Tuesday 16th Dec 2025 – Although our time here is coming to an end we are determined to still continue exploring and make the most of it. So today we decided to explore nearer home with the Wodi Wodi hike in the Illawarra region. The weather was a bit hazy so we didn’t want to do a walk that would rely on clear views! We took the train from Austi to Stanmore park – rushed to the station to then wait for 30 mins because someone read the timetable wrong ….Nigel! But it was early in the day so it didn’t really matter.
When we got off the train we were straight onto a track that took us up a steep climb into tropical forest, followed by steep descent to Stanwell Creek. A young local guy got off the train with us and chatted a bit before marching off in a different direction to then creep up behind us a bit further on. So much for being a local – he had obviously gone in the wrong direction! At one stage we thought he was going to walk the entire route with us which we didn’t want, but thankfully he buggered off and we were left with the woodland to ourselves which was fantastic.
It definitely wasn’t the easiest walking as although it was marked, there wasn’t always pathways so it meant crawling over rocks on our hands and feet at times. But it was a fantastic green and lush forest with lots of gumtrees at the top, ferns along the bottom and plenty of bird sounds and activity the whole way.
A steep climb up the Bullock Track, which wasn’t too difficult as it had steps and clear pathways, took us to a great lookout point where we sat undisturbed to have lunch and take in the views. We had surprisingly clear views as well, which, we hadn’t expected and was an added bonus.
As we were leaving to head back down the track, we met two local men who asked if we had been to another lookout a bit further on. We hadn’t – so they invited us to walk with them and their dogs. It was lovely to chat to some locals who enjoyed walking and cycling in the area and we compared notes on the challenges of cycling on the roads with the aggressive Australian drivers!
The view at the too was spectacular and we could see down to the sea cliff bridge….
We left them at the top to head back down and continue our walking loop. Our guidebook confused us at a certain point as instructions didn’t seem to map the landscape in front of us. Nevertheless we were back on a main road so couldn’t get lost and then picked up the track to cross Stanwell Park beach before arriving back at the train and bus station. We only had 15 mins to wait on the bus which would take us right home, so we did that. A total of 9.5Km across rough path, rocky terrain, paved pathways and soft sand!
Wednesday 17th December – Today was a trip into central Sydney to take a scenic flight which was our Christmas treat to ourselves. We left home to walk to Thirroul train station in plenty of time for the 8:08am train. We were early and just saw a train pull out as we arrived but we didn’t mind as we had plenty of time to get to Rose Bay for our 10:45 flight. Or so we thought….
We were delayed leaving Thirroul, which then had a knock-on effect on our travel and the train crawled for the last 45 minutes into Sydney arriving 45 minuted later than expected. We then ordered an Uber which meant racing around central station to find it – and even when we found our taxi, every traffic light was red in our route to the sea plane terminal at Rose Bay. Stress levels were high and we were both a bit fraught but the time we arrived st the terminal. But we were on time so we could then relax. Phew!
There were 9 of us on our little Cessna Caravan and we were first on, so when asked if anyone wanted to sit beside the pilot Nigel jumped at the chance.
The 30-minute flight over Sydney harbour had some amazing views as itwas a relatively clear day. Couldn’t see quite as far as the Blue Mountains but it was still spectacular.
The commentary was a bit difficult to hear, but it didn’t matter as the views definitely made up for it! Bondi beach was part of the route but we didn’t fly over that, which we think was out of respect for the recent tragic events there.
Afterwards we took the ferry back to circular quay for lunch, with some great people watching in the sunshine. I had a meeting at 2:45, but we still had time after lunch to find a nice spot under a tree and enjoy the Botanic Gardens with a view through the trees of Sydney bridge.
The train ride home was much more relaxed and on time – rounding off another great day.
Tuesday 23rd Dec – We had planned to do the Brokers Nose walk, which our guidebook had said had the best views of the Illawarra region but when we turned up, the trwil was closed off because it is now private land. But we had planned to go walking so walking we would go…so it was back to Austi to walk the Gibson Track to Sublime point. From our Wodi Wodi walk we already knew that part of this track was closed but the young guy we had met on the walk had told us that he and his friends had ignored the “keep out” signs and walked it anyway, so we decided we would chance it too.
