Saturday 31 August 2019
Photos by Rodney
A fine sunny day encouraged 17 bushwalkers to enjoy the walk to Square Head, Long Beach from the car park at the top of Blairs Road. This walk is surrounded by Spotted Gums and Burrawangs while giving extensive views to right and left of the Bay and Long Beach as the track leads to the edge of Square Head where a wide expanse of the ocean out to the Tollgate Islands can be seen. On this day there was no sighting of a playful whale but there have been times when a group has been lucky.
From Square Head the track follows around the clifftop and then descends via steps down to Cullendulla Creek where the group followed the shore line and then on a track through Casuarina trees where at this time of year there is a blooming of Dendrobium teretifolia orchids (otherwise known as Rat’s tail, Pencil or Bridal Veil Orchids). They are known as epiphytes – a plant which grows on another plant – and mostly grow on Casuarina tree trunks along creeks/rivers often near mangrove areas. This year was noted by regular locals as the best year ever seen for these orchids on this walk.
The track follows Cullendulla Creek and led the group to a small wharf to sit and enjoy lunch before heading back with the unusual sighting of four Pied Oyster Catchers on the opposite shore. The group then made their return up to the car park, finishing a well enjoyed walk by one and all.
Joan and Bob