Wednesday 13 November 2024

Another remnant of the past

Comfortable morning tea

The earliest known marked graves in the ACT, dating back to 1837.

The shearing shed and quarters

Group discussion

Latest in open plan living

Ruins

A drop pf rain?

No flies on Donna!

Impending thunderstorm

Photos courtesy of DonnaF and Amanda. Walk report courtesy Walk Leader Gay.

Eight members have now satisfied their curiosity…. By completing the 12 km circuit of the Glenburn Precinct Loop Heritage Trail. The starting point of the trail is in the ACT, just off the Kings Highway between Queanbeyan and Bungendore and whenever one drives past the sign, one says to oneself, I must do that walk one day. That’s now a tick off the bucket list!

Okay okay, bucket list walk might be a tad too strong, but it is a good easy/medium walk which mainly meanders along pine forest roads and well- marked tracks to early European structures, ruins, graves and farm machinery dating back to the very first days of European settlement in the Canberra – Queanbeyan region. The public can enter some of the ruins and there are plenty of information boards along the trail explaining the history of the area.

In 1831, Luke and Mary Colverwell, the first European settlers, came to the area and settled at Dirty Swamp, which later became known as Glenburn. They, together with others, lived a subsistence way of life living in small slab homes on 40 acre portions, growing their own fruit and vegetables, chickens and slaughtering the occasional sheep.

During our walk, we noted the area is very rocky, with poor soil. Makes one appreciate our life of privilege today compared to their existence in the 1800s. Nevertheless the area at one time was a thriving community with its own school and many participated in hare drives, bachelors’ balls, school picnics, dances and farewell parties. We thought that this is a nice way to say ‘funeral’.

Scattered showers with a possible storm was forecast for the day. The cloud cover kept the temperature a bit cooler and the breeze from the approaching storms was a nice relief and helped clear away some of the flies, which were pretty thick at times. However, we could see the clouds building up and attacked the last hill with gusto, stopped for a quick lunch at the Atkinson Trig before heading downhill to the cars accompanied by rolls of thunder.

And we made it back dry and happy and curiosity satisfied!

Sunday 10 November 2024

Group photo

On top of the world

Awesome View

Rock road

Viewing Platform

Photos courtesy of Amanda and Tom. Walk report courtesy Walk Leader DonnaG.

Ten walkers set out on an early morning drive to the stunning Little Forest Plateau for a thirteen kilometre out and back hike to Ngaityung Falls. Even though the walk was led on the previous program, all participants this time around were keen to take advantage of the opportunity missed last time. We commenced the walk along the familiar boardwalk with grey skies and mild weather, which was perfect hiking weather out on the exposed plateau. The stunning array of colorful wildflowers were quite the sight amongst thick green vegetation regrowth.

We had morning tea at Mt Bushwalker lookout and began our deviation along a narrow footpad and along rock platforms in a southerly direction along the cliff line, admiring the views to the west. Low cloud travelling through the ranges made for an interesting aspect and a change to the bright sunny day experienced on the previous outing. We continued along through quite thick vegetation in spots and down a couple of ledges, following endless cairns to where we eventually arrived at our destination, the stunning cliff line that houses the falls. Although the water running from Pigeon House creek was significantly less than the previous visit to the falls, the water was still flowing and the rock pools were full.

We sat for a while and enjoyed the views before retracing our steps back to an area along the plateau edge where we had lunch. By this time the clouds had lifted and we had some nice views of The Castle and the surrounding peaks. We then made our way back towards the cars but not with a short detour to Fossil Cave and Gaolhouse Falls. This detour is along a track that many of us had walked past numerous times but never investigated. The track leads down to an overhang which contains quite a lot of interesting plant fossils in the rock wall. The nearby falls were flowing but were just down to a trickle. It was certainly a nice little side trip that all but one of us had never been to. All in all it was a great day and a very enjoyable hike.

Monday 11 November 2024

A wander up the creek

Distant hills and pastures

Ian enjoying the lake

Ian near the bank

Mary cruising

Photos courtesy of MaryT and Max. Paddle report courtesy of Paddle Leader MaryT.

The group journeyed south to Corunna Lake for our latest outing. Sunny weather with spells of overcast skies but with rather strong winds later in the morning, provided quite a challenge. Two delightful creeks provided variation to the scenic lake which is bordered by rural properties. We watched a sea eagle doing aerial gymnastics as a magpie vied for sky space. We didn’t make a complete circumnavigation of the lake due to the wind but paddled back against an unpleasant fetch to the shore line. The cars were a welcome sight as was lunch at the picnic area by the lake.

