Saturday 3 August 2019
27 Easy Walkers turned out on Saturday morning to enjoy a leisurely excursion along the banks of Moruya River led by Lyn. Much of the 5 km return walk is on shared pathway, except for 2 km of well graded gravel road from the Moruya Country Markets to Ryans Creek on the peninsula.
Walkers finished this social stroll with lunch at the Waterfront Hotel in the sun on the banks of the river.
Karen
PS: Where are my photos Easy Walkers??!! (K editor)
Wednesday 31 July 2019
Photos by Donna & Helen
Six intrepid walkers joined Donna on a lovely winter day imploring her to take them on a magical journey into the Deua, as they were all desperate. Not desperate to see a waterfall, not desperate to see an ocean, not even desperate to see native wildlife. No, they were all desperate to climb some hills! The rookie, wet-behind-the-ears walk leader assured them that they had all come to the right place, excited that there were six other likeminded souls who loved nothing better than slogging up and down hills for fifteen kilometres. Our mission, which was accepted, was to reach the Coondella Trig for lunch, of course without any casualties. Although there is an accepted ten percent attrition rate, with only seven participants the walk leader hoped that this would not occur.
Whilst this did not occur, a fate almost as bad did occur. The dreaded question ‘Donna, what tree is that?’ was asked on more than one occasion. The walk leader frantically scrambled together some names she had heard on previous walks. ‘Well, that would be either a Spotted Gum, Blackwood, Pinkwood, Blackbutt or even an Angophora.’ Hoping that she had somehow jagged the right answer and hoping not to look too silly, Donna hurried the group up, changing the subject whilst muttering ‘where’s Ian when you need him.’
An otherwise uneventful walk to the trig continued with an ascent of over seven hundred metres gained. We had lunch with some lovely filtered views of Moruya to the north and the Deua mountain ranges to the west. After lunch it was all downhill to the cars. Apart from Rodney’s purported close encounter with a leech, all participants completed the walk in one piece, begging for some more hills in the not too distant future.
Donna
Sunday 28 July 2019
Photos by Jan, Carol & Ainslie
It was National Tree Day, the winter sun was shining and the Club bushwalk was a 7 km Easy/Medium stroll through the local Eurobodalla Botanic Gardens just south of Batemans Bay. Is it any wonder 35 members and 3 visitors chose to shoulder their packs and spend their Sunday in the bush with walk leaders Jill and John.
There are at least 7 different walk tracks through the Botanic Gardens, which when linked together explore about 32 hectares of natural bushland and cultivated gardens. Deep Creek Track follows Deep Creek through a moist ferny gully and the Forest Track leads to the lookout over Deep Creek Dam. The Arboretum Track passes through a grove of local eucalypts and other tree species, including the Blackbutt donated by our Bushwalking Club back in 1993. The Lake Track leads to an ampitheatre overlooking one of several landscaped lakes and is a good spot for lunch. There is also an Aboriginal Heritage Walk showing traditional uses of about 30 Eurobodalla native plants.
A fitting way to spend National Tree Day with so many bushwalking friends.
Karen
Thursday 25 July 2019
Photos by Tony & Denise
Eleven hikers, including two visitors, enjoyed a great 7.5 km medium grade hike on the Downfall Firetrail. After a cold morning start we were soon shedding layers as the temperature rose and we tackled the many hills on this track. The track was graded in the last few months which made navigation easy but added some degree of difficulty to the hike as the steep slopes were in places very slippery due to the exposed sandy subsoils. Wind gusts experienced in this region over the last month brought down some very large limbs blocking the track in places. Our walk leader navigated us straight to a yellow bellied glider feeding tree well known to the Club, but without our resident forester Ian, there was much discussion as to what species of tree the scarring was on. Some quick research shows there are 23 tree species, mostly eucalypts, that are used by the gliders for sap feeding.
Lunch was on a large granite rock outcrop that provided great scenic views of the coastal ranges to the west. A number of orchids located on rocks out of reach of the local wallabys were seen and plans were made to revisit this area in September when they should be flowering.
Thank again to our walk leader Glenn, for an enjoyable and leg stretching hike close to home.
