Interesting side track on Cowan to Brooklyn section of GNW

[davidfisher71]

I did the Cowan to Brooklyn section of the Great North Walk yesterday, and came across a side track that eventually led first to a lookout, then a cairn, then a rocky outcrop with a beautiful 360 degree view, then another cairn. I was wondering if anyone knows the history of this area (the reason for the two cairns), and whether the rocky outcrop has a name. I would name it "Tortoise Rock" if I had to choose, because of its shape the interesting pattern.

Some locations if it helps:

Start of track -33 35' 01", 151 11 43" (heading west)
Lookout -33 35' 11", 151 12' 01" (track becomes a bit overgrown after this point)
First cairn -33 35' 06", 151 12' 23"
Rocky outcrop -33 34' 57", 151 12' 50"
Second cairn -33 35' 08", 151 13' 03"

The track starts just behind a sign saying "Jerusalem Bay ->" and "<- Brooklyn Dam".

Thanks for any help!

EDIT: Here's a map with the side track shown.

[Rob Gosford]

hi David,
i think that track is known as Taffys Rock track (not sure tho). You might like to Google "Taffys Rock" to get some more info and history.

[perfectlydark]

Wish I knew this a week ago lol

[michael_p]

David,

That is the Taffys Rock track.

Have a look at this link: https://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&t=h&source=embed&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=115656553351945206550.000457df842003d3255fd

Google image search: http://www.google.com.au/search?tbm=isch&hl=en-AU&q=taffy%27s+rock&gbv=2&spell=1&sa=X&ei=i-rdUfefG8PAkAWPq4DoCA&ved=0CCoQBSgA

It's been on my to do list for years.

Cheers,
Michael.

[davidfisher71]

hi David,
i think that track is known as Taffys Rock track (not sure tho). You might like to Google "Taffys Rock" to get some more info and history.

Thank you for that. A search here mentions that Taffy's Rock is at -33.58504,+151.22798, which is about 1 km further east than I went -- I originally stopped soon after the second cairn, but the track continues on after all. Maybe another time!

"Taffy" is the nickname of Dorothy Townson; she has a plaque at Taffy's Rock.

The rocky outcrop I mentioned may be called Mackeral Rock.

I found a page showing a GPS track that goes all the way to the end:

http://www.bushclub.org.au/PhotoPages/Ku-ring-gaiNPCowanTaffysRockAp12.htm

[davidfisher71]

That is the Taffys Rock track.

Have a look at this link: https://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&t=h&source=embed&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=115656553351945206550.000457df842003d3255fd

Google image search: http://www.google.com.au/search?tbm=isch&hl=en-AU&q=taffy%27s+rock&gbv=2&spell=1&sa=X&ei=i-rdUfefG8PAkAWPq4DoCA&ved=0CCoQBSgA

Thanks Michael. It's a beautiful area, but the track gets a bit overgrown!

[kanangra]

Gee the things you learn. Never knew that. Very interesting. Must pay that a visit.

K.

[forest]

Nice one. I'll have a quick run in there next time I'm coming home from Sydney.
Great find and thanks for posting up the info

[michael_p]

Little more info.

OSM has the Taffys Track and the Campbells Crater Track: http://www.openstreetmap.org/?lat=-33.58123540878296&lon=151.1920666694641&zoom=16. I have read of people using the Campbells Crater track as a shortcut for the Taffys Track. Not sure about parking on the F3 though. I have also read of a risky shortcut that uses a tunnel (most likely a drain) under the F3 from the Pacific Highway but I have no idea where this is.

Cliff Trig (past Taffys) apparently has a logbook. Trig location: http://goo.gl/maps/Xev0N.

Michael.

[DaveNoble]

There is also an article in the Bushwalker (page 15) -

http://www.bushwalkermagazine.org/the%2 ... ker263.pdf

Dave

[Rob Gosford]

There is also an article in the Bushwalker (page 15) -

http://www.bushwalkermagazine.org/the%2 ... ker263.pdf

Dave

thanks for that www link Dave. it would be interesting to suss this track out

I wonder if WildWalks could do track notes on this walk sometime in the future ?

[Lindsay]

After reading this thread, and having a day off today, I decided to check this track out. Unfortunately I had no topo map, so I used the printout shown on the post above. (the track's not marked on the topo anyway) It was a nice 2 hour walk from the GNW junction, the track being nice and clear up to the lookout, but became very overgrown and hard to find in some places after that, the two large cairns being almost invisible until right on top of them. Problem was, I couldn't find the memorial plaque that is meant to be somewhere on the rock, which is a very large platform with lots of nooks and crannies. After searching for over half an hour I gave it up and just enjoyed the view instead. I did notice another large cairn on a ledge just to the west of the main rock, but I didn't investigate as the undergrowth was horrendously thick and I was running out of time to be back before dark.

A very nice walk, but I would really have liked to have found the memorial.

[GPSGuided]

I have read of people using the Campbells Crater track as a shortcut for the Taffys Track. Not sure about parking on the F3 though. I have also read of a risky shortcut that uses a tunnel (most likely a drain) under the F3 from the Pacific Highway but I have no idea where this is.

