Thursday 20 June 2024

Glenn leading the ascent

Group discussion

Fascinating fungi

Disused collatoral

Mine site signage

Remnants of the past

The tough get going

Photos courtesy of Glenn, DonnaG, Philip and Erika.   Walk report courtesy of Walk Leader Glenn.

Walkers enjoyed a lovely sunny day for our Gulaga Tors and Engine Track hike. First passing a historic rock wall built by Chinese workers during the mining period. Then after visiting the spectacular Tors we followed the Engine Track to an old mining site where we had time to investigate the remnants of time past.  The lush vegetation was a picture perfect.

Another great day in the great outdoors.

Wednesday 26 June 2024.

Broulee Walking Group

The Briefing

Beach Trek

Did you say SHARK Bay?

Bush Track

Morning Tea

Bay Vista

Soldier On

Some familiar faces!

Photos courtesy of DonnaF and Max. Walk report courtesy of Walk Leader KarenM.

It was a chilly morning at Candlagan Creek carpark early Wednesday, but a good crowd still turned out for this 7km Easy/Medium walk.

As well as 5 visitors, we were also very happy to have one of our most senior members, Betty join us. Although in her nineties, Betty completed the circuit comfortably and there was much catching up with old friends and new along the way. We hope to see her again in the not too distant future.

Walkers took advantage of the mid tide to walk the entire North Broulee Beach, enjoying the views towards the Island. Then we cut across to Shark Bay which was like a millpond. We paused there at the southern end for a break in the sunshine, before heading into the bush, and up the hill.

There’s a lookout at the top with views south over Bengello Beach right down to Gulaga Mountain. The remainder of the walk followed local tracks behind houses to the Broulee Nature Walk in the Bangalay Sand Forest behind Captain Oldrey Oval. This is a short accessible track through fairly thick scrub and lined with flowering wattle (Acacia suavolens). More grassy lanes led us to Candlagan Creek which we followed back to the carpark.

Sunday 23 June 2024

A creek crossing

Another creek crossing

Pain Gauge, otherwise known as elevation information.

Yes, we did climb hills…

Same creek crossing…

Beautiful reflections

Regrouping at the high point along the way

Beginning of the bushbash.

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

We had the perfect winter weather for a hard walk in the Deua NP – sunny, no wind and temperatures in the mid-teens. 10 walkers set out to do the Donalds Creek walk last done as a reccie in 2016.

We knew part of the walk on a long abandoned firetrail would have vegetation regrowth after the 2019/20 fires however we were amazed at how dense the vegetation was. This slowed the group down and our planned 5 hr walk took 7 hrs to complete. We joined the Ash Firetrail which we also walked in 2016 and while we were expecting some regrowth the big surprise was all the fallen trees and branches from a very recent wind storm that were crushing many of the young casuarinas on the road and making our passage very slow. Donald’s Creek was flowing well and the cameras were out capturing the creek and still pools with incredible reflections.

I have included an elevation profile captured on the day with GPS to show that the walkers really did climb a lot of hills in their 15km hike.

Saturday 15 June 2024

Through the mudflats

Through the mangroves

Beside the Estuary

Beach walkers sea and clouds

Walkers at Toragy Point Lookout

Photos courtesy of DonnaG and MaryT. Walk report courtesy Walk Leader KarenM.

Thanks to everyone who turned out for Saturday’s easy 5 km walk around the river and coast at Moruya South Head. Quandolo Island is in the Moruya River Estuary and accessible at low tide by walking across the mudflats and through the mangroves. The smaller River Mangroves were in flower and the Golden Orb Spiders had spun their webs through the Grey Mangrove forest. The views from the Island of the river estuary and mountains are lovely.

The walk then heads along the breakwall to Shelly Beach where we stopped for a morning break, then up the hill to Toragy Point with its historic graveyard and seal spotting platform. No whales, but a few seals lazing in the swell, flippers up to catch the rays. This whole area is bounded by Eurobodalla National Park and we took the mown tracks from Toragy back towards the historic Pilot Station and the start point.

The walk was followed by lunch at the Waterfront Hotel in Moruya, where walkers were joined by several more Club members, packing out the Hotel Bistro.

Wednesday 12 June 2024

Three walkers on the track

On the trail

Gnarl and walkers

Walkers on track

More walkers on the track

Photos courtesy MaryT.      Walk report courtesy Walk Leader MaryT.

A cool day with brilliant sunshine greeted 10 walkers for the Meroo Lake walk. Rather muddy, but pretty forest tracks, were flanked by tall, straight gums. The call of many birds resounded around us. As we neared the lake dark clouds and a strong wind suddenly blew up heralding rain. Sure enough just before reaching the lake rain was falling. However it was gone as suddenly as it came and as we completed the circuit, the sun was shining once more.

Sunday 9 June 2024

A pause for the scenery

In bloom

Mushrooms abound

Beach walk

Walkers nearing Durras Beach

Photos courtesy of Helen and MaryT.       Walk report courtesy of KarenM.

The Durras Forest and Wetlands walk certainly lived up to its name. And after nearly 200ml of rain over 48 hours, it was more wetlands than forest. Our leader Rodney had to action Plan B, as Plan A was somewhat under water. Fortunately he’s a Durras local and was able to switch to other less soggy tracks.