Rob
Wednesday 17 July 2019
Photos by Tom
Today’s walk commenced at Pebbly Beach, where around 1900 Francis Guy started up his 3rd timber mill. Now in this popular National Park there is little to remind us of the lives of those hardworking timber getters and their families, many of whom lived in small cottages surrounding the Mill.
Apparently at the Mill there was a small tram track across the creek to help bring the logs to the mill. Once the logs were cut ready for loading, bullock teams took the logs back along that track to the northern end of the beach. Loading onto the awaiting ships was done by flying fox. The Mill closed in 1920. Stand still today and the silence may be broken by the call of a lyrebird.
Our walk took us north as we were heading for Snake Bay. The National Parks have constructed tracks in this area, which makes the walking easy, though there are quite a few “ups and downs” involving many steps, as you head north. We took a short side track out to Clear Point, and were delighted to catch sight of dolphins and the breaching of a whale. Before heading down into Snake Bay itself we took a little “detour” and walked a short distance along a very overgrown barely discernible old road, no doubt an old logging road. It seems to me that where ever you walk in the forest along the south coast you are likely to see a reminder that timber was a valuable resource to the early settlers.
Another great walk, another look back into the history of this area.
Mary
Saturday 13 – Tuesday 16 July 2019
Photos by Donna & Barry
This three day walk was attended by seven Club members including three who were novices to overnight pack walking.
The Friday night weather forecast was for strong winds to abate on Saturday evening. So on midday Saturday we commenced our drive to the starting point on the Curranbene Creek Road where we camped beside Breakfast Creek ready to commence the walk proper on Sunday morning. Apart from setting up tents out of range of suspect tree branches our evening entertainment included the inevitable dance around the camp fire to avoid the smoke and a spotlighting walk where we observed two Greater Gliders high in the tree tops.
Historical note: The Tarlinton Track is named after W. Tarlinton, who in 1829, apparently after being shown the route by Aborigines, pioneered a stock route from the headwaters of the Shoalhaven River to Belowra via Woila Creek.
Local recreational pack horse riders have continued to use the track.
Day one commenced with three km 4 WD track walk up to the base of Euranbene Mountain where the track proper starts.
After skirting around to the southern side of Euranbene Mountain the track follows a twisting ridge line that allows a mostly gentle 800 m vertical descent over 4km to reach Woila Creek about 1.5 km south of the Woila Creek Breakfast Creek junction. Clear evidence of former use of the track by horses was found in the form of a rusty horse shoe on the track.
Day one concluded with 1.5 km of creek flats walking to reach our camp site which was on portion 1 Parish of Jillaga which appears to be a small parcel of private land now surrounded by the Deua National Park.
Unfortunately the strong winds of Saturday afternoon returned with a vengeance. Luckily the camp site was in a clear area allowing tents to be pitched away from potentially hazardous trees. Camp fire dancing to avoid smoke turned to movement to avoid the occasional flurry of embers blown by the swirling wind. About midnight the wind subsided this was followed by a few rain showers, enough to mean a wet tent to pack up in the morning.
Day two was an undulating walk which I think included about 15 (I lost count) crossings of Woila Creek. Luckily all of these the water crossings were shallow but care was still need on slippery rocks. In various places there was cliff faces and deep pools in the creek which made scenic spots for morning tea and lunch stops.
Just before selecting our nights camp spot Ian & Sally found and identified a rock that showed evidence of being used for Aboriginal stone tool making.
Day three of the walk was about 4 km, initially easy going through mostly treeless river flat former cattle grazing land. At the end of the flats it became clear we had lost the trail so a bush bash through box thorn scrub soon brought us back to Woila Creek where we were able to join the track again after a short climb up the slope on the east side of the creek.
The track then made two further creek crossings to avoid the cliffs of a small gorge like section of Woila Creek. Then it was an easy 1 km of creek flats walking to our end point where Belowra Road fords Woila Creek.
Dave
Sunday 14 July 2019
Photos by Tom
An early morning meeting at Moruya River was followed by a 60 km drive to Tilba where we disembarked and commenced our uphill trek to Gulaga (Mt Dromedary). 9 walkers started under the guidance of our leader but one walker exercised responsible behaviour and decided to return early as they assessed the walk may be too difficult. This reinforces walkers’ need to exercise sensible judgement when undertaking walks and be mindful of their capabilities, as issues experienced later in walks can lead to unnecessary problems.
