TO celebrate National Science Week (August 12-20) you can take a guided walking tour of Sydney's wild and "secret" Dharawal National Park to learn about the science behind managing the park's rugged and beautiful bushland less than an hour from Sydney.
Geomorphologist and ranger, Dr Rowena Morris, will lead the tour to the serene Minerva Pool. During the easy, 90-minute walk, you will learn about the local environment, the science behind hazard reduction burning, the environmental process of installing viewing platforms and managing the different uses of the reserve while maintaining the environmental values.
Protecting rugged bushland in the Macarthur region near Campbelltown on Sydney's south-western urban fringe, Dharawal National Park boasts dramatic sandstone gorges, waterfalls, spectacular lookouts, waterholes and rock shelters featuring indigenous heritage.
Seventy years of restricted public access has kept the area largely undisturbed, allowing visitors to see pristine surroundings.
Dharawal refers to the language group of the local indigenous people who have continued their relationship with the area for more than 15,000 years.
The tour on August 12 begins at 2pm and costs $10. Walkers are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes, a hat and take a bottle of water. Advance bookings are essential.
