BAULKHAM HILLS SHIRE COUNCIL SUMMER AUTUMN WALKS PROGRAM

A program designed to provide opportunities for residents to explore and learn more about the beautiful bushland reserves of the Garden Shire.

Numbers are limited so bookings are essential for all walks

The Summer/Autumn Program is below for full details.

Here's a summary of dates:

Saturday 2 February 8.30pm to 10.00pm Night Walk, Kenthurst
Saturday 16 February 9.00am to 11.00am Geebung Walk, Fred Caterson Reserve, Castle Hill
Sunday 24 February 8.00am to 10.00am Bird Watching Walk, Hunts Creek
Saturday 1 March 8.30pm to 10.00pm Night Walk, North Rocks
Sunday 9 March 9.30am to 11.30am and 1.00pm to 3.00pm Bush Tucker Walk, William Joyce Reserve, Baulkham Hills
Sunday 13 April 10.00am to 12.30pm Hunts Creek Walk from Hunts Creek Reserve, Carlingford to Seville Reserve, North Rocks
Sunday 4 May 10.00am to 12.00pm Stevensons Creek to Ted Horwood Reserve, Baulkham Hills
Saturday 10 May 2.00pm to 4.00pm Rouse Hill Village Walk
Sunday 1 June 9.30am to 11.30am and 1.00pm to 3.00pm Aboriginal Heritage Walk, Speers Rd Reserve, North Rocks
Saturday 14 June 10.00am to 12 noon Toongabbie Creek, Baulkham Hills
Sunday 22 June 10.00am to 12 noon Blue Gum, Creek Kenthurst

Night Walk, Kenthurst
Experience the sights and sounds of the bush after dark. On this walk we will be spotlighting to look for the native animals which live in our local bushland. On a warm summer night we may see possums, spiders, frogs, lizards, birds or bats. Saturday 2 February 8.30pm to 10.00pm.

Geebung Walk, Fred Caterson Reserve, Castle Hill
There is more to Fred Caterson Reserve than playing fields. This is one of the oldest public reserves in the Shire and several different plant communities have been preserved for us to enjoy. This walk provides the opportunity to learn more about the native plants growing here including the Geebung. All of the four different species of Geebung growing in the reserve should be flowering at the time of the walk. Saturday 16 February 9.00am to 11.00am.

Bird Watching Walk, Hunts Creek
Early in the morning is the best time to see the birds and a good place to see them is the sandstone gully of Hunts Creek. Here there is a wide variety of birds including many varieties of parrots, scrub, variegated and superb wrens, honeyeaters and whipbirds. This walk will be led by an expert birdwatcher from the Cumberland Bird Observers Club. Sunday 24 February 8.00am to 10.00am.

Night Walk, North Rocks
Experience the sights and sounds of the bush after dark. This walk will be held in an area where the native animals have increased following a successful fox baiting program. We may be lucky enough to see some of them on this walk. Saturday 1 March 8.30pm to 10.00pm.

Bush Tucker Walk, William Joyce Reserve, Baulkham Hills
The Darug tribe inhabited this part of Sydney for thousands of years and according to local guide Bundeluk there was plenty of bush tucker to be found on the banks of Toongabbie Creek. On these walks he will talk about some of these plants and there will be an opportunity to try some bush tea. Sunday 9 March 9.30am to 11.30am and 1.00pm to 3.00pm.

Hunts Creek Walk from Hunts Creek Reserve, Carlingford to Seville Reserve, North Rocks
Joseph Seville took up land south of Hunts Creek on Windsor Rd in 1835. He named the creek which flowed past after his brother in law Samuel Hunt. This walk will follow the Hunts Creek valley from its headwaters at Carlingford to the Reserve now named after Seville. On the way we will learn about the many changes the land has seen - from wheat growing to orchards to suburban backyards as different people have called this place home. Sunday 13 April 10.00am to 12.30pm.

Stevensons Creek to Ted Horwood Reserve, Baulkham Hills
Stevenson’s Creek is named after the principal of Baulkham Hills Public School who loved to bring his pupils down into this valley to learn about the bush. You can come and learn about it too and on the way see some spectacular scenery including two important caves. Sunday 4 May 10.00am to 12.00pm.

Rouse Hill Village Walk
Recent years have seen some major changes to the Rouse Hill area. Remnants of the original Rouse Hill Village are still here to see. Pam Wilson of the Hills District Historical Society will lead this walk back into the past. Saturday 10 May 2.00pm to 4.00pm.

Aboriginal Heritage Walk, Speers Rd Reserve, North Rocks
Bundeluk, a Darug man will show how the bush was the hardware store, pharmacy and super market for his people in the years before European settlement. These walks will be along the lower reaches of Darling Mills Creek. Darug arts and crafts will be available to purchase. Sunday 1 June 9.30am to 11.30am and 1.00pm to 3.00pm.

Toongabbie Creek, Baulkham Hills
Come and see what a difference a few dedicated people have made to our local environment. A bush regeneration program has replaced the invasive weeds in this creek valley with indigenous lilly pillies and black wattles and associated understorey plants. The birds have appreciated the improvement and we should see quite a few on this walk. Saturday 14 June 10.00am to 12 noon.

Blue Gum Creek, Kenthurst
We will explore some of the vegetation in this important tributary of Cattai Creek including the sandstone heathland on the ridges and blue gum high forest in the valley floor. This walk has some steep and rough sections. Sunday 22 June 10.00am to 12 noon.

COST
Adults $6 / Children $3

BOOKINGS
Boronia Tours - Phone: 9634 3163
or Email: jennifer@boroniatours.com
Bookings are essential as walk numbers are limited.

WHERE TO MEET
The exact meeting place details will be advised at time of booking.

WHAT TO BRING
Wear comfortable shoes, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. For night time walks wear warm clothing and mosquito repellant. Bring a drink and a snack. For night time walks bring a torch. For birdwatching walks bring your binoculars.And don’t forget your camera!

ABOUT THE WALKS
This fourth series of guided walks, presented by Baulkham Hills Shire Council and Boronia Tours, allows you to experience the magic of sometimes forgotten bushlands of The Hills. Discover creeks and crossings, amazing birdlife, curious animals and native plants - all hidden amidst your busy suburban environment.Through these walks, we hope that you join us in becoming guardians of our native bushlands to preserve them for future generations. Spread the word!