Thursday 15 August 2024

Happy walkers

Mosquito Bay passage

On the Beach

Long walk on the rocks

Spring weather smiles

Sparkling sea

Sharon’s Posy

Photos courtesy of Rob, DonnaF, Philip and Erika. Walk report courtesy of Club President Rob.

The Malua Bay – Grandfathers Gully walk is a perfect mix of cliff-top and shoreline walking undertaken at low tide. Eleven walkers set off on a typical winters day, overcast and cool but were soon shedding layers as the sun came out and we had perfect hiking weather. The magic of this walk is seen as you come round each embayment either on the cliff top or on the shore and are met with a spectacular changing view of the next section of coast. Eurobodalla Council has been busy upgrading this walk installing some new bridges over creeks and a ladder at Mosquito Bay to ensure we have continuous access along the coastline.

Of particular note was the imminent flowering of some young grass trees seen along the cliff top. Walking along the shore platform we had to scramble over some rocks that had fallen from the cliff face reminding us that the shoreline is slowly receding inland and not to dawdle there too long. A pod of dolphins, a sea eagle and a dubious sighting of an albino whale close to shore (or maybe a submerged rock) rounded out the wildlife seen on the walk.

Saturday 10 August 2024

Group shot – just move back a bit more – oops

First up: the beach.

What a view

On the trek

Up the last hill

An enjoyable lunch.

Photos courtesy of Rodney and Max.       Walk report courtesy of MaryM.

It is very rare for the club to schedule a walk that starts at 10.45am. However “thinking outside the box” this is exactly what Rodney, our walk leader did.
Not only that, but he also decided that this 5.5km walk would be taken at an easy pace and that any hills would be of gentle incline. This description certainly encouraged 14 members to grab their dose of outdoors, and join Rodney in a walk through the forest surrounding South Durras.

Initially the walking track headed down to Emily Beach before taking us back up towards the road from where we took an adjoining track that led us east through
open forest and then along the clifftop towards Dark Beach. Looking out across the water and down to the shoreline, we could see that others had also taken
advantage of this fine sunny winters day. Rock fishermen were testing their lines, a family were playing on Dark Beach and a few boats had taken to the water.

The whole track proved easy walking, and a leisurely lunch was enjoyed amidst the beautiful forest. Being in the middle of the day any bird life was fairly quiet, though our leader stated that early of a morning this particular area of bush is alive with the call of lyre birds.

It doesn’t really matter what level of “bushwalk” we venture on, for it is the combination of walking and nature that is the enriching element. If a particular walk should pose a few “challenges” along the way, which we overcome, then we can also add a sense of achievement. Do this in the company of other like minded
people and you are on a winner! Remember the word “walk/walking” has many synonyms describing its action, and on any one day our personal preferences can
vary from stroll, amble, tramp, wander to serious hike or major trek. The main objective however, is the same; to get out there, be amongst nature and move!

Wednesday 7 August 2024

Strolling through open forest

Morning tea beside the track

Red Coral Heath

Ed and Philip theorising

MaryT braving the climb

Erika and Glenn

The return crossing

Photos courtesy of KarenG, Philip and Erika, MaryT and DonnaG.           Walk report courtesy of Walk Leaders Ed and KarenG.

On a chilly (1 degree) morning, 12 intrepid walkers crossed the icy waters of Mongarlowe river. Some crossed in bare feet, others wearing water shoes. Only Mary managed to avoid getting her feet wet – she sensibly wore Wellies.

With our feet reunited with warm socks we set off on the 10 kilometre return walk around Mount Murrengenburg mountain. The walk consisted of good tracks through bush that has largely recovered from the 2019 bushfires.

We were blessed with a sunny, still day to enjoy a walk amid silver top ash. Along the way we encountered many wild flowers like the red coral heat and hairpin banksia. Also we encountered wattle in bloom, tree fern, many grass trees and Sydney gums. Around the mid-point of the walk we had excellent views over Buckenbowra valley, ‘The Castle’, ‘Pigeon House’ and all the way to the ocean.

By walks end, the day temperatures and that of the walkers, had climbed. We had traversed lots of undulations. So, with the carpark in sight, it was almost, though not quite, a pleasure to once again immerse our feet in the waters of the Mongarlowe River.

A pretty walk enjoyed by all.

Sunday 4 August 2024

The group in the sun

Uphill and down dale

Morning tea

Photos courtesy of MaryT and Gay.      Walk report courtesy Walk Leader MaryT.

