BATEMANS BAY BUSHWALKERS INC.

Saturday 26 August 2023

Morning Tea

Cullendulla Creek outlook

Creek outlook to the East

Joan, Leslie, Susan and Bob

Susan, Max, Leslie and Joan

Photos courtesy Bob and Max. Walk Leader: Joan B.

Greeting us with a pleasant morning for a 5km walk, a group of five walkers made our way from Cullendulla Nature Reserve, Blairs Road, to take the track down hill to Cullendulla Creek. Following the shoreline we made our way upstream to view epiphytic Bridal Veil Orchids in flower on Casuarina trees lining the creek, and after having morning tea we returned along the same route to congratulate each other and our leader Joan on a pleasant walk (and deal with the occasional bush tick).

Thursday 17 August 2023

Donna, Deb, Karen G, Karl, Pat, Bob, Max, Karen M and Susan.

Bob, Ed and Karen

Little Dromedary in the distance

View from the lookout up at the water tank

At the pub afterwards

Photos courtesy of Peter – Walk report courtesy Walk Leader Peter.

“…and now for something completely different”

A walk on a public footpath, between rural pastures with views over green rolling hills to the sea in the distance; and ending at a quaint country pub, to enjoy a pub lunch, and for some, a pint of locally brewed ale. No, I am not describing a walk in County Kent or Cornwall in the United Kingdom, but this Thursday’s walk for the Batemans Bay Bushwalkers. It was on the Bellbrook Farm Loop Track that starts and finishes just behind the National Trust town of Central Tilba.

The loop itself is only a little over 2kms but offers spectacular views as you skirt around the foothills of Gulaga. There are granite outcrops and rolling hills a plenty, for which this part of the South Coast is famous – all while following a well-maintained mown track.

No, not quite your traditional bush walk, but certainly one that the 12 bushwalkers that came along, enjoyed. It was an opportunity to get a little bit of a workout and enjoy a social get-together afterwards; and for some to have some retail therapy and an ice cream!

And it was a good little workout, because although the loop is short it offered some long hills to climb and a set of 150 well-built wooden steps that had to be descended at the beginning and ascended at the end. Thereby making that pint of ale or glass of wine at the Dromedary Hotel completely well-deserved.

As I said, something a bit different. Obviously not the type of ‘bush walk’ the club will be offering every week; but if the feedback from the walkers is anything to go by, we may see other walks along the same theme, at least once on our quarter’s walks’ programs.

Thanks to those that came along and participated. A good walk, good food and good company.

Saturday 12 August 2023

Viewing the Eucalyptus Botryoides

Interesting rock face Beachside.

Heading down the steps at the beach.

Spotting native orchids along the bank of Congo Creek

Photos courtesy of Max. Walk Leader: Karen C.

Nine walkers enjoyed an interesting circuit walk from Congo Camp Ground along an old track, then along the road following Congo Creek, and back to the start.

Sunday 6 August 2023

View from the road near the Water Tower

The Crew at One Tree Point

Driftwood “sculptures” at the beachside caravan park.

Lake mouth view

Photos courtesy of Max. Walk report courtesy of Walk Leader Karen M.

It was a beautiful sunny day at Tuross Head on Sunday when Batemans Bay Bushwalkers gathered to take in the sights of that scenic peninsula sandwiched between 2 lakes and the ocean.

We welcomed 3 visitors, and it was new territory for most of the group who were not familiar with that part of the coast. Our walk at Tuross is an Easy/Medium 8 km circuit. It starts at the water tanks beside Chatham Park and follows the streets above Tuross Lake to Tuross House. This is the first residence built on titled land at the Head by Patrick Mylott in 1870. The surrounding 875 acres were farmed by the Mylotts until 1925, when the property was sold to Hector McWilliam who then went on to develop the land for housing.

The track then runs down the hill through back lanes to Coila Lake and the shared pathway following the lake side. Walkers enjoyed a break at the mouth of Coila Lake before taking the pathway to Plantation Point where we paused to see a solitary whale cavorting reasonably close to shore. Then it was over the sandy coves to One Tree Point to take in the view of Tuross Lake mouth. Then we walked above Tuross Lake with its gorgeous views to the boat ramp, and cut up the hill via a laneway to the historic Old Bakery and Bakers Cottage, both now AirBnBs.

Finally it was a quick walk along the Chatham Park fire trail back to the water tanks. No visit to Tuross is complete without a refreshment break at the Tuross Boathouse on the lake. Several of us stayed on to further enjoy the sparkling day with fish and chips down on the water.

Thursday 3 August 2023

Lunch Spot

Karen and Pat descending Gaolhouse pass

Peter Barry Jenny Jill and Donna in Gaolhouse Pass

Morning Tea

Donna explaining the alternative route out of the Pass

Photos courtesy of Donna F and Karen G – Walk report KarenG. Walk Leaders: Ed and Karen G.

A group of 14, accommodated in 3 cars, drove 80 kilometres to participate in this walk led by Ed and Karen. After a brief stop at the Mount Bushwalker car park, where there is a modern pit toilet, we set off to walk to our destination; a large bench with views over the escarpment. The views take in both ‘The Castle’ and ‘Pigeon House’, both well-known landmarks. We didn’t walk far before stopping briefly for morning tea as many of us were feeling more than a bit peckish.

