Saturday 10 November 2018

Len, Heather, Carol, Denise, Lesley, Moira, Marilyn and leader Bev.

Pelicans and walkers Moira, John, Marilyn and Bev.

Admiring a memorial anchor at Broulee.

The clear waters of Candalagan creek.

Cymbidium Suave.

John recaptures his inner child.

Photos by Denise and Donna

It was a balmy Spring morning as 13 Batemans Bay bushwalkers set out on a 6.5 kilometre walk from Candlagan Creek. Those sentiments were obviously shared by Broulee residents and holiday makers as many children ran and splashed at the waters edge, others dug energetically in the sand and their parents took time to rest watchfully. Further out about 20 surfers waited patiently, legs dangling either side of their boards, becalmed on the serene ocean.

Bev, the walk leader took the group of hikers along coastal tracks, through Casuarina forests and along the southern banks of the Tomaga River. Many birds were vocal and a pair of striated pardalote were spotted by one keen eyed walker. These birds are normally found high in tree tops but, had ventured down to feed in lower branches. Spring flowers were in abundance both in local gardens and the adjacent bushlands, dianella, cymbidium suave and the ingenious trigger plant were some of the species identified.

There is an interesting video clip from the Melbourne Botanical Gardens that can be found by Googling trigger plant, the presentation explains the reason for the plant’s common name. It makes you wonder how plants come up with such unique and strategic solutions to pollination when supposedly they can’t think.

The crystal clear water had walkers trying to spy marine life on the bottom of the river and creek, it also enticing kayakers out in numbers.

It was such a “good to be alive experience” that after the walk, many of the group decided to stay for lunch.

Denise

Thursday 7 November 2018

Cancelled due to inclement weather.

Sunday 4 November 2018

Cymbidium Suave orchids

Panoramic view of ‘big gum’.

Leader Sharon Durras Lake.

Karen and Helen on a comfy log by the lake.

Avenue of trees in sunlight.

A gentle hill on the track bathed in sunlight.

Heather, Betty, Pat and Susan enjoy a morning tea break.

Photos by Helen and Mary

With the forecast of another fine day, 17 walkers embarked on a lovely walk in Murramarang National Park.

Keeping under the tree canopy – that included several magnificent spotted gums, we took a beautiful track to Durras Lake. Here we skirted the lake to the head waters where Benandarah creek enters and feeds the lake. Further exploration in the opposite direction brought us good views of the water among the Casuarina trees and made for a perfect lunch spot before we climbed back up the hill to complete the walk.

The Rats tail orchids had finished flowering, but there were several Cymbidium Suave flowers in bloom and the promise of more to come. The lake water level had clearly been higher previously as the barnacles on some tree trunks close to the shore, testified.

Thanks Sharon for a great walk.

Helen

Thursday 1 November 2018

Turquoise sea weed in rock platform channel.

All 13 walkers nestled around the tree.

End of the rock platform.

The view down the coast from the rock platform.

Several walkers took the rocky low road, while others took the higher bush track.

Climbing the Burrawang walk to the lookout.

Water dragon cooling off.

The group at the lookout.

Photos by Erika and Mary

Philip and Erica led 13 walkers on a hike to the rock platforms and lookouts at Point Upright (Depot Beach) on a day with optimal low tide conditions. The weather was very kind to us with warm conditions and the winds only starting to get strong at the walk end.

We started the walk at the Depot beach car park and proceeded along the beach to the rock platforms. The soft sediments have been eroded by the ocean to create a large flat platform and very tall cliffs. We could see evidence of ‘drop stones’ from icebergs that floated over this area of shallow seas in the Permian 250Million years ago. We also saw fossil molluscs in the rocks exposed by all the erosion.

We then climbed up the steep path to the cliff top and enjoyed great vistas from a new viewing platform erected by the Shire. Being November we saw the obligatory whale cavorting in the waters as it headed south for summer. The trail then took us back through a forest of spotted gums to the carpark where we heard a few crows making a huge racket in the bush and discovered a large goanna strolling through like he owned the place and a water dragon in a pond who showed us only his nose.

