February 2016

Our formal paddling program has been suspended this half year because of falling numbers on paddles in 2015.  However Ian has already organised 2 impromptu outings, with a third on Tuesday 8 March…….(Ed)

Photo by Lin

Four of us paddled last Tuesday 2 February – Stan, Len, Lin and myself.  We launched from Caseys Beach, meandered around Observation Point, along Corrigans Beach, then across to Cullendulla Creek mouth where we had a cuppa.  Then back to Caseys via the Snapper Island rock complex.  It was a lovely day, very little swell/chop and took 3 hours.

On Friday 12 February we had 9 members meet on the Moruya River.  Hooray!, there is still some life left in the group.  We cruised upstream from Yarragee Reserve to Wamban Creek and return – Phil & Erika, Sharon, Len, Bob, Karen & Bob, Lin & myself.  Lovely weather on a high tide, gentle breeze.

Ian

Thursday 11 February 2016

Nelligen before the bridge

Now a sleepy village

The punt was operating up to 1964

Pausing to admire the pristine waters of the Clyde

Outside the old Courthouse

Nelligen bush cemetery

Photos by The Bay Post and Karen M

The pretty little village of Nelligen and surrounds was the subject of Batemans Bay Bushwalkers’ midweek walk.  27 walkers enjoyed a relaxed exploration of both sides of the river, led by Nelligen locals Mary and Stan.  Mary painted a vivid picture of the Nelligen of old, busy with steamers and river traffic, bullock trains and horse teams, muddy, possibly smelly and definitely noisy.  The town was a major staging post for goods and passengers arriving by sea, and dispersing to the Araluen goldfields and Braidwood farming district.  The main road down the Clyde Mountain ran straight through the middle of town, terminating at the jetty on the river.

Goods and passengers travelled between Nelligen and Sydney via weekly steamers.  The first punt at Nelligen was established in 1875, with additional larger punts added as the traffic demand grew.  The current bridge across the Clyde was built in 1964, bypassing Nelligen altogether and spelling the end of its heyday.

Walkers enjoyed hearing about the historic buildings which had survived the Nelligen bushfire of 1939, and paused to admire the far reaches of the Clyde River, one of the most pristine waterways in NSW.  Last stop was the peaceful little bush cemetery running down a hill behind the village where many pioneers were laid to rest.

The walk ended with home-made cakes and biscuits for morning tea in the park by the river.  Some walkers also enjoyed looking at the numerous historic photos in the Mechanics Hall, many able to remember catching the punt across the river before the mountain road was sealed and the bridge built.

Karen M

Sunday 7 February 2016

One of the 4 walk groups

Another of the walk groups

Photos by Judith

Wednesday 3 February 2016

On rockshelves

Rob at volcanic dyke

Bev and Pat

Climbing into forest

View from headland

Irene and Trish

Photos by Donna

Starting from the carpark at the South Durras ocean boat ramp, Ainslie and Mike took 18 other members and 2 visitors on a 5km morning circuit around Wasp Head at South Durras.  At Mill Beach the group passed the site of the timber mill closed down in 1929, the only visible relic being the remains of the boiler which powered the milling machinery.

Wasp Head is a noted site of geological interest, and Mike, with welcome input from Rob, explained the features and the processes that produced them.  Glacial “drop-stones”, marine fossils, a volcanic dyke, and intricate patterns of ironstone were among the features seen.

The day was fine and the magnificent coastal scenery was looking at its best.  The route took us south as far as the cliffs above Dark Beach, where we paused to admire the view north across Beagle Bay to Mount Durras, with Pretty Beach visible in the far distance.

Mike

Sunday 31 January 2016

Cullendulla Creek Boardwalk

Pat, Karen and Mary

Alex and Bob and the best bacon rolls in town

Photos by Mary M and Karen M

After a splendid show of lightning as well as heavy rain during the night, we faced the morning with some trepidation, but it turned out to be a beautiful day for our first walk of the year.  Eighteen walkers set out bright and early from the bridge, walking along the beach towards Surfside.  At one stage we were faced with an unusual sight.  We usually crossed a small shallow stream flowing out to the Bay, but this had been replaced by a swiftly flowing, wide channel of water, no doubt carved out by the heavy rain the night before.  A quick detour via the road and we were back on track.  Following round the rocks and along Surfside beach we reached the track for Cullendulla Creek.  Here, water on the foliage of the casuarinas, which were dripping from the rain the night before, glistened like diamonds in the morning sun.

Reaching the beach, we walked along and took the Mangrove Loop track leading to the boardwalk beside the creek, which was very peaceful.  Back on the beach where the tide was out, the large sand banks were exposed and black cockatoos screeched in the distance, breaking the silence.  Heading back along the beach to Surfside, inquisitive wallabies peered at us through the trees but eventually they took fright and bounded away.  Throughout this part of the walk we had great views of the bay, river, forest, town or out to sea.

Leaving the beach we walked along the road, headed for the soccer oval, getting our feet wet along the way where the creek continued running swiftly, this time over the path.  Passing the school, we reached the highway and later turned into Lincoln Crescent to look at the Bottle Tree, an unusual sight in Batemans Bay.  Then on to Peninsular Drive to the roundabout and back along Wharf Road to the park.

We finished the walk with brunch, a bacon and egg roll cooked by our chefs for the day, Alex and Bob B, a nice way to finish our walk.

Susan