"The Big Walk"
New Twist to "The Big Walk this year. Walking history will be created 28 Sept - 8th October when noted walk leader Andy Cairns of "The National Parks Assoc" will take a group of walkers from the Dolphin of Port Stephens to the Peaks of the Barringtons.
The walk will start from Tea Gardens and follow coast and river to Mungo Brush before climbing the Koolonok range with its "H" trees, Conglomerate Rocks, Governors Point and a birds eye view of the Alum Volcanics towering over Bulahdelah.
Crossing the new expressway through an underpass provided by Theiss contractors and the RTA it will then run through Shorty’s Camp to the many bridges of the Wootton Historic Railwalk and the Trestle Bridge. Then climbing the subtropical gully and cascades of the "little" Myall River to the Cabbage Tree Range and the old "Guesthouse Trail" to the Craven State Forest. from there volunteers of the Tea Gardens Lions Club will transport walkers to the Terrible Billy Road near the Berrico Trig, where walkers using the "Thunderbolts Ghost" sidetrack will descend to the Upper Karuah Rainforest and Ford, Then ascend to the Mountaineer Gold Diggers Trail at its reserve at the end of the Wangat and Middle Ridge Roads from Dungog reaching the Glowang Trail to the Gloucester Falls.
Up to this point volunteers have transported the tents, sleeping bags and pack each day from one campsite to the other by car. But now follow three days of medium backpack walks through the World Heritage Wilderness of the Tops where no cars are allowed. The "Link Trail" is used to Wombat Creek and the spectacular views from Carey’s Peak. On arriving at "the Big" and "junction Hole" a cool bath is welcome. Then the World Heritage unique Blue Swamp is reached for a last camp. On Friday the 8th a bus will first take the walkers to the Gloucester Tourist Centre for light refreshments and the presentation of "first ever" inaugural Diplomas by (then elected) Members of State and local Government. Then the bus will take them back to the Tea Gardens Police Station. Participation in the full walk has a limit of 8 and is open to all, but expected to be booked by August and is a special promotional exercise of the. Lions Clubs international nature walk carrying the official name of "‘Tops to Myalls Heritage Trail" by the Central Mapping Authority.