Wednesday 19 April 2023

Corn Trail starts with a crossing the Mongarlowe River -boots off

Boots back on, and heading through the trees

If only that had been the only obstacle to step over!

Amongst the trees before the (long) descent

Ian agrees to use a walking stick to come down the steep slopes

The eucalypt regrowth in the mountains leaves an interesting pattern

Lunch as we arrive at the Buckenbowra River

Crossing the Buckenbowra River at the walk end – who cares about wet feet now

Great views from the top of the trail

A shot taken by the drivers as they awaited the walkers at the Buckenbowra River at the end of the track

Photos courtesy of Ian, Rob, Peter, Donna and Karen McL.

Eight walkers adventured down the Corn Trail on a sunny day. This walk has not been done since 2017 so we were keen to see the effects of the bushfires and the trail clean-up done by NSW National Parks. Full credit to the Park Service as the trail is very traversable especially at the top end.

Many sections of the trail up on the plateau were only lightly burned but the heavy rains we have had in the last two years have produced incredible growth of wattle trees and eucalypt saplings. The wattles were in full bloom and humming with the sounds of honey bees.

The lower half of the trail, down in the valley close to the Buckenbowra River, is heavily overgrown with post fire vegetation growth and the trail is covered in weeds making hiking a slippery endeavour.

For those of you who have walked the Corn Trail before, you are aware that the usual car shuffle adds over two hours to the total walk time. Special thanks must go to Karen and Tony who drove the walkers to the start of the walk in the Monga, then met us at the end of the trail on No Mountain Name Road. Eight tired walkers were very relieved to be heading directly home and not back to the Monga to collect cars.

Rob

Sunday 16 April 2023

Heather, Susan, Max, and Denise on the track

The group at morning tea

Max, Tony and Jim an shores of the inlet

Stopping to admire a healthy burrawang

Group at base of the ‘big’ fig tree (rain gear on)

Photos courtesy of Mary and Max

Eight members joined leader, Mary to walk around the tracks of Wagonga Inlet just south of Narooma.

We took a chance on the rain holding off and it obliged, at least until rather aptly, we were on the track down to a small gully hiding a pocket of rainforest. This gully is a short diversion off the main track but is not to be bypassed. There, there is a grove of fig trees; one of immense size and age. Amongst their branches several bird nest ferns.

Morning tea was enjoyed by the shoreline of the inlet. And lunch was eaten in Narooma where some enjoyed fish and chips from the local outlet.

All in all, a good morning’s walk.

Mary

Thursday 13 April 2023

An easy walk off track

With a not so easy ascent

Distinctive luminous fungus (Omphalotus nidiformis) on deadwood

One of several green gullies

Resting in a Sheoak grove

Photos courtesy of Bob, Karen G and Ed 

A group of 12 bushwalkers met on an overcast morning by the river at Moruya. The 7km Easy/Medium grade walk started after a short drive south to Western Boundary Road.

We were soon deep in an interesting mixed forest containing the occasional bright grove of Sydney Red Gums. The track crossed some small creeks as it undulated amongst the trees. Light rain did not dampen the mood, and as usual the bush lifted spirits with its beauty and varied scents.

Thanks to Ed and Karen for guiding us so well.

Bob

Sunday 9 April 2023

Heading up those stairs at Maloneys Beach

Views and more views

A good way to pop in for a picnic on the beach

Karen showing the Canoe Tree

Back down those stairs on the return leg

Photos courtesy of Karen McL and Donna G

The Easter Sunday bushwalk started at Long Beach on a blustery day. The group of 15 walked north past Maloneys Beach, up the new metal staircase onto Acheron Ledge and then inland to follow a series of local tracks to Judges Beach.

After a break on the grassy verge behind Judges Beach out of the wind, the walk continued to the old farm stockyards, onto the indigenous canoe tree and then to Quiriga Beach. There we took the new sandstone steps back up to Acheron Ledge and then followed the newly cut Murramarang South Coast Track over to Maloneys Beach.

This is a 10km Easy/Medium Circuit takes in two well known beaches and two remote beaches, plus some indigenous and colonial history, right on the doorstep of Batemans Bay.

Karen McL