Bingie Easy

Thursday 17 September 2020

Photos courtesy of Mike, Glenn and Gay

Five members met at Bingie Headland for an easy 2.5 km circuit walk along part of the Bingie Dreaming Track which has a rich cultural history for the Yuin people of the south coast.  The walkers left the headland heading north along the beach coming across a washed up log covered in goose barnacles.  At the mouth of Kellys Lake they joined the Dreaming Track and headed back south enjoying the tranquility of the track and chatting to other like-minded hikers while passing through a grove of Common Silkpods.

The track then opened up to views out to sea, a group of Black Cockatoos in a lonely tree on the headland and Cormorants sunning themselves on the beach. The walkers took in views to the south to Tuross but the weather had started to turn and it was very windy with a chill in the air.  The Walkers headed back north towards Bingie Bingie Point only to be rewarded with the sighting of two whales cavorting in the sea.  This was a perfect place to find a sheltered spot out of the wind and watch the antics of the whales over a spot of lunch.  A wonderful way to finish!

Gay

Bingie Coila Lake Hike

Thursday 17 September 2020

Photos courtesy of Chris and Rob

Thirteen walkers set out on a hike from Bingi Headland to Coila Lake and the neck at Tuross. The day started out overcast but with no wind we saw our first whale offshore heading south within 5 minutes. The walk follows the Dreaming Track to Tuross along a well-marked path maintained by the National Park Service.

The first group photo was at a large forest red gum (E. Tereticornis) which had partially fallen over but not died to make a great background for the photo. The second group photo was taken at Coila lake looking west to the coastal ranges in the background. Karen M. got quite excited when we found a ‘Wedding Bush’ (Ricinocarpus Pinifolius) beside the track which she explained is quite rare in this area.

Returning we deviated into the Bangalay, Southern Mahogany forest (E. Botryoides) near the sewerage plant. Unlike the trees closer to the ocean and the strong winds that stunt their growth these trees are very tall and quite majestic. This forest also has many tall Blackbutt (E. Pilularis) which makes for a very different view and hiking in the banksia forest literally only 30m away.

Rob

Big Rock

Wednesday 9 September 2020

Photos courtesy of Helen and Chris

Twelve walkers braved an early morning shower to arrive at Big Rock Road, Bodalla State Forest with clearing skies.  In fact it turned out to be a beautiful day for hiking.

Bodalla State Forest is one of the few state forests that wasn’t decimated by recent bushfires.  We commenced our walk alongside Big Rock Road where it wasn’t long before we came upon, funnily enough, a big granite rock.  It was obvious that a lot of thought had been put into the naming of the road.  But Tall Tree Road, Termite Mound Road or Lots Of Gravel Pushed Into A Pile Road could have been worse names to describe surrounding features I suppose.

We continued on to our morning tea spot near Stony creek.  A visit down to the creek revealed a very nice scenic spot.  Lying in the water was a log that had been part of an old bridge used by loggers many decades ago.

We made our way to the western end of the circuit where extensive logging has been carried out.  Whilst logging has afforded views of the mountain range to the west, it certainly has thinned out the forest in that area.  We then found a nice lunch spot and soon after had the opportunity to observe some Glossy Black Cockatoos who had the opportunity to observe twelve bushwalkers.

We continued on and passed Reservoir Link Road which, yes you guessed it, was a road that linked up to a water reservoir.  However, it wasn’t long before we were back at the cars having enjoyed a great day out in the bush.

Donna

Ainslie & Mike: Members for 25 Years

AINSLIE & MIKE joined BBBW in June 1994, and led their first walk -an overnight camping trip from Maloneys Beach to Kioloa – shortly thereafter in November 1994.

From that flying start they have been leading walks every quarter – 90 of them over the past 24 years.

Mike and Ainslie also introduced combined paddles and walks to the Program back in 1996 – mostly on Durras Lake and at Shallow Crossing on Clyde River.