This is a great walk if you have visitors from out of town or overseas, not too long, interesting views and forest vegetation.  “Calm Bay’ facing Durras would also make a great safe swimming spot in summer.

Rob

Saturday 27 October 2018

Photos by Mary and James

After parking our cars near  Duesbury Beach, we turned west and headed into the bush.  After ascending the first hill, described by the leader as “a small undulation” were took to the forest to seek  out “more undulations”.    Here the loose pebbly bike tracks meant it was “eyes to the track” until the track levelled out giving us the opportunity to take in the beauty of the surrounding forest.

It was then a short walk to connect with the Dalmeny-Narooma cycle path and, as it was low tide on Lake Mummaga, we  were able to take a short detour to walk along its sandy shore before reaching our lunch spot close to the inlet.

After lunch we made good use of the Dalmeny-Narooma Cycle Path.  This well constructed path made the walking easy, and gave us the freedom to take in the 180 degree ocean view and keep an eye out for whales.

It only takes one person to say “there’s a whale”, and  before you know it 20 people are standing on a headland  staring out to sea.   Those lucky enough to have binoculars were able to identify both a cow and calf and, by the amount of flipper and tail splashing, both appeared to be enjoying themselves.

Our final detour from the cycle way was onto the beach and across a rocky point before arriving back at the cars.  With perfect weather this enjoyable 11 km walk, not only provided a variety of tracks and vistas, but an added bonus of whale sightings.

Mary

Bev strides out along the track.

Front: Derek, Pat, Mary, Heather, Susan, Bev. Back: Stan, Lesley, Fran, James, Mary, Karen, Simeon.

Gathering by Lake Mummaga.

Lake Mummaga at low tide.

Pat, Lesley and Bev leaving Duesbury Beach.

Monday 22 – Thursday 25 October 2018

Participants Mary, Rob, Philip, Karen, Lyn, Ian, Donna, Bronwyn and leader Barry starting out to walk from Ben Boyd Tower to Saltwater creek camp site.

Photos by Karen and Mary

9 Batemans Bay Bushwalkers enjoyed walking the 32 km Light to Light Track in Ben Boyd National Park over 2 days.

We set up camp at Saltwater Creek and spent the first evening fending off hungry kangaroos, possums and goannas.  Despite our best efforts they got a block of chocolate, several muffins and some onions.

Day 1 started at Boyd Tower on the southern most tip of Twofold Bay, near Eden.  From the lookout there we first saw the palette of colours peculiar to this coast – the deep blue sea edged with foaming white surf, and red, pink and mauve rocks fringed by deep green vegetation.

Approaching Ben Boyd Tower.

Looking back at Ben Boyd Tower in the distance.

The track undulates south over headlands covered in tea tree forest, and through rocky bays and sandy beaches.  We stopped many times to watch the passing parade of whales migrating south.

Rob, Ian, Barry and Bronwyn.

The palette of colours.

Donna on headland rocks.

Karen and Lyn whale watching.

The group watching the whales.

Ian and Rob admire the colour and formation of the rocks.

The weather was a little humid, and we were pleased to complete our 14 km walk at Saltwater Creek Beach mid afternoon, so there was plenty of time for a dip in the creek, or a shower back at camp.

Goanna visitor.

Bittangabee Bay.

Looking down at Mowarry Beach.

Morning tea at Leatherjacket Bay.

Day 2 dawned much cooler, and perfect for our 18 km walk south to Greencape Lighthouse. Today the walk was a little flatter and passed through a variety of scenery.  As well as the dramatic and rugged red siltstone coastal geology, we walked through low scrubby heath festooned with Spring wildflowers, and tall eucalypt forests.

The group and reflections.

Leaving the frogs to enjoy their pools in peace.

Ian finds a frog amongst the pool rocks.

Karen and Ian on a shady part of the track.

Donna, Karen and Bronwyn on the track.

Yet another small creek to cross.

We spotted frogs at the creek crossings, and enjoyed a break at the serene safe harbour of Bittangabee Bay.  And did I mention the whales??

