Mummy, my legs hurt

Where: Wollongambe River near Mt Wilson Distance: Bushwalking, Liloing and Swimming all up close to 20km Duration: 7 hours This was a bucket list trip for me. I'd always wanted to lilo down a river! When a kid-free weekend presented itself (thanks mum), Richie and I decided to take advantage of our free time and do a Wollongambe trip with the Blue Mountains Adventure Company.  Richie has been canyoning multiple times with these guys and its always been a great experience. I've been with him once and loved it. We trusted that the guides would provide a fantastic experience that was safe as well as being totally EPIC. And of course, we weren't disappointed! Fortuitously, the other people that were supposed to be joining the trip didn't turn up so we had a private guided tour. After a relatively easy walk in with BMAC guides Nick and Greg, we started to head downhill, ending up at a very busy junction that involved a bit of a scale down a hand line.  ...

Near Glenbrook Distance: 3ish km... my Garmin tracked it as 5.4 as I left it on whilst swimming Duration: We took 2.5 hours but that included over an hour mucking around in the water, and breaks on the way back. This waterhole is a hidden gem!  A relatively short but steep track winds down from a nondescript dirt side track off Red Hands fire trail in Glenbrook National Park. The Kanuka Brook Gully track is clearly marked on maps but blink and you'll miss it when driving along the fire trail! There is a very small clearing opposite the trailhead where you can park, and from there it is about 1km down to the edge of the pool. The track is enjoyable on the way down with a few steep scrambles that were tricky for short legs. But it's all downhill.  :) Although Holly chose to wear her long socks, 'in case of leeches', there weren't any. :) First we skirted the edge of the pool around to the left, alongside a sheer wall that shaded the...

Near Linden Distance: 3.5km return Duration: ~2 hours Paradise Pool is a beautiful swimming hole and a somewhat well guarded local secret. It took us a little while to find our way and we had to backtrack a little but we got there in the end. The track itself was quite bushy and brushy; poking Holly in the face and scratching at our legs. Some basic navigation is required as it's not that obvious in parts. I'll let the pictures tell most of the story here as to be honest; I'm writing this a few months after we visited so the details are a little fuzzy!  The swimming hole was beautiful; peaceful and cool with a flat rock ledge up above it that some brave kids were jumping off. We did this walk in summer so we could enjoy a swim but it did get pretty warm and uncomfortable hiking up the hill on the way back!