Taffy's Rock track, Berowra NSW

[solohiker]

Hi all,
I recently walked the Taffy's rock track near Berowra NSW and I'd highly recommend it!
There are panoramic views of the Hawkesbury River, a trail that was more bush-bash than track, a bit of charming local history, a geocache and some ancient ruins (well, ancient for Australia!).
I have a write-up in my blog with lots of pictures - Hope you enjoy! It's definitely worth the trip.

https://solohikerblog.wordpress.com/2017/03/13/hidden-wonders-along-taffys-rock-track/

[michael_p]

Thank you for the report. Great photos and good to see the track is pretty easy to follow.

That walk has been on my to-do list for years, I just never seem to able to get around to actually doing it. I really need to get myself into gear and just get this one done.

Cheers,
Michael.

[solohiker]

Thanks! I'd recommend long sleeves and trousers though as the trail is thin and scratchy for much of its length. I had scratches and small cuts on my arm. The video link shows a little taste of what it was like.
So much fun!

[GPSGuided]

Yes, in the right season, plenty of spider web through narrow and wooded sections too.

[Rob Gosford]

interesting report Solohiker.
I only got to that large tessalated outcrop - about half way along Taffys Track - back in 2013. Turned back, promising myself to return one day to get to Taffys Rock. Never did, lol never will.....way too unfit and old now.

as you found, there are some great views along Cowan Creek from Govett Ridge.

the tessalated rock outcrop.

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view from the top

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yes, very spikey !
Long sleeves and pants recommended

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there is a short way in to the start of Taffys Track on the GNWalk........
instead of starting at Cowan rail and clambering up the ridge from Jerusalem Bay, there is a relatively short track that starts at the F3 Freeway (M1) and runs directly east to join the GNWalk and the commencement of Taffys track. Its called the Campbells Crater Track. But you can't simply pull over on the side of the F3 and jump onto the track leaving your car there. There is instead - directly across on the other side of the F3 (the western side) - a green coloured council/RTA shed. Get someone to drop you there, CAREFULLY cross the F3, and jump onto the track ! head east......

standing on the start of the Campbells Crater Track at the F3 Freeway looking north.

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map.......

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and those dinner plate sized SPIDERS ! bbbbrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[kjbeath]

Continuing onto Taffy's Lookout is also worthwhile but would make a long daywalk. Went out years ago on backpack, had to walk a reasonable way down one of the creeks to find water and then camped on the flat rocks on the creek bed, as the scrub covers everything else. Thankfully no rain.

[solohiker]

Rob, that rock was amazing to come across and I have to admit I was puffed at that point and almost turned around when I saw the spider blocking the path! I did think about the shortcut but I wanted to see jerusalem bay again.

kjbeath, amazing you found water. There was nothing flowing up there when I went through though I didn't descend to look for any. The scrub is very thick.

[kjbeath]

Taffys Gully is shown as a permanent creak but isn't really but there were some small puddles. I've attached a photo of the view from Taffys Lookout. This is an old Kodachrome and the colours are being difficult to get right.

[Rob Gosford]

Rob, that rock was amazing to come across and I have to admit I was puffed at that point and almost turned around when I saw the spider blocking the path! I did think about the shortcut but I wanted to see jerusalem bay again.

yeah that tessalated rock outcrop sure is a sudden surprise.
nice rest spot too at Jerusalem Bay near that palm tree, but the climb up from there to the top of the ridge to Taffy's Rock turnoff, can take its toll if not fit

with regard to SPIDERS, apparently there is an explosion of them right now, due to the hot humid summer gone by, and now the copious amounts of rain we have just had, driving the SPIDERS out from their nests. They warned that its the White Tailed House Spider which is to be avoided at all costs ! When a female of the species lays its eggs........EACH egg can contain 100 baby White Tails ! Funnel webs can kill you, White Tails can be the cause of leaving you limbless

bbrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...............

[ribuck]

White Tails can be the cause of leaving you limbless

Fortunately it seems that's not the case, and that a spider bite cannot cause necrosis:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-tailed_spider

[Rob Gosford]

White Tails can be the cause of leaving you limbless

Fortunately it seems that's not the case, and that a spider bite cannot cause necrosis:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-tailed_spider

as I wrote ribuck: "White Tails can be the cause....."
the synonyms of cause are >>> source · root · origin.
i.e. a White Tailed spider bite can be the 'trigger' for a limb amputation

"White Tails can be the cause of leaving you limbless"
is what was stated (quoted 'more or less') by a spider expert on Sydney radio 2GB talk back last week

I don't wish to get into any more trivial detail than this.

[solohiker]

Interesting talk about the white tailed spider. My wife was recently bitten by one and ended up in hospital for three days. It wasn't the specific creature causing the bite that put her there though, rather there was a secondary infection that spread across her leg. Very painful and hard to treat. I can see why it can lead to loss of leg.

[north-north-west]

Interesting talk about the white tailed spider. My wife was recently bitten by one and ended up in hospital for three days. It wasn't the specific creature causing the bite that put her there though, rather there was a secondary infection that spread across her leg. Very painful and hard to treat. I can see why it can lead to loss of leg.

Yep.
White-tail bites seem to be prone to infection, more so than most spider bites. I've been bitten thrice and they all got infected, although none so bad that hospitalisation was required.