Jervis Bay Summer Camp

Lyn and Jean led an easy walk of 6 km in Abrahams Bosom Reserve in the Currarong area. It was indeed a stunning walk with the works! Sea breezes, eagles, flowers, rocks, cliffs, divers, history and beaches, and this was only within the first 500 metres to the wreck of the SS Merimbula which ran aground at Whale Point on 27th March 1928. We enjoyed a brief morning tea here whilst viewing the wreck.

From here the walk continued to several headlands with stunning views as far as the eye could see. The recent rains created swampy puddles along the path but these did not provide any problems for this group of 16 bushwalkers.

Our next destination was Mermaids Inlet where the views from the rock ledge were amazing - it was also our lunch stop under some pink blueberry ash. Some hardy souls went into Gosangs Tunnel and pronounced it spectacular! ! The return journey was via Marions Way named after a former school teacher of the Jerringa children, who took a great interest in teaching the students from Culburra School about the Aboriginal lifestyle of this locality.

We had a magnificent day - from a weather aspect, the company and the scenery. Thank you to our leaders, Lyn and Jean.....Claudia

The easy-medium walkers were led by Lesley and gosh, what can one say about such a lovely and varied walk as this one - well here goes. The views were absolutely magnificent and as we started walking through the forest of tall trees, we saw many lovely species of pink and white blueberry ash in flower with the smell of honey pervading the air from the native shrubs. As we proceeded through a very scrubby area we came across two very rare flying duck orchids, naturally we very diligently photographed them from every possible angle.

We stopped for lunch at Beecroft Head then proceeded to Mermaids Inlet - alas, no mermaids were seen. Then we went into Gosangs Tunnel where we were met with a very strong headwind - we crouched, duck waddled and crawled our way to the end to arrive on a rock platform with a heart-stopping drop to the sea and a truly fabulous view for miles.

We finished the walk after seeing the rusted remains of the SS Merimbula washed up on the rocks at Whale Point. A spectacular walk. Many thanks to leader, Lesley.....Ann

Flying Duck Orchid Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Gosangs Tunnel Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Helen and Ann at the SS Merimbula Wreck Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Our group of 13 walkers was the slightly faster group doing the walk on Beecroft Peninsula. Crossing the bridge at Abrahams Bosom Creek, we entered a marvellous varied world, the heady honey perfume of the white flowers of the Kunzea ambigua enveloped us as we followed the well trodden tracks to various points of interest - first the rusty remains of the SS Merimbula at Whale Point. Then the challenge of the Gosangs Tunnel which had us crawling on our hands and knees to the opening in the cliff face with its inspiring views to the north and south of the rugged coastline and the rock platform below.

The track then led to Mermaids Inlet, the access to the rock platform we had seen from above, its Lifebuoys anchored to the cliff face a reminder of the dangers of fishing there.

After lunch on the cliff edge of the Lookdown we traversed the coastal heathland abundant with flowering tea tree ranging from the deepest pink to almost pure white. There were 360ş views at Merimbula Trig and then we headed downhill back to the headwaters of Abrahams Bosom Creek. Here we walked under the green understorey of Eucalypts, past the tallest Christmas bushes we had ever seen and just coming into flower, and an abundance of Blueberry Ash with their pink or white ballerina bell like flowers. The whole walk under brilliant blue skies was an unforgettable experience.....Karen C

Susan, Karen and Elizabeth Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Carol, Pat, Betty and Karen at the other end of Gosangs Tunnel Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Heather at Mermaids Inlet Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Day 2: Booderee Botanic Gardens

On our second day, which dawned sunny and clear again, all 58 of us headed out to Booderee Botanic Gardens in the Booderee National Park. There we met 2 Koori guides who explained the history of the Gardens and how they are now jointly managed by the local Koori community at Wreck Bay and the Director of National Parks in Canberra. Facilities, such as the impressive shelter shed and the new schools program ampitheatre, are constructed by members of the indigenous community under the auspices of Wreck Bay Enterprises. They have also built a large undercover barbecue and picnic area.

After splitting into 2 groups, our guides showed us through the grounds, pointing out bush tucker and medicine plants along the way. We chewed on tender lomandra leaves, sampled bush lollies, and munched on geebung and dianella fruit. The tastiest treat was crushing and sucking the juice out of Sarsparilla (Smilax) vine leaves, which had a fresh zingy flavour. We also learned about rubbing the oil of lemon scented tea tree leaves on our skin to treat mossie bites, crushing the gel from the swamp lily for bluebottle stings, and rubbing the new shoots of bracken on bull ant bites (something we tried later on, after disturbing an ants' nest on a walk).

In addition, we admired Booderee's mass plantings of swamp lilies, dianellas, and gymea lilies. There were heaps of pink and white flowering blueberry ash trees with their delicate ballerina dress petals, intriguing cork bark trees, and a wonderful mature turpentine tree with elkhorns growing on many of its branches. After saying goodbye to our guides, we stayed on in the cool of the shelter shed to eat lunch before dispersing to explore some of the many self guided walks in the Gardens, and see the sights of the remainder of the National Park.....Karen M

Currambene Creek at campsite Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Waterfront Cabins Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	The Bronx Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Day 3: Three walks were offered today - 1 on the Wirrecoo Walking Trail & Mangrove Boardwalk, and 2 in the Booderee National Park

Lead by Joone, our group of 14 easy walkers set off and became lost immediately, but Joone soon had us heading around the loop trail among blackbutt and spotted gums, fruit bearing burrawangs, acacia, bracken, maidenhair ferns and through blackened reminders of the Christmas Day 2001 fire. Small birds and parrots were plentiful as were the even larger mozzies.

