8th June, 2011 - Bobbin Head

Today we went to Bobbin Head. Bobbin Head is a scenic area that is a "near-urban" part of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Bobbin Head is easily reached by taking Bobbin Head Road through North Turramurra, New South Wales or Kuringai Chase Road, Mount Colah near Hornsby, New South Wales.

Facilities at Bobbin Head include a marina, picnic areas with gas barbecues (coin-operated), a small store / takeaway food shop at the marina, a regatta centre, and a lunch-time restaurant in what used to be the Bobbin Head Inn, which also contains a National Parks information centre. The area also contains many fire trails and a mangrove boardwalk. Aboriginal engravings can be observed along some of the bushwalk trails.

Satellite Image showing Bobbin Head

The walkway approaching the footbridge over the river

National Parks has constructed a wooded path across
the mangroves.

As you walk along the wooden walkway, crossing the mangroves, we saw
some interesting mud crabs.

Because the mangroves are always wet, a lot of moss grows on the trees...

Moss of all kinds and varieties could be seen everywhere.

It was interesting seeing a small Banksia sprouting from a fork in another old Bansia.

Some of the Mangrove trees growing down here.

This fungi shows how wet it is in the Mangroves. It was growing in the leaves of
the Mangrove tree. It is so fragile that if you touched it, it would literally melt!

As we walked further along the trail we saw many more
types of moss growing on the trees.

This is a closeup of the above moss. You can see its flowers and actually a tiny
fungi/mushroom growing in it.

We came across some ancient Aboriginal sites. This was a spot where they ground
their axes and other implements.

This sign describes the site.

This is one of the Aboriginal hand paintings in the area.

Pathways have been made so it's easy to walk along the path

The ancient sandstone colours are quite striking.

Some of the gum trees have unusual shapes and this one had another
plant growing out of it!

This tree was actually growing over a rock!

We saw some unusual shaped trees. They have been there for decades.

This is the track leading to the rainforest. It is noticeably dry and sparse...

..

Compared to the rain forest area we chanced upon...

with its tunnel of dense foliage...

and rock path.

When you get to the end of the path, you come across this beautiful picture of
a rain forest river with its moss covered rocks

It is very quiet and relaxing in this peaceful setting.

All you could hear was the sound of birds and the water falls.

This was an interesting sight to see this fern growing off the edge of the rock.

Some of the wildlife we saw on the way included this butterfly...

This little green tree frog...

And these ducks.

The fungi is prolific here because it is always wet.

The fungi can take on all forms and can make interesting patterns.