Beautiful Birdwood

The orange glimmer in the clear pool caught my eye, as after days of rain I finally got a chance to do my favourite Springwood bushwalk. I had heard stories of years ago when the streams here were full of yabbies, but as I had looked at the urban growth in the Blue Mountains I had given up hope of ever spotting a yabby – at least one so close to civilisation. Maybe there still is hope for the streams of Birdwood Gully and Madoline Glen.

The Birdwood Gully/ Madoline Glen area on the north side of Springwood is a lovely area of bush, surprisingly unspoilt by the development near it. (I’m sure this is due to the team of bush carers who look after this area). A walk down the stone steps to this gully causes the business of life to be long forgotten and one can enjoy the peacefulness of this quiet bushland.

As we walk along the old paths, past towering gums and ferns, we hear unusual bird calls and watch little lizards dart along the rocks.  The walk here takes approximately one hour for the round trip and you can start it at the intersection of Bednal Rd and Lucinda Ave in Springwood. (You will have to do a short road walk at the end to link up the round trip). It is a perfect walk for children (or for those who need a bit of encouragement to get out into the bush) because of the variety of natural scenery to enjoy.

Explore the waterfalls and creeks and maybe catch a glimpse of the wallabies that inhabit this area, but watch out for leeches after rain! The vegetation here is rich and varied and as I point out an interesting shaped mushroom to my eight year old godson, a bower bird catches our eye … but that is a whole new story.
DH


This article has been published in the September 2010 edition of The Mountains Blueberry.