Ladies, are you looking for a fun, free way to stay active and enjoy the outdoors ?
If this sounds like you, put on your hiking boots and join Walk this Way – Illawarra’s Ladies Only Walking Group
Hosted by me; your local Personal Travel Manager Elyse Palmer, we meet once a month to rediscover parts of the Illawarra. Fun, fitness and friendship is the aim. From leisurely beach walks to active adventurous hikes, each walk is a different style of adventure and covers all levels of fitness capabilities. Exploring waterfalls, mountain treks and enjoying panoramic views over the Wollongong escapement are just some of the ways we like to explore.
Click here its
FREE TO JOIN and its a great way to meet new friends while exploring some local sights previously explored or perhaps unknown close to home. Check out some of our most recent walks below and perhaps join us the next walk . Time to explore your backyard –
Walk this WayMAY 2021: CLOVER HILL WATER FALL TRACK – Ready for adventure ? This old logging route will lead us to Rainbow Falls and three smaller falls upstream on the Macquarie Rivulet. If we decide to trek a bit further after walking in the dense shade of the forest, suddenly the landscape opens up at Clover Hill – these are the paddocks cleared by farmers over a century ago. High above, the massive cliffs of the escarpment glow yellow and orange in the sunlight. Highlights include a spectacular view of the escarpment, and adventurers may wish to scramble upstream at the end of the track to access Rainbow Falls.
APRIL 2021: MOUNT KEIRA RING TRACK – Experience the beauty of the rainforest as we make our way from the top of Mount Keira half way to the Ring Loop. The ring track passes through the varied terrains and forests of the Illawarra Escarpment. Recent renovations to the walking track provides different
MARCH 2021: ILLAWARRA FLY – Take a walk through the treetops on this beautiful Treetop Walk a 1.5km stroll through temperate rainforest with 500 metres of steel walkway nestled in the treetop canopy some 20-30 metres above the ground. The walkways highest point is the Knights Tower, a spiral tower that rises to a breath taking 45 metres above the forest floor with views as far as the Royal National Park. Next is the thrills and challenges of two swaying springboard cantilevers suspended 25 metres above the forest floor which take you to the edge of the escarpment. Length 3km
FEBRUARY 2021: SUBLIME POINT – The weather didn’t stop us today !! Sublime Point walking track is one of the iconic treks of the Illawarra escarpment, and a challenging walk through lush coastal rainforest to the plateau above with incredible scenic views. The steep climb is more for for experienced bushwalkers and requires a good fitness level. Starting in Austinmer we slowly climbed our way up the giant staircase and rock-hop our way to a series of ladders. Stopping for a breather for some great birdwatching, and keeping our eyes peeled for yellow-tailed black cockatoos and raptor birds such as falcons and kestrels. Time to keep moving, as we make our way to Sublime Point lookout for picturesque views over the Illawarra. Time to enjoy the moment before the rain clouds rolled in …. Time to head back the way we trekked. The track descends steeply from Sublime Point lookout down the escarpment cliffs, through dense forests dotted with tree ferns and palms returning us safety to the bottom and feeling satisfaction from the accomplishment. Grade: Difficult. Length: 5km
JANUARY 2021: KIAMA BEACH, BLOWHOLE AND LIGHTHOUSE – Every so often, nature likes to show off, and Kiama is the perfect place. Meeting in town at Kiama Art Gallery, we slowly strolled our way along the marina making our way towards the light house and the famous blowhole. Kiama’s is home to the largest blowhole in the world ? When the swell is running from the south-east, you’re in for a treat. The 2.5 metres opening in the rock face has had its plumes of water recorded at heights of over 30 metres! Todays display was not that high but still impressive, with multiple viewing platforms to help you find the best vantage point. Making our way towards Kendalls beach, we ended our walk with coffee in the park. The perfect way to spend a Saturday
Grade: Easy. Length: 3km. Did you know – The first sightings was recorded by George Bass when he anchored his whale boat in the sheltered bay, now known as Kiama harbour, in December 1797 ? It is now estimated to attract 900,000 visitors each year – WOW !! Just another reason why we need to enjoy the things close to home
DECEMBER 2020: WOLLONGONG BEACH WALK – Being close to Christmas and Covid restrictions in place within the Illawarra, we had to stay close to home this month. What better place to explore than the Blue Mile. Meeting at North Wollongong Surf Club, we cruised our way along the recently renovated shared pathways towards the lighthouse. Enjoying this much-loved section of our coastline with its spectacular views, Wollongong is always a beautiful place for a morning beach stroll. Grade: Easy Length: 2.5km. Parking: North Beach
NOVEMBER 2020: MINNAMURRA RAINFOREST WALK – The perfect place to start our ladies only walking tours. Rainforest Loop and Falls Walk. This easy, hour-long walk included suspension bridges, viewing platforms and interpretive signs along the way to help describe the tranquil beauty of the subtropical, dry, riparian and temperate rainforest on display. What a magical experience and truly spectacular rainforest walking experience. Working up a sweat, we enjoyed lunch at the Hungry Monkey in Kiama. Grade: Moderate – includes suspension bridges, viewing platforms along the loop trail. Access to the waterfall takes an extra hour – some inclines. Length: 1.6km to 3.7km. Parking: Cost $12 per vehicle to park in the National Park.
Peace of mind
