Sunday 17 March 2024

Reflection on the Yabbie pond

Colorful Crew in the Rainforest

Group Shot

Leader watching over his flock

Leech removal time

Now…the crossing!

Weather break

Wet weather color

Photos courtesy of Rob, Amanda and Tom. Walk report courtesy Walk Leader Rob.

Eight walkers and a visitor experienced a new walk for the club on Cowdroys Creek, near Narooma. While the weather looked ominous at the start with conflicting reports of when and how much rain we could expect the crew set off in good spirits. The walk starts on the short sign-posted “Rainforest Walk’ off Kianga Rd and at the bottom of the gully we jumped into Cowdroys Creek and headed downstream.

The walk description promised a ‘creek walk with some bank scrambling’. The reality was the opposite as the creek was flowing stronger than when the reccie was done a few weeks ago and the pools were too deep to jump or wade. No one seemed to mind and we found some old bike tracks, long since abandoned, to navigate along the stream. The forecasted rain never arrived but wet weather gear was needed to wade through wet vegetation.

This is a very photogenic location enhanced by the flowing creek, small waterfalls, wet vegetation and colourful raingear worn by our walkers. The only negative was the leeches who were out in full force and all rest stops were made standing up with mandatory inspections of boots and pants for these critters. After 4kms of creek walking we found the pink ribbon left by the reccie walkers telling us it was time to join an old logging road and head upslope on the trail back to the cars. With no slips or falls and minimal blood stains from leech bites we all agreed this was a great walk.

Thursday 14 March 2024

Coila Creek Crossing

Coila Creek

Creek Crossing

El Prezidente Rob

Hazard to navigation

Termite Tree-Change

Walk Leader DonnaG

Photos courtesy of MaryT, Amanda and Peter. Walk report courtesy Walk Leader DonnaG.

Even though we were once again faced with a humid day and possible light rain, albeit with a lower temperature, ten walkers were up for an easy medium walk in the Moruya State Forest.

This walk was originally supposed to be the previously done Turlinjah Track, however after a reccie of the walk prior to walk day, it was discovered that 80% of the Turlinjah Track walk had been bulldozed to make way for winter hazard reduction burning. Whilst there is no criticism for much needed hazard reduction, it has significantly altered the walk, with many of the lovely bush tracks changed to much needed access roads for the RFS.

In lieu of these circumstances, during the reccie it was decided to follow some adjacent bike tracks in an effort to create a whole new walk. Fortunately a lovely forest circuit (same DD) away from the hazard reduction zone, was made and it was this walk that was done on the walk day.

The walk is just over six kilometres, with half of it following old disused bike tracks in an area that none of the walkers had in been before. We walked past huge Spotted Gums and Sydney Red Gums, and the vegetation changed from classic open bush track scrub on the ridges to lovely ferns and moss covered fallen trees adjacent to Coila Creek in the valleys. With the high humidity and overcast skies, a very thin layer of mist permeated amongst the tall trees which added a lovely atmosphere to the walk.

All in all, it was great to have found a new walk that everyone enjoyed and we look forward to doing it again some day.

Monday 11 March, 2024

Cool spot among the mangroves

Mangrove Photo op

Off to the mangroves

Rodney, Mary, Sharon and Ian.

We found a morning tea spot

Photos courtesy of Rodney and Max. Paddle report courtesy of Max.

The promise of a hot day turned out to be reasonably mild with the advent of some cloud cover as 5 paddlers headed off to the mangroves of Pelican Inlet on the Clyde River.

A foray into the thicket of the mangroves proved to be a bit of a challenge for some of the longer kayaks, while we noticed that Ian had cleverly commandeered his wife’s shorter “Riot” kayak especially for the event. Raising the rudders on the kayaks for easier navigation amongst the mangroves was a good move, and while paddling itself was a bit restricted, positioning your paddle forward in the water at 11 o’clock port side or 1 o’clock starboard proved to be a much better asset in quickly correcting the steering of the kayak through the course.

Further up the inlet we discovered a suitable spot for morning tea, where we embarked on a comprehensive discussion on solving the current problems of the world. After negotiating a few more mangroves we returned through the Oyster Providore wharves lining the river between Budd Island and the river banks, and across to Korners Park on the north side of the bridge for lunch before heading off home.

A lovely paddle had by all.

