MOUNT SUGARLOAF LOOKOUT

On Friday, Feb. 26, we drove the windy, curvy road up to Mount Sugarloaf to enjoy the 360 degree view from the top. Towards the top were picnic areas with grills for barbecuing. Juliet said her family used to come to Mt. Sugarloaf when she was young for picnics.

Mount Sugarloaf is an extinct volcano over looking the city of Newcastle, in New South Wales. It is home to television transmitters that broadcast to the lower Hunter Region. On July 18 & 19, 1965, the mountain received the first recorded snowfall of 4 inches. It also snowed in the winter of 1975 and again in June 2009. On sighting the Sugarloaf Range on May 10, 1770, Captain James Cook described it as " a little way inland, a remarkable hill that is shaped like the crown of a hat." But who named it "Sugarloaf" remains a mystery. "Warawollung" (pronounced Warrawalong) is the aboriginal name given to this landform, originating from the word "wol-lung," meaning human head as the range resembles one at certain angles.

We drove up to the car park area and then had to walk up hill until we got to the top. I am SO out of shape that I was huffing and puffing until I finally got to the top. When we arrived at the top, you could see for miles.

The Australians use the term "the bush" for what we would call the forest or the woods. So here is a picture of the bush. Everything is so green and beautiful.







Overlooking the City of Newcastle.











We saw several spotted lizards crawling on the rocks. The Aboriginal artists often use the spotted lizards in their artwork. I saw a mask at the local petrol station that I have my eye on!


Ahhh, walking down the steps was SO much easier!