Didthul, Pigeon House Mountain Trail, NSW
Nature + Walks = Wellness + Joy
Close your eyes. Inhale. Exhale. Think of a place that makes you feel content, calm and relaxed…
Do you see trees, meadows, mountains, flowers? Or perhaps water - a lake, a stream, a waterfall, the ocean?
Most of us will picture ourselves in nature. Not surprisingly.
Our ancestors depended on discovering safe, abundant environments for food and shelter, which enabled them to thrive. Our intrinsic connection to nature was essential for our species' survival and evolution, making it part of our genetic inheritance.
“Nature is not a place to visit. It is home.” Gary Snyder, Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, Environmental Activist.
Today most of us live in cities. By 2050, 68% of the world’s population will be urbanised according to a report by the United Nations.
And yet, we will continue to yearn for nature, it’s part of who we are.
Wellness in Nature
Spending time in nature, even if just for 5 minutes, can boost both our mood and self-esteem. Studies show that our heart rate, blood pressure, and stress levels decrease when we’re outdoors engaged in ‘green’ activities, with the benefits of the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, forest bathing, being well documented.
So why not take a stroll in your local park to nurture your wellbeing; or venture into a beautiful National Park…
Here’s a nature walk I did with my partner Tom just recently - it’s a beauty!
Pigeon House Mountain Trail, Morton National Park
Pigeon House Mountain Trail is considered one of the best on the south coast of NSW; known as Didthul to the local indigenous people, Captain Cook spotted it as he sailed by in 1770…
"... saw a remarkable peaked hill which resembles a square dovehouse with a dome on top and for that reason I named it Pigeon House" Lieutenant James Cook, HMS Endeavour, April 21, 1770
Getting There
We opt to set off the day before our walk and spend the night in beautiful Jervis Bay located just a 3-hour drive south of Sydney.
In the morning we make our way to the historic town of Milton and happily indulge in a tasty brekkie at Pilgrims to ‘fuel up’ for our adventure - delicious. Nearby Flour Water Salt is the place to go to for artisan-bread sandwiches, scrumptious pies and pastries, and to choose a snack for the walk - just in case you need one. And you do!
About a 30-minute drive from Milton, we enter Morton National Park and drive through a eucalypt forest, we open our windows and fill our lungs with scented, crisp air. Ahhhhhh…
The unsealed roads are in good condition, and ok for most cars in dry weather. However, they’d be slippery and muddy after rain, making a 4WD more suitable for those conditions. Always check for alerts before heading out.
Morton National Park is the traditional Country of the Yuin people; the earliest confirmed occupied site in the area a rock shelter on the shores of Burrill Lake dating back about 20,000 years.
‘My people have lived in this area for millennia. Pigeon House or Didthul as we call it, is a very sacred place to us. It has men’s sites and women’s sites, it has art sites. It is not a site that we visit constantly but it is a place that we hold very dear to our heart. It was also very well known outside our area and is also a very sacred place for other Aboriginal people who live both north, south and west of us.’ Shane Carriage, Murramarang, Ulladulla, NSW
Didthul is particularly significant to the Yuin people and their storytelling.
‘A lot of the knowledge that we hold is not knowledge that’s found in books. A lot of the knowledge that we’ve got comes down from our Aboriginal ancestors all passed on through generations and generations. We talk about our local sites Didthul. Places like that are part of our songlines, they connect the mountains to the sea.’ Victor Channell, Murramarang, Ulladulla, NSW
The Walk
Pigeon House Mountain, Didthul walking track starts from the car park where there’s a toilet and a shaded picnic area.
Bring sturdy shoes, plenty of water, sun protection and a snack; it’s 5 - 6 km return, grade 4 walk, and takes 2 hrs 30 mins - 3 hrs 30 mins to complete.
We do it in just under 4 hrs, no need to rush - I’m reminded of The Speed Exercise penned by author Paulo Coelho guiding us to slow down, and to be more mindful…
“Walk for twenty minutes at half the speed at which you normally walk. Pay attention to the details, people and surroundings.” The Pilgrimage
The track zig-zags up the first section of the walk; with wattle and hairpin banksias growing on either side….
The trail gets narrower and steeper as you head up sandstone steps towards the first rocky outcrop. Stop here for an excellent view and a chance to hydrate!
The trail then turns to face Pigeon House Mountain and becomes a gentle ~1 km walk, sunshine filtered through tall trees, charred barks a reminder of the devastating 2019 bushfires that deeply scarred this area.
Spring and summer are the best times to see the native wildflowers.
And if you’re into birdwatching, be sure to pack your binoculars - Morton National Park is home to 176 species, their birdsong accompany you as you walk…
You might even spot a Superb Lyrebird.
Thought to have one of the most complex and beautiful songs in the bird kingdom, it can imitate the calls of up to 20 other bird species and other sounds including the sound of a camera shutter as captured in this video by Sir David Attenborough!
Getting progressively steeper to the first ladder, more steps, and a handrail to guide you around the rocks. A damp forest of ferns and moss grows sheltered from the sun by the Pigeon House cliff.
The impressive steel ladders attached to the cliff face feel sturdy and safe, but certainly steeeeeeeeeep!
A moderate level of fitness is a plus; overall the trail is accessible to all ages and is well-maintained….. Up the ladders, over and around a few more boulders to the viewing platform.
WOW! The magnificent panoramic views allow you to appreciate the expansive Budawang Wilderness area.
Eyes are drawn to the sinuous shapes of the rugged cliffs and gorges carved by the Clyde River - then turn to gaze at the coastline. On a clear day, you might see as far as Jervis Bay and Bermagui.
Distracted by the stunning view, we ignore the dark cloud coming our way. Suddenly it starts to rain, we take cover under a small outcrop - I reach for the snacks and ‘don’t’ think about a potentially dangerous broad-headed snake that may be hiding out with us - they’re known to inhabit sandstone ridges; yikes...
Thankfully, the clouds part and it’s time to head back pronto. We carefully descend the now wet steel stairs, navigate the muddy steps, across the flat ridge and down the other side to the car park. The sun shines joyfully again. Hooray!
This nature thing works a treat for me - I feel energized, and I’m one happy chica.
Hope you might get to enjoy it too!
“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks” John Muir, conservationist, activist, writer, campaigner for wild places.
Baci amici xxx
PS.
We always pick up litter on our walks, sadly it’s everywhere. Happily we only pick up two pieces on this walk - I think that’s a record. Wooohooo.
More trails in Morton National Park
Guided walks, you may like to check out eco-tour agency Region X and Epiphany Tours.
Would love to hear from you - where are your favourite places to get your nature fix?