News | BATEMANS BAY BUSHWALKERS INC.

Barlings Beach to Burrewarra Point

16 July 202216 July 2022 Web Editor

Wednesday 13 July 2022

A conga line behind Franks Beach

Along the narrow track

Jane and Glenn at the headland

A happy leader Pat, no rain today

Leaving Franks Beach

Coastal views

Photos courtesy of Mary and Elizabeth

Led by Pat, eleven walkers set out from Barlings Beach car park on a cool cloudy morning. We climbed quickly up onto the headland, and soon reached a grassy side-track which took us out to Long Nose Point and allowed easy access to the wonderful southern views from the point. The outline of Gulaga was highlighted by white clouds in the distance, with nearer ranges and Broulee Island very clear in the foreground.

The walk then wound around the cliff tops and down to Franks Beach through a shallow casuarina covered basin. The track up from the beach was a little steep and required some care – but the low shrubs provided extra steps and hand holds and we then reached a short stretch of vehicle access track, somewhat muddy, but not difficult to negotiate.

The next stage of the walk circled to the south of the Guerrilla Bay village, passing some cliff top homes and then entering the beautiful headland forest of old banksias. We paused for morning tea in a clearing with southerly views just before reaching the (automated) lighthouse and the trig station at Burrewarra Point, and then headed inland again to a north-facing lookout, with near views of seals on the rocks and far views to Pigeon House and The Castle. The headland track then took us through the Burri Point car park, and we passed into Guerrilla Bay village and down to the beach on the north side of the point.

A further loop took us back across the village to the original track, just east of Franks Beach. With the sun breaking through we returned to the car park, after a very beautiful walk.

Elizabeth

Broulee Ramble & Mossy Point

12 July 2022 Web Editor

Sunday 10 July 2022

Victoria, Jan, Elaine, Bob, Jean, Jan, Barry

Photo supplied by Jan

On a cool winter morning that threatened rain, eight walkers set out on an easy grade 6km “Broulee Ramble “.

From the forest of burrawangs adjacent to Captain Oldrey Park we walked to Broulee Beach and enjoyed the big waves and white caps where there were some intrepid surfers.

We took the muddy track up the hill to the Mossy Point headland for some wonderful views of the cliffs overlooking the sea.

After morning tea at the Mossy Point Cafe, we made our way back to join the bush track beside Candlagan Creek and then back to Captain Oldrey Park.

Jan

Lake Burrill

11 July 2022 Web Editor

Thursday 7 July 2022

Walkers at Burrill Lake

Just a bit of water on the track

Heading down the beautiful forest track

Sharon and Mary at the lake

Along a somewhat drier part of the track

A splendid example of a Pinus ponderosa or maybe a Pinus pinaster (the Maritime pine).

Group at the cave’s entrance, which today was a spectacular waterfall

Photos courtesy of Mary and Donna

Thirteen walkers were fortunate to join walk leader Sharon for a 10km hike at Lake Burrill in the Meroo National Park. This walk takes in the Giriwa (Goanna) and the Gari (Snake) walking tracks, both of which hold great Aboriginal significance. Both tracks are dotted with informative signs which detail stories and information relating to more than 20,000 years of continuous Aboriginal connection to the area. Many of the stories, about animals and bush tucker, are as told by local Aboriginal residents.

Our walk, an out and back walk, took us along the lake’s edge and it was a real eye opener to see just how big the lake is. It is something that is just not visible when crossing the local bridge. We were also fortunate to have Ian along to impart his extensive knowledge on us regarding the local trees, both local and introduced species. It was interesting to learn that the area had previously been a pine plantation. There are still some Ponderosa pines present (minus the cast and crew of Bonanza) however some unfortunately did not survive the 2019/2020 fires that ravaged the area, although they are still standing. They are a stark reminder of recent and past events.

After lunch we made our way back to the highlight of the walk, an interesting cave overhang. In the days previously, this area had received a large amount of rain and, after a slippery descent down a short hill, we were met with the sight of a large amount of water cascading over the front of the cave. It was quite spectacular. This area is also significant as the cave would have been used by local Aboriginal people to shelter. There is also interesting signage in place relating to this as well. After spending some time admiring the sight and avoiding the water logged areas, we made our way back up to the track and returned to the cars. Thanks to Sharon for leading and interesting and informative walk.