Saturday 9 March 2024

North Head Lookout

Ian imparting knowledge

Hopefully the map shows how far from the cliff we are

Lunch on the walk

The Canoe tree

The aforementioned goanna

Photos courtesy of DonnaG.   Walk report courtesy walk leader Glenn.

On a lovely sunny day walkers enjoyed a scenic walk following the South Coast track to the North Head trig and onto the lookout.

On the return, stopping at North head beach for a relaxing lunch.  On reaching Judges we followed the track to the cattle yard where after a bit of, off track, we found the canoe tree.

A goanna was not interested in us traipsing through the bush looking for the track back to our cars.

Picture perfect, taking in the scenery of Batemans Bay, Snapper Island, Yellow Rock, the Tollgates and vegetation etc.  Add a sea breeze, doesn’t get much better.

Wednesday 6 March 2024

Barlings Beach Approach

Coastal Trek

First morning tea

Coastal View

Midden at Long Nose Point

Second morning tea

The tricky bit

Photos courtesy of DonnaG and Amanda. Walk report courtesy of Rob.

Any walk along our coastline is guaranteed to provide spectacular views and when you follow a track that hugs the cliff tops the views are varied and always interesting. We started in Guerilla Bay and climbed up to Burrewarra Point before following the track along the south facing cliff line. We had a great view of surfers enjoying a strong swell from the south.

No matter how many times we walk this coast there is always something new to see and our Walk Leader, Geoff, pointed out an interesting midden near Long Nose Point that I must have walked past a dozen times and never spotted. Most middens are found in or near sand dunes. This midden was right at the base of the cliff and mostly covered by large rocks that must have fallen down the steep slope.

We then continued along Barlings Beach and finished the walk at the River Mouth Café in Tomakin which unfortunately was closed so no cold drinks for a group of hot tired walkers.

Sunday 3 March 2024

Beach View

Ed and Rob on the track

Morning tea at Meringo

On the sandy track

Lunch on Grey Rocks

Walkers at Grey Rocks

Photos courtesy of KarenG, Peter and Mary. Walk report courtesy KarenG.

Eleven bushwalkers set off on a sunny morning to walk one of the most scenic sections of the Dreaming Track. It was perfect weather – the bush and landscape green and the sky and ocean the bluest blue. The group encountered swimmers, fisher folk and a large group of horse riders on the beach.

The 7 km track included good dirt tracks through undulating bush, a small amount of sand walking and a number of spots to take in the magnificent views stretching from the Bay in the north right down to Gulaga in the south.

The group had morning tea at Meringo, soaking in the views and later lunched at Grey rocks perched on the rock platform and appreciating a bit of cooling sea spray.

The required car shuffle worked splendidly, thanks to the efforts of both Peter (with his algorithm) and the walks leader Ed. A relaxed half-day walk enjoyed by all.

Sunday 25 February 2024

Rob at the mine opening showing Jim (visitor), Jenny and Glenn a map of the mining area.

Currowan Creek causeway flowing well after recent rains

Goldmine shaft

Another gold mine shaft

James (visitor), Kate, Rob , Jenny, Glenn, Donna and Amanda (photographer)

Photos courtesy of Rob and Donna. Walk report courtesy of Walk Leader Rob.

The weather was perfect for the 6 kms walk to the Black Diamond Mine. We followed old logging roads down to Currowan creek and what was probably a track built by miners in the late 1890’s to the Drive close to the creek. The Drive, a horizonal shaft into the hillside, was tall enough to walk into but had 15cm of water and mud so we just admired the diggings from the entrance.

We then headed uphill with some bushbashing to 5 vertical shafts. Using the “timed dropped rock technique” we estimated that the deepest shaft could have been 15-20m deep. Quite the effort for ‘pick and shovel’ effort. The dropped rock bounced off metal at the base of the shaft.

We then proceeded along forest roads to a property boundary that had been bulldozed in 2019, probably as part of the bushfire efforts which made our hiking down into a steep gully a lot easier than the club walk back in 2018 who had to bushbash this section of the walk. We then returned on a long abandoned logging road back to the cars.

When I started to write this walk report I did some internet research and looking at the Ulladulla Metallogenic Map Sheet found that we were actually at the “Phoenix” mine site. The mine was active from 1890 – 1915 but there is no record of how much gold, if any, was extracted from the area.

