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.