Sunday 31 December, 2023

Ian, Max, Lin, Nancy and Sharon.

Ian, Lin, Max, Sharon and Nancy.

Photos courtesy of MaryT. Paddle Report courtesy of Max.

Having suffered the vagaries of inclement weather and resulting swift flowing currents on recent spoilt paddling events, it was with a sense of relief that six members of our paddling group thanked the kinder weather and took to the water on Batemans Bay Harbor on New Years Eve.

After launching from the boat ramp on the south side of the bridge, the group initially headed for a paddle along McLeods Creek but with the advent of low tide, we soon discovered Mary’s cleverly introduced term into the paddling vernacular; “lumpy water” (meaning, NO water for paddling).

Unperturbed, the group headed off through Lattas Point and the oyster leases at Budd Island before making a bee-line for Wray Bay, under the bridge, and past Riverside Beach before threading through to the moored yachts toward the southern riverside.

Once there we headed back, paddling under the various jetties and practiced reciprocal waving to the parents and kids that were on the shore. Having landed our kayaks and loaded them onto our vehicles, we sat down to drinks, nibblies and home baked treats such as Lin’s legendary cup cakes, Sharon’s fruit cake and Mary’s ginger bread men.

We toasted to the end of 2023, and the hope for a better world in 2024.

Sunday 10 December to Tuesday 12 December 2023

A campfire always makes for a happy camp

Vats used to boil the Peppermint tree foliage to extract Eucalypt oil circa 1920’s

Dray from Eucalypt Oil processing camp circa 1920’s

Overnight camp – all color coordinated!

Gay looking hot but happy at the finish

Relaxing around the campfire

Now where are we? “look behind you” said Gay !

The fire trail slog home

Crossing Ballinafad Creek

Photos courtesy of Ian, Rob, Gay and Tom. Walk Report courtesy Walk Leader Ian.

It finally rained, swelling the creeks with drinking water again, and therefore this overnight pack walk was able to proceed.

Despite a promise of easy walking in unburnt open tablelands forest, only four club walkers (Rob, Gay, Tom and Ian) were tempted to explore the Wild Cattle Creek area in Tallaganda National Park, south of Captains Flat.

On the first day, after a pleasant drive through lots of forest, we dipped over the Great Dividing Range on to the Tumanang Fire Trail. Leaving the car at the junction with Crow Valley Fire Trail we launched into the Snow Gums NNW along a long ridgeline, bouncing about the 1300 m asl contour. Despite some loose rock underfoot, and small rotting logs (mostly unburnt for at least 50 years), the walking was very pleasant in open, grassy Snow Gum forest, a very welcome change from our coastal scrubs. To the west loomed the Tinderrys peaks.

Five kilometers later, we started to encounter the first signs of historical pastoral activity – an old fence, long abandoned, and a single goat, very alarmed by our sudden appearance. So we gradually descended, past some interesting wombat damage on a small stand of Brown Barrel trees, finally emerging at the junction of the two upper arms of Ballinafad Creek. It is here we made camp among a small stand of Black Sallee Snow Gums and gnarly old Mountain Gums. There was no shortage of water or firewood. Ideal!

On the second day we meandered downstream across grassy meadows before encountering an old Eucalypt oil camp on the banks of the creek, probably abandoned in the 1930’s. If the number of old distilling tanks is any indication it was obviously a significant cottage industry here. We explored the remnant ironware, trying to decipher the camp set up and being careful not to disturb the resident tiger snake patiently waiting for the sun to return. An old rotting dray was of significant note, the woodwork of which had obviously having escaped any surrounding bushfires which may have threatened over the ensuing decades.

We left Ballinafad Creek and struck east toward the Wild Cattle Creek valley. We took advantage of a fire trail which lead us southeast. The vegetation chopped and changed between Snow Gum and Brown Barrel with elements of Narrow Leaved Peppermint, Ribbon Gum and open meadows thrown in to taste. It was always grassy underneath and despite the long slow rise in elevation, the walking was very pleasant.

By late morning it was time to exit the valley so we struck a path to the fire trail and after a few kilometres of uphill slog we were back at the car. Distance travelled 18 km.

It was an enjoyable two day walk in good company through some lovely forest. It was also a great opportunity to blow out our backpacking cobwebs.

Friday 8 December 2023

Onward and upward

Paddle Leader Mary and Jill

Homeward bound

The Coila paddle crew

Photos courtesy of BarryK. Walk Report courtesy MaxW.

Having prepared the kayak for transport the preceding day, I was surprised to awaken to some rain at breakfast, but it soon ceased on our way to Kyla Park at Tuross Heads, where a group of six paddlers unloaded our various kayaks and headed off in overcast conditions with virtually no wind to hamper our progress.

