Blackfellows Point and Piccaninny Beach

Sunday 20 August 2023

Photos courtesy of Donna F and Max. Walk report courtesy Walk Leader Karen M.

Another good day for walking on Sunday saw Batemans Bay Bushwalkers in the section of Eurobodalla National Park near Potato Point. It was an Easy/Medium 9 km walk visiting Piccaninny Beach, Blackfellows Point and the southern shore of Tuross Lake. We had our morning break on the beach, and lunch by the lake, walking the trails through the spotted gum/burrawang forest in between.

This section of the park has a widespread outbreak of the dieback scale disease affecting the burrawangs throughout the far south coast. The CSIRO have made a study of the disease in Murramarang National Park, and published a paper outlining their findings. National Parks NSW are aware of the paper, the disease and its spread, but we don’t know how or if they are planning to deal with the outbreak.

Wharf to Wharf Packwalk

Monday 26 June 2023  – Tuesday 27 June 2023 

Seven BBBW members followed through on their “expressions of interest” to partake in the “winter camp” on the Wharf to Wharf track from Merimbula to Tathra. This 2 day walk was billed as a pack walk but for those not wishing to carry a full pack, gear could be left at the overnight camp. So, as pack walks go, this was an ‘easy one’! Having said that, some did carry full packs – well almost full!

The Wharf to Wharf is a well-known, so called iconic south coast track. It shows off the beautiful Sapphire Coast, but does include some street and beach walking, which is not to everyone’s (especially the leaders’) liking. So this Wharf to Wharf skipped the ‘wharves’. It started 5km in, at Tura Headland, and finished at Kianinny Bay, 2km short of the official end.

This meant the first day was very relaxed. It was a 6km walk into the Hobart Beach campsite. There was ample time to have morning tea with our gracious car shuffle drivers, Karen and Bob, on the Tura Headland reserve, before we  headed off. Special thanks must go to Karen and Bob who timed their mini break at Merimbula to be our lifts to the start and from the end.

From Tura Headland, the walkers followed the Coastal Reserve Track to the Dolphin Cove viewing platform, where in bright winter sunshine, we took the obligatory group photos. A beach walk then of some 2kms, put us at the North Tura carpark. From there we weaved through twisted coastal tea trees, as if navigating through a ‘Lord of the Rings’ movie scene. There were glimpses through the trees out to Bournda Island, surrounded by a clear, inviting, emerald coloured ocean. In fact it was so inviting, at lunch, one of our group jumped in for a swim (a very quick swim), while others went for an explore around the Bay. The rest of us just basked in the full sunshine enjoying the views.

From lunch we skirted along the shores of Bournda Lagoon, before picking up the trail to take us into the Hobart Beach campground. Arriving in the early afternoon meant there was plenty of time to set up camp in the spacious campsite provided to us by National Parks; get our fire going, and have a nice cup of hot char. For some that was just too leisurely. So, making use of what was left of daylight on this (almost) shortest day of the year, two headed off to find the ‘Trig’. An apparent return trek of 6kms that did not have them back into camp until darkness fell. For those just settling in to enjoy the campfire at dusk, we were glad they did return when they did, as it may have been difficult to enlist volunteers to brave the cold to go search for them!

The campfire meant for a relaxing chatty evening, as we all cooked our respective dinners, while constantly shooing away some very cheeky and fearless possums out for a feed!

The next morning we broke camp at 9am. The author here (unskilfully) predicted that we may walk 15-16kms today, but as it turned out it was just shy of 13kms. Oh well, better to overestimate than under, and avoid the wrath of other walkers!

A short 2kms, and a surprisingly pleasant morning walk, along Hobart Beach had us soon at Wallagoot Gap; the beach walking now behind us. From there it was up onto the Kangarutha Track that hugs the coastline into Tathra. Just up from the Gap is a seating platform overlooking a picturesque “smugglers” cove. Not really a smugglers cove – this was just what we were told by a group of Bega bike riders we met there on their weekly ride. They delighted in having this ‘lend of us’.

The Kangarutha Track certainly has its fair share of beautiful vistas but comes with some steep ups and downs. Many of these are staired, although the steps do seem to have been made by a giant with a limp! Some were made even more interesting, being covered with a scree of stones, no doubt to prevent erosion, but with a side effect of causing walkers to have to be that much more careful when placing their feet to avoid a “slippery dip” descent.

