Saturday 3 June 2023

The campsite

Around the campfire

Footwear ready to cross the river

The cold morning crossing of the Shoalhaven

The valley view

The Big Hole

“that is a big hole”

Donna posing for a photo at the Marble Arch cavern

And another one

Not praying, just putting the camera away!

Martin leading the way through the slotted canyon

Traversing those slippery rocks

Stalagmites or stalactites (I never know which) in the Marble Arch cavern

Enjoying lunch after the climb back up the hill from Reedy Creek

Karen and Donna

On the way back through the dwarf casuarina heath

Photos from Helen, Karen McL, Rob, Mary and Peter

Our weekend walk destination,  ‘The Big Hole and Marble Arch’ is in the Deua National Park, 40km out of Braidwood. Most walkers camped the night before at Berlang Campground at the trailhead beside the upper Shoalhaven River.

It was an icy start to the walk the next morning as we waded across the river – calf height only – and strapped on our boots for the gentle uphill climb through dwarf casuarina heath (Allocasuarina nana) to The Big Hole. The hole is certainly big and caused by geological forces beyond my comprehension, but involving fault lines, sandstone rock and limestone sinkholes. It’s an incredible sight, with sheer vertical sandstone sides plunging to a fern filled floor.

The walk then descends to a fairly flat and occasionally swampy landscape where we found the remains of an old eucalyptus distillery camp based in the forests of Narrow Leafed Peppermint of the area. Eventually the track descends steeply down steps to Reedy Creek and the opening to Marble Arch. The Arch is a huge cavern guarded by a rock stuck in its apex. Inside are slabs of marble on the cavern floor and the beginnings of stalactites on the walls.

Walking through the cavern we ducked under the low rock exit towards the light and to the start of the narrow slot canyon. Several walkers explored the wet, slippery canyon before returning through the cavern and back to the track.

The return journey was back the way we came, up the hills, through the nana heath in late afternoon light with views of the distant mountains, and one last icy crossing of the Shoalhaven River to the campground.

Karen McL

Wednesday 31 May 2023

Photos courtesy of Donna F and Mary

Wednesday’s walk was an easy 7km from Mullimburra Point to Bingi Headland.

Joan, Tim and Mary joined leader Donna F on a windy, overcast morning which turned into a pleasant breeze by the time we reached the start at the Mullimburra carpark. The group stopped to enjoy each of the many views both south and north as we made our way to the Bingi Headland.

A stop of various rock formations culminated in a visit to the wrecked ship of the SS Monaro which came to grief in May 1879. Only the boiler, well rusted, provides evidence of this event. Amazingly, no lives were lost.

The subdued lighting made for some interesting colours which Donna took advantage of with her ever ready camera. A ray of sunshine penetrated the clouds just before we turned back for the cars.

Thank you Donna for a very pleasant morning.

Mary

Sunday 28 May 2023

Heading off in single file (almost)

Enjoying Morning Tea at Meringo

Stopping for that photo

Geoff at Bingi Headland

At the sand dunes behind Coila Lake

Dolphins passing by

Max on a rock checking the view.

The sea hare spotted in Meringo Lagoon

The group photo (and what a group!)

Photos courtesy of Donna F, Mary, Karen McL, Helen and Karen G

Seventeen walkers, led by Mary enjoyed this 14km walk on a relatively flat track from Congo to Tuross in perfect walking weather – cool and sunny.

We were fortunate to be entertained by a pod of dolphins close inshore just south of Congo,

Some more keen-eyed walkers were able to discern some whales breaching somewhat further offshore, though not quick enough to get a photo. And a few of the stragglers had a sighting of a sea hare and did take a photo.

Walkers enjoyed spectacular views when morning tea was had at Meringo Headland.

We detoured off the track to have a look at Grey Rocks before continuing south to a sheltered spot on Bingie Beach where lunch was taken.

After a turn inland through a lovely stretch of forest of Blackbutt and Swamp Mahogany, we reached Coila Lake where a huge group of swans and a smaller number of chestnut teal ducks were paddling.

After a stroll along the lake edge, we arrived at Tuross where a well-organised car shuffle returned us to Congo.

Ed

Thursday 25 May 2023

Deb, Joan, Bob, Elizabeth and Mary at the lake mouth

Elizabeth and Bob and the giant fallen spotted gum

Peaceful views across the pristine Durras Lake

Elizabeth, Joan, Deb, Bob and Karen enjoying a break

Just magic

Photos courtesy of Mary and Karen McL

This ‘easy’ 6km walk starts in North Durras at the mouth of Durras Lake. Currently the lake is open and the view north across the mouth towards Point Upright on this calm, overcast morning was breathtaking.

Our group made its way around the lake edge, which has been severely eroded by recent weather events, then past the caravan parks, over the creek and onto the Durras Lake Walking Track.

In no time we were at the gate to the entry of the Discovery Trail Loop. This trail was originally built by the Forestry Commission and their two rustic gates still stand, despite bushfires sweeping through here 3 years ago. The track is now managed by National Parks and wends its way through moss and ferns, past stands of cabbage leaf palms, and over a couple of creeks. There is a giant spotted gum fallen across the original path at one point, but easy to circumnavigate.

