BATEMANS BAY BUSHWALKERS INC.

Monday 2 April 2018

Ian, Simon and Sharon heading off into the bush.

Morning tea on Quart Pot Creek.

Simon and Ian ascending the waterfall.

Simon at ‘No Name Waterfall’.

Leader Ian ‘living on the edge’ at the top of the waterfall.

David, Ian and Simon standing almost on air at the top of the waterfall.

Photos by Mary

Seven club members (Sharon, Mary, Glenn, Simon, Rodney, David & Ian) enjoyed this short, but challenging, walk.  The target waterfall was spotted some years ago on aerial photos and, being remote from roads and tracks in the Monga Wilderness Area, it was finally time to investigate.  The walk was designed as a sister trip to the recent Lyons Creek waterfall walk and in many respects it was similar, but a little more difficult.

We left Quart Pot Road and headed across country northward, crossing Quart Pot Creek and followed the Buckenbowra Fault line with associated Comerang volcanics’ hard rock strata.  From subsequent weathering, this rock spawns some interesting formations in this area’s topography, including waterfalls.

We approached the falls from below, and because the banks were too vine infested, particularly with the unfriendly lawyer vine, we stuck as close as possible to the creek bed.  About 300 metres from the target, we emerged into a pleasant patch of rainforest containing a number of Soapy Box trees and one example of the locally rare Brown Beech.

The creek then narrowed down considerably and solid rock appeared – a good sign if you are looking for waterfalls!  The first cascade was easy enough to negotiate but the following deep rock pools forced us to mountain goat the western sides of the canyon until we reached the base of the falls.

The waterfall is a near sheer drop of 25 metres with another 10 metres, top and bottom, of cascade, making the total drop about 45 metres. Its bottom slopes of solid rock proved to be a great viewing platform and we lingered for photos and lunch.

Because the area is not well explored, and no record of the waterfall (verbal or recorded) had been found, we gave it a name – No Name Waterfall, in honour of the nearby mountain of that name.

After lunching on the rocky ramparts, we rock scrambled to the top for further inspection, and took more photos.  Via a steep narrow ridge we descended back to the valley, the rainforest, and retraced our route to the cars.

This was a short (3 km each way), but strenuous (6 hours), exploratory walk to an unnamed waterfall, previously known only by suspicion, but now bearing the name No Name Waterfall.

It was well worth the trip and certainly confirmed the initial suspicion that a “notable rocky drop” indeed existed at that spot.

Ian

Sunday 1 April 2018

Morning tea near Judges Beach.

Leader Karen with Mary.

Photos by Carol and Mary

This year’s Easter Sunday walk started at Maloneys Beach and proceeded through Murramarang National Park, via beaches and forest to North Head.

20 walkers enjoyed the warm calm weather, first visiting one of the notable spotted gums in the area, followed by a morning tea break at the ruined concrete sea pool near Judges Beach.  Then it was cross country through the burrawangs and eucalypts to North Head Beach and lunch in the shade on the rock platforms.  Batemans Bay Bushwalkers have scheduled this walk many times in the past and generally never see another soul on our travels, but at Easter there are holidaymakers on even the most remote beaches, although we had the forest tracks to ourselves.

On the walk back we took a slightly different route through the National Park past a set of abandoned stockyards and via Quiriga Beach.  A most relaxing way to spend Easter Sunday.

Karen

Wednesday 28 March 2018

Joe, Valerie, Carol, Lesley, Bev, Molly, Bob, Donna, Dorry.

Val, Lesley, Donna and Molly stop for morning tea.

Joe and Dorry relaxing on a handy log.

Leader Valerie on the track.

Photos by Brian and Carol

Only a small group of keen walkers (total of 10) joined Valerie on the day for this, what turned out to be a very enjoyable walk. All the way the bush tracks were well maintained which made it easy to walk along. Gentle elevations and beautiful lush forest made the walk most pleasant for all of us.

We spotted a kangaroo and a whole lot of birds but the highlight for us all was a flock of yellow tailed black cockatoos. They are most magnificent birds. They flew ahead of us for a while as if to show us the way out of the forest.