A 6 kms activity drew 11 club members out on a chilly morning for one of my favorite Easy walks. This Brooman State forest walk has some delightful creeks and valleys with a couple of hills on mainly good tracks. Those tracks which are a little more challenging are on those couple of hills, both on the down and upward route, with erosion having taken its toll.

Morning tea was by the creek which still has a good flow of water. By the time we turned uphill to return to the cars, the sun was shining brightly, warming us as we walked along the top of the ridge and up to Ingolds Knob Lookout where we all had lunch and a good view out to the sea.

Thursday 1 August 2024

Burrawang Track

Inlet Track

Morning tea

End of the rocks

Seeds everywhere

Remnants of the silica quarry

Listening to the frogs

Photos courtesy of Philip and Erika.        Walk report courtesy of Walk Leaders Philip and Erika.

Due to roadworks and associated stockpiles at the mapped start of walk, four bushwalkers braved the overcast conditions and started the walk from the Narrawallee Creek Road carpark, reducing the overall length of the walk by several kilometres. Heading down Buckleys Point Trail we saw that new signage has been installed identifying the various tracks and trails of the nature reserve. Our walk was to include the Mangrove Track, however as discovered on the reconnaissance, this track was impassible due to flooding. Even though it hadn’t rained for some time the track was covered by water for a long distance and the dense regrowth along both sides made it impossible to get around. Therefore, we went further down Buckleys Point Trail and took the Inlet Track to Narrawallee Inlet.

With the clouds beginning to clear, before heading north along Buckleys Beach we stopped for morning tea and watched the powerful surf pounding the shore. It was clear that the rough ocean conditions over the previous few days had significantly eroded the beach and cut into the adjacent dunes. At the end of Buckleys Beach we scrambled over the fascinating rocks at Buckleys Point. It was low tide but the relentless waves crashed and sprayed onto the rocks and pushed torrents of water far up the passages and tunnels under the rocks.

Once past the rocks we turned slightly inland and followed the Burrawang Walking Track to South Conjola Beach Lookout, where we had our lunch. The Burrawang Walking Track was densely flanked by hundreds of Burrawangs all laden with masses of bright orange seeds. After lunch we turned onto the Silica Ridge Trail, where between WW1 and WW2 silica was extensively quarried. The silica was transported from the quarry via a tramline, over a bridge at Narrawallee Inlet, and on to Bannisters Head for crushing and shipping to Port Kembla for the production of refractory bricks for use in steel furnaces. Once back at Narrawallee Road it was a short distance back to our vehicles.

Wednesday 24 July 2024

Along the bike tracks

Following the creek

Uphill to the ridge

Multi-trunk Spotty

Down the steep pinch

Creek, near the lunch spot

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

Ten walkers set out on a stunning winter’s day in the Mogendoura Ranges for a new 9km circuit walk. The Mogendoura ranges are just west of Moruya in the Wandera State Forest. It was nice to experience somewhere a little different without a long drive on tricky dirt roads to get to the trailhead. The walk itself takes in some good bike tracks that meander across easy creek bed crossings and is balanced by some nice easy ridge walking with a couple of reasonable ascents and descents.

Whilst the morning tea spot consisted of finding a suitable spot on the ground, with not a log in sight, the lunch spot more than made up for it with a lovely mossy creek complete with some nice rocky outcrops suitable for seating.

The lunch topic of conversation was whether any of the participants had seen a platypus in the wild. Much to KarenM’s disappointment, it was revealed that she was the only one present who had not seen a platypus in the wild and it wasn’t for the want of trying. We all gave KarenM some personal suggestions on where to look for one and made a mental note, that due to her lack of success, never to take KarenM with us if we wanted to find another!

Sunday 21 July 2024

Jim,Elaine,Pat,Niahm,Deb,Pat,Kaye,Rod,Tony and more!

Jim and Tony at Old Blotchy.

The Group

Old Blotchy height

Photos courtesy of MaryT. Walk report courtesy of Walk Leader MaryT.

A beautiful sunny, if somewhat chilly morning heralded a pleasant day for a short walk into the forest to admire Old Blotchy, a huge Spotted Gum. This magnificent old tree, estimated to be over 500 years old with a DBH girth of nearly 3m (Diameter at Breast Height) still boasts a good crown. It stands in a pretty glen with other fairly tall trees, ferns, Cabbage Trees and a number of fallen logs quietly rotting under its shadow. Further up the hillside stands another tree nearly as large. This small section of forest survived the fires of 4 years ago. The tree looks healthy and should be there for many years to come.

