Up High over Spencer–Whale Rock

A fabulous walking tour with outdoor guide Mike Breheny to discover the ecology and history of Spencer and the Hawkesbury River. We climb up the sandstone slopes behind Spencer village visiting honeycomb caves and overhangs. Discover the regrowth after the bush fires of 2019/2020 and appreciate the biological diversity of a hanging swamp at close range. Enjoy traditionally brewed billy tea next to a cascading waterfall with traditional Australian spiced biscuits.

Heading up the sandstone bluff we view history from on high looking out towards the meeting of Mangrove Creek and Dyarubbin and into deep time. Ascending to the ridge brings forth new plant communities, bird species and evidence of indigenous use.

Hear histories of Mangrove Creek from different vantage and viewpoints. Stories of nawi, tied-bark canoes, sailing ships and river steamers tracing pathways across the river. Visualise how people lived along the flooded river valley of the Lower Hawkesbury.