Aboriginal Name - Not found
Original owners of the illawarra region - The Dharawal or Tharawal people
Affectionately known by the older locals as “The Ladders”, the Sublime Point Walking Track is a well known and loved hike in this area. The 2km return track is a long series of steps and ladders that take folk from the ocean in Austinmer to the top of the Illawarra escarpment.
Officially, the hike starts at Foothills Rd Austinmer, which is just near the Austinmer train station. Hikers can also access this track from various fires trails in the area, including the one starting at the top of Sylvan way, Thirroul. Both the Gibson track (from the bottom of the escarpment) and the Woodward track (from the top) join up with this one and are quieter options for those after a more peaceful, longer day out.
On a clear day, you can enjoy the views from the top of the Illawarra escarpment that are, well, sublime. According to my Nana Jones (a local of 90 years) this track was originally formed to take 1920’s farming families on foot, from the beach to their home on the back of the escarpment, while the wagon master took the horse and cart up Bulli Pass. At that time, “The Ladders” was just one long timber ladder, which later became four shorter ladders and today there are eight metal ladders to take the brave hearted to the top.
On the way up I saw sunlight speckled fern gullies and ancient fig trees covered in stags and vines. Black cockatoos squealed and squawked me to the top and the hike will turned my belly button turn into a lap pool for ants.
My advice, take some ice cream money as there’s a café at the top – you’ll have earnt it. Also, if you don’t like crowds or pulling over to let speedy folk pass, avoid this track on the weekends and very early mornings. Oh, and be on the look out for snakes, like me they love the sun in this part of the world.
by Rachelle Jones
Map:
https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/sublime-point-walking-track