Once on the water we noticed plenty of fish breaching and a host of jellyfish carpeting the waterscape. Toward the middle of the lake however, the wind did pick up and we all experienced the “benefits” of the aptly named “spray decks” on our kayaks. Not to be put off, we made our way to the western coast of the lake where we availed ourselves of some shelter, and Mary and the group made the decision not to pursue a journey up the creek.

Heading north we spotted a suitable beach for morning tea where Sharon kindly offered some delicious Christmas cake, and a short time afterward we came across Rob and Miriam’s home on the shore of the lake. Rob and Miriam greeted us, gratefully accepted Sharon’s Christmas cake and we proceeded eastward where a seaplane, some distance away, was practicing lake landings.

Mary was keen to check out where the boat ramp was on Foam Street as we headed south along the sea beach, followed by our journey back to our starting point, having travelled approximately 11.5 kilometres for the day. An enjoyable morning by all, and best Christmas wishes all round.

Thursday 23 November 2023

Photos courtesy of KarenM. Walk Report courtesy Walk Leader GlennB.

Liz and Jenny and the colors of a rain-soaked spotted gum

The twisted spotted gum forest near Myrtle Beach

Karen, Jenny & Liz above Dark Beach

A particularly tortured spotted gum

Passing through the volcanic dyke at Emily Miller Point

Glenn and sandstone blocks littering the rock platforms at Wasp Head

Light drizzle did not deter a small group on a walk along well maintained tracks, enjoying the forest vegetation before heading over to the south coast track.
The weather cleared in time for a leisurely morning tea at the southern end on Myrtle Beach. After spot of beach walking, we followed the cliff line, through changing vegetation, to Emily Miller beach and onto Emily Miller Point.

After the ‘leap of faith’ over the dike it was time for lunch and an opportunity to admire the fascinating geology. Next rock scrambling and rock platforms all the way back to the remains of the metal boiler, the resort and cars. The early rain had brought out the beautiful colors of the bark, it was spectacular. The Durras trees were in all their glory.

Nowra Paddle Camp 20-23 November 2023

Photos courtesy of MaryT. Paddle Report courtesy Paddle Leader IanB.

Each year, the Club’s paddle group schedules a camp at the epicenter of a number of waterways not normally accessible from “home”.

This year, six of us camped at Huskisson and paddled a number of lower Shoalhaven valley estuaries – Currambene Creek, Coonemia Creek, and Broughton Creek. A fourth venue, Wandandian Creek, was missed on the last day because of miserable weather. On other days, the weather was near perfect – cloudy, mild and almost windless.

Leaving lunch spot

Lin,Jill and Barry leaving launch-spot by camp site

Rafting up for the photo

The beauty of Currambene Creek

Currambene Creek’s launching was easy – straight behind our camp. We completed the 14 kilometres to almost the Princes Highway in leisurely time. As the creek banks tightened, the scenery varied greatly, from an avenue of pleasure craft to bushland/mangroves to large acreage back yards to farmland. It was always interesting and remarkably devoid of other people and/or boats. A quick car shuffle to get the kayaks home completed the day.

Crane

Heading to end of creek

Lin and Barry on Woollumboola Lake

Lunch at Woollamia Lake Entrance

On the second day, we launched in bushland at Coonemia Creek and paddled both directions, out and back, for a distance of less than 12 kilometres. Waterbirds were abundant, principally cormorants and teal ducks but other lesser species were observed. Watching an Eastern Great Egret catch, juggle and eventually swallow a reasonable sized fish had us gagging.

In the downstream direction we emerged in Woollumboola Lake to paddle among hundreds of black swans. Morning tea on the sand/mud bank was a slightly smelly affair, but interesting, different…

The upstream was a quiet, close encounter with bushland banks and submerged logs. As we glided past a huge sea eagle nest in the forks of a large Blackbutt tree, we noted it was guarded from a nearby high branch by its owner.

A rest out of the mud

Facing another muddy river bank

Lunch

Mary happy as a pig in mud

Broughton Creek was different. Its wider, mud lined channel runs all the way through dairy country with only a narrow strip of stunted casuarina growth and moo cows in grass gracing its banks. Nevertheless, the 14 kilometres was pleasant, especially with a southeasterly up our backs.

Morning tea was eventful. The sticky mud proved a source of hilarity at disembarkment and the scramble up a steep kikuyu covered bank a challenge. A single wire fence is always a warning sign but Sharon was the first to prove it was live, thereby confining us to the narrow bank for our vegemite break. A bovine matron with freshly born calf struggling to its feet watched us with more than a passing interest. The later lunch spot was much more relaxing and rurally pleasant.

Huskisson paddle camp Nov 23!