Parks had told us that only a few weeks before the ‘Wharf to Wharf Challenge’ run had gone through and the track was cleared. And indeed it was. There were no fallen trees to block our path, although those doing the clearing might also have thought to bring along a whipper snipper. Perhaps the runners were just that much nimbler than us, to jog over those few overgrown sections of track. Although,  all kidding aside, the track was in preety good shape, well marked and easy to follow.

We stopped for morning tea at Games Bay- a very nice spot to rest. There we had our only sighting of another walker (that is if you do not count the young jogger doing her afternoon run just out of Kianinny Bay – her only gear- a mobile phone, of course).

The ongoing ups and downs, though soon had us ready for an early lunch, which we enjoyed on Kangarutha Head. There, spread out on the rocks, we enjoyed views down the coast, as we tried to spy any elusive whale on its journey north. Sadly, they remained elusive. Just over an hour later we walked into Kianinny Bay to meet our lifts. With plenty of daylight left we had time to retrieve gear back at the campground, pick up our cars and be home for dinner!

Thanks go to those that braved this camp in the dead middle of winter. It could have been cold, but the weather was kind to us. We could not have asked for a better couple of days. And if the parting comments of the walkers are anything to go on, let’s bring on the next one.

Peter

Photos courtesy of Julie, Peter, Donna, Glenn and Mary

Candlagan Creek

Wednesday 28 June 2023

Photos courtesy of Donna F

Even on an overcast day a walk around Mossy Point never fails to deliver.

This morning walk started at Candlagan Creek car park, from where we crossed Coronation Drive to enter a small track running west behind the houses along the southern bank of Candlagan Creek.

I was surprised to hear a fellow walker, a member for around 20 years, who has walked 100s of kilometres with the club, remark that he was not aware that this little track even existed! So, it would seem that even after 20 years of walking with the club, the club can still deliver surprises for its members.

Initially the track was clear, then became a little scrubby until we reached the junction with George Bass Drive. From here we headed north crossing the road bridge over Candlagan Creek before re-entering the bush.

A short time later we were once again walking behind houses. However, this time we were following the bank of the Tomoga River until we reached the Mossy Point Boat Ramp. From there we continued east, before taking a short flight of steps onto the headland. Although, we found ourselves once again walking behind the houses, this time we had the ocean on one side.

This cliff top section offered up a sweeping vista over the ocean before the track took us back down to the Candlagan Creek car park, where we socialised over lunch.

Mary M

Coondella Firetrail

Sunday 25 June 2023

Photos courtesy of Amanda, Philip and Erika

Six club members hiked the Coondella Ridge track, which is a tough 12.5km walk with over 1400m of elevation ascent and descent.

The walk started at Hanging Mountain lookout on Little Sugarloaf Rd where we were joined by two club members who wanted to enjoy this iconic lookout but not the tough walk.

The walk runs along the Coondella Firetrail from Little Sugarloaf Rd to the Coondella Trig station. The track runs along the ridge line of the coastal ranges at over 850m ASL. The views from this elevation are spectacular. It is not often that you are high enough to see Montague Island and ocean beyond it to the horizon. We were also 50m higher than Gulaga which offered us a unique view of the mountain.

The 2020 bushfires killed many of the silvertop ash eucalypt trees which opened up great views to the east to see the coastal towns and villages of Dalmeny, Potato Point, Tuross Head and Moruya. The post fire rains have resulted in a vigorous growth of young saplings and so these views will not be open to us for more than a few years.

A number of our hikers can now say they have joined the Coondella Trig Club with photographic evidence to prove they have been there without the aid of a 4WD vehicle. While this is a hard walk with many steep hills we all agreed the effort was worth it to enjoy the views and experience.

Rob

Tabourie Beaches and Bush

Thursday 22 June 2023

Photos courtesy of Donna G, Donna F and Helen

The weather was perfect for a delightful walk in the Meroo National Park.

We took in the pristine beaches, walked up and over headlands, and enjoyed views of Stokes and Crampton Islands.

After a leisurely lunch beside Tabourie Creek,  we followed a track through the forest back to our cars.

We all thought this is a walk worth returning to.

Glenn

Bingi Headland to Coila Lake Circuit

Saturday 17 June 2023

Photos courtesy of Helen and Mary

A sunny winter’s day attracted 16 walkers to walk south from Bingi along the coast. Of course, the promise of a jar of honey for each walker from Miriam and Rob’s bees may have been an even stronger attraction.

A large pod of whales performed just off Bingi headland for our entertainment at the start of the walk.

We hugged the coast until we joined the Bingi Dreaming track, which we followed until we headed west toward Coila Lake.

