Carters Creek and Wallaby Road

Wednesday 4 July 2018

By Helen, Mary and Phillip

Excitedly, 11 walkers took on the challenge of a walk in overgrown country at Carters Creek in the Currowan State Forest, 12 kilometres along the Western Distributor Rd. This was the first time the club has had the walk on the program for a long while. It was marked out by Len in 2004.

The first part of the walk was along a dense logging track to Shifting Plot Creek, climbing steadily through recently burned out areas until reaching Wallaby Road for a well earned morning tea break. With some in the group hoping forlornly the last of the uphill walking was behind them, the leader pressed cheerfully on along Wallaby Road until the full 200 metre climb over the length of the walk was done. There was the usual encouragement of the group to get up the last big hill before the next one, providing them with a valuable lesson on the confidence a person should place in the enthusiasm of a walk leader. As Rob was trying helpfully to clear the Wallaby Road of some recent debris, he almost managed to accompany the debris down the hill when the edge of the road gave way under his feet. He managed to stay with the group only due to a well placed stump he was left to cling to!

With lunch over the group started down toward Carters Creek with a couple of walkers tumbling part of the way thanks to lots of debris on what was left of the track.

Finally, the group reached the beauty of the creek where they made their way back to the welcome sight of the cars. All in all a great days out with tremendous variety in country being walked and great company, to share a classic bushwalking experience. This is a great walk for the younger and fitter newcomers who want to experience the joy of bushwalking.

Phillip

Mogo Monkey Rock

Sunday 1 July 2018

Photos by Mary

Betty Richards led 18 walkers on a ‘Betty Classic’ in the Mogo State Forest on a sunny warm first day of winter hike.

I say classic cause we all know Betty ensures her walks include bike tracks, fire trails and some forest roads. The walk took us into interesting hilly and gully terrain typical of the local granite geology.  One break site in a granite boulder area has been named ‘Monkey Rock’ due to the striking resemblance of the eroded granite rocks to a monkey’s face. We had to share the bike track at one point with a half dozen motor bike riders who very politely slowed down and waved as they went through. Bike riders maintain a number of the tracks we use for our walks and most agreed that the brief noise of their passing and impact on the environment was minimal. At the end of the 11km hike we all agreed it was a good workout for the legs and worth it for an interesting hike so close to home.

Rob

Paddle Tuross Lake (Horse Island)

Saturday 30 June 2018

Photos by Mary

Termeil Point To Nuggan Point Circuit

Saturday 23 June 2018

Photos by Helen and Mary

Termeil Point to Nuggan Head circuit took us through bush and beach, over rocks platforms and by lakes in an area familiar to the club and its members. We had perfect weather, no wind, deep blue skies and although rather chilly at our start, 5 degrees, quite warm within an hour of walking.

Morning tea on the grass was by Termeil Lake. The sand on the beach walk towards our destination, Nuggan Head, had some interesting animal tracks. Large kangaroo back paws with tail indentations and some other small, dainty tracks we were unable to identify, but definitely not dog. A couple of pretty jelly fish were also of interest.

Although no whale sightings, we were entertained as we ate our lunch by a few hardy surfers enjoying some good sized waves off the rock platform.

Thank you Karen for a delightful 11 km walk in a very pretty part of the Meroo National Park.

Mary

Flat Rock Island via Strangled Tree Forest

Sunday 17 June 2018

Photos by Mary

Although bereft of our nominal leader (Joan was on a vital quest), stand-in leaders Mary & Karen led us through the coastal forest as far as Myrtle Beach passing Emily Miller Beach, Dark Beach where morning tea was had in the sunshine and on to the view point overlooking Flat Rock Island in the Murramarang NP.

This forest is notable for the many small, distorted Spotted Gum trees. We theorised on the causes, and my theory is that, decades earlier, the area had been logged & grazed, and then when the area was closed to form the NP, many saplings had sprouted. As the coastal winds from SE & NE are usually strong and carry salt, I feel that may have caused the directional leaning, distortions, dwarfing,  and the many dead branches.

Upon arrival at Flat Rock headland, we found that our leaders had, as usual, arranged a show for us, this time being several Humpback whales.  Some were broaching, others just travelling, and one appeared to be feeding. This theory was supported by a large slick which formed after the whale moved on. Two brave fishers who had crossed the tricky wash to the island then showed us how to land a fish, even after it had fouled in weed in its attempts to escape.

Delighted by the floor show, we returned through other parts of the Strangled Forest, feeling satisfied with our entertaining & interesting excursion.

Bob

Nargal Lake and Fullers Beach

Thursday 14 June 2018

Phots by Helen

True to form, the Batemans Bay Bushwalkers like to vary things a bit and get out to some of the best and less well known beauty spots in the shire, as we did today, our leader, Rob, taking us south past Narooma.

In a pocket of Eurobodalla National Park, sixteen walkers enjoyed a lovely 11km walk. We started walking in dappled shade through woods to Bogola Head. Here, with mild sunny weather and calm sea, we had fine views of Montague island and three humpback whales. Some saw seals and dolphin and we watched an immature sea eagle cruise past.

Fullers beach at low tide was good walking and we skirted around the dramatic colourful rocks at the next headland where we stopped for lunch after disturbing a swamp wallaby who thought he had the beach to himself.

Freshwater Nargal Lake did not disappoint with its flock of swans and serenity. We walked on to Corunna Lake which has a lovely primitive campsite and the brooding backdrop of Gulaga (Mt Dromedary). A few gentle hills kept our muscles working and the perfect weather made for an excellent walk.

Helen