highlights

• Traverse the first section of the early bridle mailman track 

• Hear stories about the Donovans of Ironbark Creek and life for the creek dwellers in the 19th and 20th centuries. 

• Tessellated platform engravings, rare plants, magnificent sandstone ridges and views into the valley.

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the tour

Join Bernadette Flynn for a new exploration of the historic mailman route - on a journey to trace the bridle route from the post office at Ironbark Creek to isolated homes along the ridges and valleys towards the Central Coast. Our tour starts at Mt Olive to take in expansive views of the surrounding countryside and orientation towards Mount Yengo. We visit an area of rare coastal basalt Diatreme Forest (produced by volcanic intrusions) and hear the strange stories of bigamy and 'horse whispering' associated with the Donovans of Donovan's Forest. Along the track physical evidence of an older culture can be seen in tessellated platform engravings. Descending towards the valley we walk among magnificent honey-comb weathered rock shelters and pass through 'the eye of the needle' to view Ironbark Creek and surrounding farmland. Our guides share histories of the creek dwellers in the 19th and 20th centuries - from runaways, squatters, and itinerant timber getters to currency lads and lasses and multi-generational farmers.