Bushwalk Australia

I've read all the guides and seen all the posts but I want to know if you'd recommend this walk and why. Planning to do it in 4 days (a day of leisure at Bittangabee Bay) in Sept school hols. Is that insane? Will it be too crowded?

Also, a comparison to the Coast Walk would be helpful as that is the most comparable coast walk I have done. What are the climbs like? Responses from an overweight unfit woman like me would be most valuable. Stop lurking and reply here! I know there must be some of you out there!

PW

I do not fit your demographic but...... I was down at saltwater creek yesterday and walk the area a lot:-)

It is a lovely stretch of coast and definatly worth walking. The light to light is pretty easy walking, it is possible to do it as a long day walk (for the fit folks) but better over a few days and would allow a lot of time to explore and enjoy. 4 days would be pretty casual , it is only 30kms. I would not think that the walk would be too busy during holidays, it will still be coolish then, the camps are mainly busy in peak season (Christmas/Easter).

Which "Coast Walk" have you done:Nadgee/Howe, the Wilderness Coast?

Steve

Afraid I'm also not in the target audience... Did the walk Easter 2010 at a very cruisy 3 days so 4 should allow plenty of time for relaxing around camp. Funnily enough met very few people doing the hike - thought it would be more popular at Easter. I do remember it being popular with the Mozzies though - little blighters were everywhere !

Yes Mozzies are a feature of the area, I did Nadgee Howe walk a few weeks ago and they were still about!!!

It is a pretty quiet part of the world 95 % of the time, I seldom see other walkers outside holiday periods, more the reason to always carry a PLB when walking in the area.

Steve

Hi Wolfix

Wolfix wrote:Will it be too crowded?

The main campsites will have plenty of people, and you will not get lonely at the towers at each end. But I doubt you will run into to many people on the track itself, esp if walking north to south.

Wolfix wrote:Also, a comparison to the Coast Walk would be helpful as that is the most comparable coast walk I have done. What are the climbs like? Responses from an overweight unfit woman like me would be most valuable.

Royal NP Coast Walk??? if so, this a bit longer but you are leaving plenty of time so I think you will find it easier (except for pack weight). Weather can get bad (as with all coast walks), so do keep and eye on it. There is more walking on boulders than in the Royal.
RNP hills - plenty of hills


L2L hills - much flatter


the views are very different. on the light to light you spend more time closer to the water (on lower cliffs), there are interesting red rocks and other rock formations. more dense bushland - but clear track still.
SteveJ advice about carrying a PLB is great advice - I always carry one. Telstra NextG mobile coverage is pretty good, there are a few black holes along the way.

Happy walking

Matt

Hi Wolfix

Wolfix wrote:Will it be too crowded?

The main campsites will have plenty of people, and you will not get lonely at the towers at each end. But I doubt you will run into to many people on the track itself, esp if walking north to south.

Wolfix wrote:Also, a comparison to the Coast Walk would be helpful as that is the most comparable coast walk I have done. What are the climbs like? Responses from an overweight unfit woman like me would be most valuable.

Royal NP Coast Walk??? if so, this a bit longer but you are leaving plenty of time so I think you will find it easier (except for pack weight). Weather can get bad (as with all coast walks), so do keep and eye on it. There is more walking on boulders than in the Royal.
RNP hills - plenty of hills


L2L hills - much flatter


the views are very different. on the light to light you spend more time closer to the water (on lower cliffs), there are interesting red rocks and other rock formations. more dense bushland - but clear track still.
SteveJ advice about carrying a PLB is great advice - I always carry one. Telstra NextG coverage for the walk is pretty good, but there are a few significant black holes along the way

Happy walking

Matt

Hi guys, thanks for the responses!

SteveJ wrote:Which "Coast Walk" have you done:Nadgee/Howe, the Wilderness Coast?

Royal National Park (I thought I had put that in my message but obviously it was lost in an edit!

wildwalks wrote:RNP hills - plenty of hills
L2L hills - much flatter

Thanks Matt, I go to your site first for my info and did indeed compare the gradient/time graphs (best. resource. ever.) My hiking partner interpreted it differently and just looked at total ascent over total distance and suggested it'd be harder but you have confirmed my initial impressions.

We did RNP walk N/S in 3 days and I hated the last day which was all uphill through the leech forest in the rain but I do enjoy looking back having conquered a truly awful experience like that and I am now not at all afraid of leeches having bled from 20 or so holes above my gaiters for the entire 3.5 hr train ride home and NOT DIED!

Hi
Not sure why my last posted ended up in there twice - sorry about that

Wolfix wrote:My hiking partner interpreted it differently and just looked at total ascent over total distance and suggested it'd be harder but you have confirmed my initial impressions.

fair assumption I think. It is the question I get ask most 'how hard is the walk?' or 'how fit do I need to be?' I just do not know how to answer that without a bunch of number that are difficult to understand. You may end up with a walk with more gently up and downs that will be generally easier (but have a higher cumulative rise and fall) compared with a walk that is typically flatter but with some more solid hills. I have considered a "compare this walk" feature, similar to what you get on some websites when buying a dishwasher/tv/fridge etc. This would then give you a few columns of walks with relevant info to compare such as the grades, terrain profiles, photos etc. Would this be a helpful feature??

Wolfix wrote:truly awful experience

Sounds awful, a little like a horror film. I have friends with similar levels of fear when it comes to leechs, I think they are quite amazing maybe even cute. But I understand how they can freak people out.

Wolfix wrote:(best. resource. ever.)

Ta - I try. I tend to focus on the problems with it the website too much, so encouragement like that is greatly appreciated.

Enjoy the walk
Matt

I did one day walk in April 2010. It is great place for day walking. It would be another experience for multi-days with overnight camping along the track.

Its a great walk. Id classify it as "Easy plus". There are no real hills and the navigation is pretty simple. Please note that there has been some track work and the topo maps are now incorrect in some places... If in doubt... follow the coast!.

c.

Ah cheers! "Easy plus" is right up my alley. I'm too unfit for difficult walks but what I lack in strength I more than make up for in enthusiasm!