We walked out to Currambene Creek (the largest waterway entering Jervis Bay) in dappled light and over a boardwalk which took us through a magnificent grey and river mangrove ecosystem that impressed everyone with its pristine beauty and crystal clear water which teemed with hatchling fish as well as whelks and oysters. What a top spot!

The walking track came out at Lady Denman Heritage Complex where we were captivated by the whoppers in the fish enclosure and where we shamelessly witnessed a number of giant flathead involved in a reproductive romp. Some of us clambered over the Lady Denman Ferry originally built in Huskisson 99 years ago, before heading to the bakery for lunch. We all enjoyed the morning immensely.....Anon

Mangrove Boardwalk Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Geoff and Elizabeth Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Bob and Rodney at Steamers Beach Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

29 of us comprised the ‘Medium 6 km Group’. On the way, along Stony Creek track, we stopped to check over the lighthouse ruin at Cape St George and had morning tea at Moses Rock. Then from Stony Creek car park we made our way to Paradise Rock. Although we were given a very confident ‘you cannot get lost’ from our Shoalhaven hosts, there was a stage were it was difficult to distinguish between animal tracks and the walk track!! The long-walk walkers soon followed from behind to join us at Paradise Rock for lunch.

We then returned to the cars via a four wheel drive track. Magnificent cliffs, beautiful weather and great company - it cannot get any better than that. Thank you to Karen C for leading 29 walkers on a track she'd never laid eyes on before. Thank you also to all the wonderful organisers of the summer camp. This was our first camp – well organised and fabulous.....Nev

The medium walkers, under the watchful eye and guidance of Shoalhaven's Alf, saw a variety of native orchids in flower as he took us "bushbashing" through to Stony Beach and Creek, and then around the rocks and along the magnificent cliff lines towards Cape St George where we enjoyed lunch on Paradise Rocks looking down onto the waves and rocks below us.

Then it was on through the bush again (some getting a bull-ant bite along the way) towards Steamers Beach and finally when we descended onto its beautiful pristine sands and blue waters, we walked along it to the end where a couple of the fellas went for a swim.

Steamers Beach was certainly one of the day's highlights. Afterwards it was a short walk through the trees back to the cars and the end of our wonderful walk.....Pat

Secluded cove Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Near Cape St George Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Steamers Beach Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Day 4: 3 Walks at the Grotto, Shoalhaven River, Nowra

Sixteen easy walkers drove from camp to Nowra and met Trevor & Rowena (our guides from Shoalhaven Bushwalkers.) We were led into the reserve which runs along the escarpment overlooking the Nowra Golf Course and River. The track was well worn with some rocky sections both uphill and down until we emerged onto the first lookout.....our first glimpse of the river and course.

We continued through the bushland to our second lookout ... another stunning view, enhanced by a lone speedboat and waterskier. Thompson's Point came into view and as the river snaked around the bend and we arrived at our third lookout where we finished our walk. A truly lovely part of the south coast. Thank you Trevor and Rowena.....Jean

Down along the banks of the Shoalhaven River under towering rock outcrops and on the Grotto Track is just the place to be on a 30 degree C day! An ‘easy medium’ walk of 12kms round trip starting at the Nowra Golf Club, we plunged into lush moist rocky gullies, up onto high up rocky platforms for panoramic views up and down the river, and into a clearing of remnant fruit trees from the original 1920’s Hanson farm. Morning tea was in a large cool cave beneath a massive jutting rock face - listed as an international climbing site.

A visit to The Grotto itself requires a squeeze and climb into this massive outcrop (others lived to report on this!). Other points of interest included remains of the farm wharf and a huge boiler. This meandering and largely gently undulating walk also included a section along a local suburban street, and was wonderfully led by the well informed members of the Shoalhaven Bushwalkers. Many thanks indeed.....Jill

The last walk of the camp for the medium walkers was led by a member of the Shoalhaven Bushwalkers and was really delightful. We walked past massive cliffs with numerous caves which equalled the scenery in the centre and north of Australia. The many huge rock formations were covered with a variety of orchids and the massive trees provided shade for the very interesting path we followed.....Betty

Marshall and Jean Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Shady lunch spot for easy/medium walkers Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Medium walkers in the Grotto Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Moreton Bay Fig Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Honeycombed sandstone Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	The Grotto Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Day 5: Scribbly Gums Walk

On Friday, after checking out of the caravan park, a group of 13 walked from Greenfield Beach Picnic area along a boardwalk, then uphill beside massive Blackbutt trees to a rocky platform for morning tea, with views of "some of the whitest sands in the world", Point Perpendicular and Bowen Island.

Then down to Chinamans Beach and a circuit back to the Scribbly Gum Track where a greyish "brown snake"? was seen crossing the path - but few Scribbly gums. Lunch back at the Picnic area concluded 5 days of wonderful walking. Thank you organisers!.....Jan

Scribbly Gum walkers Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Kay Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	White sands of Jervis Bay Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

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