News | BATEMANS BAY BUSHWALKERS INC.

Walk, Swim and Picnic – Start of the 2021 Walking Year

22 February 202127 February 2021 Web Editor

Thursday 18 February 2021

Photos courtesy of Bob, Mary, Ainslie and Tom

The club’s first walking activity for 2021 was held at Longbeach Reserve where two walks were held and attended by 42 members and 1 visitor.

Rodney and Karen happy to be back on the tracks

Winding our way along the cliff

Chris and Gay heading down

Morning tea and a chat!

Morning tea

Karen striding out ahead

The inevitable photo of backpacks!

Time to head back up the hill

The Easy/Medium Walk Leader, Glenn, welcomed a lively group of 26 walkers which included 3 newcomers on their first club walk and the visitor. The plan for the 8 km return walk was outlined and walkers were asked to observe Covid precautions. The walk started along the grassy verge behind the beach before climbing a long hill up to the attractive Spotted Gum forest covering Square Head.

Morning tea was taken on the beach at the mouth of Cullendulla Creek with expansive views across the broad Clyde River estuary to Batemans Bay.

Barry, Kaye, Denise, Carol, Mike, Ainslie and Stan

Elaine, Bob and Gillian

Gillian, Kaye, Mary, Mary and Stan – but alas, no lunchtime log!

The Easy walk, led by Mary, took the group of 15 in bright, sunny weather along coastal tracks, beach and the local residential area.

After their respective walks, the two groups met up again back at the Reserve picnic area for lunch.

Rodney and Gillian relaxing after their respective walks

Helen and Kaye admire the Publicity book

Deborah, Carol, Kaye, Meriel, Grant and Denise congratulating Grant on becoming a Centenarian

Joan, Meriel and Grant (still on a high from his 100th birthday celebrations), also joined us at lunchtime.

It was a great opportunity to catch up with each other, renew friendships and plan further club activities.

Bob, Mary and Gay

Congratulations Grant – Celebrating 100 Years Young !

16 February 2021 Web Editor

Wednesday 17 February 2021, marks an incredible milestone for one of our members – Grant’s 100th Birthday!

2015 30th Anniversary Dinner – Grant and Meriel

Grant and Meriel are original members of Batemans Bay Bushwalkers Inc, joining the Club at its inception in 1985.

Grant was elected (by ballot) as the second President of BBBW in 1987, and again for a second term (unopposed) in 1988. During his 2 years as President, Grant presided over the incorporation of the Club with NSW Corporate Affairs, and the acquisition of Public Liability Insurance.

1987 Committee – outgoing inaugural President Geoff hands over the reins to Grant and the new Committee. Grant is holding sign.

1987-88 Committee – President Grant in centre

1999 Presentation – Grant with Beverley

2010 past presidents – taken at 25th Anniversary (l-r) Mike, Hugh, Grant, John, Ruth, Paul, Kay, Barbara, Beverley, Len, Meriel, Ainslie

2010 originals – taken at 25th Anniversary (l-r) Meriel and Grant, Jean, Ruth, Valerie

In later years, Grant acted as ex-officio Club Historian, collecting and collating BBBW records, and very generously storing them at his home.

1986 Overnight camp at Wilsons Prom – Grant is standing with Meriel seated next to him

1990 Tumbarumba Camp (l-r) Meriel, Bennie, Betty and Grant

1993 Tallaganda Camp – Grant at far right, Tallaganda National Park

1998 Northern Safari – (l-r) Margaret, Mike, Ainslie, Meriel, Hugh, Grant, Robert, Beverley, Jan, Max

2015 Great Ocean Walk Camp in Victoria – (l-r) Grant, Jan, John, Meriel

2015 Melbourne City Camp – Grant and Meriel

From 1989 to 1994, he led 3 camps at Bungonia Gorge, Nerriga and Mt Seaview, and contributed further to the Program by leading walks and hosting Social Events.

