A Sunny Day at Fitzroy Falls: Exploring the East Rim Track and Wildflowers

 "Dads are most ordinary men turned by love into heroes, adventurers, storytellers, and singers of song." - Pam Brown

First of all, happy Father’s Day from us in Sydney, Australia! We hope all dads can enjoy being spoiled today—happiness to the max! Today, we’re excited to share our latest adventure with you in Fitzroy Falls, Southern Highland.

  

On a bright and sunny day, we set out to explore the East Rim track at Fitzroy Falls, a beautiful trail that begins at the Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre and lookout and then, extends down to Yarrunga Lookout. This combined East Rim and Wildflower walking track is truly a nature lover's dream, offering a blend of scenic beauty and informative experiences.

 

  

As we began our walk, we were immediately taken in by the diversity of the terrain. Just 1.25 km from the visitor centre, we reached Warragong Lookout, one of the highlights of the track. The lookout offers a sensational side view of Fitzroy Falls, where the water cascades down with a majestic grace. The broad views of Morton National Park stretching towards Bundanoon were breathtaking, with endless green as far as the eye could see.

  

Continuing along the path, the trail transformed multiple times. At one point, it felt like a rainforest walk as we passed through small creeks, surrounded by lush vegetation and the soothing sounds of water trickling nearby. We even created walking sticks from fallen tree branches, which made navigating the uneven terrain easier and added a touch of fun to our adventure. Further along, the path took us through a dense forest area, where we saw many fallen giant trees and even a massive ant house—nature's wonders never cease to amaze!

  

 

The trail then changed to a fern path, with ferns growing abundantly along our route, creating a serene and almost prehistoric atmosphere. As we continued, the landscape shifted again into a bush path, where the sun peeked through the canopy, casting beautiful dappled light on our way.

Throughout our journey, we were serenaded by the melodies of various birds, their songs adding to the serene ambiance of the forest. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we couldn't manage to capture a photo of them—they were just too quick for us!

 

  

Discovering Wildflowers Along the Track

Through our walk, we found ourselves surrounded by an array of wildflowers. The vibrant colors and delicate petals added splashes of color to the greenery around us. Some of the wildflowers we discovered included Patersonia (the purple flag flowers), Sieber's Parrot Pea (the small, cute yellow flower tree), Sunshine Wattle (a pale yellow flower from a shrub tree), Banksia just starting to grow, tiny Colicroot white flowers, and Snowberry (small pink flowers that looked almost like berries) and even more. Each flower added to the natural beauty of the trail, making our walk even more enjoyable.

Patersonia flower

Sieber's Parrot Pea

Sunshine Wattle

Banksia

Coliroot flowers

Snowberry flowers

A Perfect Ending with a Picnic

At the end of our walk, we found a lovely spot to rest and enjoy a quick picnic with amazing view as another highlight of our track. We made a delicate English breakfast tea, which was the perfect comfort after a day of hiking. Paired with some delicious cookies, it was a simple but delightful way to relax and soak in the beauty of our surroundings.

Our day at Fitzroy Falls was an incredible experience, filled with natural beauty, diverse landscapes, and the joy of discovering something new around every corner. We left with our hearts full and a promise to return for more adventures. 

If you haven't experienced the East Rim track yet, we encourage you to give it a try. You will be amazed at how nature can serve up such relaxing beauty for us to enjoy. 

The walk is considered moderate, with approximately 7 km return and an elevation gain of about 167 meters. Please note that this trail is not dog-friendly, as dogs are not allowed here. Remember to wear sturdy boots, especially if it’s wet, as the path can become slippery. And don’t forget to bring plenty of snacks and water for your family to enjoy along the way!

Love,

WanderNest family