Saturday 8 August, 2026

Rounding the point

Denise and Gavin enjoying morning tea

What a view!

Paper daisies

Checking out the community garden

Long Beach Kangaroos

The only rat tail orchid to be found

Photos courtesy of Steve D. and Bruce.  Walk report by Walk Leader Bruce.

A group of 18 people set out for this 8.5km walk on what was a beautiful south coast winter’s day – no wind, blue skies and 20 degrees. After a short stroll along the sands of Maloneys Beach we took the low road around the bottom of the cliffs across gravelly beaches and a few minor rock scrambles.

At the start of Long Beach we admired the new rock vestment wall erected last year by the council to stop the undermining of the road and services from the encroaching seas. We then then took a stroll along the beach, a bush track and then up onto Cullendulla Nature Reserve and Square Head with its spectacular views to the north and south.

Morning tea was on the headland overlooking the Toll Gates and back over Long Beach and beyond to Murramarang National Park. We then completed the circuit around Square Head with more views across Batemans Bay and descended down to tranquil Cullendulla Creek. It was a bit early in the season but we did find a couple of Rat Tail orchids growing up high on the swamp oak trees. We then went back up to the reserve and inspected the results of the cultural burns recently carried out by the Walbunja-Yuin rangers.

The return home was via streets, the Long Beach Community Garden, beach and cliffs in front of the houses along North Cove Road and back to the cars. A great walk with lots of points of interest on a beautiful day.

Wednesday 5 August, 2026

Starting the long boardwalk

Steve H. on the way down to the overhangs

Erika on the rope back up

250M year old fossils

Brian enjoying his day out

Some members down in Gadara Pass

Searching for fossils

Capturing those down below

Photos courtesy and Phil, Erika, Steve D. and Brian.  Walk report by Walk Leader Donna.

Fifteen members braved the early start and the cool weather on a spectacular winters day for a 14.5km outing on Little Forest Plateau. Our visit to Ngaityung Falls this time took in a side trip to Gadara Pass. Gadara Pass is not a spot where the club normally visits so it was a welcome opportunity for yet another stunning view of the Budawangs from another aspect. The more adventurous members descended down the pass, via a rope and sure footing, to a remarkable overhang below the cliffline.

Following this, it was on to Ngaityung Falls which was surprisingly flowing, which made the Walk Leader very happy indeed! We enjoyed our lunch here before retracing our steps back to the cars but not before enjoying a small detour on a northern edge of the plateau. We descended down a small rock shelf to an overhang which contains 250M year old fossils called Crinoids, contained in Permian sanstones (thanks Rob!). These fossils are close relatives of sea stars, sea urchins and brittle stars and it was fun to search for them in the overhang.

Thanks to all of those who made the effort to get up early and travel the distance it made for a very enjoyable day.

Sunday 2 August, 2026

Durras lake reflections

Inquisitive wood ducks checking us out

Steve D. doing what Steve does

Discovery Trail giants

Sun through the cabbage palm

The group

Tree fungi

Photos courtesy of Donna and Daniel.  Walk report by Walk Leader Karen M.

A convivial group of 12 bushwalkers enjoyed an 8.5 km circuit around Durras Lake and the Discovery Trail in Murramarang National Park on the weekend.

We were delighted to welcome two visitors who enjoyed exploring an area new to them and taking lots of photos – some of which they have shared with us here.

We have been fortunate to have several visitors on many of our walks recently and it’s always a pleasure to host newcomers through our local bush.

The weekend walk followed tracks around the shore of the Durras Arm of Durras Lake. It was a still, sunny day so the forest reflections were flawless. The water level in the lake was quite high and lapped the edges of the track, which made walking very picturesque. We also walked the Discovery Trail loop through forest studded with huge eucalypts and gullies full of cabbage tree palms. We finished up by driving the short distance to Depot Beach to enjoy lunch at the lone picnic table overlooking the beach.

Thursday 30 July, 2026

Beautiful Wamban Creek

Rob leading the ascent

A well earned rest

Steve H enjoying himself

Creek reflections

Rob happy to be at the top of another ascent

Photos courtesy of Steve D and Lenore.  Walk report by Walk Leader Lenore.

A small group of robust walkers set out on this perfect winter day. We started with a steep descent of the Lynchs South firetrail, slowed and steadied a little by the presence of the occasional “speed hump”. After a few undulations and then the steady ascent we experienced the rewarding distant views of the surrounding mountain ridges, including Mt Wamban.

Next came our descent through lush green vegetation as we approached the Wamban Creek shores. There was much evidence of wild pig diggings and luckily no actual presence on our passing journey.

Walkers displayed their youth, athleticism and adaptability as we pushed, tramped, climbed, ducked and dashed our way through thick vegetation to make our way to the Wamban Creek. This was a peaceful and scenic spot to ponder. After a successful dry boot crossing we climbed to the opposite bank and “bushwacked” a little further. To some walkers surprise we then popped out onto the well formed Wamban Link fire trail. We followed this for a short while before resting at the beautiful waterhole in the bend of the creek system. Rob, our “on foot” geologist, pointed out the local features. Parts of the Wamban Creek follow the fault line that separates 480 million year old Ordovician rocks and the 350 million year old Devonian rocks found in the coastal ranges which could be observed at this point.

On our return to the vehicles, we walked the undulating fire trials through lovely forest including some stand out Sydney red gums. The walk was approximately 10 km with an overall ascent and descent of 480 m.

Thanks all for sharing a beaut day out!

