Walk: Mt Bass Trail and Winifred Falls, Royal National Park

Registration essential

The walk begins in heathland that soon blends into upland swamp. Such swamps are generally off track and are often bordered by dense shrubland, but this is one of the few that are easily accessible. Early August is chosen because pink swamp heath Sprengelia incarnata is in full flower and at its best can stand among Australia’s great wildflower events. Multiple other swamp and wet heath species grow there and many will be in flower. A short diversion after 2 km takes us to Winifred Falls. Its huge plunge pool of crystal clear water is more than half the size of an olympic swimming pool (popular summer swimming spot). The return leg of the walk is through diverse woodland and heath cut by two shallow valleys.

Date: Sunday 8 August 
Time: 9:15 for 9:30 am
Meet: Mount Bass Trail trackhead, Bundeena Drive
How to get there: from the visitors centre in Audley take the main road for around 9 km, turn left onto Bundeena Drive and after 2.5 km the Mount Bass Trail trackhead is on the left
Length: 5 km in bushland, plus 2 km of main road to return to trackhead (options of cars at each end); total time approx 3 to 4 hour
Difficulty: moderate (2 km is service trail and then good single file walking tracks that may be rough and rocky in places, cumulative elevations about 150 m)
Weather: August can be windy but it isn’t usually a wet month and the temps are moderate, however the vegetation is open and there's only intermittent shade, so sun protection is essential
Bring: cameras (or smart phones) and maybe plant i.d. book, lunch or late morning snack
Refreshments: provided after the walk
Leader: John Martyn (0425 830 260)
Limit: 15 walkers