BATEMANS BAY BUSHWALKERS INC.

Sunday 6 October 2019

Tony Donna Tom Gay Carol Jane Rob (Ed – hiding!) Karen and Annette

Gay, Rob, Donna and Tom going up

Carol leading the group

Photos by Donna and Tom

Our walk leader led 10 hikers on a pleasant 10 km hike along the coastline and forests at North Durras. This walk mixes beach walking with forays through the spotted gum forests on the headlands on good paths to lookouts with great views of the offshore islands and beaches. Being a long weekend we saw more tourists than is usual for our hiking group and thankfully the sounds of the surf drowned out the noise of the jet skiers. The rainforest trail was crowded with happy kids, all future club members and we decided the ocean swimmers had to be Canberrans who were determined to get wet regardless of the overcast and rising wind conditions. All in all a good hike. Thanks Carol.

Rob

Monday 30 September 2019

Setting out upstream

Main creek narrows

Side creek

Mangrove forest

Clearing to blue skies

Monday’s paddle on Cullendulla Creek started under grey skies on an incoming tide. The creek is tidal and empties into the ocean at Square Head near Long Beach. Paddlers cruised inland on the tide enjoying the high water and narrowing channel. As the tide turned, so did the fleet, turning into the side channel towards Surfside to explore the mangrove forest at high water.

The kayaks then beached on the sand at the mouth of the creek for lunch in full sunshine.

Karen

Thursday 3 October 2019

Barry enjoying his paddle!

Philip and Evelyn enjoyed getting their feet wet

4 sooty oystercatchers flee from 4 bushwalkers. Square Head in the distance

Heading down the side of Square Head

Erika and Judith at Square Head

Spring had arrived for sure as 20 walkers set off from Maloneys Beach in warm sunshine with the temperatures rising.

We didn’t have long to wait before the option of a paddle presented itself, when the tide was not as low as preferred at a rock platform near the end of the beach. Here, most decided to keep their feet dry and walk along the cliff to Long Beach whilst a few water lovers paddled in the warm sea round the outcrop to meet the rest further along.

We all know Maloneys and Long Beaches for their expansive golden sands and smooth waters, but today we got close up to beautifully textured and coloured rocks , had stunning views of the Clyde estuary and islands, the sea was crystal clear and with the backdrop of hills this walk showcased the area in all its glory.

The Square Head track with its spotted gums and burrawangs provided cool shade and filtered views of boats on still water, before we wended our way back. This time we all walked on the cliff and returned to join the large eastern grey kangaroo mob on the grassy foreshore of Maloneys Beach and our waiting cars.

Thank you Philip and Erika for a lovely walk.

Helen

Saturday 28 September 2019

Carol and Barbara clearly enjoying the walk

Donna and an old car wreck

Ainslie and Mike with Clyde River views

Photos by Carol & Denise

Wednesday 25 September 2019

Lesley and Group with Smashed Tree

Ferny Glade

Track throughTailed Rapier Sedge

Quilted Spotted Gum

Lesley, Bob and Lee with hanging boulder sculpture

Photos by Karen

Thirteen walkers enjoyed a very pleasant hike in the Mogo State Forest. The walk started on the crestline of Dog Trap Road that was logged a few years ago and is experiencing rapid regrowth.  Following an old logging road we headed downhill to the Tomaga River. Only Australians could call this dry creek a ‘river’ but the moist environment with dense vegetation in the valley creates a perfect home for many birds. The bike track followed the river for about a kilometre and while our noisy hikers usually scare off most birds, we experienced the calls from many varieties close by. Along the river we saw a number of hybrid Sydney Blue Gums and Spotted Gums with very interesting quilt-like patterns going up their trunks for over 20m. No-one could seem to explain the cause for this phenomenon and we are hoping our resident club foresters will view the pictures and provide an answer.

We stumbled across an interesting hanging boulder sculpture left by an artist that is apparently part of a larger display in the forest closer to the Botanical Gardens. This art piece is well off the usual Gardens tracks so we felt pretty special to see it. All downhill walks have to end with an uphill climb but all the hikers agreed this was a great walk and congrats to Bob for leading it for us.

Rob

Sunday 22 September 2019

Moira, Mary, Ian, Gay and Karen at the start of the Giriwa Track

Stan in front of the tree and rock shelter

Tree and rock shelter

Last leg through bushland from the coast to the cars

Photos by Glenn and Gay

Mary and Stan’s 15 km Burrill Ramble showcased another gem on our doorstep.

We enjoyed the Giriwa (means goanna) walking track, with views of lake and forest. Following the foreshore, signage informed us of the Dhurga speaking Murramarang and Budawang people culture, the traditional custodians of Burrill Lake. We also had our first distant glimpse of Pigeon House mountain.

Our next track took us to the Burrill Lake rock shelter or bimbala meaning cockle shell, nestled in rainforest. This is truly amazing. In the 60’s archaeologists used carbon dating to confirm aboriginal occupation going back at least 20,000 years.

We finish the day walking over the rock platforms, keeping our feet dry, through bush to the cars.

Bush, lake, rainforest, rock shelter, beach, rock platforms, history and a perfect day.

Thanks Mary and Stan

Glenn

Thursday 19 September 2019

Amanda, Judith, Philip and Simeon having a short rest

Pretty, pink dew drop flowers were abundant

Amanda, Judith, Philip and Simeon at the top

The clouds parted and some blue sky was spotted!

Philip descending the many steep stairs on the return

Photos by Erika & Philip

Our small group set out up the first steep section of the climb with a small possibility of rain ahead. We stopped for morning tea at a rock outcrop just before the flatter central section of the walk.

Once we reached the flat section we were greeted by an abundance of pink, mauve and yellow wild flowers lining the track. The vegetation and the drooping flowers were bejewelled with droplets of water from the earlier rain. Our desire to stop, admire and photograph the floral displays pleasantly slowed our progress for some time.

As we neared the second steep section of the climb the mist closed in and light rain began to fall. The rain continued on and off, as we continued our ascent, and the clouds covered the top of the mountain. Upon reaching the base of the ladders, that would take us to the summit lookout, we could only just make out the outline of the rocks above. The rain stopped as we carefully climbed the wet steel staircases and a patch of blue sky opened as we reached the top. However the clouds continued to sweep across the mountain, and as we had our lunch we were only afforded a few fleeting glimpses of the landscape beyond.

After lunch we retraced the route back down the many steps, through the fresh moist smells of the bush and the enchanting wild flowers, to the start of the walk.

Philip