BATEMANS BAY BUSHWALKERS INC.

Wednesday 11 June 2025

Pat, Bob and Elaine

Morning tea at the creek next to Billy’s Hut

Billy’s Hut

Lunch at the Steam Packet Hotel

On the trail

Deep in discussion

Legends Donna and Glenn

Club President Rob reading out the club’s historical beginnings.

Gathering for the history.

Crossing the creek

Ed leaps the creek

Lenore and Kay at Billy’s Hut.

Photos courtesy of Steve, Helen, Rob, Donna,Gay, and Tom

On the 40th Anniversary of the Batemans Bay Bushwalks first walk to Billy’s Hut 15 club members and 2 visitors retraced those steps to this iconic destination. The weather was sunny with no wind and a mild temperature – perfect hiking conditions.

For some this was the third visit but for a few it was the first. Someone had been in before us and cleared some of the small trees and vines that had started to obscure the stone structure. A number of comments were made that Billy’s Hut resembles some of the stone cottages in Ireland from where the builder – William ‘Billy’ McCarthy originated in 1854. While the timber roof probably was lost in one of the many bush fires we have had in this area over the past 150 years you have to credit Billy for building a stone and mud structure that has passed the test of time.

The ground was very moist around the hut so we headed down to the nearby stream for morning tea and what we hoped would be a leech-free rest stop. We were entertained by one leech desperately trying to find a leg to climb.

After the walk we stopped in at the Steam Packet Hotel in Nelligen for lunch where we were joined by three club members for burgers and a beer.
A great day for all and with such a good attendance we all agreed the club is in good condition for the next few decades.

Sunday 8 June 2025

Morning Tea

Trailing on the beach

Metamorposis

The scene of the event

On the trail

Gathering on the beach

Jumping the dunes

On the track to the beach

Enroute

Through the sand dunes

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

Although a chilly, windy morning, a drive further up the coast walking to the back of the Tabourie Village along forest tracks and the beach attracted 15 members and 3 visitors.

Although sheltered, the winding forest tracks were strewn with twigs brought down by the high wind, and in one section erosion of the track required careful negotiating. Morning tea on the beach meant ‘skiing’ down a sand dune on deep, soft sand. The descent was more fun than the climb back to the track! The sea was whipped up with white capped waves that had attracted a group of young surfers. A couple of rogue waves caught a few of us who looking for hard sand near the shore, and had to jump to avoid wet feet! Unfortunately the rough seas still covered the sand bar to Crampton Island where the plan was to have lunch, so we returned via the boardwalk to the picnic area for lunch and our cars.

My thanks to participants who braved a chilly morning start in the Bay to go north where, as the morning progressed, it became warmer.

Thursday 5 June 2025

Happy to be at the top

Lunchtime discussion about the next reccie

And it keeps getting steeper!

Forest is still recovering

Magnificent Mungerarie Firetrail

Steve with Wamban in the distance

Photos courtesy of Amanda. Walk report courtesy of Walk Leader DonnaG.

Eight hikers, including a visitor, were up for some hills in the Deua National Park on a stunning winter’s day. The Mungerarie Circuit is a 12 km walk that takes in good forest roads to the south west of Moruya with stunning views of the surrounding mountain ranges and beyond.

The ever so thoughtful Walk Leader Donna G. informed participants that their well being was of the utmost importance. They were informed that the evil dreaded steep hills would be tackled in the first half of the walk, leaving a leisurely descent down the Gallery Fire Trail back to the cars. They were informed that it would be just like child birth, the steep hills would be a distant memory once back at the cars and that they would all be keen to tackle the hills one day again soon!