Morning tea, provided by the leader, was taken on one of those large logs at the base of Old Blotchy. We tried to encircle the tree but fell short with 10 walkers!

Thursday 18 July 2024

Donna, Mary, Deb and Barry

In flower with the promise of spring

Joan and Guy

Southern Coastline

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

This 5 km Easy walk started at Burrewarra Point and followed the signposted track from the carpark to the Lighthouse. On the way we paused to inspect the concrete bunker which according to the new sign erected by Council housed the power generator for Radar Station No. 17 during WWII. After a few more metres we stopped at the lookout to enjoy the views north to Durras Mountain and beyond to Pigeon House Mountain and The Castle. From the Lighthouse we took the track along the southern edge of the Point, once again stopping several times to take in the vista south to Gulaga.

Then it was down to Guerilla Bay Beach and over the rock platform to the picnic area at the north end for a morning tea break in the sun. Our return route followed bush tracks over the cliffs, eventually emerging at the carpark.

Saturday 13 July

Sundew

DonnaG, Jenny and Glenn looking out towards The Castle.

The rock pools at the top of Ngaityung Falls

DonnaG, Jenny and Glenn walking along the plateau south of Mt Bushwalker Lookout

Pigeon House Mountain

Jenny taking in the view

Glenn above the falls

Photos courtesy of Barry and DonnaG. Walk report courtesy Walk Leader DonnaG.

Six walkers headed off to Little Forest Plateau on a spectacular winter’s day for a 13km walk last done by the Club in 2012. We headed off on the boardwalk and track that leads to Mt Bushwalker Lookout and not far from the Lookout we took a left turn south along a reasonably good path that alternated between rock platforms and muddy footpads.

The recent rain that had made the track wet in places was a good indicator that our destination, Ngaityung Falls, would be pumping and we were not disappointed! Much of the track to the falls followed the edges of the escarpment which meant we were spoilt for views for morning tea and lunch spots. After much hinting and then complaining by Barry that his stomach was gurgling due to a very light breakfast, we relented and stopped at a stunning spot on the escarpment. It was lovely to see The Castle and Byangee Walls from yet a different angle, almost as lovely as the sound of a silent Barry eagerly devouring his morning tea.

After morning tea we continued along our path following the very helpful and abundant cairns along the way. We arrived at a cairn `intersection’ where we hung a left. To continue on, we would have arrived at Gadara Point, yet another destination to be explored for a future walk program. We continued along through ever changing vegetation, sometimes overgrown in spots and successfully down some wet rocky ledges through more bush until we could hear the sound of the falls becoming louder. It wasn’t long before we popped out onto the rocky plateau where Pigeon House Creek meets the escarpment edge.

Whilst the water was flowing well it was easily crossed, without getting wet feet, with us making our way to a nearby jutting rock ledge. This ledge provides a perfect vantage point to see the full extent of the falls. They really were spectacular in full flow. The rock pools at the head of the falls were all full and probably would have been inviting on a hot day but not so on a winter’s day.

Having made the most of our visit to the falls, we retraced our steps back towards the cars, stopping at yet another cliff top view point of the Budawangs along the way for lunch. We all agreed that you could never tire of the scenery on this out and back walk as the majority of the walk was a view. All in all it was a great day and we couldn’t have asked for better conditions, full sun, a light breeze and around 17 degrees. A very enjoyable walk indeed.

Wednesday 10 July 2024

In the scrub

Morning tea

Reflection in the pool

Tall Timbers

Testing the water

Photos courtesy of Rodney, Ian and Amanda.      Walk Report courtesy of Rodney.

After weeks of rain around the walk area, ten intrepid walkers set off into the muddy Boyne State Forest for a walk that had been off limits for too long, largely due to intense undergrowth development after the 2020 fires. The recent rains gave a different character to the terrain: now creeks were running with muddy water and some of the bike tracks had become like mudslides.

However, once the steep slippery slopes were navigated, the group was in a beautiful forest parkland-like landscape with open stands of patterned scribbly gum standing in carpet of bark and broken rock. After several damp mossy creek crossings and some short sharp ups and downs, the group was rewarded also with splendid clear views from Big Bit summit, with views across Durras Lake and Durras Mountain.

The return via more muddy mossy creek valleys was charming, and the leeches were too slow to take advantage of our moving feet. After finding a lonely Pencil Pine and earlier some elderly wood harvesters, and hearing a nearby lyrebird, the happy wanderers were pleased to see the cars after a pretty rough and slippery 13 kms. All agreed it was wonderful to get back to a little visited area.