Quarry Hill after the fire
In anticipation of a colourful sunrise, I opted to climb Quarry Hill for the first time since the fire that ravaged it recently. The once familiar landmarks had been reduced to a charred memory, and travelling in the dark, I relied on intuition and the faint hints of the old trail that at times faded out of view. The distinct smell of bushfire was still discreetly lingering in the still night air.
The predicted high cloud arrived and provided a fiery sunrise – such a stark reminder of the fire that had engulfed Quarry Hill.
Having captured some shots, the lure of discovering new spots on Quarry Hill was inescapable, and so I wandered into other parts of Quarry Hill, which had been virtually impossible prior to the fire. I managed to make it to the very top this time – naturally there had to be a spider awaiting me, so I took a picture and went to explore the Eastern side, which had been impassable for years.
I found an amazing clearing, giving uninterrupted views to the north, south and east, that I will revisit when another sunrise opportunity presents itself.
That morning was a profound reminder of nature's resilience, as it begins its recovery in the most awe-inspiring way. Quarry Hill, once a place of familiar comfort, now tells a powerful story of destruction and rebirth—a testament to the indomitable spirit of the natural world.
