Barren Grounds

Bit of a gap, but I have a good excuse!

Monty

Our son was born last July, a whirlwind of change and good times. Approaching nine months he is a happy little dude who loves climbing and standing up. God help us when he learns how to walk!

So yeah, adventures of the wilderness type have been a bit light on over the past year. We have still been doing some nice walks, exploring the pram friendly tracks around our home and also lots of time at the beach surfing and playing in the sand.

A free morning recently presented me with a great opportunity to check out the Barren Grounds Nature Reserve which is a short drive from our house.

I took the Griffiths Trail which was in really good condition and I quickly made it my first stop, a lookout north to Lake Illawarra.

North to the Illawarra from Barren Grounds Nature Reserve

Small section of temperate rainforest on the Griffiths Trail

Woodland typical of the environment on the opening section of the Griffiths Trail

There was some beautiful wild flowers and the escarpment reminded me of the heath of Tasmania.

Grass Trees (Xanthorrhoea australis)

Christmas Bells (Blandfordia nobilis)

Fuchsia heath (Epacris longiflora)

Barren Grounds Nature Reserve heathland

Drumsticks (Isopogon anemonifolius)

Not sure

I followed the Griffith Trail all the way around to a natural stone bridge across Lamonds Creek. While sitting having lunch I noticed some small flowers and assume them to be some type of orchid. Identifying them back at home I found them to be carnivorous!

Stone bridge at Lamonds Creek, Barren Grounds Nature Reserve

Fairy apron (Utricularia dichotoma)

Spoon-leaved sundew (Drosera spatulata)

On the way back I took a short diversion to Cooks Nose where there was a great lookout to the south taking in the Kangaroo Valley.

Kangaroo Valley from Cooks Nose lookout

I had intended to keep going and check out some of the other side tracks but it was really hot and I was spent. So good to get back out into the bush and so much more to explore the Barren Grounds NR and the adjacent Budderoo NP.

Our son is getting to an age where we will be able to enjoy the outdoors together and we are looking forward to spending more time in the bush and sleeping under the stars. Winter is not far off and we are excited for some snowy adventures. So hopefully more time outdoors and some more blog posts.

Great morning out