Saturday 25 July, 2026

The seal when it was at Malua Bay Beach

Exiting Garden Bay Beach

McKenzies Beach

Donna and Tony B. at Sunshine Bay Beach

Cathie and Donna (seal in the background)

Walk leaders view

Lunch at Malua Bay

Photos courtesy and Amanda, Erika and Phil.  Walk report by Walk Leader Donna.

An excited group of nineeten walkers (including four visitors) headed off from Observation Point to tick off the full length of the Munjip Trail, ending at McKenzies Beach. Whilst our club has walked this route in various sections, the full official 15.5km trail had not been done prior.

We were rewarded with what can only be described as a stunning winters day, perfect walking weather. Due to it be a low tide, we were able to avoid all of the high tide detours and remain on the track proper. We stopped at Surf Beach for morning tea and Malua Bay for lunch. We saw a seal who had been steadily migrating north from beach to beach and there were distant glimpses of whales as well as dolphins closer to shore.

Due to having an exceptional bunch of hikers, we were able to fit the Pretty Point side track in with ample time to get back to the cars for the car shuffle back to Observation Point. A very enjoyable day out was had by all.

Sunday 19 July, 2026

Distant view of Pigeon House Mountain

Lush forest

Crossing the Buckenbowra River

Tony negotiating one of the many obstacles

Lovely forest on the lower Corn Trail

Jenny on the trail

Cabbage Palms

Yet some more obstacles!

Photos and walk report courtesy of Walk Leader Steve D.

After finally getting everyone to the start of the walk, we had no choice but to begin by wading across the river.

Following the wide, well-defined trail, we steadily climbed to the top of the range. After a well-earned break, several walkers decided to return to the cars at the start of the walk, while the rest of us continued on the descent.

The downhill section took us through beautiful forests of cabbage palms and grass trees, with a remarkable variety of ecosystems encountered along the way.

As expected, there were a few challenges, including fallen trees across the track, muddy sections, and some steep downhill stretches where gravity certainly had the upper hand.

Best of all, everything went according to plan, we never got lost and didn’t have to use the PLB!

Thursday 16 July, 2026

A civilised lunch spot

Scribbly gum

Having a rest at one of the numerous intersections

Lovely forest walking

Some watchful company

Pat happy that she kept her feet dry

Photos courtesy of Karen M, Steve D and Donna.  Walk Report by Walk Leader Rob.

Fifteen walkers including six new visitors enjoyed a pleasant winters walk from Ulladulla to Burrill Lake. The walk starts at the entrance to the Ulladulla Wildflower Reserve and heads down trails to the shores of Burrill Lake. This is an area of very diverse vegetation types. Outside of the Reserve there are a myriad of walking and bike tracks criss-crossing the forested areas as the land slopes down to the lake. Despite having a GPS track of the proposed path the Walk Leader still made mistakes and had to reverse course to stay on track. Fortunately the corrections were easily made and the good natured walkers took it in their stride!

This area has a number of tree species not found further south in the Eurobodalla and a number of phones with “what is that tree app” were put to good use. We believe we found a few Eucalyptus haemastoma (Scribbly gums) with their distinctive white trunks and ‘scribbly’ tracks made by the moth larvae.

The geology of this area is also interesting. The soils of the Wildflower Reserve consist of white quartz sands (less than 2M years old) which support a variety of shrubs and trees. As you head down slope to the lake you enter the geology of the Snapper Point sandstones which are up to 290M years old. We saw distinct bench like rock outcrops with varying soil depths and moisture content. Perhaps these conditions explain why we see differing shrub and tree species but the author is just guessing.

The Walk Leader had the pleasure of presenting Sharon MacDonald with her 25 Year membership badge on a walk she has led many times over the years. Sharon has led many other walks for the club over the years and we hope to see her on the trails for many more.

After lunch at the waterfront picnic tables we headed back upslope on a different track back to the Wildflower Reserve and the cars. All agreed it was an interesting and fun walk.

Saturday 11 July, 2026

Starting from Surf Beach

Looking for whales

Morning tea at Circuit Beach

A ‘spotty’ seat for five!

A photo op next to an unusual spotted gum

What’s Phil trying to say?

Mosquito Bay’s near vertical steps

Photos courtesy of Phil, Erika and Helen.  Walk report by Walk Leader Karen M.

Another beautiful day in paradise, and 11 Batemans Bay Bushwalkers including 2 visitors set out from Surf Beach to walk the 7 kms south to Garden Bay along the Munjip Trail.

A pod of dolphins cruising Surf Beach met us as we crested the sandhill and made our way along the sand. We climbed up the first of several hills after Wimbie Beach, stopping at the top of each for a breather and to marvel at the views back to Pigeon House Mountain and The Castle. Several walkers were keen to spot whales from our vantage points, but only saw a couple of distant splashes on the horizon.

We paused in the sun on Circuit Beach for morning break, then crossed the next headland to Lilli Pilli Beach and Mosquito Bay. The near vertical steps at Mosquito Bay give access to the next headland and beyond that our destination at Garden Bay.

Sunday 5 July

Traversing the rock platforms

Erika happy to be back on the trails

Exiting the beach

Beautiful winter beach walking

Walk Leader Helen trying to warm up!

A nice spot for a bite to eat

Nice forest walking

Photos courtesy of Helen, Steve D. and Bruce.  Walk report by Walk Leader Helen.

Twenty two walkers, including nine visitors, braved a chilly start for a walk with beaches, cliffs, fabulous rock formations, hidden tracks and wild seas as we took in some hidden gems of Rosedale and Guerilla Bay.

An inquisitive white faced heron, a glimpse of a sea eagle, Australian fur seals and even two whales made an appearance as we navigated a circuit between the two villages.

Excellent therapy on a winter’s day.