One of our members, Peter T has written an article published in the current edition of Great Walks Magazine (August-September 2022) called  In The Club.  Great Walks joins the Batemans Bay Bushwalkers in southern NSW on a social and scenic day out.

Peter, who was already an experienced bushwalker when he moved to the south coast, talks about why he finally joined a bushwalking club and how that turned out for him (fortunately, quite well).

We have a couple of copies of the publication which we will bring along to walks for those of you who are interested.

And thanks to Peter for his kind words about bushwalking clubs in general, and Batemans Bay Bushwalkers in particular.

Karen

Wednesday 27 July 2022

Sunny morning start

Surfs up

View from Meroo Lookout

Boots off

The track or maybe a stream?

Boots off again

Heading North

Heading South

Photos courtesy of Amanda, Philip and Erika 

We had a beautiful winters day for this varied coastal walk. It was sunny and warm with nary a cloud in the sky. We were to find however that the rain on the previous day, and days before that, had made many of the inland tracks very wet underfoot.

Not long after our start, as we made our way to North Beach, we were surprised to find that Willinga Lake entrance had recently opened to the sea. This necessitated removal of shoes and socks and finding a shallow enough place to wade across.

Once on the other side we continued to the end of North Beach, then up through the bush and out to Nuggan Point. A group of board riders had gathered on the point to take advantage of the powerful surf conditions; together with several photographers with large zoom lenses, ready to capture the surfers in action.

From Nuggan Point we headed inland along the waterlogged track, down onto Meroo Beach, and followed the beach northward. At the end of the beach we passed Meroo Lake (extremely full due to the recent wet weather) and stopped on the rocks for morning tea. After morning tea we left the rocks and took an eroded wet track (more of a cascade) up onto Meroo Head and paused at the lookout to admire the beautiful view. Then further along the track and down the steps to Termeil Beach.

At the northern end of Termeil Beach we reached Termeil Lake and Termeil Point. Again we were surprised to find that Termeil Lake entrance had also recently opened to the sea. Luckily, since we were heading back from this point, that did not cause us any problem.

We took an inland route back south behind the dunes, meandering through the banksias and burrawangs that had recovered well after the bushfires. Before returning to Termeil Beach we had lunch at a bench near the carpark. After that we retraced our steps over Meroo Head and along Meroo Beach. Rather than return via Nuggan Point we started to take the track inland to Willinga Lake but soon found the track covered with a significant depth of water, so we made our way through the scrub onto North Beach.

At the end of North Beach we waded back through the narrow Willinga Lake entrance and walked along the road to our cars at Bawley Beach carpark.

Philip

Sunday 24 July 2022

Pleasant stroll in the sunshine

Taking in the bush

Now that tree is carrying a load!

Photos supplied by Rob

Eight club walkers enjoyed a pleasant hike to Tuross Lake on a sunny and warm winter day.

This walk is only 3.5kms but it took us through a wide variety of vegetation. We started in eucalypt forest up near Hector McWilliam Drive, and as we headed downslope we went through a myrtle forest to the shoreline. The track along the river traversed a casuarina forest with many elkhorn ferns.

We also noted the presence of pencil orchids which preferentially grow on the trunks of the moss covered casuarinas, and were starting to flower and should be in full bloom by mid-August.

Finally we walked across a mangrove swamp to the river for morning tea. This walk was timed so that we did this last leg at the maximum low tide to avoid getting wet.

We are grateful to some Tuross residents who maintain this track with chainsaw and brushcutters.

Rob

Thursday 21 July 2022

Group on setting off on Bengello Beach

The rainbow promised a good walk

Bev and Chris brighten the day with brolleys

Shock, horror! Some-ones pulled the plug out! A “creek crossing” resulting from an over full lagoon, is this a first for an easy walk?!

Group at the bridge on the Bengello track

Photos courtesy of Helen

Beneath a heavy grey sky and expecting rain, six walkers, led by Helen, headed off along the beach towards the Broulee Surf Club. Firm sand made the walking easier than expected although we kept a close watch for the occasional rogue wave washing up the beach. The only challenge of the walk emerged when we had to negotiate the creek crossing which had reappeared as a result of the recent rain.

We perched on the walkway fence for morning tea before heading inland to the bush track behind the dunes to return to the cars, stopping at the bridge for a final photo opportunity.

We all agreed that the walking was easy and this allowed for constant conversation and a very pleasant morning. Best of all, the rain held off until we left the car park.

Thank you, Helen.

Chris

Saturday 16 July 2022

Karen, Heather, and Mary looking back for the photo

Looking over a giant on the forest floor

Always an obstacle

Karen, Heather, Denise, and Bruce at the lake shore

Morning tea Kathy, Helen, Bruce, Brian and Chris

Photos courtesy of Mary and Helen 

A 14-degree maximum temperature tempted several Batemans Bay bushwalkers to put on beanies instead of sun hats. Some even wore gloves, as well as three layers of clothing.

