BATEMANS BAY BUSHWALKERS INC.

Wednesday 4 September 2024

The Crew

Economy Class Seating

Business Class Seating

A Hill Climb

Made it to the top

Oh those hills!

Rob explaining the tracks signs

Photos courtesy of DonnaF, Gay, Peter, and Helen.     Walk report courtesy Walk Leader Gay.

With a chilly start to the day and not a breath of wind, conditions were in our favour for a hike in the bush tucked away between the Princes Highway and South Durras.

Eleven members and two visitors completed the 8.5km circuit. The group wound its way through magnificent tall trees, up and down gullies, along fire trails skirting a few fallen logs and in one particular section doing their best to avoid being tripped by vines or hidden logs among the thick leaf litter.
The last uphill hike brought us back to the cars and all agreed it is a delightful area for hiking and enjoying our local flora and fauna.

Thursday 29 August 2024

Beginning of the lesson

A geological walk through time.

Down at the harbor

Discovery time

A find

Peaked interest

Caught in time

Rob sharing the news

From another time and life

Photos courtesy of Tony and DonnaG, Helen and Martin, and Max. Walk report courtesy of Walk Leader Rob.

After a blustery week perfect weather arrived for the Ulladulla Geology and Fossil Walk. This is a Social Walk that mixes an Easy walk, a bit of geology education and a pub lunch. The walk is located in Brodie Park , Ulladulla and consists of a ‘time walk’ where large pieces of geologic rock from different locations on the south coast have been positioned along a paved walkway, separated by a distance to represent their formation over the last 500Million years. Each sample is well documented and information signs give readers a good description of what was happening at each period of time. I think its safe to say everyone learned a few new facts about the geology of the south coast and peppered the walk leader with many interesting and challenging questions.

We then headed down to the harbor next to the sea pool for an exploration of the fossils seen in the siltstones exposed at low tide on the wave cut platform. Once the walk leader had shown the walkers what the fossils looked like they were off like excited school kids finding many good examples across the platform. Many of the walkers were surprised to hear that when the fossils were sea shells and corals alive on the floor of a shallow sea this part of the Australian coastline was located at about 65 degrees latitude south and the water temperature was less than 5 degrees. Glaciers and melting icebergs ‘dropped’ rocks into the sediments that were then covered by over 800m of sedimentary rock which has eroded away over the last 200Million years to be now seen today on the shores of Ulladulla Harbor.

Everyone now knows the lost microplate ‘Zealandia’ that broke off from Australia 100Million years ago is under the waters of the Tasman Sea and its parting act was to create the stress fracture pattern seen on the shores of the Ulladulla harbor rock platform.

There will be a test at the Christmas party but the crib notes can be found at www.gondwanacoastfossilwalk.com.au.

Saturday 24 August 2024

The Group

Happy walkers

Admiring the view

One of the Orchids

Along the Creek

Great photo!

Photos courtesy of DonnaF, and Joan. Walk report courtesy of Walk Leader Joan.

On a very warm late winter morning this walk began from the top of Blairs Road, Long Beach, Cullendulla Nature Reserve car park. Eight members and two visitors were welcomed and began the walk along the Square Head track through enormous Spotted Gums and Budawangs to a point which gave magnificent views to the north of Long Beach and beyond. Then returning to the cars the walkers went through a metal gate and down the wide track to the foreshore where morning tea was enjoyed with views across the Bay to the marina.

The next part of the walk continued to follow a track beside Cullendulla Creek where Casuarina trees grow and on the trunks of which can be seen the creamy white epiphyte orchids of Dendrobium Teretifolia (various names of Rats Tail Orchid, Pencil Orchid, Bridal Veil Orchid) which flower in August often near mangrove trees. The orchid aerial roots on tree trunks absorb moisture from the atmosphere and get water from the trickle down effect.
There were a great many photos taken and orchids were much admired and enjoyed on this walk.

Wednesday 21 August 2024

Starting down the trail

Perfect tree for orchids

Some of the many Cabbage Tree Palms

At the Cascade

A moment to pause for Rob

Creek crossing below the Cascade

Geology discussion

Photos courtesy of AmandaM, Erika and Philip.    Walk report courtesy of Walk Leader Glenn.