It was interesting to see different plants and even other trees growing out of, what we thought were dead old tree stumps. Cycle of life is just fascinating.

The day itself was just perfect for the walk. It was warm but not hot, very light breeze with lots of shade in the forest that all together provided just perfect conditions that made us all very happy participants, which was demonstrated in lots of chatting and laughter.

Thank you Valerie for a great day!

Joe

Sunday 25 March 2018

Lush valley at the foot of Gulaga.

Looking across the valley to the sea.

A long, slog to the top.

Philip, leader Rob and Erika pause on the way to the top.

One of a number of Geological survey plaques sighted on the way up Gulaga.

A welcome morning tea at the top of our ascent.

Panorama across the rocks at the waterfall.

Sharon and Betty enjoy a well earned lunch at the waterfall.

Photos by Helen and Mary 

With a forecast of rain at 2pm and overcast skies, 10 walkers travelled to Tilba Tilba to walk part of Gulaga mountain (Mt Dromedary).

Reading up on the dreaming stories as outlined on the information board, apparently Gulaga was the mother of two sons, Baranguba (Montague Island) and the younger son, Najanuka (Little Dromedary). The story goes that Baranguba didn’t do what his mother told him, can’t be reunited with her and is separated by the sea, so she kept Najauka closer to herself when it was time for him to leave.

After a car shuffle we set off on the long climb to Gulaga’s saddle, thankful that there was no hot sun and that there were plenty of distractions from the steep gradient with filtered views of Wallaga lake, lush tree ferns, bird song and fungi. Several Geological survey plaques were also noted on the route.

Gulaga appears to have good tree coverage now, though mining history records how one side of the mountain was de-forested in the search for gold from 1860’s onwards.

After a break, we viewed the magnificent granite tors that are sacred to Aboriginal tradition. It was an impressive detour to a very special place.

But wait! There’s more!

Next, picking up a 4WD track, Rob led us to Narooma’s water supply dam complete with a huge slab of granite rock face and waterfall where we had a well earned rest and lunch.

Bang on cue, the rain arrived during the last leg of the 11km walk but it was not enough to dampen our enthusiasm for an excellent day out.

Helen

Sunday 25 March 2018

Leader Ian with his fellow ramblers.

Photo by Ian

One can be lucky with the weather. Rain had preceded and was forecast to follow this easy morning walk, which was enjoyed by 12 walkers in good weather.

The Burrewarra peninsula at Guerilla Bay is rewarding for the views north, east and south and for it’s flaura and fauna. The group enjoyed a cliff top walk  to the lighthouse, followed by a ramble along the beach.

The sea was notably clear and the swimmers told us the temperature was great. Don’t we live in a great part of the world?

Ian

Thursday 22 March 2018

Leaders Bob and Jan with Denise, Mike, Elizabeth, Jon and Ainslie.

Photo by Wendy

8 of us (6 members and 2 visitors) braved the rainy day on Thursday March 22 to travel up the mountain to do the walk in Monga National park led by Bob and Jan. We hoped the Pinkwood (also known as Plumwood) trees would be in flower.

The misty weather seemed to get worse as we travelled up the mountain but we persevered and were rewarded with the lush tree ferns on the drive into the park. Some even sighted lyre birds scuttling off the road in front of us.

We had our morning tea under the shelter in the Mongarlowe River picnic area. With umbrellas and raincoats in place we did the atmospheric boardwalk in Penance Grove and admired the mosses and tree ferns as well as the tall trees in this wonderful area.

The recent severe winds had taken their toll on the pinkwood blossoms and although most of the trees had dropped their petals making a very pretty path to walk on, we did see some trees still in flower..

We made our soggy way back to the picnic area and we all agreed that despite the rain we wanted a walk in the bush so we did the Waratah walk down to the Mongarlowe river.

Lunch was back at  Nelligen where some enjoyed their sandwiches and some purchased excellent fish and chips and hot coffee.

We all agreed that this is a really lovely walk and should be repeated in early March and ideally some drier weather!

Jan

Saturday 17 March 2018

Dwarfed by ‘Old Blotchy’.

Simeon in the land of Lilliput.

Bob and an aspiring ‘Old Blotchy’.

