Saturday 11 March 2023

Crossing the Buckenbowra River

Careful placement of feet to keep dry

Up the rough track

There is a track here

Tall palms

Lunch break leech clearing

A well earned rest at lunch

Heading back down the track

A few signs to show the way

Crossing the Buckenbowra on return (who cares about wet boots now)

Photos courtesy of Rob, Philip and Erika

Nine walkers survived the Corn Trail (Lower Half) on a hot and humid day of hiking.

This section of the Monga National Park was severely burnt in the 2019/20 fires and the track was cleared of debris by the Parks Service in July 2022 for the public to again access. The recent rains we have experienced in the last two years have produced a lot of regrowth of wattles, eucalypts and especially weeds that cover the ground on parts of the trail.

While we don’t climb much elevation in walking this track we did find the track itself to be quite steep in sections – 45 degrees sideways !! The group was very happy to cross the Buckenbowra River at the end of the walk.

Looking at the pictures you can see we all delicately tried to stay dry when crossing the river at the start of the walk but at the end we sloshed our way across just happy to finishing a tough hike.

Rob

Wednesday 8 March 2023

Seals enjoying the sunshine

Time to look at the view

Posing for the camera

Photos courtesy of Karen G. 

The 8km walk is one of the most scenic along the South Coast and encompasses walking in banksia as well as spotted gum forests, along beaches, across rock platforms and navigating several rickety steps.

On the way to the working solar-powered lighthouse (built in 1974) and the Trig Station, the 8 walkers passed the remains of a concrete Nissen hut used by the Royal Australian Air Force during WW2. We then paused at the newly-built viewing platform and were delighted to see several seals basking in the sun on the rocks below.

From Guerilla Bay the walkers traversed around the cliff edge to Nudies Beach and then around another scenic cliff edge to Nuns Beach, where a shady spot was found to have morning tea. After a short rest, the group navigated the rock platform separating Nuns and Rosedale Beach.

The humidity slowed the return walk to Guerilla Bay and with little shade on offer it was agreed by the walkers to forgo the optional lunch and instead seek some cool at home.

Despite the humidity all agreed it was an exceptionally scenic walk in good company.

Karen G.

Sunday 5 March 2023

An interesting history lesson

Firetrail

Narraghi trig

The stragglers amongst the regrowth

Checking some artifacts

Ian, Wendy, Rob, Jenny, Bruce and Rodney

Photos courtesy of Amanda

The Monga State Conservation Area of 1,009 hectares lies to the north of the Kings Highway and just south of the village of Mongarlowe. It can be regarded as an isolated part of the Monga reserve system.

On a warm sunny day, seven BBBW walkers explored the open tablelands forest dominating this area. We walked 13 km across country, and along fire trails, about 50/50. Although a small part of the east section was burnt in the 19/20 fires, most of the area is quite open and the walking is easy and pleasant.

We climbed to Narranghi Trig (841m asl) but the view toward Braidwood was obscured by trees. We lunched by the dam at “Mrs Taylors”, an abandoned farm with only an old orchard to show its past.

Although there is nothing of spectacular note in the area, we recorded eight eucalypt species – E sieberi, E radiata, E dives, E cypellocarpa, E fastigata, E pauciflora, E viminalis and E obliqua. Unfortunately, none of the orchard’s fruit trees were bearing edible fruit but it’s highly likely, in the past, the local wildlife has sampled it.

It was a pleasant change to walk across undulating country through open unburnt forest!

Ian

Thursday 2 March 2023

Amongst the trees

Meandering towards the Lake

One of those hills the leader forgot about

All too comfortable at morning tea

For those that did not bring a chair!

The last downhill

Smiling group at the head of the Lake

Lunch at Jemisons Point

The Lake was not open to the sea this time

Photos courtesy of Mary, Peter, Tom and Gay

This 10 km circuit walk had to be cancelled last quarter due to Lake Tarourga being open to the sea rendering the ‘circuit’ description somewhat inappropriate. This time the Lake was easily crossed, and it was almost perfect walking conditions for the seven Batemans Bay Bushwalkers taking on the circuit.

The early morning humidity did however slow the walkers down a tad on those extra few hills in the forest section that their leader had forgotten about! But, in the main it was pleasant walking. Only the odd leech was experienced in the damper sections of the forest.

The group enjoyed a morning tea break after the last of the hills. From there it was a gentle stroll to the head of the Lake and around its shores to the beach.

A nice picnic spot for lunch was chosen on Jemisons Point with views up and down the coast, before the trail continued back to the cars.

Thanks to those that came along and supported the leader. It was a good morning’s walk.

Peter

Wednesday 1 March 2023

Sharon comes across an old camp chair in the lake and is not leaving this hazard there

Glenn comes over to lend a hand

And Sharon is off with this treasure / trash in hand!