When we reached Coila lake we headed north along the lake shore until we reached Miriam and Rob’s property. There we took lunch on their lovely veranda and received the aforementioned jar of honey before returning to our cars.

Ed

Northeast NSW Bushwalking Safari Camp

2 May – 17 May 2023

During May, 23 Batemans Bay Bushwalking Club members participated in a 16 day bushwalking safari to parts of northeast NSW. The itinerary was designed as a “taster” – an introduction to some of the best walking in NSW, sampling a variety of landscapes and vegetations along the northeast NSW escarpment and New England tablelands.

Some members joined part way and others left early, but most stayed on to the end. Participants were responsible for their own accommodation, centred on the following base towns – Gloucester, Armidale, Glen Innes, Tenterfield and Kyogle. Some members, the “glampers”, stayed in the towns and others, the “ferals”, chose bush camping, usually at the main national park being visited at the time. Each afternoon the Club scheduled the following day’s walk(s) and organised the meeting point for commencing the day.

Over 16 days we visited 13 national parks/reserves – Barrington Tops, Oxley Wild Rivers, New England, Cathedral Rocks, Gibraltar Range, Washpool, Torrington, Bald Rock, Boonoo Boonoo, Girraween, Border Ranges and Toonumbar National Parks plus some minor reserves.

All walks were day walks, and all on formed signposted tracks. We walked in total 91 kilometres. The maximum number of walkers we had on any one day was 16.

Except for one damp showery day, the weather at all times was perfect for walking.

Day 1 (2nd May) Gloucester Tops. Distance 8km

The Gloucester Tops form the eastern part of the Barrington Tops plateau. It is easily accessible up the picturesque Gloucester River valley.
At the Gloucester River Falls Picnic Area the river falls over the plateau. The associated walking circuits were an ideal starting point for our walking. We broke into two groups and explored Antarctic Beech rainforest, tree ferned gullies, tall eucalypts, snow gum woodland and gushing river cataracts. We were impressed.

On our return to Gloucester, countless splash crossings gave tantalizing views up and down the river. The National Park campground, with its variety of rainforest trees, had an interesting log wagon with friendly lyrebirds scratching about nearby.

 

Day 2 (3rd May) travel
The journey to the Armidale area followed the scenic Thunderbolts Way, with a convenient stop at sleepy Walcha. Many members called in to the Apsley Falls and gazed down into the deep slot of Apsley Gorge. The timing of our visit to the New England plateau was perfect. Autumn colours were at their best.

 

Day 3 (4th May) New England NP. Distance 7km

We started our exploration at Point Lookout in New England NP, on the edge of the coastal escarpment. At a chilly 1,564 metres asl, this lookout presents a magnificent panorama from Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour. We lingered in the morning sun. A wedge tailed eagle drifted by, below us!

We had intended to walk the Lyrebird Track, with its extensions but at every turn we were confronted with “track closed” signs, allegedly due to rock falls. We constantly adjusted, eventually able to get through to Wrights Lookout for lunch, another lovely observation point further down under the escarpment.

This small open plateau of volcanic origin is on the Snowy Range dividing the large catchments of the Macleay and Bellinger Rivers. It is a useful point under the clifflines to launch into further backpacking journeys. On the way there, we sampled some lovely Antarctic Beech, open woodland, elevated rock swamps on clifftops and warm temperate rainforest. We exited via Robinsons Knob Firetrail.

 

Day 4 (5th May) Oxley Wild Rivers NP. Distance 8km

This was an easier day, wandering the tracks above the many drops into the gorges of the Oxley Wild Rivers NP. The first was a traverse of the cliff edge above Wollombombi and Chandlers gorges around their waterfalls. At 260 metres, Wollombombi Falls are the highest in NSW.

Many of us then explored the Gara Gorge area with its fascinating history of hydro electric development in the 19th century to feed nearby mining complexes. The circuit walk was a delight and the views into the gorge tantalizing.

 

Day 5 (6th May) Cathedral Rocks NP. Distance 11km

Cathedral Rocks NP is a great introduction to the geological features of the New England’s granite slabs, tors and boulder fields. Everyone started the day by climbing, with varying success, the boulder cluster featuring the park’s name. A 360 degree view was the reward.

One group continued to complete the circuit while another branched away and followed a walk through to the Guyra Road via the Woolpack Rocks. At lunchtime, atop a small cluster of rocks, an inquisitive, large, healthy snake galvanised our relaxing diners into emergency escape mode. Some hesitated for only a split second as to whether they take their lunch with them.