Lunch on the rocks.

Destination in sight.

Green Cape Lighthouse.

The lookout at Green Cape Lighthouse,

In addition to the scenery and abundant wildlife, the walk passes a number of European historic sites – Boyd Tower, Bittangabee storehouse and tramway, the Ly-ee-Moon shipwreck graveyard, and Green Cape Lighthouse.

Heathland to the sea.

Camp fire and stories.

Back around the campfire that evening, we thanked Barry for organising the camp and leading the walk – a most enjoyable excursion.

Karen

Wednesday 24 October 2018

Susan, Lesley, Jane, Bob and Len.

Len leading the way.

Beach ‘sculptures’.

Photos by Carol

On an overcast day six bushwalkers started from Pebbly Beach and began a climb up through the Murramarang National Park. When we reached a flat section we detoured off the track to Clear Point, a scenic area of ocean views with mountain scenes in the background. After a short stop we continued back along the track with numerous steps and steep inclines, spotting Cabbage Tree Palms (Livistona Australia) and purple Flag plants in flower. Eventually we reached Snake Bay where we scrambled over rocks to find a place to sit and have lunch while we watched the rough ocean waves.

On our way back to the cars we were lucky to spot three Lyre Birds who we heard calling in the forest. As usual we all enjoyed the day out in the bush.

Carol

Sunday 21 October 2018

First crossing – still pretty dry after the rain.

Leader Mary and Denise at second crossing.

Denise appreciating a huge Snake Orchid (Cymbidium suave) growing in dead tree.

Third crossing, remaining bridge over still dry crossing.

Karen and Cymbidium Suave.

Walking in the creek bed.

Photos by Denise and Karen

After rain the night before and a weather man’s prediction of afternoon showers to come, six bushwalkers strode out early. Forestry tracks and fire trails made up most of the 10 kilometre hike around Ryans Creek, the group crossing the water course three times in both State Forest and National Park.

The leaves of the understorey were still wet with droplets glistening in the sunshine, a pleasant sight after so many dry and dusty walks of late. There were even some puddles of water to be found both in the creek bed and filling up small dips in the surrounding bushland. This obviously met with the approval of birdlife as, they sang loudly from tree tops.

The first signs of spring were evidenced with many varieties of yellow pea flowers blossoming along the trails. Walkers found the damp bushland refreshing and uplifting after such a dry stretch. The forecasted showers never did eventuate.

Thank you Mary & Stan Marchant for such an enjoyable experience.

Denise

Thursday 18 October 2018

Rob, Barry, Philip and Karen enjoy morning tea in the sun.

Karen and Philip heading onto a side track.

Leader Karen on the edge of the creek.

Karen followed by Amanda and Philip leads the way up out of one of the creek crossings.

Philip performs ‘spot and pick off’ the leeches of which there were many.

A moss covered felled log with full length split aroused the interest of walkers.

Photos by Karen and Mary

The object of today’s walk was to explore the country west of Turlinjah between the Princes Highway and Little Sugarloaf Road.  This is the Moruya State Forest and also the headwaters of Coila Creek, which eventually flows into Coila Lake.  There are no marked bushwalks out there, but there are a lot of forestry access roads along the ridges, and trail bike tracks crisscrossing the gullies.  To make a walk, Batemans Bay Bushwalkers string together a series of these tracks, sometimes with a bit of bushbashing or creek walking, to form a circuit.  This is how we develop most of our walks because there are very few marked bushwalks in the Eurobodalla Shire.

It was a humid 14 km through some very hilly country.  The stretch along Coila Creek was really enjoyable, especially after the rains.  There are also a number of Sydney Red Gums (Angophora costata), growing along the ridges – not a common tree in our area, so special when you find several stands of them.

Karen

Tuesday 16 October 2018

Morning tea on one of many sandy beaches.

Bob, Lyn and Ian.

Karen and Ian avoid a sandbank.

Leader Ian ‘just cruising’.

Giving meaning to ‘laid back’. Seal just floating around.

Photos by Mary