Morning tea was strategically taken prior to the hills (that couldn’t even be passed off as undulations) amongst a beautiful forest that included stunning Angophora Costata (Sydney Red Gum) with their lovely smooth pink bark. After morning tea it was time to hit the lung burners and get them over and done with. We all made it up to the junction of Mungerarie and Gallery Firetrails for a lovely descent down to where we later found a nice lunch spot on a rocky outcrop with views of the ranges. Whilst at lunch a disused track which led down a spur to a creek was partially checked and the thoughts were that it was promising as a future reconnaissance so this was put on the list of ‘to do’ reccie items.

Following lunch we returned to the cars very satisfied that our various devices, watches, G.P.S units and smart phones reflected the appropriate kilometers, steps, descents and calories burned that we all demanded and expected!

Saturday 31 May 2025

Forest fungi

Misty

Tall tree ferns

Clear paths

Mossy

Some obstacles

Some serious overgrowth

More mossy trees

Tall trees

Out in the open

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

Eleven hikers joined Margaret for her inaugural walk as Walk Leader in the beautiful Monga National Park. This lovely 12 km circuit hike takes participants through a magnificent forest with healthy tree ferns and abundant fungi. Even though this area was ravaged by fires four years ago, it was pleasing to see that some Pinkwood trees have survived as well as many other old growth trees.

Margaret set the bar high for her first walk. We had stunning weather, a great group of hikers, no leeches, a civilised lunch stop complete with picnic tables and amenities but above all, Margaret didn’t lose the acceptable ten percent attrition rate of participants! Whilst Neil deduced that it meant we could have shed 1.2 hikers, he couldn’t quite work out what body parts should make up the .2 so this discussion was soon dropped.

All in all we had a wonderful day and look forward to what Margaret has install for her next adventure. Thanks Margaret for a job well done.

Wednesday 28 May 2025

Onward and upward

Local Fungi

Granite torre (towers)

A closer look

Some perspective

Granite Creek lunch spot

Rock pools

A seat with a vista

Perfect spot

An action shot

Along the way

Jenny’s jump; style and elegance.

Photos courtesy of Amanda, DonnaG, Lenore. Walk report courtesy Walk Leader Glenn.

Due to heavy logging in the the Dooga Creek area the walk was altered slightly to still walk in the Pollwombra area.

On a nice sunny day, just right for walking, we followed undulating trails through forests and gullies. Following recent rain there were a few unexpected muddy patches and little streams. Stopping for morning tea near granite rocks left time for some walkers explore the rocks and torre while the rest relaxed and chatted.

Back along the track we turned off to make our way through more forest before reaching Granite Creek. The creek was flowing down cascades and filling rock pools; a beautiful sight. A perfect spot for a leisurely lunch.
A short walk back to the cars finished the walk, leaving some spare afternoon time for all.

Sunday 25 May 2025

Preparations at the carpark

On the beach

Group stretching out

Awesome sky

Back along the footpath

Headland view

Island view

Clouds to the west from Broulee Beach

The group at Mossy Point Headland

Photos courtesy of MaryT, Max. Walk report courtesy MaryT.

After days of rain, 15 members and 1 visitor took advantage of the overhead dry and warm conditions to walk, with the guidance of new club Walk Leader James, from South Broulee Beach to Candlagan Creek via a stop at the Mossy Point Cafe for morning tea. Although wet and a little muddy in some low lying places, the tracks traversed were surprisingly good. A beautiful cloud formation to the west of South Broulee beach interested a number of walkers and as is often the case, the sea did not disappoint with lots of surfers and for me an unusual sighting of a hyrofoil surfboard that certainly gave its rider an exhilarating ride across the waves.

A big thank you was given by the walkers in appreciation for the walk, and for James for volunteering to become a walk leader for our club.

Saturday 17 May 2025

Group at Durras Lake

Ferny track

A little outcrop of fungus

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

The weekend walk for Bushwalkers was a 6km Easy circuit near Durras Lake at North Durras and easily completed before lunch.

We started at the entrance to Lake Durras which is currently open to the ocean, so the Lake is tidal at the moment. Skirting the North Durras caravan parks and avoiding the kangaroos lying all over the grass, we took the track inland which runs along one arm of the Lake shore. The track then turns away from the lake and heads to the shore of a different arm, where we stopped for a break and watched the fish jump and the birds feed.

