Thursday 17 March 2022
Photos courtesy of Karen G, Helen, and Peter
Today was meant to be the Mt. Bushwalker walk, but with the recent rains, the access road to the track was closed. Rather than cancel yet another walk, the North Durras Highlights walk was moved forward to fill in. This did mean the club would be having three walks in the Murramarang NP in quick succession, but there is always something to see in the Park and 11 walkers took up the opportunity.
Whilst we were pretty sure we would not get rain; it was going to be wet underfoot and indeed it was – a walk for walking boots, not runners.
The first part of the walk was almost Kokoda like – up to Lovells Pass on an old disused easement track; hardly (probably never) used for walking. It was overgrown and full of obstacles. We bashed through wet foliage and clambered over, and under, fallen trees to reach the top. But that was not the real concern. It was the leeches! Surprised and excited to have some passing traffic, they came out in force – grabbing onto us at every opportunity. None escaped their company; and as we emerged at the top at the side the road there was a mad rush to get those buggers off!
Once composed, we headed to Lake Road and down to the entrance of the Discovery Trail. The Discovery Trail had been closed for months, being badly burnt during the fires with the infrastructure of the viewing platforms all destroyed. National Parks recently reopened the trail with the track and bridges rebuilt, but there is still lot more to be done – and even more so now as the recent storms have layered the trail with fallen trees. Still, it was a pleasant walk through southern rainforest with nice views from the top. Of course, the combination of rainforest, recent rains and humidity had the leeches out again. No one dared stop too long to enjoy the views or even to take a photograph for fear of being attacked.
Morning tea was had on the shore of the inland side of Durras Lake, the water a muddy brown from the recent flooding, but still a good spot to rest. No leeches except those that had hitchhiked on our boots. From there we headed out past the caravan parks to pick up an old fisherman’s track to emerge onto North Durras Beach in bright sunshine. The ocean was an inviting blue – so inviting in fact one of our party took the opportunity to take a quick dip.
Then came the real test – the climb up to Point Upright. Remarkably the Burrawang Walking Track up the headland was in pretty good nick despite the rains, except for a great almighty gum that had fallen, completely blocking the beach end of the track, as if to say “thou shalt not pass” – but we did! Again, no dilly dallying there. Some poor animal had met its maker when that tree fell – and its stench filled the air.
Lunch was at Point Upright lookout, one of the best views in the area. There we met two other hikers who were enjoying the solitude of the spot. Oh well, they were very gracious when we invaded their space. At one point we thought they might even join us for the rest of the walk.
From Point Upright it was a short walk to Depot Beach village. The usual photo opportunity at the Depot Beach Lookout was taken, and then to the cars.
It certainly was an eventful trek, and although it was a distance of only 12kms, all of us believed it was definitely “a good 12 kms”.
Peter