The recently graded track was in good condition and provided scenic viewing of the Bermagui coastline. Alluvial gold was first discovered in this area in 1852 with mining continuing until around 1920. A number of marker plaques along the track, installed by the ANU Geology Department, described the geology of the area. While not much wildlife was spotted we did come across one Lyrebird, overseen by a Wallaby, foraging on the track.
Upon reaching the saddle, a rest area with toilet and picnic table, we diverted to the Tors, rather than ascend the summit of Gulaga. This area is significant to the traditional Aboriginal people, the Yuin and reportedly a ‘secret women’s place’. It proved very interesting with unique rock formations and, due to the extremely clear weather, views all the way to Pigeon House mountain. These Tors are the remains of the hardest granite left behind after this volcano eroded over millions of years ago.
Lunch in the sun, followed by a quick descent, ended a very pleasant Sunday walk.
Tom
Thursday 11 July 2019
Photos by Carol & Ainslie/Mike
Though strong winds howled for most of the previous night, the day started with a clear blue sky and light wind, thus enticing 18 walkers out for a 7 km walk in and around South Durras.
Departing from the boat ramp at Cookies Beach, the group were soon walking through the bush along the Old Durras Road. After crossing the new Durras Rd, we continue through the bush until reaching Fern Drive, where we skirted behind the houses and made our way to the new boat ramp on the lakeshore. Not only is there a new boat ramp, but the surrounding area has been fully developed including the addition of a toilet block. However, the highpoint for the walkers was to see that the South Durras Community Association had been busy landscaping the area including the planting of over 300 small shrubs.
After lunch, we then made our way to the lake entrance noting that the lake is currently closed to the sea. Durras Lake, along with many on the south coast of NSW, is known as “ICOLL” lakes, ie Intermittently Closed and Open Lakes and Lagoons. Most occur south of Sydney where the catchment areas are often smaller and wave activity generally higher which pushes sand into the estuary mouth. ICOLLs open and close to the ocean naturally in a constant but irregular cycle. These lakes become closed when a sand beach barrier or berm separates them from the sea. If there is heavy rains in the catchment area eventually the lake water spills over this barrier and the force of the water scours a channel, and the lake re-opens.
However, wave and tide action can push sand up onto the beach and the estuary can eventually close. It is estimated that 70% of ICOLLs are closed most of the time.
Signs remind walkers & beach goers that the sheltered dunes near the lakes entrance are a popular breeding grounds for the endangered Pied Oyster Catcher and Hooded Plovers. Making our way down onto the beach we soon felt the full force of the wind. However it wasn’t long before we were back behind the dunes taking full advantage of the new pathway on the homeward journey. The final off track stretch was just behind Cookies Beach, walking under the huge Norfolk Island Pine Trees which were planted around 1945. Another great day and another pleasant club walk.
Mary
Wednesday 3 July 2019
Photos by Helen & Glenn
A good day’s walk for 15 bushwalkers last week began at the ANU private property near Kioloa, followed by a gently rising forest track as a warm up.
The next rather steep uphill climb to the top of Don Moir Hill and its former WW11 Telegraph Station slowed most of us down a bit, but we were soon rewarded with morning tea up there amongst the lichen covered rocks and beautiful tall gum trees. Just looking at this former important part of history had most of us musing about its part in our defence system. The group then continued along a bush track sometimes getting glimpses of the ocean until we emerged back at Kioloa. Lunch was had near the boat-ramp before walking around the delightful little headland track and then along the beach back to Racecourse Beach and our cars.
All in all a lovely warm winter’s day walk – thanks Glenn.
Pat
Sunday 30 June 2019
Photos by Carol & Karen
Denise led 12 bushwalkers on a 5 km circuit starting at Bingie Headland, via the Dreaming Track to Mullimburra Point. The return leg took advantage of the low tide and followed the beaches back to the start. This is one of the most scenic sections of the Dreaming Track, taking in Kellys Lake and Grey Rocks along the way.
Karen