BATEMANS BAY BUSHWALKERS INC.

Thursday 30 November 2017

Group at Kellys Lake.

Phillip I scales Cathedral Rock.

Bob M, Karen M, Bob and Jan M.

Photos by Karen M and Philip I

Bushwalking Leader Phillip I led a morning walk on a 6 km scenic circuit from Mullimburra Point to Bingie Point midweek.

The southbound track followed the Dreaming Track to Bingie Beach and then the beach to the headland where we paused for morning tea looking southwards to Tuross, Potato Point, Narooma with Mt Dromedary looming on the horizon.

The return leg followed the Dreaming Track north to Kellys Lake, then along beaches, with a final rock scramble to admire Cathedral Rock and emerge on Mullimburra Point.  We were lucky with the weather – not too hot for walking, but not too cold for a swim at Honeymoon Bay before heading home.

Karen M

Saturday 25 November 2017

Bob B spots a sting ray.

Striding out on the sand.

Bob M, Jan and Tom.

Sunday 19 to Friday 24 November 2017

Yes! Garie Beach is in sight!

Photos by Ian B

The Bundeena Paddle/Walk camp was very successful. Eleven members attended, 10 paddlers (who also walked), and one sole walker.

Sharon and Linda admire a unique Xmas tree.

Part of the Hacking River estuary.

We camped in the Royal National Park at the lovely Bonnie Vale campground on the outskirts of Bundeena. It is on the Hacking River estuary, just across the water from Cronulla. The water barrier allowed us to relax and enjoy a wonderful campground well within the sights of the gaze of Sydney’s 4 million residents.

The view from morning tea.

Linda admires the remains of an ancient Aboriginal fish trap.

On the first day, on a high tide, we paddled the 12 km upstream from Bundeena to the Audley weir. We enjoyed bushland on the left, basically unchanged in two hundred years, and to the right, expensive houses in the suburbs of Lilli Pilli, Yowie Bay and Gymea Bay, all of which seemed to be perched on their own individual sandstone rock shelf.

It’s all hands on deck for the launching.

Morning tea on the river bank.

On the second day we walked part of the Royal Coastal Walk from Wattamolla to Garies Beach. Spectacular sandstone clifflines overlooking the Pacific Ocean, dense heath on the hinterland, and rocky creeks that empty by waterfall directly into the ocean are features of this area.

A right Royal bunch of walkers.

A typical cliffline along the Royal Coastal Walk route.

A flat table for lunch – but mind the edge!

We paddled again on the third day, this time by launching at Warumbul Picnic Area on the Hacking River and exploring the nearby Yowie Bay. Paddling among the jettys and luxury moored yachts and launches, we admired all the beautiful houses, each with its extensive water views overlooking equally expensive yachts. We wondered what sort of trade-in we might get for our kayaks.

An early morning start from the river bank.

Sharon and Rodney among the mangroves.

It was back to walking the Royal Coastal Walk on the fourth day, this time from Wattamolla northward to Bundeena. We enjoyed more wonderful clifflines but a feature of this section was the colours, patterns and textures in the many different layers of sandstone revealed by eons of water and wind erosion. Nature’s artistry at its zenith.

The last slog of the day.

An experienced bushwalker always carries an umbrella!

On the final night we were too exhausted for a camp dinner so we dined at the local pizza and reflected on the last four days. It was a most enjoyable camp – a relaxed campground, (relatively) fine weather, great scenery, lots of exercise, and, of course, most agreeable company. What more could we want?

Ian B

Wednesday 22 November 2017

Val’s happy band.

Photo by Bob T

With detailed precision, our leader Valerie placed the cars for the separate start & finish points, and we set off along old Sproxton Road.

Conversations soon ignited, with topics wide-ranging as usual, punctuated by observations of rare, unusual or feral plants.  Animals make themselves scarce, as the “many-footed mumble bug” creates a wave of chatter that warns them well in advance of us.

As we progressed over hill & dale, descriptions of the “ups” varied from “cheeky” to “serious” and one was labelled “obnoxious”.   Refreshed by drink stops as the day warmed, morning tea & lunch passed, and we were on the last leg along Old Nelligen Road, when a pleasant surprise met us.

Only a few days earlier Valerie had driven past the area, hoping to find a grove of Blueberry Ash in flower, but not so. However, this day we found them bursting their buds into the delicate pale flowers, which reminded us of ballerina skirts.

On returning to Valerie’s car, we soon enjoyed the “bush cuppa” Valerie had promised’ along with an array of cake & slices that Bev had made.   A delightful way to end a walk.

Bob T

Sunday 19 November 2017

Boots and socks off to cross the Candoin Creek.

Barry inspects a wheel and pit.

Plenty to see around this old mining area.

Other mining facilities.

Relics from early mining.

‘Mod cons’ even in the bush.

Photos by Denise

For the third time this year, members of Narooma- Dalmeny and Batemans Bay Bushwalking Clubs  got together for a combined hike. A group of twenty walkers and one visitor explored an alluvial gold mining area behind Moruya township.

The first hurdle was to cross Candoin Creek as its water levels and flow rate had been increased by recent rain. Shoes and socks were taken off in an effort to preserve comfort and avoid slipping on large rocks.

Thence it was onward through open forest where the group enjoyed the sight of several Kurrajong trees in bloom whilst listening to birdsong and the sound of cicadas. Many relics of past mining activities soon became apparent, such as a stamp battery to crush ore, slag pits, large wheels, water pits and even a bush shack that boasted a BBQ and “dunny”  out the back.