The Woolpack Rocks were equally impressive as Cathedral Rocks, but more extensive. We enjoyed exploring it.

Having completed the necessary car shuffle, the first group visited nearby Ebor Falls and enjoyed an ice cream at the local pub. Max’s camping tales were lengendary – battling possums, and other campers trying to steal his spot.

 

Day 6 (7th May) travel
We moved camp to Glen Innes and the cold overnight weather moved in!

 

Day 7 (8th May) Gibraltar Range NP. Distance 14km

The “glampers” joined the “ferals” at Mulligans Hut in Gibraltar Range NP. We walked the Little Dandahra Creek/Tree Fern/Pidcocks circuit, with its extension to The Needles. We travelled through a wide range of vegetations reflecting the poor nutrient granites, the nutrient rich basalts and every mix between. The boundaries between were sometimes quite dramatic, the forest height jumping from 10 to 50 metres in as many horizontally.

Along the way we enjoyed morning tea amongst the twinkling waters of the Little Dandahra Creek’s cascades.

Half way around the circuit we were surprised by a quick change from the dominating open woodland and sedge swamps of the plateau into a tall, large Sydney Blue Gum/New England Blackbutt forest with tall tree fern understorey. Again, soon after, we were in pure warm temperate rainforest of Coachwood with prolific Midginbil Palm understorey and this delightful forest continued for some time.

At the end, we gazed down onto the impressive granite tors known as The Needles, themselves towering over the gorge of Dandahra Creek far below. En route the Dorrigo Waratah shrubs were a treat.

On the way home to Glen Innes, the “glampers” visited Raspberry Lookout, created on the edge of the dramatic Demon Fault. The north/south fault line is very visible per vegetation change as the Gwydir Highway crosses it. The fault runs from near Ebor to Queensland and is quite significant in that it is believed to have faulted 20km, horizontally!

 

Day 8 (9th May) Washpool NP. Distance 8km

Just to the north of Gibraltar Range NP, across the highway, lies the vast Washpool NP wilderness. On its edge, at Coombadja Creek is the wonderful Washpool walking circuit through tall eucalypt, warm temperate and subtropical rainforest. As well as the now familiar large Sydney Blue Gum and New England Blackbutt trees being present, we were introduced to new species – Tallowwood, Brush Box and a range within the rainforest – strangler figs, our old friend the Giant Stinger, Booyongs, Tamarind, Illawarra Flame Tree, and a number of Red Cedars, two of which were very impressive.

During a pause at Coombadja Creek, a member’s tale amused our walkers describing his encounter in the wilderness in the early 1980’s with the then NSW Premier – lots of coincidences in that one.

On the way back to camp we stopped off at Granite Lookout and admired the many granite topped hills in the afternoon sun.

That night, the “ferals” were visited by a friendly Spotted Tailed Quoll. And there is a photo to prove it.

 

Day 9 (10th May) Gibraltar Range NP. Distance 10km

The day began at Mulligan’s Hut with a jaunt through warm temperate rainforest out to Murrumbooee Cascades and return. Among the Coachwood and Crabapples it was unusual to see Blackwood and Coast Banksias, familiar to us on the South Coast.

Mulligan’s sampling weir on the Dandahra Creek is still there decades after a proposed hydro scheme centred on the area was shelved. We visited Lyrebird lookout which gazes down into the Little Dandahra gorge.

Along the way we were introduced to Yellow Carabeens and visited a significantly sized White Beech tree within the rainforest.

The group disturbed a sizeable snake in the middle of consuming a meal of Land Mullet (a large black rainforest skink), an unusual sighting.

In the afternoon, some of us walked out to Anvil Rock and marvelled at Old Man’s Hat in the distance.

 

Day 10 (11th May) travel/Torrington Conservation Area

On the way to our new base camp at Tenterfield, some members went inland to visit Torrington Conservation Area, near Emmaville. Sitting beside extensive historic tin mining this large granite area hosts Thunderbolts Lookout with its impressive 360 degree view, Mystery Face, Wellington Rocks and the Pig’s Head Rock.

One of us took the slow and lonely road exit north to the State border through Silent Grove. It was slow and rough, nobody in sight, more likely should be called Silent Grave!

 

Day 11 (12th May) Bald Rock & Boonoo Boonoo NP’s. Distance 5km

Still on the granite theme, our climb to the top of the 200 metre high Bald Rock was rewarded with fine views into both NSW and Qld.

