest of another climb.

Panorama that includes Mount Wellington, Collins Cap and Mount Dromedary.

Stopping to take in the view.

Brighton.

One of a number of small stock dams.

Following the farm tracks through the paddocks.

Ron said there were no more hills then there was this.

A couple of the walkers put theirs heads down and went for the top.

The cars are in sight.

And the views stayed magic all day.

 We had 15 walkers who covered the 10.3 klms in just on 4 hours and climbed and descended 420 meters for a thoroughly enjoyable walk.

Our thanks to the people at "Shene" for enabling us to walk across the property and to Ingrid for  suggesting it.

Thanks Mendelt for extra photos.

Almost Grasstree Hill - 12 August 2025

The weather was perfect for this walk which we last did 3 years ago.  Today's  route takes us uphill from Risdon Brook Reservior using various tracks along Catchpole Gully till we reach Blacksmiths  Hill from where we make our way to the hill opposite Grasstree Hill.  From there it is almost all downhill along the other side of Catchpole Gully on our way back to the cars.

Thanks to M&M for the photos (Michael and Mendelt)

 Initially the  walk takes us past an area where there is evidence of farming in the past

 

Wombat burrow - we saw a few of these today

Yong doing his Jonah impersonation - just about to be swallowed by the whale

 The climb continues

 A flock of noisy cockatoos were keeping an eye on us

 

A bit more climbing and we reach our morning tea spot

This picture gives an idea of the gradient

 

Someones home

 

Another home in a small cave complete with multiple entrances and windows

 We're heading towards Grasstree Hill and this is our first sighting of a Grasstree (Xanthorrhoea Australis)

 The following paragraphs were taken from Jack's blog entry for the 2017 walk ......

 

Also known as Grass Tree, Southern Grasstree, Austral Grasstree or Black Boy to show but a few of its names.

It's a very old species and very slow growing. A flower spike appears usually after bush fires, and can be up to two metres or roughly 6 feet in height. A trunk only appears after many years and is coloured black by said bush fires.

According to Wikipedia it had the following uses:

Indigenous Australians soaked the flowering spike in water to produce a sweet drink. The soft, white leaf bases were eaten as well as the growing point of the stem. The flower spike exudes a resin which could be used as an adhesive in the manufacture of tools and the stem used for the lower portion of a spear. Stems were also used to make a base for a fire-drill to start a fire. 

 As we climb, more appear all appearing fairly young. Trunks may take up to ten years to appear. It's thought they can live 350-450 years and they love poor soil.

 

 

Unusual view from above

 

We notice this line of rocks running parallel to the trail

 Nestled among the rocks we see a cave that we haven't noticed on previous walks - of course it needs exploring

 

Lyn admiring a peculiar rock

 It looks like someone wearing a spiderman style mask with a quirky hairstyle

 As we approach the highest point of the walk views of Midway Point Causeway and in the other direction Bowen Bridge become visible

 

Unusual tree - shaped like the horns of a cow

And its time for lunch

 

 After about 5kms of constant climbing gaining over 400m in height everyone is happy that the way back to the cars is almost all downhill

Amazing the things you see in the bush.  Who would have thought to park their car here? You can see from the condition of the car that the owner has made good use of the long term parking !

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