Photos by Karen 

The walk to visit Corymbia Maculata ‘Old Blotchy’ by 15 bushwalkers led by Joan and Bob gave all a sense of surprise and a sight to marvel at such a gigantic tree, followed by a second part of the morning walk along a logging track from the past down to a crumbling log bridge across a trickling stream.  Lunch was a welcome stop at East Lynne Store where delicious pies were enjoyed at the picnic table area in the shade.

Joan

14 March 2018

Approaching the falls.

Leader Ian at the top the falls.

Sharon admiring the pools.

Six pools at the top of the falls.

Following the gravelly stream bed.

Sharon, Ian and Rob enjoy the serenity.

Steep mossy side walls.

Heading back to the car.

Photos by Philip

Four club members (Sharon, Rob, Phil, Ian) enjoyed this short, but challenging, walk. The weather was favourable – cloudy and mild – and there was good water in the creek and over the waterfall.

From a steep drop off Waterfall Road into upper Lyons Creek we were soon creeping along the steep sidewalls downstream to find the top of the falls. This was slow as we had to avoid deep pools and overhangs in solid rock (best swum on a hot day?!). We were able to find a steep mossy scramble on the eastern side among the rock lilys and other orchids and we were soon on the narrow platform overlooking the waterfall’s main drop. It was worth the effort.

Lyons Creek falls initially drops left into a pothole which empties down a very steeply inclined rock face for perhaps 25 metres. It then forms a large solid rock pool (a perfect swimming hole?) before cascading another 10 metres to the bottom which, one day, will demand some further exploration. The main drop makes an excellent abseiling wall – flat, unobstructed, and just off vertical.

Retreating, we explored the creek upstream. Initially, it has steeply inclined sides and some solid rock small cascades which require a few high detours. But after a few hundred metres it opens up to a broader valley with a gravelly stream bed. It is open rainforest all the way with cool temperate species such as Coachwood reaching sizeable proportions in the broader valley. The flat gravelly sections were a joy to walk.

Because of freshwater crayfish holes in the finer gravels we kept an eagle eye on the water pools but saw none of the small, blue crustaceans normally living there.

We lunched at a junction with good flat ground on all sides, suitable for camping, and then took the nearest branch to the car on Wallaby Road. Still in rainforest we left it only a hundred metres from the road.

Rob’s “very reliable” GPS route measured 8km walked, about half of that in the creek.

It’s a pretty area and reasonably accessible. We certainly enjoyed it. Hopefully, Phil’s photos will do it justice.

Ian Barnes

Sunday 11 March 2018

Rodney, Dorry, Phil, Ian, Moira, Denise, Erika, Glenn, Donna in the rainforest above Snake Bay.

The group emerging from the forest onto the rock platform approaching Pretty Beach.

Dorry and Joe all alone on the sand near Pretty Beach

Walkers on rock platform near Snake Bay

Photos by Rodney

On Sunday 11 March we woke to a magnificent day that inspired 10 walkers to show up for the above walk. We all squeezed into the two vehicles which had passes for the Murramarang National Park. We drove to Pretty Beach, which was 30 plus kms from Batemans Bay. When we got there we saw a lot of cars in the car park. Being a long weekend for the ACT one cannot blame them for wanting to spend their weekend in such a glorious location.

The walk was a circuit, starting with a bush track towards Mt Durras, which was absolutely enjoyable, the track was better than some of the footpaths around town. The bush was lovely and the elevation was gentle enough for all of us to do it comfortably and thanks to our leader we did not have to rush or exert ourselves. His ambition nicely matched our ability.

On the return leg of the walk, we reached the beach where we had frequent photo stops and enjoyed wonderful scenery. The rocks were a little bit of a challenge but we all managed to get over them safely and with not too much of an effort.

So the 10 fortunate people, who showed up, totally enjoyed the day. Thanks to Rodney, our leader we all loved the walk and all that it had to offer.

Joe

Thursday 8 March 2018

14 happy walkers had a pleasant walk along the river with coffee and yum yums afterward.

The weather was brilliant showcasing Batemans Bay waters and the surrounding foreshores looking their most spectacular.

A walk to be taken and enjoyed many times with fellow walkers and friends.