1986 Wilsons Prom – Grant is far right. This is the first time BBBW visited the Prom.

2019 Wilsons Prom – (l-r) Betty, Gillian, Karen, Meriel and Grant

2019 Wilsons Prom – Meriel and Grant at our most recent camp at Wilsons Promotory

Grant and Meriel were on our first camp to Wilsons Promontory in 1986 and were part of the group who did the overnight walk to the Lighthouse. 33 years later in 2019 they were back with our group at the Prom, enjoying a slightly less challenging itinerary. Wilsons Prom was Grant’s last walk with the Club, with 2020 rudely interrupted by bushfires and Covid.

Meriel and Grant have been enthusiastic supporters of our activities for 36 years.

Happy 100th Birthday Wishes for Grant from all of the members of the Batemans Bay Bushwalkers Club!

Karen and Gay

Moruya River Paddle – Yarragee to Town Boatramp

15 February 2021 Web Editor

Monday 8 February 2021

Perfect conditions

Andrea and Phil lead the way

Morning tea

Photos courtesy of Mary, Karen and Gay

Five Members of the Batemans Bay Bushwalking Club and one Visitor, started the week with a paddle on the Moruya River.

This was my first paddle and I thoroughly enjoyed it. My kayak is on the smaller side and I was a little concerned that I might hold everyone up but an outgoing tide and no wind made sure I was able to keep up – well mostly! No-one was in a hurry to go anywhere and we took out time meandering along the river from our launch site at the end of Yarragee Road. Perfect conditions for a perfect paddle!

Next paddle is on Tuesday 23 February at Durras Lake. So come along and try out a paddle with us!

Gay

Bushwalkers prepping for 2021 – Walks Program and a Paddle Program

25 January 202115 February 2021 Web Editor

Monday 25 January 2021

Paddlers setting out on calm water

Lin out on the river and waiting for the Paddle Program to be published

Glenn, Gay, Donna and Mary checking out the Square Head walk

Rob disappearing in the bush above Coila Creek

Gay and Helen enjoying the water in Coila Creek

Donna and Gay trying to avoid a waterlogged track in the Big Rock Road area

Tom at the Diamond Creek waterfalls at the back of Moruya

While most Batemans Bay Bushwalkers are taking a break over January, there is work being done behind the scenes by some dedicated members. With the first quarter walks beginning on 18 February 2021, some members have been out and about undertaking reccies of walks and areas that were affected by fires.

Additionally Ian and Mary are working on a Paddle Program which is expected to be published soon.

A couple of walks recently reviewed was the 6km Square Head walk which is to be one of the first on the program and a 14km walk in the Coila Creek area. Coila Creek was a delight for the walkers as there was quite a bit of water in the creek and it was particularly pleasant to be able to follow the creek along for some distance before heading up and out of the gully and back into the bush, which was pretty thick. We sent Rob in first! A great walk and hopefully we will see this one on one of our walks program later in the year.

Looking forward to catching up with all Club members soon – Happy Bushwalking!

Gay, Publicity Officer

Budawangs – Wog Wog to Yadboro

10 December 202014 February 2021 Web Editor

Tuesday 1 – Friday 4 December 2020

Easy, open walking as we enter the Budawangs from the west

We pause near Corang Peak to admire the views

A 360 degree view from Corang Peak with Pigeon House in the background

The traditional “Oh what a feeling” jump on Corang Arch

An abundance of grass tree and ground flowers

Lin enjoys the grassy flowerbeds

Lots of Christmas Bells

Camping under the cliffline

Approaching the first of the sandstone mesas

Erika leading the way skirting yet another cliffbase

A cosy camp

The Donjon Crevasse

Monolith Valley

Wendy on the ramparts

Pausing on the smallest of the seven pinnacles

Eastern portal of the Green Room

The Green Room

The Emerald Room

The Natural Arch

Within the Monolith Valley rainforest

The old entrance to Monolith Valley

The Breadknife, Mt Mooryan

Shrouded Gods Mountain

Monolith Valley from Eagles Nest

Climbing The Castle

Phillip on one of the many ropes

Barry shimmys the slabs

From The Castle, looking northwest

From The Castle, looking southeast

Walkers: Phillip & Erika, Rob, Bronwyn, Barry, Wendy, Lin, Ian.

