Narrow Neck is a classic Katoomba landmark. The long narrow peninsula divides the Jamison and Megalong Valleys and is a bushwalkers gateway to the southern Blue Mountains.

Yet being so close to suburban Katoomba, the area had been the target of illegal garden waste dumping. The Narrow Neck Bushcare group was formed in 2020 after several founding members spotted Pampas Grass growing on the side of the main access road, Glenraphael Drive.

While most of the Narrow Neck Peninsular is within the Blue Mountains National Park, the first 400 metres of the dirt trail that provides access from Cliff Drive is council land. This is where the Pampas Grass was spotted and thankfully the Blue Mountains City Council was able to support the activities of the Bushcare group.

After about five serious sessions, the bulk of the Pampas Grass is gone and we have moved to other targets. There are tree-sized Holly, numerous Blackberry bushes and a scattering of Privet, Cotoneaster, Himalayan Honeysuckle, Japanese Honeysuckle and Ivy. There’s plenty of Montbretia along the road edges. More than enough to build up your cutting, scraping, painting, drilling and lopping skills.

One of the features of the site is the glorious views for morning tea overlooking the Jamison Valley.

2022 UPDATE: After major floods in March 2022, part of Glenraphael Rd was lost in a landslide and the road has been closed to all foot and vehicle traffic since. While we wait for the road to reopen, we are treating areas adjacent to Cliff Drive or other priority areas nearby.

Narrow Neck Bushcare meets 9am to 12 noon on the first Saturday of every month. Always check before you turn up in case there has been a last-minute cancellation.

New members are welcome, even if you are a beginner. Contact Pip Walsh pipwalsh (at) ozemail.com.au or Karen Hising (BMCC Bushcare Officer) khising (at) bmcc.nsw.gov.au

Return to the main Bushcare site.