We head into the bush across the road occasionally. Normally there’s not a real need with most of the inhabitants, the small birds and the owls and various mammals finding their way to our yard in Thirroul at one point or another. But it’s good for a quick dash when you’re in need of a bit of ol’ forest bathing and we were most certainly in need.
We decided to head to a spot further up from our house, as in literally up, and put our heads down, our backs into it and started the walk up the steep gravel path. We were hoping to grab some photos of the various little birds that make that patch their home. The Yellow-Throated Scrubwren was definitely on my list but after a couple of turns along various paths, some very much used and some probably more just a hint of one, we ended up somehow at a gate and a walk, that we didn’t even realise was so close to home: the Gibson Walking Track.
The Gibson Track connects to the Sublime Point track (eventually) and if you’ve ever done Sublime, you’ll know it’s incredibly steep and has loads of steps and ladders to the top. The lookout once you get to the top is incredible, just ask me, I’ve driven to the top. It’s easier and is less difficult on the hips and the fear of heights! (Plus there are some lovely and easy walks at the top too). But I didn’t realise that the Gibson Track actually snaked up the escarpment essentially behind our house. We were both keen to get in and have a good ferret around and so heads down, we assumed the position and started another climb.
This walk really came into its own as we continued to ascend and the Sclerophyll forest of mainly eucalypts, wattles and banksias made way for the deep green of sub tropical rainforest plants, various fungi growing on and under everything, moss covered rocks, thick, twisting vines and a general dampness in the air.
At this point we pretty much gave up on taking photos of wildlife. We just really needed to be; putting away our cameras and just allowing ourselves to walk amongst what felt like absolutely ancient forest, listening to Superb Lyrebirds cycling through their repertoire of bird calls higher up in the escarpment, the constant chattering of scrub wrens and Bowerbirds and the mournful call of a Fantail Cuckoo.
Look, I hate surprises normally but sometimes the best discoveries are those you completely weren’t expecting and aside from stumbling onto the breathtaking walk itself, we had another, completely unexpected find. Now I’m always face down bum up somewhere and because I can’t help myself I leant down to get a closer look at a piece of fungi that looked to have broken off from maybe further up into a tree. And sitting right in the centre of that fungi was this lovely little snail, an Illawarra Bristle Snail and only the second one I’ve found!
Check out the bristles on the shell! This one was well and truly happy in its home and didn’t want to come out and chat so a look at the shell is all you’re going to get but how beautiful is it?! I actually can’t find a lot of information about this species itself except that it is found in rainforests from around the Royal National Park to about Wollongong. A special end to a special walk.
Find more information on walks in the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area.