The Three Views walk in Kangaroo Valley has changed dramatically since the bush fires over the summer of 2020. Once a bright green forest typical to Shoalhaven, after the bush fires, this walk gives a different perspective of how the bush fires affect the area. This is a look at the walk after the fires burnt through the area.
It’s hard to see the positives of bush fires, but when the fires are inevitable, focusing on the positive is the best way to see past the disaster. Eucalyptus trees thrive in bush fires. When a fire goes through, seeds drop down to the ash bed to germinate, according to The Conversation.
While the bush fires grow more intense every year, it’s harder for the forests to recover. However, it’s still incredible to see the change three months makes to a forest that was burnt to the ground.
Attempting an overnight hike? Check out my overnight hike packing list to stock up on everything you may need.
Getting to the Three Views Walk
The Three Views walk is in Morton National Park and is still one of the only places in the national park open to visitors—even throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is very much so a walk, not a hike. But for the area, it’s a good escape from home and an opportunity to see new views of the valley.
Starting in the town of Kangaroo Valley, the drive out to the Three Views walk begins at Mount Scanzi Road, west of town. The road eventually turns into Tallowa Dam Road. There’s a small parking lot across the street from the walk.
Hiking the Three Views Walk
The walk, as the name hints to, has three view options. Walkers can either go to all three views or however many. Or, take your bike along to cycle the trail. The trail is the size of a single-lane road and relatively flat the entire way, so it’s not strenuous.
Normally there’s wildlife in the area, but due to the bush fires, this is one thing you likely won’t see much of on the walk.
The return walk length from the parking lot to each view varies from about an hour to two hours for a single view. Lake Yarrunga View is 3.4 km at one hour and 10 minutes. Tallowa Dam View is 4 km at one hour and 20, and Shoalhaven River View is 5.7 km walk at two hours. Time lengths and kilometres are quoted for the return trip.
Of course the walks can be done in longer and shorter time spans, but this is the average length of time.
This time of year after the bush fires, the walk goes through burnt, and newly green bush. Nearly all types of flora are regrowing in some way. Much of the burnt bark from trees is falling off and healthy new bark is growing underneath.
Grass trees are part of this regrowth. While black bark still stands on the outside, the grassy upper part is still flourishing and continues to grow.
Attempting an overnight hike? Check out my overnight hike packing list to stock up on everything you may need.
The remnants of the burn are still clear, but the contrasting green is a new perspective on the horrors the bush fires brought.
Something else I loved about this walk is there isn’t a lot of rubbish along the trail. On so many other walking trails, there’s single-use plastic bottles and containers, toilet paper and other rubbish.
I only went to the Lake Yarrunga View, because the entire trail is very similar throughout all the walks. Aside from views towards the mountains, hills and lake, you can see the perfect line where the bush fires stopped before crossing the road.
If you’re around Kangaroo Valley and interested in a quick hike, you have to check out the Drawing Room Rocks! The views look into the valley and out towards the ocean and Jervis Bay.