From leaving the house it was almost straight into steep hills once we passed the train station and that was the general theme of this walk. We took a wrong turn and ended up on a mountain biking track for a bit (thankfully with no bikes!) so we had to course correct and get onto the Gibson Track which was a lovely track under some dense forest. We got to the “keep out” section and saw that lots of people had obviously ignored the notice so we didn’t feel too bad proceeding as planned. And this is where is got very steep with loads of wooden steps that just kept going. It literally was straight up the mountain and although we think we are pretty good walkers we had to stop twice to catch our breath.
As if the steps weren’t bad enough we had had a series of ladders to climb. I am not great with climbing ladders but couldn’t overthink it so just got on with it but by the time we had climbed all of them (about 7 sets) I was starting to have the wobbles so they ended at the right time for me…don’t be fooled by the smiles in the photos!
At this stage we were almost at the top so it was a short walk to the Sublime point lookout which made it absolutely worth the climb.
Took in the views and sat for a coffee and cinnamon bun which we had taken with us before heading back the same route.
We were hanging back from a couple in front of of us as we didn’t want to be seen heading down the closed path, to discover there was another oath to Bulli lookout which we thought might have been another route back down. In my case I was hoping for that because I didn’t fancy going down the ladders again, so off we headed on this sandy track. Unfortunately it was right beside a busy road so not the most enjoyable walking so we turned around to go back the way we came. So down the ladders and hundreds of steps to rejoin Gibsons track and get back to Austinmer.
By this stage it was lunchtime so we found a bench in the shade on Austi beach where we had our sarnies before heading back to base for a shower and a snooze – 13km covered
24 – 27 Dec 2025 – Nigel’s nephew Max and his girlfriend Beth who live in Sydney, joined us for Christmas. So we had a lovely few days that involved plenty of eating, drinking, swimming and walking.
On Boxing Day we ventured out on a walk that was recommended by someone I met here through work. The Mount Kiera Ring Track and Summit walk had a starting point about 30 mins away in the car, so after a big brekkie we headed off, parked the car at Byarong Park and from there it was another lovely, but different walk through forest. It was quiet with not many other walkers around (apart from one chap who told us he was doing a fast loop to get rid of his hangover). The route took us uphill through forest with lots of nice rock formations..
before we got to Mount Kiera summit, which had a coffee shop, where we stopped for coffees and mince pies to take in the views …
It was a looped walk and our route back was more downhill than up with plenty of steps, but again through lovely forest.
Not a massive walk at 8.5km but the walk to the top had got our heart rates up so it felt like a workout!
Sat 27 Dec – as it was on Max and Beth’s route home we opted for a short walk to Stanwell Park which we had done on 16th, and in reverse, which meant crossing the beach
…followed by a lot of steps upwards at the start.
Not a long walk but a couple of hours to blow away the cobwebs for the day – with some stunning views as usual.
Tues 29 Dec – Our last walk of our trip – this time to the top Mount Kembla and a loop around the Mount. We both agreed that this was probably our least favourite walk in the area.
It was about a 40-minute drive to get to the starting point at Kembla lookout. A huge pylon at the lookout point with wires that obstructed the view, and there was a weird vibe to the place. But off we went on the summit walk, which was a nice walk through tropical forest with lots of little birds to see and hear along the way
It was chilly when we headed off but by the time we got to the summit, which did involved some steep climbing, steps and one ladder, the sun was shining so we enjoyed the summit view with a coffee and cinnamon swirl in the company of a few other walkers.
Back down the same route and then took the circular track which took us down into some lovely lush forest….
…before going onto a track for a few km and then the main road back to the parking area. Met a couple of weird Asian guys coming in the opposite direction drinking beer, which just validated our initial “weird” feelings about the place. Had our lunch sarnies in the shade of the trees near the car park before high tailing it home.
Not the best walk to finish our trip with – but we have done so many nice ones we can’t really complain. Two sleeps now be for we return to London!
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