The return track is lined with ferns and very pretty. There was a lot of small types of fungi popping up in the wet leaf litter. Back at the Lake entrance we admired the views north along North Durras beach to Point Upright before heading home.

Wednesday 14 May 2025

Forest Fungi

Saskia and Priya

The river got deeper

Rob, Erika and Priya waving

Rob and Priya

Mossy River Rock

Genus Epacris

Unplanned repairs

Photos courtesy of Amanda,Philip and Erika, Walk report courtesy Walk leader Rob.

This was the third attempt to do the Rebecca Rd to Deua River walk after rain cancelled the previous two attempts. This walk is very remote and requires a 30km forest road drive from Bodalla to reach the start of the walk on an old logging road that goes down to the Deua river. We chose this route as it is one of the few places where we can access the Deua river in its upper reaches.

This area was burnt in the 2019-20 fires and regrowth of vegetation, particularly acacia, was very dense. It was good to see many Silvertop Ash (e. Sieberi) recovering well.

Despite being only about 15kms from the headwaters of the Deua River the water flow was quite strong and while we hoped to walk up the river we were forced onto the banks at many locations to avoid rapids and deep pools. A number of freshwater yabbies were seen in the river.

While this is a tough walk everyone agreed it was worth it and hope to do it again when the river is lower to make navigation easier

Sunday 11 May 2025

Group discussion

A listen in…

Beachhead panorama.

Circuit Walk

Morning Tea

On to Bingi Headland

Taking a Break

Photos courtesy of Gavin, Denise, and Lenore. Walk report courtesy Walk Leaders Gavin and Denise.

Nineteen walkers set off on a perfect autumn day.

The first few kilometres was on the beach through deepish sand and then we ventured across the dunes into the old sand mining area and followed the well-used 4WD tracks.
We reached Coila Lake and had a pleasant morning tea on the foreshore watching the antics of the resident ducks.
We then returned, following a trail that loops through magnificent old growth forest and then meets up with the Bingi Dreaming Track.

After another few kilometres we returned to Bingi Headland where we had lunch whilst watch dolphins and gannets frolic in the ocean.

Thursday 8 May 2025

Morning Tea

Coastal Arch

Follow the Leader

Morning Beach

One of the bays

On the Beach

Swan Lake near Barlings Beach

Welcome Lunch

View worth the walk

Photos courtesy of Max and Lenore. Walk report courtesy of Walk Leader Lenore.

Ten keen walkers set south on Rosedale beach on a fine autumn day. We made our way around the headland adjacent to Jimmies Island. Amongst some, there are two thoughts on the naming of the island, perhaps named after Jimmy Friday, an indigenous fisherman also known as “King of Bateman’s Bay” in the early twentieth century and/or perhaps named after James (Jimmy) Sebbens Jnr (1858-1938), the fifth of fourteen children born to James Sebbens Snr and his wife Celia Barling.

The walk continued along the coastal edge across the beaches and headlands of Nun’s beach, Tranquil Bay and Guerilla Bay to the well known Burrewarra Point and lighthouse. There were sightings of yellow tailed black cockatoos, seals and a sea eagle.

We fringed the edge of Long Nose Point to reach Barlings Beach. This is a significant site for indigenous people over thousands of years including a meeting place, battleground and sacred site, particularly Barling Island (sacred site and place of origin of a queen figure). Apparently the open land was used as an airstrip in WWII.

After leaving the coast, we headed inland between the Barlings Beach Holiday Park and the recent Reflections residential housing development. We followed the inland tracks through wetlands, past dairy farming land and made our way to a high knoll that offered views of Gulaga, Broulee Island and the fabulous east coast. There was an unusual camel sighting and many swans along the way.

Thanks to all for sharing a great day out.