PhotosBushwalk.com photographers

40 | Bushwalk June 2024

NS RidgeRibuck

Not for everyone - Hanging Rock Iandsmith

Tongue Point, Wilsons PromKwad12

WinnerA hike in, paddle out kinda tripOsik

A trip I’ve wanted to do for years, hiking into the eighth gorge at Nitmiluk Gorge, followed by a couple of days lazily paddling back.

42 | Bushwalk June 2024

WinnerBuffelflyRibuck

On the plains beneath the Chewings Range I often see these beautiful butterflies. Sometimes just a few, sometimes dozens at a time. Their straw-coloured markings closely match the colour of the grasses around which they flutter.

Camp Creek FallsNorth-north-west

Fairy Martin nestsOsik

Forest fungiEggs

43

WinnerGlassoutNorth-north-west

The perils of being a retired SCUBA diver: on days like this down on the Tasman Peninsula, all you think about is how the conditions are perfect for diving. They were pretty good for walking the coast track, too.

MoodyTom_brennan

44 | Bushwalk June 2024

Second FallsEggs

The canyon, Centennial GlenIandsmith

WinnerMirror with a moonOsik

A dry season visit to Edith Falls for a swim under the moon, with nil fear of salties (freshies still about!).

Heavitree dawnRibuck

45

WinnerRawsons Creek sunsetCrollsurf

The day before I had dropped my phone and watched it get blown off Rawson Pass, and disappear into the whiteout. By the time I found it, I'd had enough and set up camp in the spot where I'd found the phone. The next day was a glorious bluebird day and that evening, we were treated to a beautiful sunset.

Kakadu sunsetDeadwood

Enlightened Mt KemblaJohnw

Looking west from Mount RowleyIandsmith

46 | Bushwalk June 2024

WinnerThe vines have itIandsmith

The photo was taken at Wingham Brush, an extraordinary remnant of rainforest on the North Coast (though it's a tad inland) of NSW. It's a strangler fig and it, and the fruit bats that inhabit it, were in danger until a community-driven rescue attempt was made to remove the vines that threatened them. The often misrepresented bats are necessary pollinators and fly long distances each afternoon to feed.

Rainbow bee-eaters in KakaduDeadwood

Granddaughters warm up after a walk on Kunanyi/Mt WellingtonWhynotwalk

Corybas unguiculatusNorth-north-west

47

WinnerSerenityNorth-north-west

The Freycinet isthmus lagoon is a haven for birdlife, but on this morning no-one else was stirring, not even the swans.

48 | Bushwalk June 2024

WinnerKakadu sunriseDeadwood

One of the benefits of walking in the NT is some of the splendid waterholes you get to camp by and swim in. The scenic sunrises over the waterholes make it so much harder to get up and moving quickly before the heat of the day sets in.

Symmetry in the forestJohnw

Cuppa while snow-shoeing, Mt WheatleyWhynotwalk

Josephine FallsEggs

49