It seems we do this classic walk across the Budawangs about every four years. But this time it was different in that almost the whole area was heavily burnt in the 2019-20 bushfires, significantly changing the nature of the walk.

The views were outstanding, the last of the spring flower meadows beautiful, and the walking, free of undergrowth, very pleasant.

It was pleasing to see the wildlife finally returning as the green gradually overpowers the black. We saw a good variety of insects (flies, ants, butterflies and dragonflies), and even two snakes – white lipped and (suspected) tiger. The grass trees were flowering prolifically and the insects were loving the nectar.

The only down side to a perfect walk was the heat on the first day and too many pesky flies blown in on the accompanying northwest wind. Otherwise, the weather was perfect. The second and third days of cool, low cloud added mysticism to the rocky peaks around us, and the fourth day of clear sunshine was perfect for the views.

Because we took our time, camping at Burrumbeet, Mt Cole and Cooyoyo, we were able to visit many highlights and take some interesting short side trips. We visited Corang Peak, Corang Arch, the Donjon crevasse, Green Room, Emerald Room, Natural Arch, Eagles Nest, and explored the rocky ramparts of Monolith Valley.

The rock is wonderful. There is not only a lot of it but it has great character, particularly in Monolith Valley where the pagodas resemble a miniature Bungle Bungle wonderland.

On the last day in perfect weather we climbed The Castle which, for some of us, enabled us to finally knock it off our bucket list.

The photos from Phillip, Rob, Erika, Barry and Ian tell the story.

A big thanks to Miriam and Rudy who assisted greatly with the drop-off and pick-up.

Ian

Point Upright and Depot Beach

28 November 202015 February 2021 Web Editor

Thursday 26 November 2020

Rob and Karen on the boardwalk overlooking Depot Beach and the platforms

Rock platforms

$Studying the marine life in the stress fracture$

Studying the marine life in the stress fracture

Our lunch cavern

Leaving rock platforms for Depot Beach

Photos courtesy of Tom, Amanda, Karen, Brian, Chris and Gay

What a perfect day to lead the last walk of 2020! The sky was blue, the sea was a bright turquoise and yes, perhaps it was a little warm, but the walkers were treated to a lovely breeze at the top of Point Upright lookout and again down below as they walked back around the point along the rock platforms.

Due to the low tide being at 1p.m., the walkers left a little later than usual at 10a.m. from Depot Beach. A nice steady uphill walk through the village up onto the Burrawang track to Point Upright brought out some beads of sweat, but it felt good to be out in the open, enjoying the regeneration of the forest.

The lookout at Point Upright is a good solid structure with wonderful views towards North and South Durras. The group paused for a few photos then tackled the steep downhill track and steps to North Durras beach to find several swimmers enjoying the crystal clear water.

Time for a coffee break before the Walkers cut through some low scrub endeavouring to get as far along as possible around the Point before having to head down to the rocks. The tide was still higher than expected and some wave sets coming in washing across the rocks meant we had to scramble over the rocks for some distance before we could venture down to the drier rock platforms. Some members spotted some fossil mussels (Euridesma) on the rocks but a lot had their head down taking it very carefully as they wound their way over and through the rocks.

But what a treat once we reached the rock platforms. After a few jelly beans to boost our energy and with a nice seabreeze, the group took time to study the cliffs and rocks, lots of small pools and stress fractures filled with starfish and sea urchins, small fish and quite a few jellyfish.

The walkers meandered their way slowly back to Depot Beach enjoying the platforms and the views out to sea, with the waves crashing nearby. Lunch was enjoyed in a large cliff cavern though some of us weren’t too sure about sitting under those imposing cliffs.

All in all a great day out!