A number of our group had not been on this well-known wildflower track since before the bushfires and were surprised to see the magnificent boardwalks that have been built by NSW National Parks to protect the fragile ecosystem.

It was still obvious along much of the boardwalk that the fires had destroyed a lot of foliage. However, we were also heartened to see lots of signs of recovery with not just wattle, but also banksias and eucalypts.

The walk was able to accommodate a range of fitness levels. As well as the mostly board-walk track, it also offered a side track down to Gaolhouse Pass. Gaolhouse Pass is a glorious, shady hideaway. The Pass is bounded on two sides by giant rock faces and in between is populated by ferns and mossy ground cover.

Nine of the party elected to go down to the Pass and the remainder of our group walked on to our lunch spot, giving them more time to enjoy the stunning views. We were mostly lucky with the weather. It was a fine, warm day, though the wind picked up just as the Pass group re-joined the others for lunch. Given the high, exposed position, such gusts of wind are to be expected.

It was a slower walk back. We arrived back at the car park a tired but happy group. The 8km return walk – with its magnificent views across Morton National Park, was well worth the drive.

Saturday 29 July 2023 

Coastal views from morning tea spot.

Another coastal view

Track turns inland toward Nargal Lake

Walking on Fullers Beach

Nargal by Nargal Lake

Lunch spot

The group at Fullers Beach

Fullers Beach

Heather times the tide

Time for a break to admire the view north

Descending onto Fullers Beach

Heading South on Fullers Beach

Photos courtesy of Bruce, Mary, Donna F and Karen.  Walk Leader: Mary T.

A crew of 14 went on this walk organised by Mary, who was so keen to get going she took off without one of her passengers. The lost soul was readily accommodated in one of the more tardy cars so no harm done.

After a drive to just south of Narooma we parked and then walked through spotted gum forest to Bogola Head where we had morning tea with spectacular views up and down the coast and out to Montague Island.

After morning tea there was a beautiful walk down Fullers beach then around Nargal Lake – which as the pre-trip publicity suggested was a little overgrown in places but no real problem.  The lake also lived up to its name as we saw several large Nargals (black snakes).

Safely back on Fullers Beach we found a place out of the wind for lunch – I was just about to pour my tea when we had to decamp as the tide was coming in and threatening to cut off our path around the headland to Loaders Beach – which we negotiated with the water lapping around our boots – so a good call.

This time we did have lunch and then headed off to for a short walk along the beach then inland around a dry lake and back to the cars via a 4WD road.

A lovely walk well planned and executed by Mary and her reconnaissance team that was enjoyed by all.

Bruce

Wednesday 26 July 2023

Leader Geoff on Wimbie Headland

Scaling rocks from Grandfather’s Gully beach

Tony on headland track

Taking advantage of the low tide

Some interesting features

Kaye, Mary, Brian, Tony, Donna, Wendy, Geoff, Deb, and Julie

Photos courtesy of Donna F and Mary 

Conditions were ideal for walking when nine members and one visitor set out from Mosquito Bay. Although parts of this route covered familiar ground, few of us had walked this route as a single journey and so it was “new” in that sense.

Under a warming sun, we passed through Lilli Pilli, Circuit Beach and Grandfather’s Gully, enjoying wonderful views up and down the coast and out to the Tollgates.
Then after a leisurely morning tea at Surf Beach, we continued through Denhams Beach and Sunshine Bay to out destination at Observation Point.

Animal sightings included seals basking on outer rocks and dolphins off Denhams Beach. The other interesting observation was the progress of track work, particularly around Sunshine Bay. Two new flights of stairs are almost complete. These are notable in that they are constructed of a composite fibreglass/ recycled plastic material. In addition, the handrails are stainless steel, meaning that little maintenance should be required.

Overall, this track is a great addition to our already extensive collection of mapped walks. Thanks Geoff for leading us!

Brian

Thursday 20 July 2023

Group pausing to admire view north

Carrot cake morning tea

Bob and Karen

Pat, Jenny and Karen with novelty spotted gum

Descending the steps onto Lilli Pilli Beach

Leader Lesley

Rugged coastal views

Lesley on track

A spectacular coastline

Photos courtesy of Mary, Elizabeth and Karen M.

Eleven walkers met at the crowded Mosquito Bay car park and braved a short roadworks detour to access the coastal path to the north. This led us along the cliff edge, down to Lilli Pilli beach, over several small headlands and past rocky coves to a very comfortable morning tea stop on the slipway to boat sheds at Circuit Beach. This pause also included a round of delicious carrot cake provided by a member celebrating a birthday!

The path was easy to follow and in several places the foliage had been recently cleared, and branches piled along the cliff edge to provide a rough low barrier. The roots along the path required care, and we identified some other possible hazards related to older track work. One slightly hidden low star picket brought one walker down near a creek crossing, but fortunately all was well.

After morning tea, we walked a little further to reach a small lookout point above Grandfathers Gully beach. We learned that local elders wish to have this area respected as a significant site and the coastal path from Observation Point will go slightly inland here to avoid too much foot traffic at the gully outlet. This won’t affect local users but will ensure that it remains a quiet location.

We returned by the same path – through beautiful coastal vegetation and stunning ocean views. Several of us had never been along this section of coast, and we were grateful to our leader, Lesley for introducing us to another beautiful walk along our coastline – and one that is very easily accessed.

Elizabeth