Thursday 7 November 2024

Along the beautiful creek

Geology studies

One of the many uphills

Orchid on lunchtime stop log

Part of an interesting detour

Short break

Some of the action

Walk Leader’s sooty walk pants

Photos courtesy of Amanda. Walk report courtesy Walk Leader Glenn.

Walkers enjoyed following the undulating trails, crossing creek beds, along a gully off Big Bit Road. After making our way up to Morris Fire Break Rd made our way to a lovely creek for a bit of unplanned creek exploration and bush bash. Joining bike tracks we made our way, up and down up and down, back along the gully to Big It Rd and the cars. There was an abundance of bird song to keep us entertained plus, spotted gums and the odd orchid.

Wednesday 30 October 2024

Acheron Headland, Maloneys Beach

Maloneys Beach locals

Xanorrhoea small grass tree, Acheron Headland, Maloneys Beach

Photos courtesy of Lesley. Walk report courtesy Walk leader Joan.

On a perfect Spring morning there were four happy bushwalkers who met to walk the scenic track on the program. The previous week there were five keen club members who met to do the reconnaissance with leader Joan and all were surprised at the various interesting plants looking their best for this time of year.

Included were a large number of ground small grass tree Xanorrhoea with new tall spears and a huge Blueberry Ash tree covered in pink flowers. The scenic track led to the end of the headland at Acheron Ledge where a track goes down to a small beach and rocky foreshore.

The group did not follow this downward track but followed a circuit track to a perfect log for morning tea and then back to go down from top of the 130 metal steps down to Maloneys Beach. This was an easy walk well suited for those able to enjoy the lovely Murramarang National Park .

Sunday 27 October 2024

Wildflower

Wildflower

Old Eagles nest

Along the lake foreshore

Wildflower

Powerful Owl fledgling

Photos courtesy of Erika and Philip. Walk report courtesy of Walk leaders Philip and Erika.

Our walk started at the Ulladulla Wild Flower Reserve where we took the “Long Loop” track before turning west and heading away from the reserve towards Burrill Lake. The route to the lake took several of the myriad tracks that criss-cross the area.

Upon reaching the lake we stopped for morning tea on a small sandy area of the shore near Stony Creek. After this short stop we followed the lake shore south toward Kings Point. This section of the walk meandered through open bushland with a constant view of the smooth, sunlit waters of the lake on our right.

At Kings Point township we had lunch on a small wooden jetty that looked out across a wide expanse of the lake. From our lunch spot we continued along the northern foreshore, crossed the point via James Crescent, followed the southern foreshore for a while and then went a short way uphill to Kings Point Drive.

Just outside the Kings Point township we turned inland onto a bush track that took us north-east. Part way along this track we startled a Powerful Owl and its fledgling. The young bird perched in a tree above us for some time before moving off, as we continued on. At Benowa Way we turned northward and after following several more intersecting tracks we made our way back to Ulladulla Wild Flower Reserve.

Thursday 24 October 2024

Mary and Stan on duct tape duty

Just like new!

Hiding in plain sight

The Illawong trail

Mary and Leslie on the sandy track leaving the Bower

Heather and Stan on the cool shady track beside Candlagan Creek

Photos courtesy of Gay.        Walk report courtesy Walk leader Gay.

Ten Members and two visitors joined me for the Easy grade walk through the village of Broulee to the Bangalay Sand Forest and Illawong Nature Reserve. Though it could be argued one visitor is not really a visitor? Kay V, a member of the club some years ago has returned to the Eurobodalla and it was a pleasure to meet her today. Perhaps Kay has not walked for some time though, as her boots were disintegrating before our very eyes. One sole fell off before we left the car park, but duct tape came to the rescue.

First stop was the Bangalay Sand Forest tucked in behind Captain Oldrey Park and the netball courts. These sand forests are an endangered ecological community, existing within a few kilometres of the sea on freely draining sandy soils at altitudes below 100 metres. Morning tea was enjoyed in the middle of the little forest and although we noticed several bird boxes up in the trees, no activity was seen. It was all happening down below, as Kay’s other boot decided to lose its sole and Barry and Stan came to the rescue with yet more duct tape!

As we left the Sand Forest a small Echidna was spotted and tried its best to hide from us, but failed. Onwards to the Bower, which is the home of the Illawong Nature Sanctuary and a 2.2 km walk that circumnavigates the Bower property. This is classic Eurobodalla coastal woodland of eucalypts and casuarina and supports a bird community of nectar-feeders. After passing the Illawong wetlands, we turned onto the back straight only to be greeted by a lady on a quad bike on a neighbouring property. She informed us that she was doing a “Weed Check” and was happy to report she had not found any weeds!