Members enjoyed a walk on a beautiful sunny day, along forest trails, over creeks and into a gully. Spotted gums, palms, tree ferns and the start of spring flowers were in their glory. A goanna had us guessing what it was up to when it scampered up a tree and dropped the remnants of what was probably a nest onto the track. Next a red belly black snake was enjoying the sun until the noisy bush walkers saw him slither away. On the way back to the cars we had a final exploration of the bush along the creek, and we left thinking of the need to further explore the creek area another day.

Sunday 18 August 2024

Admiring the view

Back into the wind

Learning the ropes

Northerly aspect

Supervising the rope climb

Walk Leader Denise

Walk Leader Gavin ensuring no dead or wounded

Worth the climb

The rope enabled Ascent

Photos courtesy of KarenG, AmandaM, Ingrid, Gavin and Denise. Walk report courtesy of Walk Leaders Gavin and Denise.

Eighteen walkers headed off from the Sherringham Farm gate for this seven km medium walk on private property, (and thank you to the owners for their kind permission to do so.)

The windy uphill climb was consistent and broken by a few water stops, and the views behind us grew more spectacular with each step. Just before the final ascent to the summit we stopped for morning tea.

The final rock ledge was tricky but aided by a rope and with some guidance from those around us, everyone made it to the rocky summit. The views from the top were inspiring with Mother Guluga and older brother Barranguba in clear view.

We returned via a slightly different route and some inadvertently touched on a Prickly Ivy bush. Ouch. Having negotiated the loose rocks and cow pats, once back at the farm we jumped in the cars and drove to the Tilba Tilba Cemetery for lunch, and from where the views up and down the coast were fabulous.

Thursday 15 August 2024

Happy walkers

Mosquito Bay passage

On the Beach

Long walk on the rocks

Spring weather smiles

Sparkling sea

Sharon’s Posy

Photos courtesy of Rob, DonnaF, Philip and Erika. Walk report courtesy of Club President Rob.

The Malua Bay – Grandfathers Gully walk is a perfect mix of cliff-top and shoreline walking undertaken at low tide. Eleven walkers set off on a typical winters day, overcast and cool but were soon shedding layers as the sun came out and we had perfect hiking weather. The magic of this walk is seen as you come round each embayment either on the cliff top or on the shore and are met with a spectacular changing view of the next section of coast. Eurobodalla Council has been busy upgrading this walk installing some new bridges over creeks and a ladder at Mosquito Bay to ensure we have continuous access along the coastline.

Of particular note was the imminent flowering of some young grass trees seen along the cliff top. Walking along the shore platform we had to scramble over some rocks that had fallen from the cliff face reminding us that the shoreline is slowly receding inland and not to dawdle there too long. A pod of dolphins, a sea eagle and a dubious sighting of an albino whale close to shore (or maybe a submerged rock) rounded out the wildlife seen on the walk.

Saturday 10 August 2024

Group shot – just move back a bit more – oops

First up: the beach.

What a view

On the trek

Up the last hill

An enjoyable lunch.

Photos courtesy of Rodney and Max.       Walk report courtesy of MaryM.

It is very rare for the club to schedule a walk that starts at 10.45am. However “thinking outside the box” this is exactly what Rodney, our walk leader did.
Not only that, but he also decided that this 5.5km walk would be taken at an easy pace and that any hills would be of gentle incline. This description certainly encouraged 14 members to grab their dose of outdoors, and join Rodney in a walk through the forest surrounding South Durras.

Initially the walking track headed down to Emily Beach before taking us back up towards the road from where we took an adjoining track that led us east through
open forest and then along the clifftop towards Dark Beach. Looking out across the water and down to the shoreline, we could see that others had also taken
advantage of this fine sunny winters day. Rock fishermen were testing their lines, a family were playing on Dark Beach and a few boats had taken to the water.

The whole track proved easy walking, and a leisurely lunch was enjoyed amidst the beautiful forest. Being in the middle of the day any bird life was fairly quiet, though our leader stated that early of a morning this particular area of bush is alive with the call of lyre birds.

