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Walks at Mt Carmel
The property of Mt Carmel at Varroville is approximately 145 hectares or
about 365 acres (including the School, Church and Carmel of Mary and Joseph).
The whole area was predominantly rural when purchased!
All of the walks are quite easy and gentle. Any steep sections are noted.
To follow a walk, note the code letter (A, B, C, etc), consult the map
& look for signs around the property.
>> View the Map of Mt Carmel Retreat
Centre
[Adobe Acrobat PDF format 145k]
Times and distances are approximate. The main walks are:
A. Carmel Loop (Most Popular)
This is best started from near the aviary at the sheds, and then continue
straight up the hill. A track continues steeply towards a scrubby knoll, with
some large trees. Looking back, you will catch your first glimpse of the city
skyline. Continue through the next gate, across the dirt patch, and follow the
track as it climbs gently towards the Heights of Carmel. The track loops
to the left, while another track goes off on the right to the Carmelite Nuns
(private). The track continues to curve to the left, past a series of high
knolls, with good views of the Campbelltown area and of the Sydney CBD, some
40km away. The track drops down the ridge, and goes past the Wadi, towards Maunder
Park and the Homeming Way.
Distance: 1.9 km Time: 30 mins
B. The Back Way
This walk takes in a nice wooded grove and the back dam. The walk starts at
the sheds and heads left down Homeming Way, straight along past the Wadi
(through 2 gates). Continue straight towards the back of the farm. The track
curves to the right, and follows a well-defined track past a heavily wooded
area, to the Back Dam. From the end Dam wall, you can continue right, up to the
Carmel Loop at the City View, and then to a track that takes you down to the
Valley. This option is a little steep. There is also a section of nice bush near
the dam, with numerous cattle-tracks that crisscross it. You may also return
back the same way. Distance: 2.1 km Time: 35 mins
Incl. the City View & Valley walk: 2.6 km - 45 mins
C. Maunder Park (Easiest)
This walk is very short & gentle, beginning through the gate below the
Centre. Perfect at any time of the day, or to catch the last rays of the setting
sun. Also a chance watch the ducks and swans on Lake Juan. No need to rush here;
take the time to rest on a log or maunder about for a while.
Distance: 400m Time: ~10 mins
D. Lake Loops
Head down Homeming Way from the sheds, then turn left through the first gate.
The track is very flat, and lets you take in the vastness of the fields, as well
as Lake Elijah. At the far end of the field continue to your left, as the track
goes gently down the hill to the wall of Lake Elijah. Cross the wall and back to
the centre through Maunder Park. Otherwise, you can go through the gate near
Ross Collings Avenue, (or climb over the fence using the concrete steps) and
head towards the School, which maintains a series of tracks.
Distance: 1.5 km Time: 25 mins
E. Waikickamucow walk
Another gentle walk across the fields, this track features good views of Edith
Stein Laker. From Homeming Way, head towards the Back Way, but turn left
near the Carmel Loop, through the gate, and then along the path and down to the
creek. Back same way, or follow boundary fence to Edith Stein lake.
Distance: 2.7 km Time: 45 mins
If you continue to your left, under the power lines, you can come back past
the school, through the gate, returning via the Donnelly Dash.
Distance: 3.6 km Time: 1 hour
F. Valley Walk (Gentle)
Following the Homeming Way, turn right at the Wadi (after the second gate),
and continue through the gentle valley and shady trees. The track continues up
the valley to meet the Carmel loop.
Distance: 1.4 km Time: 20 mins
G. Bunbury Curran View
This long walk takes you out the driveway, left into St Andrews Road, up past
the Nuns. Turn right at St James Rd, then right at St Davids Road, to Bunbury
Curran (Varroville Reserve), the highest point in the area (153 m) with
excellent views of the whole area and much of Sydney. Return same way.
Distance: 4.7 km Time: 1.5 hours
H. Edith Stein Loop
An easy, mostly flat walk. Follow the Back Way (B) signs along Homeming Way
and through the gates, and continue to the back of the farm. Just before the
track turns to the right, turn to the left, through a gate (marked Edith Stein).
A track leads you gently down to the lake, and along part of its shore. The
track turns to the left, to take you across the large field (intersecting with
the walk E). Continue straight ahead, through the gate, and back up the hill,
and across the paddock towards the Wadi. Either cross the fence at the steps
provided and return through Maunder Park, or return through the gate and along
Homeming Way.
Distance: 2 km Time: 30 mins
I. Boundary Rider [Not currently maintained]
An alternative for part of the Carmel Loop: Follow the Loop (A) around past
the turn-off to the nuns. At El-Mukhraka, the highest hill, you can turn
to the right, heading along the ridge towards the back fence, and follow this
cattle track down the hill, along the fence line to the back dam, through a
lovely section of bush. Continue back via Back Way (B).
Distance 3km Time: 50 mins.
J. Tour de Carmel
A grand walk, that takes in most of the property. Beginning at the sheds,
take Homeming Way and turn right immediately after the 2nd gate, up
the hill to meet the Carmel Loop at J.V. Hill. Turn left, and follow past the
City View. Turn right at the dead tree and go down the hill to Edith Stein Lake.
Follow walk H back, turn right at the gate to follow D up and around past Lake
Elijah, and then back through Maunder Park.
Distance 4.5 km Time: 1 hour 20 mins
Otherwise, feel free to wander about the farm at your leisure, making
your own trails.
Prepared in March 1999; revised February 2001.
Information is subject to change. Not all walks are maintained
at all times. Please check with one of the Friars before your walk.
carmelite.com/retreats (home page)
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