Thursday 28 September 2023

walking along the “lane”.

Admiring the vista

Board at beginning of the lane.

Group briefing

Whale watching during lunch

Excellent Way Finding signs

Return walk to the carpark

Most of the Crew

Photos courtesy of Brian, Karen M, and Max. Walk Report courtesy Walk Leader Karen M.

Batemans Bay Bushwalkers assembled in the pocket of Eurobodalla National Park just south of Narooma for an Easy 6km stroll through Spotted Gum Forest towards the coast at Bogola Head. There we turned north and walked the grassy track along Plovers Lane, named after the Hooded Plovers who breed on the beaches below the track. It’s breeding season at the moment, and several of the beaches are roped off so the eggs will not be disturbed.

The track follows the cliff line towards Nangudga Lake entrance and Handkerchief Beach. The coastal views north and south towards Mystery Bay are glorious. Baranguba (Montague Island) lies just offshore, and Gulaga (Mt Dromedary) looms over the landscape. Several whales passed in front of Baranguba while we were walking and we were treated to a lot of tail slapping and a couple of spectacular breaches.

After the walk we reconvened at Lynches Hotel in Narooma for a very convivial lunch before heading home.

Saturday 23 September 2023

Morning Tea Break

Mongarlowe River crossing first up

Most of the troupe.

Back across the river

Tree admirers

A Lush Valley

Photos courtesy of Tom, Karen G, Donna G, Karen M and Max. Walk Report courtesy of Walk Leaders Edward and Karen G.

This was a new walk for the club …recently mapped by Rob Lees. Sixteen walkers walked a total of 10 kilometres out and back along a track recently cleaned up by National Parks.
This walk begins and ends with a crossing of the Mongarlowe River and walkers employed a variety of crossing techniques without anyone falling in the water.

There has been considerable regrowth in this area following the 2020 fire and, while there were some dead trees, we walked through some strikingly attractive stands of tree ferns and grasstrees and some lovely green gullies filled with ferns.

As we contoured around Murrengenburg mountain we had some great views of the area to the west and north of the Kings Highway. The best views of the day, however, were at the midpoint of the walk. At that point we had a superb view over the Buckenbowra valley which we enjoyed while we took lunch.

Sunday 17 September 2023

Barry at Orchid Granite Rock

A Conquered Hill

The disputed Dog Rock

Granite Creek Lunch

Lenore at Orchid Granite Rock

The not-so-disputed Sphinx

A Group Stop

Photos courtesy of Tom and Donna. Walk Report courtesy of Walk Leader Donna

Six of us were lucky that this walk fell on the one day that happened to be below thirty degrees amongst a sudden early spring heat wave. After an adventurous car trip to the start along the now degraded Misons Road, we had made the most of the day by starting a little earlier and ensuring that the hilly part of the walk was completed first.

Whilst this is a ‘new’ walk in the Mogo State Forest, around the Pollwombra Mountain area, it does include part of Betty’s famous Orchid walk, the highlight of which is a wonderful tall granite rock full of orchids on top. The timing of this walk was carefully crafted by the walk leader Donna G, as early September has traditionally been the time when the orchids have previously been in full spectacular bloom. You can imagine her utter depths of distress when, after dragging eager participants up and down hills and braving Death Adder country, it was found that the orchids weren’t in bloom. In an attempt to console her and deter her from curling up in the fetal position in tears, everyone agreed that it was still a spectacular sight and they were all still pleased to have visited the feature. This was somewhat comforting so we continued on with our 12km hike.

The area, which has had vigorous regrowth post 2019/20 fires is now becoming very dry with many eucalypts and wattles succumbing to the recent dry spell. Fortunately it is still being kept open with recent trail bike activity. We continued along the bike trails and made our way to a lovely granite creek for lunch. The topic of discussion was the various rock formations and what they resembled. Whilst Rob L was in agreeance that one of the rocks looked like a sphinx, he couldn’t get his head around the fact that one of the rocks looked like a dog’s head. Even though everyone could see the resemblance, Rob stated that one would have to partake in illicit substances to see the dog face. Perhaps that was easier to allege rather than have to organise an appointment at Specsavers!! Maybe readers can be the judge……

Thursday 14 September 2023

Commencing Beach Walk

Dodging the waves

Group Shot on the Rocks

Gay and Lenore under Point Upright

Geology lesson

Group on Rock Shelf

Hat Rescue

Banksia

Up Hill and Down Dale

Photos courtesy of Amanda, Martin, Helen, Denise, Gavin and Max. Walk Report courtesy of Walk leaders Denise and Gavin

Sixteen walkers set off along Depot Beach on a beautiful spring morning for this 6.5km easy/medium walk.

Soon after leaving the beach and starting the walk around the base of the cliffs on the rock shelves it became apparent that the tide was still too high to safely negotiate our way on the most tide effected section of the walk. The decision was made to double back and climb out of the beach to do the walk in reverse. This allowed the tide to subside closer to the low tide. We made our way through the village of North Durras and then joined the coastal trail up to the lookout at Point Upright. Morning tea was enjoyed at the look out with a dolphin display entertaining the group.

From here we headed down through the magnificent Spotted Gum Forest to the northern end of North Durras Beach. The rock/boulder scrambling began here and as we were still 2 hours off low tide some surging waves wet a few toes. As the scrambling gave way to walking on the rock shelves the going got easier and we surveyed the fossils found in the boulders at the base of the cliffs.

