Blue Tier

[Chris]

With all the recent publicity about mountain bike trails in the NE I've been wondering whether they are new tracks, or whether we are likely to run into mountain bikers pelting along the old walking trails

Also a more immediate query - does anyone who has been up there very recently know if the waratah is yet flowering between the Blue marker walk (I think now called something like Moon Rim) and Sun Flats Rd.

[MrWalker]

With all the recent publicity about mountain bike trails in the NE I've been wondering whether they are new tracks, or whether we are likely to run into mountain bikers pelting along the old walking trails

I believe bikes and walkers are allowed on The Wellington Loop, which overlaps with Australia Hill Loop and the Goblin Forest Walk, so these are supposed to be one-way routes to avoid accidents. However, this is not a downhill route, so bikers should not be going at high speed. Check the signs near the carpark.

The Moon Rim Walk, Mount Michael track and Three Notch Track should be walkers only. Sorry, I can't help with the Waratah.

[MrWalker]

Also a more immediate query - does anyone who has been up there very recently know if the waratah is yet flowering between the Blue marker walk (I think now called something like Moon Rim) and Sun Flats Rd.

Our family were there on 13 Dec in 2014 and although I didn't do the Moon Rim walk, the others tell me that the Waratah was good about half way round, at that time.

[taswegian]

Chris I know its miles from BT but was up Middlesex last week and the Waratah there was gorgeous.
Usual stuff around Lehmans Creek, just north of Bull Creek.
Imagine down towards Bridle Veil Falls similar, but cant vouch.
However its getting to stage where each day its starting to wane, and with a bit of heat probably more so.

[Chris]

allowed on The Wellington Loop, which overlaps with Australia Hill Loop and the Goblin Forest Walk, so these are supposed to be one-way routes to avoid accidents. However, this is not a downhill route, so bikers should not be going at high speed. Check the signs near the carpark.
The Moon Rim Walk, Mount Michael track and Three Notch Track should be walkers only. Sorry, I can't help with the Waratah.

Thanks MrW. Not as bad as I feared, though after one bad experience with mountain bikers on a track where they were in theory prohibited, not too sure about our freedom to walk safely.

Thanks Taswegian and MrW for the waratah info too. I would expect it to be earlier near the East coast so we might have left it a bit too late this year. Will probably still try it next week.

[Tasallan]

I was walking in the Blue Tier last Saturday, did the Moon Valley Rim walk and the waratah was stunning, the best I have ever seen.
As for mountain bikes, they have taken over, at the Poimena car park totally full with mountain bike vehicles and a bus load arrived when we were having lunch. The Blue Derby trail starts at the Poimena car park. Mountain Bikes have ruined the Wellington loop walk but they cannot do the Australia Hill, Mt Michael and Moon Valley Rim walk. Bush walker have been forgotten and it is all for mountain bikes.

[north-north-west]

Does this mean the Poimena road is open to all-comers, or is it still 4wd only (due to unrepaired flood damage)?

[Tasallan]

North North West
No you do not need a 4WD as the road is in fairly good condition and I suspect it has been repaired for the mountain bikers.

[north-north-west]

T'riffic. It was a mess last time I tried to get up there.

Thanks.

[Chris]

I was walking in the Blue Tier last Saturday, did the Moon Valley Rim walk and the waratah was stunning, the best I have ever seen.

That's magnificent Tasallan.

Which reminds me - friends went to see the Mt Barrow waratahs today. They reported a spectacular showing, more widespread than previous years. Also an orange waratah, some orchids, peppers still in flower, and lots of flag irises. For those not familiar with the area the Mt Barrow Discovery Trail turns off Tasman highway at Nunamarra. From memory you need to drive bit less than 10Km down the rd.

As for mountain bikes, they have taken over, at the Poimena car park totally full with mountain bike vehicles and a bus load arrived when we were having lunch. The Blue Derby trail starts at the Poimena car park. Mountain Bikes have ruined the Wellington loop walk but they cannot do the Australia Hill, Mt Michael and Moon Valley Rim walk. Bush walker have been forgotten and it is all for mountain bikes.

but still worth going.

[billshep1]

If you want a mountain bike free walk on the Blue Tier I have waymarked a route from Weldborough Pass over Handley peak, Mt Littlechild and Australia Hill to Poimena. Its only a route, some logs to climb over especially in the saddles. There is a side track to the summit cairn of Littlechild taped in yellow. Main traverse is in pink. Some very fine rain forest on Littlechild contrasting with the old stock road and grassy slopes above Weldborough Pass.
You can connect to the descent from the Summit Mine and walk back to Weldborough Pass via Crystal Hill , Groom River and Big Tree walk for a fine two day trip. Rougher than the main Blue Tier walks, best carry a GPS in case the tapes get blown away etc.
If walking from Australia Hill towards Mt Littlechild, look for the old Australia Hill track just west of the metal sign on top of the hill - its blocked off by debris. Mt Littlechild is the highest point on the Blue Tier not Poimena Hill despite what the noticeboard says. It's what the whole tier would have looked like before mining , fire and grazing.