Little Garie to Coalcliff

20 km (1185 km) 7 hr

Completed the final section of the Coast Track and the first few beaches of the Illawara today.

Started with a sunrise from Otford Lookout at the southern edge of the Coast Track before heading northwards to Garrawarra Farm and then down to the spectacular Burgh Ridge descent to the coast.

Wonderful to be sauntering with my wife Jhel Caspillo Keaney who had not done this part of the coast before. The Coast Track is such an exquisite hike with today's variety show (heading south) from Little Garie Beach and Thelma Head down to North Era Beach then over Mols Ridge to stunning Era Beach with some absolutely thumping waves today.

Next was The Dagger Headland and incredible Burning Palms Beach before Palm Jungle and the steep return back up to the ridge to Otford.

From there we descended to intriguing Bulgo Beach. Lots of lucky folk with historical shacks here (in 1909 a coalminers strike led to the setting up of the huts and, according to the Helensburgh Historical Society, "good times, long strikes, personal hardships and later attempts by the NPWS to evict the owners have produced the flourishing community that exists today" - nice).

I love going down to Bulgo (always feel it was antecedently named after a hobbit, but actually it was the original name of Otford and is probably of local indigenous origin meaning 'hill' - very apt as it is backed by a bloody steep hill - bulgo bulgo perhaps!)

So back up to the ridge (oh, our aching calves) and on to Bald Hill before descending at the southern edge of the lookout to Stanwell Park Beach.

Finally, to top another awesome coastal wander, it was magic Coalcliff Beach with an encore swim at the amazing Coalcliff Rock Pool - simply one of the finest anywhere.

So, all in all, absolutely SENSATIONAL (as my 'always look on the bright side of life' big-hearted, fun-loving, joie de vivre overload, outstanding mate Brian Doolan was so fond of saying. Vale buddy - was thinking about you and family a lot today).

Moving on, tomorrow will be an overload of the superb stretch of beaches from the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge to Wollongong - the Illawara awaits...