It doesn’t really matter what level of “bushwalk” we venture on, for it is the combination of walking and nature that is the enriching element. If a particular walk should pose a few “challenges” along the way, which we overcome, then we can also add a sense of achievement. Do this in the company of other like minded
people and you are on a winner! Remember the word “walk/walking” has many synonyms describing its action, and on any one day our personal preferences can
vary from stroll, amble, tramp, wander to serious hike or major trek. The main objective however, is the same; to get out there, be amongst nature and move!

Wednesday 7 August 2024

Strolling through open forest

Morning tea beside the track

Red Coral Heath

Ed and Philip theorising

MaryT braving the climb

Erika and Glenn

The return crossing

Photos courtesy of KarenG, Philip and Erika, MaryT and DonnaG.           Walk report courtesy of Walk Leaders Ed and KarenG.

On a chilly (1 degree) morning, 12 intrepid walkers crossed the icy waters of Mongarlowe river. Some crossed in bare feet, others wearing water shoes. Only Mary managed to avoid getting her feet wet – she sensibly wore Wellies.

With our feet reunited with warm socks we set off on the 10 kilometre return walk around Mount Murrengenburg mountain. The walk consisted of good tracks through bush that has largely recovered from the 2019 bushfires.

We were blessed with a sunny, still day to enjoy a walk amid silver top ash. Along the way we encountered many wild flowers like the red coral heat and hairpin banksia. Also we encountered wattle in bloom, tree fern, many grass trees and Sydney gums. Around the mid-point of the walk we had excellent views over Buckenbowra valley, ‘The Castle’, ‘Pigeon House’ and all the way to the ocean.

By walks end, the day temperatures and that of the walkers, had climbed. We had traversed lots of undulations. So, with the carpark in sight, it was almost, though not quite, a pleasure to once again immerse our feet in the waters of the Mongarlowe River.

A pretty walk enjoyed by all.

Sunday 4 August 2024

The group in the sun

Uphill and down dale

Morning tea

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

A 6 kms activity drew 11 club members out on a chilly morning for one of my favorite Easy walks. This Brooman State forest walk has some delightful creeks and valleys with a couple of hills on mainly good tracks. Those tracks which are a little more challenging are on those couple of hills, both on the down and upward route, with erosion having taken its toll.

Morning tea was by the creek which still has a good flow of water. By the time we turned uphill to return to the cars, the sun was shining brightly, warming us as we walked along the top of the ridge and up to Ingolds Knob Lookout where we all had lunch and a good view out to the sea.

Thursday 1 August 2024

Burrawang Track

Inlet Track

Morning tea

End of the rocks

Seeds everywhere

Remnants of the silica quarry

Listening to the frogs

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

Due to roadworks and associated stockpiles at the mapped start of walk, four bushwalkers braved the overcast conditions and started the walk from the Narrawallee Creek Road carpark, reducing the overall length of the walk by several kilometres. Heading down Buckleys Point Trail we saw that new signage has been installed identifying the various tracks and trails of the nature reserve. Our walk was to include the Mangrove Track, however as discovered on the reconnaissance, this track was impassible due to flooding. Even though it hadn’t rained for some time the track was covered by water for a long distance and the dense regrowth along both sides made it impossible to get around. Therefore, we went further down Buckleys Point Trail and took the Inlet Track to Narrawallee Inlet.

With the clouds beginning to clear, before heading north along Buckleys Beach we stopped for morning tea and watched the powerful surf pounding the shore. It was clear that the rough ocean conditions over the previous few days had significantly eroded the beach and cut into the adjacent dunes. At the end of Buckleys Beach we scrambled over the fascinating rocks at Buckleys Point. It was low tide but the relentless waves crashed and sprayed onto the rocks and pushed torrents of water far up the passages and tunnels under the rocks.

Once past the rocks we turned slightly inland and followed the Burrawang Walking Track to South Conjola Beach Lookout, where we had our lunch. The Burrawang Walking Track was densely flanked by hundreds of Burrawangs all laden with masses of bright orange seeds. After lunch we turned onto the Silica Ridge Trail, where between WW1 and WW2 silica was extensively quarried. The silica was transported from the quarry via a tramline, over a bridge at Narrawallee Inlet, and on to Bannisters Head for crushing and shipping to Port Kembla for the production of refractory bricks for use in steel furnaces. Once back at Narrawallee Road it was a short distance back to our vehicles.