That may explain why there's the occasional "abandoned" car on the F3. Have always wondered what weirdo would leave their apparently functioning car by the freeway. Not so weird after all.

Taking a closer look on street view, there's actually a small emergency parking bay.
http://goo.gl/maps/8K5U3

[GPSGuided]

Great info guys. I've just entered the correct label for this track in OSM. No more confusion for future walkers.

[michael_p]

...I've just entered the correct label for this track in OSM...

Great idea. Thank you.

[michael_p]

...Problem was, I couldn't find the memorial plaque that is meant to be somewhere on the rock, which is a very large platform with lots of nooks and crannies. After searching for over half an hour I gave it up and just enjoyed the view instead...

Have a look at this set of photos: http://grindlay.org/bushwalking/20110924_taffys_photos.html. It appears to be on the side of the platform.

Cheers,
Michael.

[Rob Gosford]

I have read of people using the Campbells Crater track as a shortcut for the Taffys Track. Not sure about parking on the F3 though. I have also read of a risky shortcut that uses a tunnel (most likely a drain) under the F3 from the Pacific Highway but I have no idea where this is.

That may explain why there's the occasional "abandoned" car on the F3. Have always wondered what weirdo would leave their apparently functioning car by the freeway. Not so weird after all.

Taking a closer look on street view, there's actually a small emergency parking bay.
http://goo.gl/maps/8K5U3

"Taking a closer look on street view, there's actually a small emergency parking bay.
http://goo.gl/maps/8K5U3"

that GoogleMap photo of that parking bay GPS, is the Jerusalem Bay Firetrail which takes you down to Jerusalem Bay and the lone palm tree, linking up with the GNW. The "Campbells Crater track F3 Parking Bay" is about 930 meters before that parking bay.

cheers

[GPSGuided]

that GoogleMap photo of that parking bay GPS, is the Jerusalem Bay Firetrail which takes you down to Jerusalem Bay and the lone palm tree, linking up with the GNW. The "Campbells Crater track F3 Parking Bay" is about 930 meters before that parking bay

That's correct. I did search for an earlier entry point but note the emergency phone spot at the start of Campbells Crater track didn't offer much room off the breakdown lane. Didn't think it'd be wise to park for a day at that spot. This one at the Jerusalem Bay Firetrail seemed to offer more safety, hence the link.

What I am not sure about is, are we allowed to use these emergency bays to park our vehicles for walks? It would not be nice if we come back to an infringement notice from the regular highway patrols on that section.

[michael_p]

What I am not sure about is, are we allowed to use these emergency bays to park our vehicles for walks? It would not be nice if we come back to an infringement notice from the regular highway patrols on that section.

Doesn't look like it: http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/maintop/view/inforce/subordleg+179+2008+cd+0+N. But I could be wrong.

Cheers,
Michael.

[Lindsay]

...Problem was, I couldn't find the memorial plaque that is meant to be somewhere on the rock, which is a very large platform with lots of nooks and crannies. After searching for over half an hour I gave it up and just enjoyed the view instead...

Have a look at this set of photos: http://grindlay.org/bushwalking/20110924_taffys_photos.html. It appears to be on the side of the platform.

Cheers,
Michael.

Thanks for that Michael, still can't identify the spot though

[michael_p]

...Problem was, I couldn't find the memorial plaque that is meant to be somewhere on the rock, which is a very large platform with lots of nooks and crannies. After searching for over half an hour I gave it up and just enjoyed the view instead...

Have a look at this set of photos: http://grindlay.org/bushwalking/20110924_taffys_photos.html. It appears to be on the side of the platform.

Cheers,
Michael.

Thanks for that Michael, still can't identify the spot though

I've found some coordinates for the plaque for future reference: S33 35.115 E151 13.719. It appears to be off to the side a bit, looking at the location it could easily be missed.

[perfectlydark]

Probably just easier to walk from cowan?

[johnw]

Probably just easier to walk from cowan?

That would be my suggestion also. I did the Taffys Rock trip from Cowan some years ago but like others failed to locate the plaque. Allow some time for searching, it's a large monolith with scrubby bits all around. A good walk if you're reasonably fit. A fair distance, about 18km return from memory. And the steep descent and climb in and out of Jerusalem Bay needs to be done in both directions.

[GPSGuided]

Probably just easier to walk from cowan?

Looks to be the case. Will need a full day.

[davidfisher71]

I've found some coordinates for the plaque for future reference: S33 35.115 E151 13.719. It appears to be off to the side a bit, looking at the location it could easily be missed.

Thanks for that. Someone wrote on this page:

It is on the eastern side of the rock. Just follow across the rock from where the track reaches it ... then head north about halfway up the rock for about 20-30m.

[GPSGuided]

Ah! Good old Usenet aus.bushwalk newsgroup! Does anyone still use it?

[Lindsay]

A couple of pictures of yesterdays Taffys Rock walk.

[Rob Gosford]

thanks for showing the photos Lindsay

ooooooops ! i thought snakes were asleep now.....

[davidfisher71]

ooooooops ! i thought snakes were asleep now.....

Not on those sunny days we've been having recently ...

(Thanks for the pics, Lindsay).

[GPSGuided]

Wow! You sure got close.