Saturday 14 December 2024

Rod did not step in anything, it was personal… I jest. Morning tea.

Max frog hopping his kayak on the rocks.

Rod and Lin

View of the kayaks at morning tea. They ran out of paint with mine.

Up the creek WITH a paddle.

Sharing President Rob’s beach for lunch.

Photos courtesy of Rodney and Max. Walk report courtesy of MaryT.

Coila Lake was traversed and enjoyed on a warm but overcast morning, followed by exploration of Coila Creek as far as the water level allowed. For a couple of kayaks rather further than was perhaps wise!

Max touched rock bottom and with some difficulty and the “frog” hopping manoeuvre, managed to free his kayak for an uneventful return back along the creek and into the open waters of the lake. The wind came up so our leader took us across the lake to Miriam and (Bushwalking President) Rob’s property where we availed ourselves of their lakeside beach for lunch.

After lunch we hugged the shore line until reaching a point where as promised by our esteemed leader, with the wind behind us, we returned across the lake to the cars.

Saturday 16 November 2024

Rugged Coastline

The beach walk

Lenore leads the way

Almost there…

Group shot for the record

A colorful insect (blue a—-d fly).

Over the rocks

Photos courtesy of Helen, Amanda, Lenore and Bronwyn. Walk report courtesy of Walk Leader Lenore.

Fifteen keen walkers set out early from Pretty Beach camp ground to head up the slopes of Mt Durras. This northern approach follows a well formed single trail that joins a clear and open fire trail that gently climbs towards the summit.

Upon our approach to the summit we were met with lazing kangaroos and a red belly black snake basking in the sunshine to the side of the trail. We enjoyed morning tea in a clearing at the top.

The well formed and open trail down the southern aspect of Mt Durras allowed for a seamless decent to Clear Point and the stunning coastline. We joined the Murramarang South Coast Track for our return along the coastline to our starting point to the north at Pretty Beach. Whilst we were a little late for the seasons whale watching, we did sight an echidna on the trail.
Thanks to all, it was a lovely day out.

Wednesday 27 November 2024

Rodney and Pelicans on the sandbank.

Photo courtesy of MaryT. Paddle report courtesy of Paddle Leader MaryT.

A small group launched kayaks at the Tuross River Bridge for a 12km paddle. We decided by a unanimous vote to not go up the river to Trunketbella Bridge necessitating a car shuffle, but to paddle 6 km up and return. It was hot, humid and mostly cloudy and windless until the front came through about a kilometre from the cars. The first challenge of the day was to find a suitable spot for morning tea. At the 6 km mark we decided to stop at the best of a poor selection on an area with limited grass. Getting out of our kayaks was a muddy enterprise, a bit like quick sand! Relaunching was an interesting experience not aided by the laughter and giggles as we attempted to remove our feet from the mud and take as little as possible with us into our kayaks.

The second challenge was driving home in gusty, high winds. We were not the only drivers readjusting our loads on the road side.

Thursday 21 November 2024

The troops on the beach

Meandering along the track

Waypoint check-in

Onward and upward!

Group shot

Echidna welcoming committee

Goanna spectator

What the… the Goanna

Lunch after walk at Quantum Brewery Moruya

Photos courtesy of Helen, KarenM, Philip, Erika and Max.      Walk report courtesy of Walk Leader Peter.

It was a perfect Spring day for the last walk of 2024 for the Batemans Bay Bushwalkers. The walk was a 7.5km circuit, starting at Pedro Point in the Eurobodalla National Park, east of Moruya. It headed up along the beach for 2kms, before diverting onto a track following Congo Creek, and then through forest to end up back at the cars.

The rain overnight and initial cloudy sky was a bit daunting, but the sun broke through the clouds as the group assembled at Pedro Point. A welcoming sea breeze then eased the walking along the sand. And a short walk from the beach had us soon arriving at a shady clearing at a bend in the creek for morning tea. From there we followed a wide track making social chit chat easy, as it meandered through forests of Bangalay Gum, Blackbutt and Spotted Gum.

The walk was well patronized, with 28 walkers joining the leader. Perhaps it being a social walk with lunch afterwards at the Quantum Brewery, Moruya accounted for the enthusiasm. Nevertheless, it was great to see so many out walking.

The leader’s initial concern that the size of the group might make it a challenge to keep on schedule for the all-important lunch booking, was unfounded. It all ran as they say, ‘like a well-oiled machine’. Despite everyone having a good natter as they wandered along the track under the forest canopies, we finished the walk on time to be at the Brewery at 12:30 on the dot as planned. The lunch saw us enjoying a well-deserved drink, a bite to eat and having the further opportunity to catch up on news and gossip, with another six members joining at lunch.

All in all, it was a very pleasant bushwalk to end the 2024 season. Bring on 2025!

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.