Diary 2026 - Walks & other activities

Friday 18 September

MOUNT ANNAN

This is a return visit to the Mount Annan Wildflower Gardens which has recently undergone some development. 

It is a mostly mild walk of 10 km around the park. It travels in a clockwise direction along pleasant pathways around undulating hills.

https://www.botanicgardens.org.au/australian-botanic-garden-mount-annan

Some of the features are—

The 1880s water canal (No. 2 on the map below) taking water from the Upper Nepean River and feeding it via gravity north to Prospect Reservoir.

The ridge of the hill, No.3, providing views across the valley where the cattle used  to graze and further on to the Blue Mountains.

No.4 and 5; themed native gardens and a potential lunch spot.

The steep Summit Track, at No. 6, which on our previous visit was infested with the invasive African Olive weed.

The ‘Connections Garden’, at 7, is a thickly-planted hillside above a waterfall. The popular West Australian paper daisies should be in bloom at this time. The Herbarium and ‘Plantbank’ are to the north.

Meet:

Meet at 9.30 am at the indicator boards on the railway concourse at Macarthur Station (the first station past Campbelltown). There is a good service on the T8 Airport & South Line from the city.

There’s a connecting bus service from Macarthur to the garden gates.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:T8_Sydney_Trains_diagram.png

https://transportnsw.info/trip-planner

Terrain:

Most of this walk is along pathways on undulating hills. The exception is the fairly steep Mount Annan Summit Track (marked 6 on the map which is 190 metres above sea level— and where I will be making use of a walking stick and taking rest-breaks).

Bring: 

Lunch and drink (there are no bubblers on the first half of the walk), sun protection (there’s not much tree cover for much of the walk).

Enquiries:

Mark Matheson 9559 5502 (preferred) or 0409 617 778 (emergencies)

Date to be announced

HILLS SHOWGROUND METRO to CASTLE HILL (via Cattai Creek)

JOINT [SCOG] & [NATURE HIKERS] WALK 

Photo: typical of the path along Cattai Creek  

This is a short, medium grade Walk around the Castle Hill Showground & adjoining bushland.

Travelling to / from:  We start at Hills Showground Metro Station.  Be there before 10 a.m.

From Central (Platform 26) the trip takes 38 minutes.  If travelling from Epping (Platform 6), the duration is 10 minutes.  Metro services run frequently every 4 minutes in each direction.

For the trip home from Castle Hill Metro Station, there are frequent services to the City via Epping.

Meeting-up:  After exiting the Metro, turn right, cross the road & follow the footpath to a small Park.  There are take-away coffee shops here, for those needing a caffeine fix!

It is here, at the Park, that we will do the usual 'meet & introduction circle / numbers', before starting the Walk at 10 a.m.

Detailed description of Walk:  The first section is along a shared path around Castle Hill Showground.  It then follows a bush track through the Fred Caterson Reserve & along Cattai Creek.  There will be a stop for Morning Tea / Coffee, etc., & later on we will have Lunch beside Cattai Creek.

For those wanting an early exit, the opportunity arises near the Lunch spot.  A short Walk into the adjoining suburb of Knightsbridge, where a Bus service returns you to Castle Hill Metro Station.

After Lunch the Walk follows a trail leading down into the valley of Cattai Creek.  There is a short steep climb out of the Valley back to the ridge.

From here we follow Fire Trails & formed paths to Linksley Avenue, where we catch a Bus to Castle Hill Metro Station.

Distance Travelled & Grade:  The distance walked from Hills Showground Metro Station to Linksley Avenue, Castle Hill is calculated to be approximately 7 km.

It is regarded that this Walk is of a moderate nature (say a Grade 3) & therefore it's emphasised that walkers need to judge the difficulty against their personal fitness & for it not to be beyond their ability.

Degree of difficulty:  Apart from the short up-hill climb, it is a medium grade.

If you have a Trekking Stick you are advised to bring it. 

THEREFORE, INTENDING WALKERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE SUCH TERRAIN AS MENTIONED.  Those unable are advised not to attend.

Personal Responsibility & Disclaimer:  Walkers are reminded to consider their level of fitness before committing to this Walk.  This is an informal group, and the organisers cannot be held responsible for those who enter into the Walk without having the sufficient level of fitness required or adequate preparation.  Nor are the organisers responsible for accident or injury.  Participate at your own risk.

Bring:  your cheerful self, Sufficient Food & Water, suitable sturdy Walking Shoes, appropriate Clothing to suit the weather conditions, Towel (if required) and First Aid Kit.  Remember this is mid-winter, it could be cold especially when we start out.  Adequate sun protection should be observed.

Leader:  John W. may be contacted on 041 472 7060 for any enquiries. 

Map: showing the route for this Walk commencing from Hills Showground Metro (highlighted in Red)

Date to be announced

MEADOWBANK to PARRAMATTA

This is a pleasant, non-strenuous walk along familiar pathways. (See map below.)

The walk is around 9 kilometres from Meadowbank to Parramatta. But it would be shorter if one catches the new Light-Rail Tram for the last section between Rydalmere and Parramatta.

We will get good views of the placid river and some new landscaping. And we might see some signs of the new high-rise suburb on the north side called Melrose Park and the two bridges planned to connect it to the fast metro train at Olympic Park on the south side.

Exit-points: There are a few exit-points via bus and ferry along the walk.

Bring Lunch, snacks and drinking water.

Meet at Meadowbank station at 10:05am. 

Enquiries: Mark Matheson 9559 5502 (preferred) or 0409 617 778 (emergencies)