But they are best known for their bushwalking camps and safaris, and the list is impressive:

  • Overnight camp in Morton National Park – Summer 1996
  • Bush Camp at Tuross Falls, also visiting the Big Hole and Marble Arch – Summer 1998
  • Bush camp at Coolaman Caves in the Snowy Mountains – Summer 2000
  • Victorian Safari to Little Desert NP, the Grampians, Lower Glenelg NP, Otway NP, and Wilsons Prom NP – Spring 2000
  • Camping Safari to Queensland (southern section) – Winter 2002
  • Christmas Mini Camp at Swan Haven near Sussex Inlet – December 2003
  • Christmas Mini Camp at Mandeni Resort near Bournda National Park – December 2004
  • Christmas Mini Camp at Sawpit Creek in Kosciuszko NP – December 2005
  • South Coast 4 Day Walk from Tabouri to Maloneys Beach – Autumn 2007
  • Victorian Goldfields Camp to Castlemaine and Bacchus Marsh in Autumn 2009
  • Kiama Weekend – Autumn 2010
  • East NSW Camping Safari to Dunns Swamp, Coolah Tops NP, Warrumbungles NP, Mt Seaview, Trial Bay, Crowdy Bay NP and Kuringai NP – Spring 2011
  • Blue Mountains Camp – Spring 2013
  • Christmas Mini Camp at Kangaroo Valley – December 2014

Ainslie has served on the Committee as Assistant Secretary, Publicity Officer, Vice President and President.

Mike has held the positions of Publicity Officer and President, and was also the Club’s Public Officer for a number of years.

Ainslie’s knowledge of native plants and local history, and Mike’s knowledge of geology has enhanced many a walk over the years.

Mike has also recorded our bushwalking camps with his trusty video camera, and edited the footage for posterity – currently saved on DVDs in our Library.

Little Dromedary

Sunday 6 September 2020

 

Photos courtesy of Rob, Tom, Karen, Erika and Philip

11 hikers enjoyed a pleasant hike to Little Dromedary in sunny weather conditions. We started the walk at Sherringham farm and were met by the owner at her cottage. She appreciated the fact that the Bay Bushwalkers contacted her for permission to hike across her farm to Little Dromedary. She said that a lot of people have been turning up and crossing her farm to visit the mountain with no consideration for the fact that it is private property.

The Eurobodalla Shire has been active in spraying the persistent Lantana problem on the Mountain. The track winds its way through a forest of dead lantana up to 2m high. The view from the summit of Little Dromedary is quite spectacular and you get full 360 views west to Gulaga, north to Narooma, south to Bermagui and east down across the dairy farms to the coast.

Retracing our path we headed past Sherringham Farm along a dirt road to the coast. We had a standoff with a herd of dairy cows coming up the road who were being moved from one paddock to another. We stared at each other for a few minutes out of respect until the bull stepped forward and led the cows through the open gate into the paddock.

Lunch was on the beach with a great view across Little Lake up to Gulaga.

Rob

Cullendulla Rat Tail Orchid Walk

Thursday 3 September 2020

Photos courtesy of Karen and Bob

Thirteen members met at Cullendulla Nature Reserve on Square Head for a 5 km stroll over the headland and down to the beach on Cullendulla Creek.  There are views of Long Beach and Maloneys Beach towards Murramarang National Park to the north and to the south you see the township of Batemans Bay and southern suburbs.  A few early Spring flowers lined the track – most notably a good sprinkling of the delicate pink terrestrial Ladyfinger orchids (Caladenia carnea).

Then walkers followed Cullendulla Creek west through mangroves and sheoaks, and found the last of the Rats Tail Orchids (Dockrilla teretifolia) flowering on sheoaks overhanging the water.  We also put up a small group of kangaroos who skidded into the shelter of the forest to watch us pass.

Karen

Tuross Lake Circuit

Saturday 29 August 2020

Photos courtesy of Rob and Karen

In balmy, pre-spring weather 9 members of Batemans Bay Bushwalkers  descended down a steep track to the shores of the Tuross River. The chatter and song of birds welcomed the group and when reaching the river bank,  they stood admiring views of mirror flat, glistening waters framed by bushland and mountains.

The ground was relatively dry, allowing for attentions to be diverted from footwear to vegetation. Several clumps of rat-tail orchids were seen on the casuarina trees along the pathway so that soon cameras were clicking whilst, other walkers went in search of more “hidden treasures.”