Donna

Monga Mountain

4 July 20224 July 2022 Web Editor

Wednesday 29 June 2022

Plan B initiated

The sign says it all

Some curious locals

Prefect walking weather

The only ‘off track’ section

Ian recounting a moment in Monga history.

Monga Mountain ‘summit’

Ian identifying the various trees

On McRae’s Road

Simeon and a new friend

Photos courtesy of Amanda and Philip

Monga Mountain (960m asl) may not have been so named except that the first coast to tablelands road of the 1850’s was built over it. The gold rushes of southeastern NSW, Majors Creek and Kiandra in particular, demanded a bullock dray route for the feverish aspirants and their financially driven service providers to disembark ships at Nelligen and head inland.

The Kings Highway up and across Clyde Mountain is today the best known of the route, but the last leg, the low range separating the Mongarlowe and Shoalhaven Rivers, is less recognised. This final link was achieved via Monga Mountain and the road, slightly realigned in places, is still trafficable.

Eight Club members turned up at the Monga “gateway” just off the Kings Highway expecting a 7km easy walk but surprise! – we were immediately confronted by a missing bridge over the Mongarlowe River, demanding a rethink. Curiously, there were no public notices to the effect that the bridge was being replaced.

Being an adaptive lot, and under favourable weather, we abandoned cars on the King’s Highway and decided to walk on, up McRae’s Road to Monga Mountain and return in a circuit to the missing bridge site via Link Road, Monga Lane and River Road. All this area was burnt in 2019-20 so we avoided the prolific undergrowth and remained on roads and trails.

It was only a mere 16km, slightly longer than anticipated. It took 5 hours and the walking was most enjoyable.

Because of the activity associated with the original road, and there being a sawmill in the area for the last 170 years, the history of the area is rich and needed retelling. With the elevational and geological changes encountered, the vegetation was quite varied, from dry ridge tops to lush fern gullies and riverside vistas. The post fire tree ferned landscapes were a treat. We saw good examples of Narrow Leaved Peppermint, Silvertop Ash, White Ash, Mountain Grey Gum, Brown Barrel, Messmate and Ribbon Gum.

Ian

Pedro Point and Swamp

1 July 2022 Web Editor

Sunday 26 June 2022

Silhouetted in the morning sunshine

Glenn and Mary enjoying lunch amongst the spotted gums

Leader Karen and Niamh all smiles at lunch

Too nice a spot to leave

By Congo Creek

Sheer tranquillity

Photos courtesy of Mary and Karen

Bushwalkers took advantage of perfect walking weather on Sunday to explore a couple of pockets of Eurobodalla National Park near Pedro Point and Pedro Swamp.

The walk began at Pedro Point on Dolphin Beach and eventually turned inland towards Congo Creek. The track followed Congo Creek west until a private property fence line, and then swung east again towards the coast. Walkers then headed towards Pedro Swamp which is full to overflowing after all the recent rain.

One of the features of this walk is the different mature forest types – bangalay forest, blackbutt forest and spotted gum forest, all in an 8 km catchment.

Karen

Mullimburra to Congo Return

30 June 2022 Web Editor

Thursday 23 June 2022

A muddy stretch

A gentle climb

Crossing the sand at Meringo

Attractive woodand

A group pose

And another on the lookout

Photos courtesy of Karen G and Donna F

Fourteen bushwalkers (including 2 visitors) led by Donna, set off from Mullimburra Point along the South Coast Dreaming Track. It was a glorious winter day filled with sunshine and blue skies.

The group walked along Packers Beach before leaving the beach to enjoy views from a viewing spot along the Dreaming Track. The walkers navigated a stretch of muddy path prior to reaching a trail through attractive woodland. After a brief trek across sands at Meringo it was a gentle climb to morning tea that was enjoyed at a headland at Congo with great views up and down the coast.

A return to the starting point at Mullimburra Point completed our much-enjoyed 8 km walk.

Karen G

Bimberamala Gold Mine

27 June 2022 Web Editor

Saturday 18 June 2022

Crossing Currawon Creek

Heading towards the mine

Along the way

Over a few obstacles

Crossing Bimberamala River

Arriving at the mine

Inspecting the mine

Remains of the old stamper

Rob explaining the remnants

Photos courtesy of Amanda, Philip and Erika

Seven walkers, including two visitors made the 13.5km trek to the Bimberamala Gold Mine. This is a Val Harris walk last done in 2017. Most of this area was burnt in the 2019/20 fires but the Bimberamala River valley was spared the devastation.

