Sunday 2 December 2018

Committee members Brian, Helen and Joe.

Denise and Carol.

Ainslie and Mike.

John, Jill, Lora and Lyn.

Bev, Lesley, Wendy and Mark.

Christine, Glen, Maggie and Bob.

Leanne, Pat, Karl and Brian.

Betty, Bob, Marlene, Barbara and Jan.

Photos by Carol and Helen

The Christmas luncheon to celebrate the end of another great walking year was held at the The Gardens Cafe in the Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens. It was lovely to see so many of our members and especially older walkers keen to catch up with friends and review the year’s walking and camping activities.

Thursday 29 November 2018

Christmas Bell (Blandfordia nobilis).

Val.

Mountain Devil (Lambertia formosa).

A lovely show. Pink Swamp Heath (Sprengelia incarnate)

Frogs and their eggs in water on the track.

Beetle on Tee Tree

Lunch, Joan, Tim and Lee – What a view!

Austral Grass Tree (Xanthorrhoea resinous).

Visitor Miranda.

Tea tree (Leptospermum).

Mary and Miranda on the edge.

Forked Sundew (Drosera binata).

Black Wattle (Callicoma serratifolia).

Photos by Ainslie, Donna, Joan and Mary

What a surprise it was for me to see far more flowers  now in summer than we have seen in spring. We only saw a few Xmas Bells which demanded attention with their bright red and yellow colours. There were masses of Teatree with large pink flowers, and along the tracksides clusters of Slender Yellow-Eye. It was one of three species not in our record of plants collected on Little Forest Plateau for the Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens. The other two were Callicoma serratifolia or Black Wattler, tucked down in a gully among the rocks where we had our lunch while gazing out at the marvellous view of the Budawangs. Pigeonhouse and The Castle dominated the skyline.

The third previously uncollected species here was the Grasstree, which had tiny white flowers all up their tall spikes. After all the rain the previous day, we had to walk around numerous puddles on the sandy track, with one offering a clear view of frogs mating.

We had a sunny afternoon with wonderful  views, and enjoyed that of the whole coast from Pointer Gap Lookout.

Ainslie

Tuesday 27 November 2018

Sharon in a quiet back water.

Sharon making way.

Photos by Ian

Sunday 18 – Saturday 24 November 2018

The mountains in spring time glory.

A change in conditions as Gunuma takes on a wintery look.

Winter snow melt swells the Snowy.

The second club camp for the Spring quarter was held at Smiggin Hole, Koszciusko National Park in the beautifully situated and equipped Gunuma Lodge. Our host for the week Wal, made us welcome and assisted with local knowledge and the smooth running of the lodge, making our stay one to remember with great pleasure.

Dead Horse Gap and Valley walk.

The group starting out on our first walk to Dead Horse Gap.

Betty, Christine and Brian on Thredbo Chair.

Bev, Mary and Rob on the way down from Dead Horse Gap.

Bev, John and Heather ahead of the group on the way to Dead Horse Gap.

Distant vista.

Slipping and sliding along.

Betty leads the way across the snow.

Snow gums in a hug.

Thredbo River on the Valley Track..

Stilwell Walk

Rob, Maggie, Leader Barry, Glen, Brian and Sharon Mount Stilwell walk.

Brian.

Yellow carpet with walkers, Mount Stilwell Walk.

Stilwell walkers.

Barry and snow drift.

Sharon, Glen, Maggie, Rob and leader Barry.

Porcupine Rocks.

Geoff ahead on the track to Porcupine Rocks.

Leader Betty on the ascent to Porcupine Rocks.

Geoff with monolith.

Mike and Ainslie relax in the sun on the way to Porcupine Rocks.

The valley from Porcupine Rocks.

Heather shows the way when leaving Porcupine Rocks.

Highland Copperhead.

Rainbow Lake

On the way to Rainbow Lake.

Crossing the outlet stream at Rainbow Lake.