Lunch was taken just prior to our earlier turn back point to make the passage across the low point as safe as possible. With eyes on the waves and a few slips and spills on the seaweed covered rocks all walkers survived the crossing.

All in all a fun and adventurous walk.

Wednesday 6 September 2023

Creek View

A perfect spot for lunch.

The creek crossing

Glenn leading the way.

Some of the walking crew.

Photos courtesy of Amanda, Helen and DonnaG. Walk Report courtesy of Walk Leader Glenn

Sunshine and an occasional breeze set the day for a lovely 18km walk through the Brooman Sate Forest. Our group followed trails through sections of forest, over creek bed, creek crossing and into beautiful gullies with some ferns and cabbage tree palms. We were all happy to sit beside the creek while having some lunch, ahhh, the serenity. A perfect day had by all.

Thursday 31 August 2023

The view from the lookout over Picnic Point Beach.

A rock Orchid at the lookout.

Following yellow and red ribbons through the scrub.

Descending through the scrub.

Aragunnu Beach descent.

The group at Aragunnu Beach.

Mimosa Rock

The Blue Super Moon for the campers.

Photos courtesy Cathie, Donna and Max. Walk report courtesy Cathie. Walk Leader: Barry K.

A walk of just over 13 kms, considered ‘medium’, DE 24.
Barry K, our leader, had ordered a beautiful morning. Whales were jumping, dolphins were waving, and wallabies were offering to make coffee as we gathered for an early start. Some had chosen to camp there the night before, while other less intrepid types commuted in from their accommodation at Tathra. It was a convivial group of ten that set out.

The first stage was a brisk walk along beautiful Picnic Beach. We then cut into the bush for a steep climb up to a rocky lookout festooned with flowering rock orchids. From there we followed what is known as ‘Leonardo’s Way’ – a route marked by coloured tape or painted spots on rocks and trees. Who did this trail blazing remains a mystery, but we were very grateful, especially after those occasional moments when we briefly lost sight of the markers. The walking was rough underfoot with lots of fallen trees, sticks, rocks and other trip hazards to negotiate, justifying the degree of difficulty.

We followed the ridge line through mostly Casuarina (Allocasuarina for the botanically minded) woodland, then descended via a steep gorge to Aragunnu Beach. Some steps helped us climb back up to the shady Aragunnu Campground, complete with picnic tables for a well-earned lunch.

We pushed on to check out the beautiful Mimosa Rocks that give the national park its name. For our return trip, Barry forged an alternative ascent from Aragunnu Beach that replaced the steep gorge with a gentler (but longer) ascent. Donna wasn’t convinced it made things easier! The highlight of the return journey was the steep descent from the ridge back down to Picnic Beach.

All ten made it back in good spirits, despite a wire fence mugging Denise at one point. The whales were still jumping as we thanked Barry for his low key, informative and gentle mode of leadership that got us all (and the occasional tick) through the six hour walk.

Saturday 26 August 2023

Morning Tea

Cullendulla Creek outlook

Creek outlook to the East

Joan, Leslie, Susan and Bob

Susan, Max, Leslie and Joan

Photos courtesy Bob and Max. Walk Leader: Joan B.

Greeting us with a pleasant morning for a 5km walk, a group of five walkers made our way from Cullendulla Nature Reserve, Blairs Road, to take the track down hill to Cullendulla Creek. Following the shoreline we made our way upstream to view epiphytic Bridal Veil Orchids in flower on Casuarina trees lining the creek, and after having morning tea we returned along the same route to congratulate each other and our leader Joan on a pleasant walk (and deal with the occasional bush tick).

Thursday 17 August 2023

Donna, Deb, Karen G, Karl, Pat, Bob, Max, Karen M and Susan.

Bob, Ed and Karen

Little Dromedary in the distance

View from the lookout up at the water tank

At the pub afterwards

Photos courtesy of Peter – Walk report courtesy Walk Leader Peter.

“…and now for something completely different”

A walk on a public footpath, between rural pastures with views over green rolling hills to the sea in the distance; and ending at a quaint country pub, to enjoy a pub lunch, and for some, a pint of locally brewed ale. No, I am not describing a walk in County Kent or Cornwall in the United Kingdom, but this Thursday’s walk for the Batemans Bay Bushwalkers. It was on the Bellbrook Farm Loop Track that starts and finishes just behind the National Trust town of Central Tilba.

The loop itself is only a little over 2kms but offers spectacular views as you skirt around the foothills of Gulaga. There are granite outcrops and rolling hills a plenty, for which this part of the South Coast is famous – all while following a well-maintained mown track.

No, not quite your traditional bush walk, but certainly one that the 12 bushwalkers that came along, enjoyed. It was an opportunity to get a little bit of a workout and enjoy a social get-together afterwards; and for some to have some retail therapy and an ice cream!

And it was a good little workout, because although the loop is short it offered some long hills to climb and a set of 150 well-built wooden steps that had to be descended at the beginning and ascended at the end. Thereby making that pint of ale or glass of wine at the Dromedary Hotel completely well-deserved.

As I said, something a bit different. Obviously not the type of ‘bush walk’ the club will be offering every week; but if the feedback from the walkers is anything to go by, we may see other walks along the same theme, at least once on our quarter’s walks’ programs.

Thanks to those that came along and participated. A good walk, good food and good company.