Once a month the Gloucester Environment Group conducts a bushwalk. The walks range from easy to hard and are designed to suit different interests and varying degrees of fitness.
On the last Saturday in July, a group of bushwalkers with the group set off from the Manning River to climb the slopes of Mt Tibbuc, 28 kilometres north of Gloucester.
After following a steep track onto the southern saddle, we bush-bashed north along the ridge above it, climbing through open eucalypt forest to the sound of lyrebirds calling. Nearing the top we came out onto Ridge Road, a fire trail leading east to the Mt Tibbuc summit.
At just over 470 metres above sea level and overlooking Thunderbolts Way, Mt Tibbuc and surrounds provide some spectacular views and magnificent bush.
A little further southeast of the summit, several rocky platforms provided a relaxing lunch venue with fabulous views across the surrounding farms and valleys. The local casuarinas had clearly been fed on by black cockatoos and many small birds were observed including pardalotes, bell birds, tree creepers and yellow robins.
Following the lunch break we descended straight down the steep southern-face of the mountain through an attractive understory of grasses and ferns. Below the summit several rock walls were covered with gorgeous small native orchid species. This descent was the most challenging part of the day due to steepness and the loose rock scree underfoot. Back down at the riverbank (altitude 120 metres) it was only a short walk back upstream to the cars, completing a very enjoyable, although tiring, 6km circuit.
Our next walk, on Saturday August 18th will be a 10-11 km grade 4 (hard) walk. We will be following the route of the historic Langley Vale Tramway built in 1897. All are welcome. For further information contact Noel Barton on 0447480598.