Mining in the Eurobodalla commenced in 1831 and continued into the early 1900’s although interest and activities continued in the area explored by walkers for at least another fifty years, a fact to which the remnants of abandoned Chevrolet truck attest. It was a privilege to visit such an historically interesting region of our shire.

Denise S

Thursday 16 November 2017

Jill along the rocky coast line.

Walkers in gnarled forest.

Photos by Carol

This was a very scenic relaxing walk which began by visiting the WW2 gun emplacement on Burrewarra Headland and continuing on past the lighthouse with magnificent views south along the coastline and beyond to Mt Dromederry and the Deua National Park ranges.  Amongst this we saw a sea eagle soaring on the thermals as well as two yellow-tailed black cockatoos “talking” up in the Banksia trees.

Following morning tea at Guerilla Bay we headed off over the headlands to Nun’s Beach and Rosedale Beaches.  The lookout and the special access track for the disabled to Ronald MacDonald respite house were a credit to those who organised it.  Then it was along a slightly different track back to Guerilla Bay for lunch.

All agreed the day’s walk over and around the headlands and beaches taken at a relaxed pace, admiring our beautiful coastline was “a gem”.

Pat R

Saturday 11 November 2017

Morning tea in style.

A little rock scrambling at low tide adds a small challenge to the walk.

Paul and Ian full of smiles.

A fallen log long enough for 19 walkers.

Photos by Carol and Mary T

On Saturday November 11, we woke to a glorious day that provided perfect conditions for the above-mentioned walk. Only 19 people showed up, however, at the starting point in Maloneys Beach we were welcomed by a large number of kangaroos.

Mary led us across the beach towards Long Beach where we stopped for morning tea and snacks of course. Once rejuvenated, we proceeded up the hill into the surrounding forest. At 11 am precisely we stopped to honour our fallen soldiers with a minute of silence. During this minute we remembered them in our own way, whilst enjoying beautiful sounds of the bush. After taking a few photos of the picturesque surrounds, we proceeded on our walk and enjoyed the fresh air, beautiful scenery, glorious weather and chatting along with a fantastic group of people.

One cannot help but feel sorry for people who could not/did not come along for this walk.

We are all grateful to Mary for the effort and for sharing this lovely location with us.

Joe

Wednesday 8 November 2017

Leader Karen and Bob stand on the edge.

Native cymbidium snake orchid.

Karen pays a visit to the wombat’s home.

The group on their way down to the beach via the headland.

A local on the alert.

Young Yellow Tailed Cockatoo.

Helen and Denise near a carpet of Blue Bottles.

Photos by Brian, Carol, Denise and Mary T

Batemans Bay Bushwalkers headed north to Kioloa village mid week for further exploration of the walking tracks in the area.  Newly emerged cicadas were deafening as the group made its way through the forest and across the lower slopes of Durras Mountain, emerging at Pretty Beach.  The stretch of coast between Pretty Beach and Kioloa is dramatic with tall sheer cliffs and rock platforms and we lingered at the many viewpoints along the way.  We enjoyed watching a young yellow tail cockatoo practising his perching on a lone swaying twig, and came across a flowering native cymbidium snake orchid beside the track.  We surprised a couple of salt licking kangaroos on the rocks at O’Hara Head before settling down to watch the big swell crashing on the shore below at lunch.

After the heavy rains the coastal creeks had been flushed into the ocean and were now looking much healthier.  A very scenic 11 km circuit.

Karen M

Sunday 5 November 2017

Leaders Nancy and Dennis enjoy morning tea with Val and Ainslie.

Fig tree clinging to sandstone rock.

Admiring nature’s architecture.

Barry poses under the escarpment.

Nancy and giant twisted vine.

Rodney prepares to go under.

Strong arms of a mighty Fig.

Lunch near the ‘Hanging Garden’.

Photos by Denise, Mary T and Paul

On Sunday 5th November 17 Batemans Bay bushwalkers tackled a remote forest area close to Conjola.  First of all we were treated to a smorgasbord of giant Birdnest ferns sitting on top of magnificent sandstone boulders. Exploring further into the dense forest one could truly believe you were in a lost world as we gazed in awe at gigantic figs reaching into the sky with age old roots cascading down their huge rock pedestals.

The wonder continued as we passed through  another forest of twisted and tangled vines eventually leading into a secret hanging garden of Birdnest ferns clinging to a solid cliff face.

On the return journey a very cleverly disguised detour was to reveal yet another forest of cabbage tree palms which included some magnificent specimens.

All in all a very spectacular walk which everyone thoroughly enjoyed.

Nancy

Thursday 2 November 2017

Signage describing the way of life of the Dhurga speaking people.

Geology lesson at the rock shelter.

A drink stop on the track.

Lake view

Walkers pause on the shores of the lake.

Photos by Amanda, Carol and Denise

Our Burrill Lake 14 km bushwalk led by Stan and Mary M is one of the most scenic along our coast. In the morning we enjoyed lake, and later on, beach and ocean views. But what made this walk different to most bushwalks was the new track recently made by the indigenous custodians of Burrill Lake.

It is easily accessed by car to several points along the track on the west side of Princes Highway. Beautiful and informative signage at these points gave us all a greater appreciation of the way of life of the Dhurga speaking people who belonged to the Budawang and Murramarang groups. Tribal elder Owen Carriage supplied detailed knowledge about how a canoe was made from stringbark with clay on the floor where a fire could be lit to cook fish, eels or prawns. Men used spears and  women used line and hook from the shore to catch sea food.

The rock shelter or bimbala meaning cockle shell had been occupied for 20,000 years and archaeologists have found stone tools pre-dating more recent types of tools. When the sea rose 5,000 years ago the people retreated inland and occupied this huge rock shelter.

Ainslie M