Our return took us back past Durras Lake where we stopped many times to admire the reflections and the birdlife including an Azure kingfisher flitting from branch to branch over the water.

Karen McL

Saturday 20 May 2023

A break for Morning Tea

Denise and Mary

The group at the lookout off Ocean Parade Dalmeny

Photos supplied by Mary and Rob 

Seven hikers enjoyed a pleasant walk in the Dalmeny area. This walk incorporates both a bush walk along old roads and mountain bike tracks with a walk around the clifftops of Dalmeny with great views of Montague Island and the coastline.

There are so many tracks in the forest section of the walk, the GPS track, mapped a few years ago, came in handy for navigation.

We even had to negotiate around a new two metre fence that was not present when we had mapped the track.

We bumped into the Narooma-Dalmeny Bushwalkers who also chose the same day to do a walk around the Dalmeny forest.

The clifftop section of the walk is paved with many seats for stopping and enjoying the views and would make a great easy walk in of itself.

Rob

Wednesday 17 May 2023

Six bushwalkers met at the boat ramp at Hanging Rock for a 5km return walk to Observation Point.

We walked along Corrigans Beach to a long flight of stairs to Observation Point. The weather was almost perfect. The sun was shining with just a cool wind.

As we walked along the winding path around Observation Point, we stopped at the new viewing platforms to enjoy the views. We were all impressed with the newly planted native gardens and the very informative notice boards with Aboriginal artwork.

We had morning tea at one of the many areas you could sit on the walk before we returned to the cars along the same way.

We all agreed this walk was well worth another visit.

Thanks to all who joined me on this walk.

Leslie

Thursday 11 May 2023

Bruce, Julie, Denise, Elizabeth, Geoff and Deb

Geoff, Deb, Denise and Bruce at morning tea

The Durras Lake grasses

Photos supplied by Mary

A lovely sunny day enticed six members to join Geoff on his ‘The Other Durras Walk’.

Geoff took us away from the coast and through the back tracks of the town to the lake edge. Being a local resident, Geoff gave us a history lesson on early logging in the area.

I thought I had walked most of the tracks in that part of the Murramarang NP, but not so. I particularly enjoyed seeing the tall grassy area on the lake shore; an area I had only seen from my kayak on our many paddling days on Durras Lake. The Bangalay and Mahogany trees were beautiful as was the fungi.

Bruce showed us the difference between the two trees nuts. The club is fortunate to have many members with a variety of expertise on so many subjects.

Thank you, Geoff for putting this walk together and Bruce for sharing your botanical knowledge.

Mary

Saturday 6 May 2023

On Deep Creek Dam lookout

Amongst the Acacia Terminalis

Photos supplied by Joan

A perfect autumn day greeted six happy walkers meeting for the easy walk along tracks at the Botanic Gardens leading to the recently new constructed Deep Creek Dam viewing lookout.

The dam was completed in 1983 and has a capacity of 4900 million litres and a catchment area of 320 hectares. The view from the lookout is magnificent and the surrounding bush environment completes the peaceful scene. All agreed this was a perfect morning tea location.

Proceeding from the dam along the green marked hill track on the Gardens walking map the group was surrounded by dense flowering Acacia Terminalis, which had grown by the thousands since the bush fires. The cream-coloured flowers were stunning and a photographer’s dream.

The hill track finished at the end of the arboretum and several paths in this area were walked and two beautiful Sydney Red Gums were much admired.

Everyone agreed this had been a truly most enjoyable walk. Thank you to all who came to share the morning together.

Joan

Wednesday 3 May 2023

Thanks to two previous days of heavy rain, the Barlings Beach – Burri Point circuit was shortened to an easier but still very scenic circuit of Burri Point.

Five walkers enjoyed the “re-freshed” greenery on the narrow track, as well as the beautiful views.  We also saw two soaring sea eagles and other native birds, five kayakers paddling south, then a couple of seals below the lookout.

Overall it was a relaxing and very pretty walk.

Pat

Thursday 27 April 2023

Photos courtesy of Helen and Glenn

A small group of members enjoyed a leisurely 9km walk this Thursday morning.

Heading up to Square Head we walked amongst lovely spotted gums while overlooking the ocean.  Further on there were fabulous views towards Batemans Bay, Snapper Island, and the Toll Gates.

Then it was down to Cullendulla Creek. We followed the creek upstream into the lower bush.  A pleasant spot was found next to the creek for morning tea.

After morning tea, we continued along the track at the back of the mangroves; all in their glory. Karen took the opportunity to point out some of the orchids known to this area that will flower later in the year. For another club walk.

The return journey had us walking through the forest above the creek, following leafy tracks, up and down gullies, until we re-joined the original track.

Walking back to Sandy Place we thought how lucky we were to be out here enjoying a scenic walk so close to home on such a beautiful Autumn Day.

Glenn