Our fourth day paddle was cancelled due to steady rain. Over the next 24 hours we shared a tasty communal dinner in a brewery within the industrial area (trust Barry to snoop out such a venue). Shopping and touring the next day pre-empted various departures in a run for home.

It was quite a successful paddle camp.

Sunday 12th November 2023

The happy crew

Congo – Meringo View

Visiting Goanna

Photos courtesy of MaryT and KarenM. Walk report courtesy Walk Leader Denise.

With cooler weather than predicted , 8 Batemans Bay bushwalkers and a very welcome visitor set out along a familiar section of the Dreaming track for a 7 kilometre loop walk that finished before lunch.

It is impossible to tire of our beautiful coastal scenery so the group paused several times to scan the ocean for late whales or perhaps a dolphin. None to be seen although there were several surfers enjoying the waves.

The bushland is extremely dry and where the 2 wallabies and several Kangaroos seen by the group were feeding & drinking is hard to fathom. A goanna that scurried to refuge in the fork of a tree provided great photo opportunities.

Our pleasant walk was a great Sunday morning constitutional, leaving the rest of the day to tick of a few odd jobs on the list.

Thursday 9th November 2023

Inviting vista

Lunch on Crampton Island.

Morning Tea

Morning tea on the beach.

Mountain Devil

Photos courtesy of Amanda and MaryT. Walk Report courtesy Walk Leader MaryT.

Today’s walk took 13 members and 1 visitor up the highway to Tabourie Lake. Rain was forecast but as it was not due until lunch time, we set off to enjoy the beach, the ocean, the bush and Crampton Island.

Brilliant sunshine made conditions a little humid and warm but with trees along the bush tracks, a pleasant wind on the beach and a shady spot for lunch on the island for some and a few others in the recreation park where we had parked our cars, we finished in time for a leisurely lunch and reached home before a thunderstorm hit the Bay.

Thanks you all for driving north today. Mary T

Tuesday 7th November 2023

Jill and Ian

Jill and Rodney on the lake.

Lenore on Mummaga Lake

Photos courtesy of MaryT. Paddle Report courtesy Leader MaryT.

Five members paddled Mummaga Lake, Dalmeny on Tuesday 7 November.

One new member, bushwalker Lenore joined the group for the first time. The day started out with pleasant sunshine, followed by quite a challenging wind as we neared the cars on our return to shore. A few hundred metres from the end, we disturbed a large seal sunning itself on a rock. It entered the water to investigate us and remained among the kayaks for a few minutes showing its curiosity of the intruders on its lake.

Saturday 4th November 2023

Gay,Rob and Phil at morning tea.

Into the Mist.

Lost in the mist.

Regroup before the fun part (the climb).

Rob and Philip

The new steps

Photos courtesy of Gay, Amanda, Erica and Philip. Walk Report courtesy of Walk Leaders Philip and Erica.

The small group set out up the winding first section of Didthul track with a good possibility of rain ahead. At the top of the new sandstone steps, we stopped for morning tea on a broad outcrop of rock. By that time we were surrounded by cloud, and a fine mist began to dampen our clothing, but not our spirits.

Toward the end of the flat middle section of the track, as we neared the steep steps closer to the summit, the cloud closed in and light rain began to fall. When we reached the base of the first set of ladders, that would take us to the summit lookout, we could see nothing of the mountain above, just a white blanket of cloud. After climbing the cold wet steel staircases we arrived at the lookout platform, 720m above sea level, however panoramic views were not to be seen this day.

After a short break, we retraced the route back down the many steps, through forest, heathland and age-old sandstone to the start of the walk.

Wednesday 1st November 2023

The group at Currowan Creek…with a little water

On the march

More of the ruins

Leader Rodney looks through Billy’s Hut ruins

The exquisite birds nest Sharon picked up.

The group at the hut ruins

Photos courtesy of Helen, Martin, and Lenore. Walk Report courtesy of Lenore.

Off we strode on a perfect weather walking day with walk leader Rodney and 14 members in search of Billy’s Hut. This walk is noted as the first official walk held by the Bateman’s Bay Bushwalkers in June 1985.

William McCarthy, an early immigrant from County Cork, Ireland built the hut in 1880 with ant hill mud and rocks. This bachelor (Black Flat Billy) is said to have occupied the hut with his dogs, pigs and python.

After following fire trail and forest track (a little overgrown) down to a creek system we reached the hut in time for morning tea. Here we reflected on the charm and challenge of living in a remote location on a beautiful natural creek system.

The group took a side trip from the hut in search of the goldmine diggings. Post fire regrowth screened our certainty of “possible digging sites” whilst various members deviated from the trail in all directions in search of gold?!

An enjoyable return walk on open fire trail led us back to our cars, followed by a pleasant lunch alongside the Clyde River in Nelligen.
Thanks to Rodney and all participants.