The mine is in quite a remote part of the Yadboro State Forest so we were surprised to find a camper at the Bimberamala River crossing. We followed a well-used 4WD track, now blocked by fallen trees to within a kilometre of the mine. The mine entrance itself shows evidence of collapse when compared to the photos taken in 2017. The remains of an old stamper are also visible near the mine entrance, abandoned when mining stopped in 1915.

On return to the main forest road and river crossing where we had lunch five additional 4WD vehicles turned up making us realise two things: first- this is a popular 4WD site and second- we should only schedule this walk on week days!

Our overnight camper showed us a video of a large boiler he found on the river 300m upstream of the river crossing. We will do a recce in the coming months to find this artefact and add it to the walk for future walk leaders. I did some post walk internet research and found that the Bimberamala Gold Mine yielded $8m of gold (in today’s value) and that there was an additional nearby Bimberamala Creek alluvial gold working site. This is probably the location of the boiler our friend had pointed us to.

Rob

Meroo Lake Backwater

19 June 202220 June 2022 Web Editor

Wednesday 15 June 2022

Under tall timber

The leader and her group

Posing for a picture

A fine morning’s walk

Enjoying morning tea

Photos courtesy of Donna F and Glenn

A sunny day added to a pleasant forest walk with glimpses of Meroo Lake, enjoyed by 12 members.

Morning tea was by the lake where we were reliably informed the nearby chirping birds were robins and wrens.

At the finish of the walk a few members stopped at East Lynn for pies, while the remainder headed home.

Glenn

Yarragee Paddle on Moruya River

18 June 202218 June 2022 Web Editor

Tuesday 14 June 2022

Karen Max and Lin enjyoing a quiet spot on the river

Perfect weather for perfect reflections

Sheep watching on from shore

Morning tea on a sand beach

Bob leaving the ‘morning tea’ beach

Photos courtesy of Mary

Six paddlers enjoyed another brilliant morning this time on the Moruya River. We launched at Yarragee and paddled as far as the water level would permit. Once again we were treated to lovely reflections on the water.

Paddling up river we were able, for a while to take advantage of the incoming tide which turned before we reach our destination giving some strong, swirling currents.

Morning tea and lunch were taken on sandy beaches. During lunch the water receded making it a challenge for those of us not wise enough to leave their kayaks in deeper water. The result of this mistake afforded the group much amusement when one of the party got ‘too close and cosy with the wet, soggy sand’.

With chillier temperatures and a weakening sun strength coming up, we will soon take a winter break.

Mary

Bingi to Mullimburra Circuit

17 June 2022 Web Editor

Sunday 12 June 2022

Bingi Headland

Negotiating the rocks.

Kellys Lake beach and surf

Setting out along the road at the start of the walk

Morning tea at Bingi rocks

Big crashing waves

Photos courtesy of Mary

After such a cold start to the long weekend Sunday’s warm, mild, and almost windless weather was just what 16 Batemans Bay bushwalkers were hoping for when they began a 6 km hike from Mullimburra Point to the headland just south of Bingi Bingi Point and back.

High seas had eroded much of the sand from the beach, exposing previously submerged rocks and providing a place for a grey reef heron and sooty oystercatcher to search for food. Further down at Kelly’s Lake three endangered hooded plovers did their characteristic dart across the sand and into the cover of dunes. Nearby a lady fisherperson reeled in a sizable fish for her dinner.

The walkers stopped for morning tea at a large flat headland with almost 360 degrees of coastal scenery, a sight that never fails to entrance us and revive spirits.

The return section of the circuit was part of the Dreaming Track and and while there were muddy puddles, it was much drier than previously, and walkers could step around wet spots. No bush flowers or fungi were seen but birds were heard, and two eastern yellow robins were spotted along the track.

The walk finished at lunch time and several members decided to eat their sandwiches on the beach whilst watching the large waves crash onto rocks and the breeze pick up the spray making a mist.

Thankyou Mary for an enjoyable walk and a lovely day out.

Denise