Saturday 4 May 2024
Photos courtesy of MaryM, StanM and Lesley. Walk report courtesy of Walk Leaders MaryM and StanM
Though the heavy overnight rain had eased, and grey skies still warned of more to come, eight keen walkers decided it was the right day for a brisk walk.
Starting at the northern end of Corrigans Beach we soon felt the force of the cold wind, so with jackets zipped up, we increased our pace. A very low tide, and a wide expanse of firm sand made for easy walking, so it wasn’t long before we were heading up the steps at the southern end of the beach and out to Observation Point. Observation Point has become a major tourist attraction, providing excellent views not only east to the magnificent Tollgates, but west towards the new Batemans Bay Bridge. Also of great interest is nearby Snapper Island, which is home to a small penguin colony.
Snapper Island was named by Lieutenant Robert Johnson who was sent by Governor Macquarie in 1871 to explore the Bay. Lt Johnson, who was born in Australia, arrived in the Bay on the cutter “Snapper” naming the island after his ship, and naming the Clyde River, which he and his crew explored in a longboat, after the River Clyde in Scotland. Another interesting fact is that Lt Johnson is the son of Lt Colonel George Johnson who was famous as the soldier who arrested Governor Bligh during the Rum Rebellion.
From Observation Point, it was time to head to Batehaven for a “cup of coffee’, before returning to the beach for the walk back to our cars at Batemans Bay Marine Rescue Headquarters.