Bald Rock is the largest granite monolith in Australia and its size is best appreciated by wandering its upper slopes, easily done because it is a huge rounded rock with no edge. In our slow descent (it tested the knees and ankles), we caught glimpses of Nankeen Kestrels as they searched the boulders below for prey.

On the road again, we lunched at the Platypus Pool on our way to Boonoo Boonoo Falls. The pool’s resident rewarded us with four appearances before disappearing. That was special.

At the Falls lookout, the dreaded “track closed” signs reappeared but, amongst the contractor’s rebuilding debris, we were still able to gain the platform and get a decent view of this impressive cataract.

On the way back to Tenterfield we inspected, and learnt more about, the Mt Lindesay Highway tank traps, built during WWII to curb threatened northern invasion.

 

Day 12 (13th May) Girraween NP. Distance 7km

At Girraween NP we encountered more granite on a grand scale. We laboured an exhilarating climb to the first of The Pyramids and gazed on the surrounding countryside. There were some inventive photo shots of members unsuccessfully (thankfully) “pushing over” the giant balancing rock thereon. It’s still there.

Descending through gardens of more giant balancing rocks, we ventured on downstream to The Junction for lunch. This is one of the most delightful spots anywhere. Two joining streams have gently smoothed curving shallow pools in the bedrock. There was much wandering exploration and camera clicking here.

Day 13 (14th May) travel
We moved camp to the small town of Kyogle, an outer lying suburb of nearby Nimbin with its wonderful mix of new and old cultures.

 

Day 14 (15th May) Border Ranges NP. Distance 4km

Our first day into the “real” rainforests of the Border Ranges NP was, appropriately, met with real rain, the first and only of the entire trip. Nevertheless, the damp conditions added atmosphere to the gloomy greenery and presented these forests the way they should be experienced, with a degree of wetness. It also brought another first for the trip – leeches. But they were small in both size and number, easily managed.

Our first walk was at Sheep Station Creek where the “track closed” disease again greeted us. Nevertheless, we were able to do the pretty Palm Gully walk to Brush Box Falls and sample lots of Bangalow Palms under Brush Box with some nice examples of Strangler Figs and majestic Blue Quandongs.

We drove further up the hill into the pure rainforests at Brindle Creek where we walked both the Red Cedar and Helmholtzia tracks. The former, as the name suggests, has a large red cedar to view, and the latter reflects the creekside vegetation of this high basalt plateau. Some wonderful Antarctic Beech and Hoop Pine can be seen here.

Brindle Creek was the scene for the telling of another amusing tale of a field visit by then NSW Environment Minister Paul Landa, just prior to these forests becoming National Park.

In deference to the wet conditions we cancelled the main walk of the day and continued our car tour. We lunched at the Lost World Lookout, a small clearing on high point of the plateau. Before becoming a gravel pit, it was once (before road access) a helicopter pad for unloading fresh (often Vietnam bound) Army recruits in the 1960’s and 70’s. For young men who had never been outside their home city, it must have been quite a shock to be shoved off into a rainforest wilderness with a few rations and a poncho.

The Lost World Lookout has views to the north into Qld’s Lamington NP (which has its own Lost World). It was also here that we became familiar with the fourth NSW palm, Wait-a-While, a ferocious beast not to be messed with.

Further along the 44km Tweed Range Scenic Drive, rainforest almost all the way, a dingo crossed the track. We walked out to The Pinnacle Lookout where, engulfed by cloud, we could only imagine the spectacular view it normally provides of the Tweed Valley with both Mount Warning in the distance, and The Pinnacle itself at close range, commanding centre stage.

We visited Bar Mountain and walked the short Falcorostrum loop, named after the orchid which adorns the large and ancient Antarctic Beech trees in this area.

Exhilarated from the day’s highlights, the dampness was setting in and we returned to Kyogle via the steep southern exit of the Tweed Range Road.

 

Day 15 (16th May) Moore Park Nature Reserve. Distance 1km

Overnight the light showers had become rain. The landscape was still a bit soggy so we occupied our time mainly at Moore Park Nature Reserve, further up the Richmond Valley.

This small 14 hectare reserve is a gem, a rare remaining example of riverine rainforest which was once more extensive. It is dominated by Black Bean, Plum Pine, Silky Oak, White Cedar and Strangler Figs, one of which is particularly large. A Fruit Bat colony is playing havoc with the forests canopy.

 

Day 16 (17th May) Toonumbar NP. Distance 6km

On a fine day, our final day’s walking was enjoyed in the Murray Scrub within Toonumbar NP. The Murray Scrub is a lowland “shelf” rainforest and has a wide range of subtropical rainforest species with all its big tree, big buttressing, big variety features. On the edges of the rainforest are large very handsome Flooded Gums.