The marshy, mangrove area wasn’t nearly as muddy as had been anticipated and when the morning tea destination was reached, a sharped eyed walker pointed out a seal swimming in the river. The seal settled on a sandbank about 10 metres from a tinnie and tried to befriend the fishermen that the small boat contained. It didn’t seem to work but, there is no harm in trying.

The return journey was just as enjoyable and leisurely as the first leg and a group of 10 white winged choughs were seen scratching on the ground just before walkers ascended to the roadside. It was a short but, really enjoyable 3.5 kilometre hike.

Denise

Warden Head Heathland Walk

Saturday 29 August 2020

Photos courtesy of Ainslie and Lesley

Karen led sixteen members of Batemans Bay Bushwalkers, including two new members, on an Easy Grade 6 kms walk around Warden Head at Ulladulla. I was asked if I had led this walk with husband Mike previously as we had led a three headland walk from north of Ulladulla to here, but we had not actually followed the track closely around the headland.

Karen had promised lots of stops, and all of them were worth while, as they offered marvellous coastal views of beaches, the extensive rock platform around the whole Headland, many more headlands, and distant views towards Bawley Point and Pigeon House poking up in the distance.

We stopped at the Ulladulla Light Beacon, a fine old white lighthouse. Some of us had lunch at South Pacific Heathland Reserve, and we were delighted to see the masses of Flannel Flowers just coming out in flower. This headland is the best place to see the Sydney Sandstone spring wildflowers, especially now that the recent bushfires have burnt out Little Forest Plateau where we usually go to see the masses of Boronia.

Ainslie

Cullendulla Boardwalk

Wednesday 26 August 2020

Photos courtesy of Lesley

Strange as it may seem for a relatively short local walk, Lesley’s stroll around the Cullendulla beach and boardwalk was a delight.   Perhaps like a little food to a starving person, the pleasure of joining a group of friends for a walk and talk after so much absence made it sparkle for me.

The first surprise came as we walked onto the beach.    Masses of ash and debris lay piled at the high tide mark, including stumps of large trees; reminders of fires & floods, with the water still brown, carrying brown-stained foam from the reaction of fresh and salt water churned by rough seas.

Then our eyes were drawn to the sparkling jewels of thousands of shells, with the population dominated by pippies of all sizes and colours.   As we walked along, a greater variety appeared, with grim dark mussel and cone shells, brighter clam and delicately patterned snail, large abalone and river oyster, whelks and conches of many sizes and colours jostled for room on the crowded sand.   The stand-outs to my eyes were the little scallop shells sparkling like bright gold in the morning sun, a few rare “razor clams” and the long thin shells of tube worms (known by kids as “finger nails”).

I could not resist collecting some of each species, and the group patiently indulged my childish delight.      A harmony of tinkles added to the sensual pleasure, as many shells were rolled in the small waves.   I could have spent hours looking through this treasure trove, as I haven’t seen such variety of sea shells for decades – easily over a dozen species.

We left the beach to join the boardwalk, meandering through forest with a large pond beside, until we came to the abrupt change from casuarina to mangrove.    Then Heather quickly spotted delicate sprays of rat-tail orchids in flower,  pointing them out as we went along.    Back on the beach my eyes were everywhere, hoping to add another species to my collection, and then an easy walk back to the cars.   In all, a very pleasant experience.

Bob

Benandarah Forest

Wednesday 26 August 2020

Photos courtesy of Karen and Amanda

Thirteen walkers, including two new members, took advantage of some beautiful weather to take a lovely walk in the Benandarah State Forest.   The forest is one of the forests, if not the only forest, in our area not to have been detrimentally affected by the terrible bushfires of last summer.  It has, however, been subjected to some hazard reduction burns since summer and the evidence of that was seen at various times throughout the walk.

The walk was previously put together by the irrepressible Betty Richards and has all the hallmarks of a typical Betty hike.  Some good hills (best described by the walk leader as deviations of terrain so as not to scare off potential walkers!),  bike tracks, picturesque gullies, obligatory bush bashing and even a long abandoned marijuana cultivation site complete with Seasol containers, wire barriers and recently  melted pots!

Recent fires have revealed some beautiful views off to the east over the water, one of the few advantages of the fires.  It  was also great to see water flowing in the creeks after recent rains.  There was lots of new regrowth of beautiful ferns and the various understories in general.  All in all it was a great day to be out in the bush.

Donna