4. WILDFLOWER WALK CRANSTON’S ROAD MIDDLE DURAL
What You Will See: District views, a variety of Sydney’s distinctive wildflowers and if you are lucky a glimpse of a swamp wallaby. The Sydney region has one of the most diverse flora in the world. Some of the most spectacular wildflower displays can be seen on the nutrient poor sandstone ridges. There are several places to see our beautiful wildflowers - the fire trail at the end of Cranston’s Road Middle Dural is one of them.
Distance: 3.5 kilometres
Grade: Moderate. Steep ascent and descent Time: One and a half hours
Facilities: None
Track Status: Graded fire trail and bush track Starting Point: Fire Trail at end of Cranston’s Road Middle Dural
Directions and Points of Interest:
1. The walk starts at the gate at the end of Cranston’s Road Middle Dural. Follow the fire trail for 600 metres.
Some of the plants growing here include Yellow Bloodwoods (Corymbia eximia), Rough Barked Apples (Angophora hispida), and several varieties of Grevillea.
2. Turn right on to the new fire trail. The countryside now is open heathland and growing here are Flannel Flowers (Actinotis helianthi), pink Kunzeas, yellow Drumsticks (Isopogon sp), white Waxflowers (Philotheca buxifolia) and many other colourful flowers.
3. The trail turns under the power lines and becomes much narrower and steeper. Take care here. Stop to enjoy the views down into the valley. Look out for Wax Flowers.
4. The trail reaches the main fire trail where there is a sign “Cranston’s Trail” pointing to the left and a sign
“O’Hara’s Creek Trail pointing to the right. Turn right and walk down the hill to O’Hara’s Creek.
5. The vegetation in O’Hara’s Creek is classified as wet sclerophyll forest. These tall trees were logged for their timber in the 19th and 20th centuries by loggers who lived in the valley.
6. It is recommended that you continue to the lagoon before turning around.
Return to the fire trail sign at stop 4. On the way up pause for a break at a lovely pool on the left surrounded by Coral Ferns (Gleichenia sp) and Black Wattles (Callicoma serratifolia).
Optional detour. It is recommended that if you have the time after stop 4 on the return journey take the side track that appears on the right to view rock ledges and boulders and wildflowers (seasonal). Then return to the main trail.
7. Continue on the Cranston’s Trail to the intersection where the track taken previously now comes in on the left. Pause from time to time to take in the views down into the valley. Keep a look out for pink Boronias on this part of the trail.
Follow the track back to the start.
