Thirty five friends of BMCS travelled to the Central Coast, NSW for the weekend to participate in the 5 Lands Walk held on the Saturday. The 10km route of 5 Lands took us from the start at MacMasters Beach > Copacabana > (Capt Cook Lookout) > Avoca Beach > North Avoca and finally Terrigal where certificates of participation and “I/We finished the 5 Lands Walk 2024” photos were offered.
Saturday morning started a little damp but thankfully before setting off from MacMasters Beach the sun came out for a glorious day for walking the 5 Lands Walk.
We gathered at the end of walk at the Crowne Plaza in Terrigal.
Later at 6pm, 30 people gathered at the camping grounds for a BYO BBQ, nibbles, salads and desserts. There was much chatter and laughter which the heavy rains didn’t dampen!
Again this year, there were various accommodation options with 15 braving the winter conditions to camp in Terrigal, 8 were generously billeted by Camino friends in Avoca, Terrigal and Green Point whilst several others arranged their own accommodation. With thanks to the ‘billeting hosts’ for their generosity; to Sandra & Bruce, Nadege and Merlin.
Thank you everyone who travelled to the Central Coast, coming from as far as Maitland, around the Sydney basin, Canberra and the Blue Mountains as well as several Central Coast locals.
A very enjoyable long weekend on the Central Coast for 5 Lands Walk and more.
On Sunday there was a walk in Bouddi National Park guided by our Central Coast Camino friends, Sandra and Bruce.
The majority of participants headed home after the Sunday walk and lunch with 5 remaining at the camping ground for another night. Other than one older tent springing leaks with overnight rain, all the other campers reported to be nice and toasty in their tents. “Unlike on the Camino, it helps greatly when one is driving” said one and is “able to bring just about everything except the kitchen sink!”
We had 19 meet up at The Fat Goose Café, Hardys Bay on a very wet Sunday morning. We enjoyed coffees while contemplating the heavy rain and whether to brave the weather . Of course, we all did! We were soon rewarded with blue sky, sunshine and great coastal views. There were two walk offered with 5 walkers joining Bruce R on the Medium walk to the Box Head trail and 12 joining Sandra R on the Easy Route to the Flannel Flower Loop.
Both groups started the walk from Hardys Bay, up the short sharp hill and around the Hawkes Head Rd and into Bouddi National Park. The fire trail along the ridge top has numerous great vantage points with views across to West Head and Barrenjoey lighthouse at Palm Beach. Further along the trail we look down on beautiful Tallow Beach.
Bruce led his group on a short but stunning diversion to some boulders and rock overhangs above Killcare beach-looking down the sweep of beach to Putty Beach. Continuing to the end of the fire trail the path diverts and group 1 took the track to Box Head. Everyone peeled off wet weather gear and enjoyed the walk in t shirts. The track had sections of water, some mud and slippery areas so poles were useful. This part of the trail has many beautiful angophoras, large boulders, heathland and great views on both sides of the headland-out to Pittwater, Broken Bay, Lion Island and back across to Tallow Beach. They walked back along the Box Head trail and to the Flannel Flower walk, heading down to Pretty Beach. They decided to also do the ascent to the ridge top that overlooks Lobster Beach. Once down at the very well named Pretty Beach the walk follows the foreshore, lined with lovely cottages and more substantial homes overlooking Jettys, boats and pelicans.
The Flannel Flower walk was greatly enjoyed by group 2. From the fire trail, we head up some sandstone steps and onto a good path that trails through lovely bushland with more coastal lookouts dotted along the trail. We stopped and had morning tea on a large rocky platform with great views. We then made our way down, some steep sections to Pretty Beach. Further along on this section, we were very fortunate in that both groups merged and we completed the walk as one group, meeting Mary and Andrew and their Canberra friends on the foreshore at Hardys Bay.
It was a fabulous day, and what looked a bit ominous weather turned out clear and warm. We were very lucky. Best of all was excellent company, lots of great conversations and topped off by a great lunch at The Fat Goose café, where the owner went out of his way to welcome us and look after us.
Thank you for images shared.
Words by Carlene and Sandra
You can find more photos on https://www.facebook.com/5LandsWalk