The highlight of the walk was a copse of mature red cedars near a lagoon, containing more than 20 handsome mature specimens, all about the same age. This is unusual in that the ravages of the Red Cedar Tip Moth usually destine these trees to be singular or in small numbers. This was a special treat and it reminded us that this iconic species is still “out there”.

We lunched at Iron Pot Creek campsite where more, but younger Red Cedars were plentiful and we finished the day with a visit to the tranquil waters of nearby Toonumbar Dam.

Back in Kyogle we celebrated the success of the last 16 days with a welcome glass of bubbly and swapped details on our various plans of returning to Batemans Bay, some via Queensland.

 

Summary

The safari, and its format, was judged to be a great success. The walks were great, the company superb, the weather perfect, we didn’t lose a day, and there were no significant injuries. Thanks to Rob and Donna joint organisers and to all those members who joined us.

Ian

 

The Club thanks the photographers for their contributions – Ian, Karen & Bob Mac, Gay, Mary, Donna F, Peter, Max, Phil and Erika.  And the Club gives special thanks to Ian, Rob and Donna for coming up with this idea for the safari, organising it, picking the walks and taking turns to lead them. Well done.

Lattas Road

Wednesday 14 June 2023

Photos courtesy of Donna F, Helen and Gay

Thirteen walkers enjoyed a gorgeous sunny winter morning on the Lattas Road Walk.

The walk is basically from Princes Highway utilising dirt roads along the ridges and down to the oyster beds on the Clyde River.

The challenging part was negotiating along the river bed winding our way through slippery rocks, mangroves and logs and rubbish washed up from the tides. And yeah, hiking boots may have got a bit messy! A little bit of bushbashing brought us back on track.

And of course, what goes down, must go up eventually and that’s what we did. Up up and up back along the dirt roads to the cars with lovely views across to the mountains and down to Batemans Bay.

All in all a very pleasant 10.5km walk for a sunny winter morning.

Gay

 

Cullendulla Nature Reserve and Square Head

Sunday 11 June 2023

Photo supplied by Joan

On a perfect sunny morning, a happy group of nine walkers, including one visitor, met at the bridge car park and drove to Long Beach Cullendulla Nature Reserve at the top of Blairs Road. From there the track was taken along the northern side of Square Head with some magnificent views of the whole length of Long Beach towards Maloneys Beach.

After some distance, the track arrived at the end of Square Head where a sign read of danger if going downwards on the track and further around. So, the group returned to a known marker stump and took a track leading to the other side of the headland, which overlooked Surfside and the Bay.

This track was enjoyed with various native plants being identified, or maybe not. Morning tea was enjoyed with a spectacular view of the ocean and the opposite marina.

This walk did not venture down to the shore of Cullendulla Creek but gradually led through lush undergrowth and enormous trees back to the cars. All agreed they had thoroughly enjoyed their morning walk on this beautiful headland.

Joan

Kellys Mine

Thursday 8 June 2023

Photos courtesy of Karen Mac, Rob, Helen, Mary and Tom (and thanks to Karen for the comparison photos).

Twelve intrepid walkers dismissed a forecasted rainy day to check out the Kellys Mine Walk. This particular walk has proven to be an old favourite of the Club, having been done many times over previous years with the walk last being done in 2018.

Kellys Mine consists of the main entrance as well as a number of secondary shafts adjacent to a nearby road. In previous visits each shaft has been clearly visible from the road, however, those who had visited the mine previously were astounded to see just how much the area had changed.

The 2019/20 fires had ravaged this area and with the subsequent rains in the following years, the vegetation regrowth has all but consumed access roads and virtually covered some of the shafts. The main entrance area, once an open spot to have a lunch stop, is now covered with quite thick vegetation.

Various items of nearby mining infrastructure have gradually been covered by overgrowth and what was a previously straightforward walk to the main entrance has become difficult to navigate in spots and certainly difficult to hike along. Hikers had to push past thick vegetation, crawl over and under fallen trees and attempt to remain upright whilst traversing washed out steep berms.

 

Fortunately, not all of the walk was this difficult and we found some nice spots for morning tea and lunch. The weather gods were also smiling upon us, and we were able to return to the cars just as some light rain began to fall.

 

We all agreed that the walk had changed significantly, and we pondered the idea of what the walk would look like again in a couple of years after mother nature has totally reclaimed it.

Donna G.