Three Urban Reserves - 23 Sep 2025

 Our walk today will take us through the lanes ways and reserves north of the city.

The forecast is for showers and strong winds.

 Heading off through the parklands from Cornelian Bay following the New Town Rivulet.

It might be windy and bit cold but the Mountain is clear.

An old sandstone building alongside New Town Rivulet.

Heading into the back streets.

Looking across the grounds of the old New Town High School.

About to go under Main Road Moonah.

which was built over the old convict built sandstone bridge which appears in remarkable condition considering its age.

Mount Wellington in view.

 

Looking for morning tea in John Turnbull Park.

Morning tea over and of we go again.

Following a track behind the Lenah Valley RSL.

After walking through the streets of Lenah Valley we climb some steps towards Mount Stuart.

From Mount Stuart we head towards the Domain via the overpass above the Brooker Highway.

 

After lunch we head across the sports field at the top of the Domain towards the Botanical Gardens.

One of many species of conifers growing within the Domain.

Heading towards the Japanese Gardens within the Botanical Gardens.

In the Japanese Gardens.

A foreshore view of the Tasman Bridge.

The boat sheds on Cornelian Bay.

 

We had 18 walkers who covered 11.8 klms in 4.75 hours while climbing and descending 250 meters.

Thanks to Ingrid for her photos.

Handsome Caves - 16 Sep 2025

 Today we are heading to Handsome Caves near Magra and the last time we visited was in 2017.

The weather is for strong winds and the possibility of showers.

We park the cars in a quarry cut-out on Back River Road.

The start of the climb is quite steep although we notice that Handsome Caves Road has a lot of work done on it.

Wattle blossom.

We are passed the steep section and looking for a morning tea spot in the sun and out of the strong northwesterly wind.

Morning tea over we continue to climb.

The caves are straight ahead of us but we still have a way to go.

Looking down the valley towards Magra.

As the valley gets narrower so the large rocks tower over the track.

There are a number of places alongside the track that show the work put into the track's construction which was probably manual labour.

The new fern fronds are starting to appear.

We arrive at the base of the caves.

 

 

The view across the valley.

The formation in the sandstone are stunning and a larger number of these holes are being used as nesting spaces for swallows. The sounds of the birdlife in this valley was overwhelming.

David enjoying a rest from the climb in the natural made seat.

After following the track further along the cliff face we climbed to the top of the cliffs.

Mount Field and the Rodway Range with a dusting of snow.

Maybe Mount Weld ?

The hardier souls on the walk braving the strong westerly while having lunch. The rest of us moved back for a bit of protection.

Emerging back on the track leading us back to the caves.

Another example of the road construction.

Our last look at the caves.

 

 

One of the more observant in the group thought that looked like a petrified pterodactyl.

 

The forest below the caves .

 

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 There were 10 walkers who covered the 7.5 kms in 3.5 hours and climbed and descended 390 meters.

There were a number of the group who hadn't been on this walk previously and enjoyed the experience.

Thanks to Chris and Mendelt for the extra photos.