Gay

Cullendulla Boardwalk

21 November 202015 February 2021 Web Editor

Saturday 21 November 2020

Looking for those elusive crabs

Jill and Ian on a dry boardwalk

Photos courtesy of Gay

A couple of hours were spent walking in the Cullendulla and Surf Beach area today. Nine walkers met at the temporary car park in Surfside and headed out to Surfside beach where surprisingly there were very few people around. The highlight of the walk was the Cullendulla Boardwalk where the walkers tried to be quiet and still so that the crabs would come out but alas they were too smart for us and mostly stayed hidden. It was hard to believe that when the leader, Jill, did the recce that the boardwalk was under water due to a king tide.

From the boardwalk the group headed into the back streets of Surfside and via a roundabout route found themselves at the Lincoln Resort on the highway before turning back towards the beach and discovering a little known track through a reserve and back to the cars.

Thank you Jill for leading this enjoyable morning walk.

Gay

Ringlands and Wagonga Inlet Circuit Walk

21 November 202015 February 2021 Web Editor

Wednesday 18 November 2020

Kaye leading the way

We all wondered how this little bridge would be in a high tide?

Blue tongued lizard on the trail too

Denise on her luncheon throne

Group photo with the Strangler Fig in the Rainforest Gully

Photos courtesy of Tom, Chris and John

Twenty-two members enjoyed an Easy/Medium grade walk of 8kms on the Ringlands Circuit walk today. The walk is very pretty taking in the oyster farms of the Wagonga Inlet with trails often skirting the edge of the water as we headed toward Flying Fox Gully. Not a cloud in the sky and the water was crystal clear – shame we didn’t have our togs! Morning tea was enjoyed on the banks of the Inlet and lunch was held on a higher point with a cooler breeze and some bull-ants to keep an eye on. The diversion off the path down to the Rainforest was well worth it to see the large strangler fig and of course, an opportunity for a group photo.

Thanks Karen for stepping in and leading the group on a very enjoyable bushwalk.

Gay

Candlagan Creek and Mossy Point

17 November 202016 February 2021 Web Editor

Sunday 15 November 2020

Rodney taking a break under a shady tree

Rodney, Mike, Lesley, Lyn and Barry found a great seat for a break

Leader, Lesley, chatting to the walkers

Photos courtesy of Mary and Ainslie

Twenty three walkers turned out for the easy grade 6kms walk around Candlagan Creek and Mossy Point on Sunday. It was a glorious day weather wise.

Walkers were rewarded with great views from the Mossy Point headland and there was plenty of time for this big group to chat and catch up while wandering along the river and creek tracks.

Thanks to Lesley for leading the walk.

Durras Forest, Beaches & Rocks

16 November 202016 February 2021 Web Editor

Thursday 12 November 2020

Heading into the forest

Rob supervising Rodney’s rock climbing

Karen taking on the “leap of faith”

Rock Scrambling

250 million year old mussel fossil

Photos courtesy of Karen, Amanda and Barry

Starting from the Durras Ocean Boat Ramp, this walk begins in the Village, before turning into the forest and by back-tracks emerges at Myrtle Beach. The forest paths involved quite a bit of scrambling across fallen logs, uncleared since the gales earlier in the year, and the gullies were still muddy from recent rains. The group enjoyed a sunny morning break on the grassy bank above Myrtle Beach before turning north along the beaches and rock platforms that make up the coastline.

As we dropped onto the basaltic black sands of Dark Beach our geologically inclined leader waxed enthusiastically over the unique geological features of this area which marks the Southern tip of the Sydney Basin. Indeed, combined with striking coastal scenery, the coastline geology here make this a fascinating day out. A fair amount of rocky scrambling followed until the group reached the “leap of faith” where a dike intrusion has been eroded away leaving the sea foaming beneath the bushwalkers feet. At low tide this is more like a step than a leap – but it is followed around the headland by more interesting geology. In the cliffs opposite Wasp Island are pieces of fossilised wood and further on are signs of humanity: remains of an ancient metal boiler and iron stakes set in the rock platform where the timber barges of 100 years ago moored to take their cargo on board.

It was a fascinating, varied morning out with a range of interesting forest and coastal scenery. Thanks to Rob for stepping in to lead at short notice. His expertise made it all the more interesting.

Rodney