We enjoyed coastal views from the clifftops before heading inland from Dark Beach. The Durras forest is always lovely, but probably more so after rain. There are a surprising number of wetlands in and around Durras Village – all full to overflowing. We stopped by the lake for lunch and finished the walk along South Durras beach, detouring around the swiftly flowing creek to get back to the cars. Many thanks to Rodney for making this walk happen. He also had a Plan C, but we didn’t need it in the end.

Saturday 1 June 2024

Morning tea

Fungi

Lots of fungi

Copious fungi

A fungi view

The crew at large.

Photos courtesy of Helen, Glenn and Rob.     Walk report courtesy Walk Leader Glenn.

Walkers enjoyed a meander through lovely forests and along the crystal clear creek in the Turlinjah area. The recent weather help produce a fabulous fungi display of many colors, red, blue, purple and green, some not generally seen. How lucky were we.

Wednesday 29 May 2024

Morning Tea

Traversing the “creek”

Karen, Joan and Pat can’t wait to get onto dry sand

Gladys, Sean, Karen G and Karen M wet footed.

Ian, Lorraine, Rodney, Mary, Jeff, Simone and Moira on the bridge, Bengello track

Most of the group at the end of the walk

Photos courtesy MaryT, KarenG and Helen.     Walk report courtesy Walk Leader Helen.

On a bright sunny morning there was a good turn out for a 7km walk at Bengello Beach Broulee.
Who would have thought such a straight forward innocuous walk would have been so exciting.
For those who did not join us but have a fear of missing out, well, you did!

Just the logistics of arriving at the right parking area caused problems, the loss of a road sign, no Google Maps to help out and a typo on the programme did not help, so next time I lead this walk I will include a map of Sandmines car park Broulee. (Not Google Maps preference for Sandbanks car park in the south of England, as that is a tad too far out of our area!)

Then the numbers of walkers fluctuated like I have never known. We set off with thirteen, two others caught us up, another two met us from the opposite direction and one more wandered along with us near the end. You might expect to lose a walker or two, not gain five.

Finally, and I did warn you before we set off, there was the excitement of Bengello Lagoon being full and open to the sea. Was this the first time BBBW had a creek crossing on an “Easy”
walk? Yes, it required removal of boots and paddling through chilly ankle deep water and included lots of muttering. But isn’t that why we like to get out in the bush, to become one with nature and live a little dangerously?

After all the “to do”, morning tea was relaxing watching the waves in warm sunshine as we let out feet dry, while the dappled shade of Bengello track was inviting and easy going. It wasn’t all bad, at least the visitors who joined us were keen to join us again and I got the timing of the walk right!

Sunday 26 May 2024

Contemplation

Dewy web

Delicate Fungi

Morning tea

It’s the vibe!

Crossing the mighty stream

Lunch on the Woodleigh Firetrail

Rob and Ian working on their dance moves.

Photos courtesy of Amanda and Philip.     Walk report courtesy of Walk Leader Rob.

Despite being listed as an Exploratory Walk, which means the conditions of the trail are unknown, 17 walkers turned up for a walk along a firetrail in the Monga. The day started off very foggy as we drove up the mountain from the Bay but the moment we emerged from the cars so did the sunshine.

The walk started at Monga Mountain and follows a firetrail 11 kms downhill, with a few undulations, to end at the Kings Highway. While the walk is in forest the entire route we are high enough to be afforded great views of the plains to the west towards Braidwood.

As we dropped over 400m in elevation the vegetation and tree species kept changing and Ian Barnes counted 8 different Eucalypt species. At the end of the walk we had to cross Northangara Creek which was racing due to all the rain we have experienced over the last few weeks. Everyone managed to leap the creek with assistance and only one boot got wet.

This walk will be mapped and added to our database as a Medium DD22 and offered to other club members next year.

Saturday 18 May 2024

Rock hopping

Circumnavigating Broulee Island

Sand blown up by the southerly on South Broulee Beach

Donna and Glenn enjoying the cold start

Liz and Kate looking a tad cold

Mary is happy to be on the warm side of the island

Sandmines beach art work?

Kate and Mary..first time at the Canoe tree

Photos courtesy of Gay, Donna and KarenM.        Walk report courtesy of Walk Leader Gay.

After a lovely week of sunshine, a storm passed through overnight bringing a cold southerly wind to the area and while it felt like déjà vu for three of the group, the weather did not deter 9 club members joining me on the Broulee Isand and bush circuit. Three years ago I led this walk and the wild wind then, whipped the sea into a frenzy and it was considered unsafe to complete the circuit of the island. Today fortunately, while cold and gusty winds buffeted us on the south side, it was not as bad as first anticipated. We were rewarded with a lovely sunny walk on the north side of the island and had an early morning tea to soak in the rays.

Back into the wind on South Broulee beach for about a kilometre before escaping into the bush where it was surprisingly calm and pleasant walking. A few hikers had not been in this area nor had they taken time to stop and inspect the Canoe Tree. One to tick off the list!

The 9 km circuit was completed before lunch. A good morning’s bracing hike.