Island Bend

Walkers on the Island Bend walk.

Camp leader Karen.

Illawong

Jim, Sharon, Glen and Mary on the Illawong track.

Leader Barry on swing bridge.

No hands, Sharon on the swing bridge.

Rob before crossing the swing bridge, Illawong track.

Looking down to Illawong Hut.

Sharon trying out the Illawong emergency shelter for size.

The Snowy making its way.

Glen and Sharon dwarfed by the vegetation.

Gunuma and around.

Quiet time in Gunuma.

Wal digs us out!

Heather in the well equipped kitchen.

Ros tries snow shoes for size.

Nothing stops the BBBW from getting their daily walk in!

Sharon brightens up a snowy day.

Ros on snow shoes.

Camp Leader Donna braving the snow.

The weather didn’t stop Liz’s BBQ.

Christine on snow shoes.

Enjoying the sun after the snow.

Photos by Ainslie, Amanda, Brian, Donna and Mary 

Wednesday 21 November 2018

Bob, Mark, Judi, Martin, Mandy, Stephanie.

Cymbidium Suave.

Martin and Mark at Burrewarra Point Lighthouse.

Echidna.

Daisies.

Coastal view.

Photos by Helen

Seven walkers met at Barlings Beach where Mark led us on a 9.5 km walk through old Banksia groves, along beautiful clifftop paths and beaches to Guerilla Bay and back.

Long Nose Point and Burrewarra Point provided excellent views of the rocky coastline and bays and despite the cloudy day the spring flowers made a good show including Blueberry Ash, daisies and fan flowers. Plenty of birdlife and an Echidna enjoyed the sanctuary of the wildlife refuge on private land.

Our only complaint was the humidity prior to the cool change making the hills appear higher and longer!

Helen

Sunday 18 November 2018

Leader Jill.

Ian, Jan and Dennis.

Len leads the way up a shady path.

Bob reading one of the many information signs in the gardens.

Typical bush scene represented in the gardens.

Walkers meandering through the many paths.

Jill, blending in beautifully with the bush.

Photos by Carol

There were 17 of Batemans Bay Bushwalkers finest (age range 51 to 85)  ably led by Jill to explore the very well established Eurobodalla Botanic Gardens.

Seven kilometres of tracks showed off the interesting pathways lined with clear, clean notices advising the type of plants and areas of the Gardens. The variety of local bush and tree varieties gives a clear picture of the type of forest finery to be found in the seaward side of the ranges and includes such sections as a unique type of forest known as Riparian to be found only by creeks ; flowers such as the green bush orchid (currently in flower) on a low old tree stump; wattles and water plants plus the variety of eucalyptus trees in the Arboretum where in 1993 a Eucalyptus was planted and proudly grows donated by the Batemans Bay Bushwalkers in that year. The meandering paths produced a delightful shady walk on a day of weather to be enjoyed.

Many spots are to be found for morning tea and lunch and members retired to the well catered cafe for coffee etc. and looked at the Gardens exhibition centre and plant nursery. There is also a very well set up children’s playground with attractive barbecue facilities. A day to be enjoyed at any time by anybody.

Bob

Thursday 15 November 2018

Mark, leader Brian and Martin explore the ‘jungle’.

Barry in the ‘jungle’.

Erika descending into the orchid garden.

Orchids and moss garden.

Lunch at the orchid garden.

Lyrebird nest in tree fork.

Cymbidium suave orchid flowers .

Photos by Helen and Philip

From the start point, and with the imminent possibility of rain, our group of nine walked a short distance along Mt Agony Road before turning off and passing through “The Secret Door” (the beginning of an unused and very overgrown CPT road). After passing through the initial overgrown section we emerged onto a more defined track, which lead us to the aptly named Spotted Gum Road.