Photos courtesy of Mary 

Sharon, Nancy, Mary and new to the group, Glenn, managed to beat the rain, and almost the wind for a pleasant paddle on Durras Lake. Sharon, doing her civic duty rescued an old camp chair from the water and reunited it with the land (with a little help from her friends).

Mary

Saturday 25 February 2023

A nice spot to rest

How lucky are we

On the move

Photos courtesy of Mary and Karen G.

Batemans Bay Bushwalkers have been keen to get boots on the new South Coast Track constructed by NSW National Parks through Murramarang National Park. The section between Pebbly Beach and Snake Bay was recently opened, and although the track still needs signposting, it is now possible do day walks on the track.

Starting at Pebbly Beach the new track winds in front of the beach shacks and undulates its way north over creeks, through rainforest, past several pebbly coves and over headlands with glorious views both north and south. After 4 km we reached our destination – a tiny bay where we could sit up high on the overhanging rock platform and enjoy the ocean views. We took a break here, then retraced our steps back to Pebbly Beach where we had lunch.

Karen McL.

Wednesday 22 February 2023

The leech inspection!

Glenn on the way to Depot Beach

On the new track up to Point Upright

The ladies taking a well earned break

Views from Point Upright

Mary and Denise stopping for a photo oppotunity

Andrea, Denise, Mary and Donna on the Rainforest Walk .

Some friendly locals

Photos courtesy of Gay

Five walkers set out with Donna G for (as it turned out) an all girl hike from North Durras to Depot Beach return circuit. This walk takes in Point Upright, Depot Beach Lookout and the Rain Forest Walk. Although the forecast was rather gloomy, the day turned out to be an exceptional day for hiking. It was pleasantly cool, overcast with no wind and low humidity.

We set off along the beach and came to the track that leads up to Point Upright. It was a lovely surprise to see that the track has been totally rerouted by National Parks as part of the new Murramarang South Coast Walk. Instead of the difficult straight line slog all the way to the top, a continuous trail of switch backs made this normally steep ascent quite pleasant. Once at Point Upright lookout we had morning tea and then set off for the Rain Forest Walk at Depot Beach. Recent ongoing rains have certainly reinvigorated the forest with lush growth everywhere. Thankfully this area was spared from the fires a few years ago and it looks great.

We then headed in a general direction back to North Durras via some inland tracks. One particular area was rampant with leeches and it didn’t take long for the inevitable frantic inspections of lower limbs. Some of the leeches were extremely small and a few snappy dance moves such as the sucker shuffle, leech stomp, parasite pirouette seemed to rid us of the freeloaders pretty quickly.

We made our way back to the cars were we sat on the edge of Durras Lake and had lunch. All in all it was a nice walk, good company and lovely mild summer weather.

Donna G.

Sunday 19 February 2023

The group takes their bearings!

The “hear no evil see no evil” etc group at morning tea

How many can we fit on this viewing platform?

The whole group (taken by a friendly passer-by)

Photos courtesy of Mary, Tom and Gay 

The sun was shining, the air was clean, the sea was sparkling – what a great day for 13 members and two visitors to enjoy a 9km walk around Dalmeny. While it’s a 40 km drive from Moruya to the start of the walk, the roads were surprisingly quiet and even the car park at Yabbara Beach was empty!

Everyone was happy to be out on the track again and a low hum of chatter was pretty constant throughout the walk. There was a nice little hill to get the heart started and then a very pleasant walk through the bush following a criss cross of bike tracks. Even though it was Sunday, only one motorbike and one cyclist was spotted. Nevertheless the motorbike was enough to scare away the birdlife, or perhaps it was the chitter chatter!

Emerging from the bush we surprised some locals who wondered where we had come from and then we joined the bike path heading back towards the coast. This track eventually becomes the Narooma to Dalmeny Story Track and it was great to see families out and about making the most of conditions. The sea breeze was welcome and the views up and down the coast did not disappoint.

A very pleasant walk capturing our beautiful coastline and bushlands.

Gay

16 February 2023

First view of the lake

Sharon, Niamh & Erika

Lunch break

Upper reaches

Photos courtesy of Phil and Erika

Commencing from a small layby beside Mt Agony Road a “select” group of four walkers set out on the first BBBW walk of 2023.The excellent track meandered along close to the shoreline of Durras Lake, past the Discovery Trail and on to North Durras where the lake meets the ocean.

It was a perfect sunny summer day with just the hint of a breeze. We were immersed in the beauty of the forest, the smooth lake waters, the clear reflections and the deep blue sky. Along the way we took advantage of some of the many fallen logs to stop for a drink or a snack and relax in the surroundings.

After a rest near the lake entrance at North Durras we returned to the track and enjoyed the return walk back to Mt Agony Road.

Philip