THE GREAT OUTDOORS The magic of bushwalking at night

The magic of bushwalking at night

With warm evenings and daylight extended, taking to the walking trails at night is a great way to see a different side of our fauna, flora and landscape.

WORDS JAMES LUTWYCHE

Bushwalking at night gives you the opportunity to have close encounters with the furry kind.

© MARK HODGINS

© DAVID RUSSELL

PREVIOUS PAGE Full moon rising over Pretty Beach. TOP LEFT Brush-tailed rock wallabies, Watagans. ABOVE Echidna, Rumbalara Reserve. RIGHT The glow of Sydney lights from Bouddi National Park. NEXT PAGE TOP Sunset at Mt Yengo Lookout, Yengo National Park NEXT PAGE MIDDLE New moon, Bouddi Coastal Walk, Bouddi National Park. Walking at night adds another dimension to your senses, especially after rain. The bush smells different. It’s fresher, seems cooler, your eyes work harder to spot the unusual and the wildflowers jump out, glistening and bursting with colour when highlighted by a headlamp. The lichen and shadows exposed across the large sandstone monoliths are to marvel at as you stop for a supper snack.

Bushwalking at night gives you the opportunity to have close encounters with the furry kind. When my children were not singing, laughing or creating general tomfoolery we were lucky enough to see a pair of brush-tailed possums out feeding with their young. You may see a feathertail glider, a sugar glider, a colony of flying foxes, or even an echidna preferring to forage in the cool of night. Bandicoots and wombats are also on the move after dark, while tawny frogmouths are also on the hunt. Wallabies, koalas and owls are at their most active at dawn and dusk (which means they are crepuscular not nocturnal). And, the good news is, snakes are least likely to be active at night (unless it’s been a really hot day).

There are so many walking trails to explore on the Coast: from the exposed coastal tracks in Bouddi National Park to the forested walks around Brisbane Water. Experience beachcombing at dusk around Norah Head or strolling the trails in Rumbalara Reserve. Or perhaps taking in the sights from a lookout at night may be enough for you and your family. Gosford certainly looks spectacular and inviting from Staples Lookout.

A beach walk at night is a must-do on a balmy summer evening, especially in sight of the Norah Head lighthouse or on the dog-friendly beaches with your mutt. If you’re on an early evening walk along the coastal tracks, watch a sea eagle plummet from the sky for its last fish before nightfall. »

© GOUGH VENTER PHOTOGRAPHY

If it is your first night hike, start with something familiar or well signposted. Even a hike you’ve done 100 times before can be a new and rewarding experience but can also be tricky if navigation or cartography is not your thing.

We recently did a section of the Thommo’s Loop fire trail at night, starting at Staples Lookout from Woy Woy Road. We took a lightweight gas burner (no fire bans at the time), warm Milo drinks and home-baked chocolate treats and took in the brilliant sunset from the huge sandstone outcrop looking across at Mount Wondabyne, then sat and watched the first stars appear.

If your children (or you) want a bit of a challenge, download a topographic map or order online. Grab a compass and try to orientate yourself along the way. This is quite tricky at night with the terrain or landmarks harder to identify. Or, if you want something less challenging, simply follow an app on your phone.

Better still, leave your phone in your bag (for emergencies) and enjoy the moment. A good quality rechargeable headtorch will illuminate your night far better than a phone.

Bushwalking at night is a rewarding experience. It can be challenging, relaxing and even romantic all at the same time.

JAMES LUTWYCHE ©

ESSENTIAL ITEMS FOR A NIGHT HIKE

Small lightweight rechargeable headtorch and a backup hand torch in case one goes flat. Good quality walking shoes or boots – you are more likely to stumble at night. First aid kit.

Water, as much as you can carry. Small backpack with rain jacket, warm clothing, maps, compass and snacks. Make sure you tell someone where you are going and when you are due back.