Wednesday 21 February 2024

A welcome tree

Sharon and Glenn

Picture courtesy of Mary. Walk report Courtesy Walk Leader Patricia.

It was good to see quite a few walkers turn up for the very pretty walk in the Murramarang National Park last week.
Nineteen people enjoyed the meandering track between Emily Miller and Myrtle Beaches through the beautiful spotted gums’ tall-straight trunks, with lush green understory beneath, plus a few native flowers.

A longish morning tea on the grass at Myrtle Beach followed which saw old friends catching up on each others news.
Then it was up the steps again and along a little track through the coastal bush and down onto Dark Beach, where we looked at the different types of ancient rocks that are now attracting geologists to see the sequence of rock formations that span more than 150 million years.

Overall a very nice walk.

Sunday 18th February 2024

Rest stop for the crew

Mary on the Pole

Rodney crossing the creek

Bushwalker muster

Photos courtesy of Mary and Donna. Walk Report courtesy of Donna.

Sharon had a great turn out for her walk. Although the weather was humid, everyone was keen to get back out of the trails. The walk begins at Kings Point and meanders along the shores of the beautiful Burrill Lake within the Ulladulla Wildflower Reserve. Being a Sunday, we witnessed boats towing enthusiastic water skiers and ski tubers. Whilst total serenity was not achieved on this part of the track, it was great to see families out enjoying themselves on the water and having a great time. We then continued on the lovely bush tracks, past an old massive sea eagle’s nest, high in a tree and down to a beautiful, quiet lakeside spot for morning tea.

Following morning tea we made our way uphill along the bush tracks though some stunning forest. The flora within this reserve was certainly looking its best following the wet summer. The scribbly gum trees were also looking good and certainly lived up to their name. Lunch was taken down on another waterfront position on the lake with beautiful views.

All in all, this walk was thoroughly enjoyable and one that we look forward to doing again in the future. Thanks Sharon.

Thursday 15th February 2024

Barry at old Gold stamper, note the thickness of the wooden beams.

The base of stamper rods where crushed quartz and hopefully gold were extracted.

Gears that controlled stamper rods

Mary, Rob, Bev, and Donna.

Mine shed next to the stampers.

Enclosure next to the roaster.

Sulphide Roaster overgrown with vines looking like Ankor Wat.

Photos courtesy of Rob, Tom, and Kate. Walk Report courtesy of Walk Leader Donna.

Fourteen walkers turned up for our first walk of the year. The walk also doubled up as our social walk for the program whereby three further members joined us for lunch afterwards. This walk is an abbreviated version of the Moruya Three Mines walk, a shorter and easier version with, of course, just two mine sites.

The first site that we visited was a large long concrete furnace that was constructed around 1914 but abandoned soon after. The intention was to roast sulphide contained in the ore. However this method of extraction proved to be unsuccessful and the furnace was abandoned soon after. Other than looking like a relic from Angkor Wat, covered by a fallen tree and gradually being claimed by vegetation regrowth, the furnace is still in reasonably good condition. However, it’s still mystifying how this long maze of concrete chambers actually worked. Perhaps that’s why it just didn’t! Following our short bush bash out and back to the furnace, considerable time was then taken to remove numerous leeches from our legs, the only real extraction that we were interested in by this time.

We continued on to our next mining site at the nearby Francis Hill. Historical records indicate that gold and silver were first reported to be found in the area in 1839, however this was no longer a secret by the 1860’s when the gold rush was in full swing. We inspected the remains of a hut and a stamper, both still standing. The stamper is a ten head gravity stamper that had been built around 1890 by Francis Guy, a saw miller from Batemans Bay.

After a break it was time to return to the cars as the Chicken Schnitties and Chicken Parmies were calling us. Once at the cars our President Rob Lees informed our group that the walk would be the last for Bev Brazel, whom was present, with the Club. Bev has sold her house and purchased another one in Canberra to be closer to her family. Bev has been a member of the Club for many years and has made a wonderful contribution. Not only has Bev been a Walk Leader who has always been obliging and led too many walks to count, but she informed us that she has attended virtually every Camp that the Club has held whilst she has been a member. Following Rob’s words, we headed to the Waterfront Hotel and had a nice lunch and catch up.

We’ve all enjoyed the company of Bev, we appreciate her contribution and wish her well in the future and like Rob said, Bev you can join us on a few Monga walks, it’s kind of not too far from Canberra!