Eleven club members braved the cold to walk a 6km circuit on forest tracks starting at North Durras Lake. Mary, our walk leader, lead us behind the caravan park, through mud, past feeding kangaroos and into the forest. It was a very pretty walk, with bird song and even a few wildflowers. The wattle promising to bloom soon.

What a delight to see spotted gums, straight and tall interspersed with round topped cabbage palms, green above their charred trunks. A leisurely morning tea was enjoyed on the banks of Durras Lake before embarking on the return journey.

At the walk’s finish a ‘thumbs up’ was given by all even if one member expressed disappointment that the nearby coffee shop was closed. Oh well, you just can’t please everybody.

Denise

Wednesday 13 July 2022

A conga line behind Franks Beach

Along the narrow track

Jane and Glenn at the headland

A happy leader Pat, no rain today

Leaving Franks Beach

Coastal views

Photos courtesy of Mary and Elizabeth

Led by Pat, eleven walkers set out from Barlings Beach car park on a cool cloudy morning. We climbed quickly up onto the headland, and soon reached a grassy side-track which took us out to Long Nose Point and allowed easy access to the wonderful southern views from the point. The outline of Gulaga was highlighted by white clouds in the distance, with nearer ranges and Broulee Island very clear in the foreground.

The walk then wound around the cliff tops and down to Franks Beach through a shallow casuarina covered basin. The track up from the beach was a little steep and required some care – but the low shrubs provided extra steps and hand holds and we then reached a short stretch of vehicle access track, somewhat muddy, but not difficult to negotiate.

The next stage of the walk circled to the south of the Guerrilla Bay village, passing some cliff top homes and then entering the beautiful headland forest of old banksias. We paused for morning tea in a clearing with southerly views just before reaching the (automated) lighthouse and the trig station at Burrewarra Point, and then headed inland again to a north-facing lookout, with near views of seals on the rocks and far views to Pigeon House and The Castle. The headland track then took us through the Burri Point car park, and we passed into Guerrilla Bay village and down to the beach on the north side of the point.

A further loop took us back across the village to the original track, just east of Franks Beach. With the sun breaking through we returned to the car park, after a very beautiful walk.

Elizabeth

Sunday 10 July 2022

Victoria, Jan, Elaine, Bob, Jean, Jan, Barry

Photo supplied by Jan

On a cool winter morning that threatened rain, eight walkers set out on an easy grade 6km “Broulee Ramble “.

From the forest of burrawangs adjacent to Captain Oldrey Park we walked to Broulee Beach and enjoyed the big waves and white caps where there were some intrepid surfers.

We took the muddy track up the hill to the Mossy Point headland for some wonderful views of the cliffs overlooking the sea.

After morning tea at the Mossy Point Cafe, we made our way back to join the bush track beside Candlagan Creek and then back to Captain Oldrey Park.

Jan

Thursday 7 July 2022

Walkers at Burrill Lake

Just a bit of water on the track

Heading down the beautiful forest track

Sharon and Mary at the lake

Along a somewhat drier part of the track

A splendid example of a Pinus ponderosa or maybe a Pinus pinaster (the Maritime pine).

Group at the cave’s entrance, which today was a spectacular waterfall

Photos courtesy of Mary and Donna

Thirteen walkers were fortunate to join walk leader Sharon for a 10km hike at Lake Burrill in the Meroo National Park. This walk takes in the Giriwa (Goanna) and the Gari (Snake) walking tracks, both of which hold great Aboriginal significance. Both tracks are dotted with informative signs which detail stories and information relating to more than 20,000 years of continuous Aboriginal connection to the area. Many of the stories, about animals and bush tucker, are as told by local Aboriginal residents.

Our walk, an out and back walk, took us along the lake’s edge and it was a real eye opener to see just how big the lake is. It is something that is just not visible when crossing the local bridge. We were also fortunate to have Ian along to impart his extensive knowledge on us regarding the local trees, both local and introduced species. It was interesting to learn that the area had previously been a pine plantation. There are still some Ponderosa pines present (minus the cast and crew of Bonanza) however some unfortunately did not survive the 2019/2020 fires that ravaged the area, although they are still standing. They are a stark reminder of recent and past events.

After lunch we made our way back to the highlight of the walk, an interesting cave overhang. In the days previously, this area had received a large amount of rain and, after a slippery descent down a short hill, we were met with the sight of a large amount of water cascading over the front of the cave. It was quite spectacular. This area is also significant as the cave would have been used by local Aboriginal people to shelter. There is also interesting signage in place relating to this as well. After spending some time admiring the sight and avoiding the water logged areas, we made our way back up to the track and returned to the cars. Thanks to Sharon for leading and interesting and informative walk.

Donna