Duffys Wharf - Looking South over Cowans Creek
Sydney, Australia

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This is a beautiful spot - the expansive pristine waters of Cowans Creek flow ultimately into the mighty Hawkesbury River and into the ocean North of Sydney.

Here, its easy to forget we are in the City area itself, with its myriad of clean waterways and greenery - it is quiet, not many people come down here and those that do, find a little paradise.


We are on Garigal Land of our First Nations People and this particular area is Ku-ring-gai. It is surrounded by National Forest that stretches North some 300km.


The general area is thickly treed, with numerous walking trails, waterfalls and sandstone cliffs.


One of the things that strike people who visit here, as with much of the area of Terrey Hills and Duffys Forest, is that they can believe they are in the country - it is horse country characterised generally by large acreage properties, surrounded by National Parks on 3 sides - no sound of traffic in these parts and I do not see many people at all who venture down the steep tracks through the damp forest to Duffys Wharf. They tend to prefer the less steep walking and bike and horse trails just above, on the plateau.


Occasionally, rowing boats or Kayaks (captured here) and the odd fishermen venture up and down the waterways. And sometimes there will be a family having a picnic on the boulders above the water and doing that very Australian thing, the beauty of just getting in, swimming, splashing around and having fun in the water.


I am lucky enough to live about 20min walk from here just on the top of the plateau on the edge of the National Forest.


Conservation

Our conservation efforts rarely seem adequate wherever we go in the World examining how we are treating the planet - an ongoing uphill battle.

But here it's worth putting things into context. Occasionally there appears to be good news and I feel this place is 'good news'.

Conservation efforts seem to be well established and generally well supported. Local people volunteer their services forming community groups to gather help protect the area.


Often they can be found progressively weeding out any plants that are non-indigenous that have found their way into the bushland close to habitation.


There is a strong community awareness of the value of bio-diversity and putting effort into maintaining and supporting this delicate ecosystem we find in Australia.


From me, it is wonderful to venture out into nature like this, that is appreciated and respected - I have lived here for over 10 years now and dont think I have ever seen any rubbish, even just a discarded paper wrapper anywhere (I am sure there is some rubbish here and there, but I have not seen any and I get out into the elements, exercising here quite a lot).


At Cowans Creek the water seems as clean as you could wish for, baring storms and unusual weather events.


People are aware, environmental protection is central to local politics, things tend to get done and the local people love and protect their environment - they get out into it a lot!


Check this out for Council direction, management and involvement ref Ku-ring-gai Council - waterways.