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Photograph Gallery Nine |
Otford - Palm Jungle - Burning palms - Burg Ridge - Otford |
Royal National ParkThis superb 11.5 km walk starts at Otford and follows the Garawarra track along the top of the escarpment to the Garawarra Farm. Approximately 2 km from Otford there is a pad to the right which descends through rain forest to Palm Jungle and Burning Palms. Prior to the descent there are two lookouts to the side of the pad which are worth a visit with superb views south to Wollongong, Port Kembla, Kiama, Saddleback Mountain and the Illawarra. The pad meanders down through constantly changing flora until one arrives at Burning Palms. Burning Palms is a quiet little bay with shacks built during the Great Depression before the area was embraced by the Royal National Park. The lease holders do a remarkable job of maintaining the tracks and local area. The beaches are good with families and surfers using them as well as the Humpback and Southern Right Whales in the migrations season. One can often see Sea Eagles overflying the area. The return journey to Otford is via the Burg Ridge which is not for the faint hearted with its 300+ metre climb to the Garawarra track. At the top of the escarpment one turns right onto the Garrawarra track itselffor the 4 km walk back to Otford. |
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Otford lookoutThe start of the 11.5 km bushwalk. This view is taken from the lookout immediately above the car park at the beginning of the track. We are looking north towards Sydney and Port Hacking |
Overlooking Hell HoleSo called because of the degree of difficulty on the descent and ascent to and from the beach. The views of the Illawarra are stunning with Wollongong. Port Kembla, Kiama and Saddleback Mountain on the horizon. |
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Palm JungleOutward bound from Otford - descending into palm Jungle before moving on to Burning palms |
Palm JungleSeverely affected by drought with much of the cover gone |
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Burning Palms LookoutLooking directly below the lookout to the pad from Otford |
Burning Palms LookoutLooking north towards Sydney, this is possibly the best lookout in the Royal National Park |
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Burg RidgeThe climb from Burning Palms is a little over 300 metres and challenging fo the beginner. We incorporate several stops into the climb for beginners and it is good to see the sky through the trees as one arrives at the Garawarra track. |
Garawarra TrackBurg Ridge has been conquered. This is the final 4 km leg of the walk along the top of the escarpment on the return to Otford |