THE NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service has organised several events to encourage seniors to get out and about and experience the beauty of the great outdoors as part of the NSW Seniors Festival.
In Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, casual guided walks will be held from the Kalkari Discover Centre at Mount Colah, which boasts a magnificent view over Cowan Creek. There are kangaroos, wallabies, freshwater turtles, brush turkeys and parrots within the free range enclosure.
Session date are: April 9, 10am-noon and 1-3pm; April 13, 10am-noon and 1-3pm. Bookings are recommended.
Also in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park there is a meet and greet session with the Discovery Chase Alive volunteers at West Head Lookout on April 10, 10am-2pm.
This large sandstone viewing area at West Head Road, Ku-ring-gai Chase, is suitable for most people.
From the lookout, you can see Broken Bay, Pittwater and Barrenjoey Headland and Lighthouse, as well as amazing vistas across the Hawkesbury River to Lion Island Nature Reserve and the beaches of the Central Coast, including Patonga and Umina Beach.
Active types can explore the area and learn about its geology, flora, fauna and history, including the wreck of the SS Maitland. Intrepid walkers can descend by ladder to visit World War II fortifications. Bookings not required.
April 11 brings tours of Barrenjoey Lighthouse at Palm Beach. Aimed at active seniors, it's a 45-minute walk there and back to the lighthouse, which is steep in parts.
The tours leave every 30 minutes from 10.30am-2pm (with a break from noon-1pm). Bookings recommended.
- For all Ku-ring-Gai National Park events phone (02) 9472-9300.
IN Royal National Park, walkers have the chance to learn about the history, flora and fauna of the area with a fascinating tour of Audley.
The tour, which will operate at various times throughout the morning of April 12, will provide an opportunity to enjoy a 40-minute guided walk.
Visitors can also check out photos of the area dating back to the 1900s.
- Tours are scheduled for 9am, 10am and 11am. Walkers are to meet at the park's visitor centre. Bookings are required - (02) 9542-0666.
SPECIAL Seniors Festival events are also planned in Muogamarra Nature Reserve near Cowan and Minnamurra Rainforest in Budderoo National Park.
- More details at nationalparks.nsw.gov.au and search for seniors week activities.
FOR a full program of Seniors Festival events, seniorsfestival.nsw.gov.au