On the final section we were greeted by the Bower horses and spotted a large nest in the nearby Mobile phone tower. (Well to be honest, we were given the tip by our friend on the quad bike.) No raptors spotted on this occasion.

To leave the Bower property we followed a sandy track which runs parallel to George Bass Drive. A bit more shady and kept us away from the busy road. The final leg of our 7.5km walk took us along a pretty little local track skirting the banks of Candlagan Creek.

Happy to say Kay’s duct taped boots survived the walk, though we all wondered how she was going to get them off?

A Big Thank You to the owners of the Bower, for once again allowing our Club to complete the Illawong Walk.

Saturday 19 October 2024

Amongst the beautiful rainforest

Fire mitigation

Interesting Sculpture

Old Coach Road

Sydney Blue Gum (Eucalyptus)

Turpentine (Syncarpia glomulifera).

Photos courtesy of Amanda and Rob. Walk report courtesy of Walk leader Rob.

The Termeil Mountain Walk is a great opportunity to see vegetation species not seen further south in the Eurobodalla Shire. Five club walkers enjoyed a sunny walk up Old Coach Road to the Communications tower through forest of Turpentine, Sydney Blue Gum and Spotted Gum.

The walk up the ridge line offered great views to the west and east to the coast. The 2019 fires hit this area pretty hard and we could see black burn scars 10m up many trees. We chatted to a local who lost his home on the ridge top and has rebuilt a shed and has plans for a bunker in the side of the hill. From the photo you can see they have already cleared the underbrush in anticipation of the next fire season.

We then used on old abandoned CPT road to come down the mountain to the lower slopes where our walk took us through a rainforest of very tall Turpentine, Sydney Blue Gums and palm trees. When out walking in the forests we are surprised to meet people so you can imagine our shock as a large rottweiler came racing down the track barking furiously at us. We froze on the spot assuming and hoping an owner would be coming soon to control the beast. She arrived shortly and assured us he was friendly. Tell that to my racing heart.

Sunday 13 October 2024

A Lizard Sundial

Getting our bearings

A walk in the park

On the beach

Happy walkers

Photos courtesy of MaryT.      Walk report courtesy Walk leader MaryT.

A beautiful, warm, sunny day with a light sea breeze was enjoyed by 10 members and 2 visitors for the walk from the boat ramp at Kioloa along the beaches, headland and rock platforms to the picnic area at Bawley Pt. A car shuffle was required as this was a one way walk of 9km.

The group walked along hard sand at low tide covering Kioloa, Shelly, Racecourse, Murramarang, Gannet, Cormorant and finally Bawley beaches. At the end of each beach there was relief from the sand as we made our way through sand dunes to headland tracks and then to the extensive rock platforms that are a feature of this part of the coast line. The track passes through the Murramarang Aboriginal Area where a number of interpretive signs explain the importance and history of the area.

High lights of the day was a sea eagle gliding above us during our morning tea stop and then in a bay below the Trig station, which is the start of our last rock platform, a mother whale and her youngster were spotted. They put on a spectacular display of breaching and tail thwacking, for me the longest time I have seen such an exhibition. I can only think this may have been because the youngster needed more lessons and practice? Two other whales had been spotted earlier further out to sea. Lunch was at Bawley Point picnic area before the drivers retrieved their cars for the return drive to the Bay.

Thursday 10 October 2024

Above Dark Beach

An embracing Spotted Gum

At the Big Tree

On the path

Photos courtesy of Brian, KarenG and KarenM. Walk report courtesy of Walk leader KarenM.

It’s always a good bushwalk when the sun shines, the weather’s cool and the Leader doesn’t get lost. That’s how it went on Thursday for our Medium grade 12km excursion through a section of Murramarang National Park south of Durras.

Leaving the village we took a network of local tracks through some gorgeous forest to find the Big Tree – a huge spotted gum spared by early-day loggers. On through more forest tracks to North Head Road, where we then turned toward the coast. After having lunch above Dark Beach – where there was a whale slapping his flipper just offshore – we joined the Murramarang South Coast Track and headed back towards Durras village.

Although it is a well used and signposted public trail, this is the most confusing part of the walk. Local tracks crisscross the coastal strip and signposting is less than adequate. Fortunately, we had made all of our mistakes on the reconnaissance, so this time we easily found the well hidden lookout over Wasp Island and the steps leading down the cliff to Mill Beach and on back to the cars.