The rain that threatened at the beginning of the walk was now forgotten as we followed Spotted Gum Road for some distance and then turned onto an intersecting fire trail. The leaf littered trail meandered through the tall spotted gum forest for several kilometres, affording us beautiful views of green gullies with their large variety of understorey vegetation. We could hear the call of lyrebirds and some were lucky enough to glimpse one now and then.

At the end of the fire trail we came again to Mt Agony Road, which we crossed and continued on to another fairly short CPT road. This road ended at a clearing where we commenced a more challenging, untracked section that lead us down to an area of rocky outcrops adorned with moss and orchids. Unfortunately the rock orchids were not flowering, however a few orchids on old stumps and overhanging branches were in flower. We stopped at this lovely, tranquil location for lunch.

After lunch we carried on down the slope into a densely vegetated gully, crossed the dry creek bed and climbed up the other side to intersect with the Discovery Walking Trail. We followed part of the Discovery Trail to its junction with the Durras Lake Walking Trail. Turning on to Durras Lake Trail we followed it along the lake shore, stopping at one point to admire a pair of Glossy Black-Cockatoos, and finally emerging at the start point of the walk.

Everyone in the group agreed that this 16 km ‘loop’ walk in the Murramarang National Park was an enjoyable and diverse walking experience.

Philip

Saturday 10 November 2018

Len, Heather, Carol, Denise, Lesley, Moira, Marilyn and leader Bev.

Pelicans and walkers Moira, John, Marilyn and Bev.

Admiring a memorial anchor at Broulee.

The clear waters of Candalagan creek.

Cymbidium Suave.

John recaptures his inner child.

Photos by Denise and Donna

It was a balmy Spring morning as 13 Batemans Bay bushwalkers set out on a 6.5 kilometre walk from Candlagan Creek. Those sentiments were obviously shared by Broulee residents and holiday makers as many children ran and splashed at the waters edge, others dug energetically in the sand and their parents took time to rest watchfully. Further out about 20 surfers waited patiently, legs dangling either side of their boards, becalmed on the serene ocean.

Bev, the walk leader took the group of hikers along coastal tracks, through Casuarina forests and along the southern banks of the Tomaga River. Many birds were vocal and a pair of striated pardalote were spotted by one keen eyed walker. These birds are normally found high in tree tops but, had ventured down to feed in lower branches. Spring flowers were in abundance both in local gardens and the adjacent bushlands, dianella, cymbidium suave and the ingenious trigger plant were some of the species identified.

There is an interesting video clip from the Melbourne Botanical Gardens that can be found by Googling trigger plant, the presentation explains the reason for the plant’s common name. It makes you wonder how plants come up with such unique and strategic solutions to pollination when supposedly they can’t think.

The crystal clear water had walkers trying to spy marine life on the bottom of the river and creek, it also enticing kayakers out in numbers.

It was such a “good to be alive experience” that after the walk, many of the group decided to stay for lunch.

Denise

Thursday 7 November 2018

Cancelled due to inclement weather.

Sunday 4 November 2018

Cymbidium Suave orchids

Panoramic view of ‘big gum’.

Leader Sharon Durras Lake.

Karen and Helen on a comfy log by the lake.

Avenue of trees in sunlight.

A gentle hill on the track bathed in sunlight.

Heather, Betty, Pat and Susan enjoy a morning tea break.

Photos by Helen and Mary

With the forecast of another fine day, 17 walkers embarked on a lovely walk in Murramarang National Park.

Keeping under the tree canopy – that included several magnificent spotted gums, we took a beautiful track to Durras Lake. Here we skirted the lake to the head waters where Benandarah creek enters and feeds the lake. Further exploration in the opposite direction brought us good views of the water among the Casuarina trees and made for a perfect lunch spot before we climbed back up the hill to complete the walk.

The Rats tail orchids had finished flowering, but there were several Cymbidium Suave flowers in bloom and the promise of more to come. The lake water level had clearly been higher previously as the barnacles on some tree trunks close to the shore, testified.

Thanks Sharon for a great walk.

Helen