BATEMANS BAY BUSHWALKERS INC.

Sunday 22 October 2017

On the descent.

David with his find.

Val and Rob negotiate the last few metres to the first mine site.

Pat and Amanda at the entrance of the first mine.

Pat, Val, Amanda and David at morning tea.

Rob with mine relics.

Rob inside Bumbo No. 2 mine.

A practical use for an old relic.

Photos by Amanda and Mary T

David led 5 club members to the site of the Bumbo No 2 mine in an area near Nerrigundah in the Deua National Park. A little rain early in the morning soon cleared up into an overcast day and mild temperatures. The descent down to the first mine site was steep and slippery due to loose stones and forest debris. Near the end of this old track David found an exploded incendiary pellet perhaps dropped from a helicopter in a back burning exercise? Soon after the relatively good track disappeared and then followed some serious bush bashing down through a dry landscape ending up in a beautiful rain forest with tall tree ferns.

The first mine entrance, hidden between the side of a hill and what we decided were rocks excavated from the mine, was rather wet preventing deep exploration. We were pleased for the morning tea break taken near by in a dry creek bed.

As we explored further towards the site of Bumbo No 2 we passed relics of those mining days, metal wheels, rods, metal ‘bricks’ and cable guides imprinted with the marks of cables. There was much conjecture as to what had been pulled and where and the use of this equipment. The steepness of the terrain would have required some mechanical help with moving material as even oxen and horses would have found the area difficult to work in.

Nature had taken over the abandoned pieces of metal providing ideal homes for miniature ferns and fungi to grow and thrive.

A short climb took us to Bumbo No 2. As the mine was dry exploration was possible and several members of the group took off into the dark. On emerging they reported they had ventured about 40 metres in and the tallest member of the group, Rob L had been able to stand up most of the way with the occasional stoop.

David, beating the bush before us, led us down into a tributary creek bed that contained an intermittant flow of water and we bashed our way along under tall tree ferns, over fallen trunks passing rocks and trunks covered with miniature fern gardens, so pretty with the dappled sunlight reflected in the trickling water of the creek.

Eventually we reached the Bumbo Creek where we had lunch accompanied by a few leeches. All too soon David stirred and we knew the respite was over and it was time to start the steep climb back up to the cars passing the site of a stamping battery. Thankfully the overcast skies persisted for the 400+metre climb.

Thank you David for a great day which ticked all the boxes, beautiful country, interesting destinations, a very good work out with an excellent leader.

Mary T

Thursday 19 October 2017

Brian, Wendy, Pat and Chris.

The initial ascent, Pat, Wendy and Chris.

Chris and Brian at morning tea.

Leader Brian surveying the valley from the summit.

Photos by Brian

Perhaps it was the forecast of hot weather which led to just a small contingent of members taking up the challenge of this favourite local climb.

A select party of four adventurers ( Pat, new member Wendy, Chris and Brian) set off in mild conditions under clear skies. Before long, it became apparent to some of us that the mountain had mysteriously become steeper since the last time we’d tackled it. The initial stage is a tough beginning to a walk.

However, refreshed by morning tea, our trek continued along the middle, relatively flat section, where there was time to enjoy colourful wildflowers, including Boronia, scattered amongst the dominant Tea Tree.

The last stage to the summit involves sturdy, steel stairways and ladders, much resembling an adult play gym. These negotiated, there is just a short, steel bridge to cross before reaching the peak. The views here are truly wonderful, a 360 degree vista of the Budawangs and the coast and towns beyond.

Thankfully, the forecast heat was tempered by a cooling breeze and after photos and a leisurely lunch we made our way carefully back down to the carpark.

Brian

Sunday 15 October 2017

Starting off into the bush.

Scrambling across the slope.

Go high, go low?

Leader David onto something.

Engine parts

Inspecting strewn wreckage.

Wreckage hidden in the bush.

More wreckage

Photos by Amanda, Erica and Philip

Nine club members (David, Betty, Philip, Simon, Rob L, Barry, Amanda, Elaine & Bob T) participated in this short but in part steep and rugged walk.

The aircraft was an Avro Anson which crashed into the south side of the lower part of Pigeon House Mountain on 9 September 1943 killing all three crew members.

What remains of the aircraft is a large number of door sized sheets of aluminium, various other metal parts and the two engines with bent propellers.

More details on the aircraft and why it crashed can be found in the report on the first club walk (June 2014).

Davis S

Saturday 14 October 2017

Walkers on the trail to Black Diamond Mine.

Val leading the group down to the creek bed.

Erica looking into the mine entrance.

See anything Elaine in the deep excavation?

Leader Val at a digging

Photos by Erica, Philip and Mary

On October 14, nine Batemans Bay Bushwalkers traversed across a range of bushland – damp forested gullies and dry stony tracks – towards the Black Diamond Mine in the Currowan Forest.

It was found to be a very well preserved mine adit, but only a few of the group ventured into the muddy tunnel.

The mine was worked between 1890 and ’91; 1894 – ’95; and 1912 – ’15, but unfortunately no records are available on the workings, the miners, or the production.

There were other diggings and big holes in the area including a lonely rock chimney from a long gone building.

There had been a bushfire in the mine’s area not that long ago which left a stark scene and some spotted gum trees with very colourful orange-red bases, but as yet no regrowth on the ground.

All agreed it had been a very interesting day’s walk.

Pat R

Wednesday 11 October 2017

Wendy rounding a trail switchback.

Settling into lunch by the Buckenbowra River.

Walking through vines, ferns and cycads.

Pat and the group pausing for a drink in the shade near the Buckenbowra River.

Lone Orange blossom orchid (Sarcochilus falcatus).

Bush bashing around sawn logs.

Photos by Denise, Karen and Rosalie

With great anticipation, 16 walkers led by Mark N set off on the 13km return lower half of the Corn Trail in the Monga National Park. This historic walking track was originally used by Indigenous people on their seasonal travels between the coast and the tablelands, then later by European settlers on pack horses carrying supplies. The first part of the walk passed through cycads, cabbage palms, tree ferns, towering eucalypts and many blueberry ashes. Birdsong filled the air. After clambering over a fallen tree it was time for morning tea at a dry creek where a number of us commented on the warmth and high humidity.

The sound of cicadas rose as we headed on and into the rainforest. It was like entering into another world – trees cloaked in moss, ferns and climbers, and thick vines twisting their way up to the sunlight.  Bob T pointed out a stinging tree with plate sized leaves – we didn’t touch them to check his identification skills!  A community of birds nest ferns was happily living at various altitudes on accommodating trees – some ferns were enormous. Mark N spotted a solitary orchid keeping company with delicate ferns on a tree branch.

Lunch by the Buckenbowra River was lovely. It is the classic river with round pebbles worn smooth over thousands of years by the crystal clear water. An eel darted off under the rocks, little insects skated around on the mirror-like surface and friendly leeches and a tick joined us for lunch. The rock orchids clung to the rock face but there were few flowers due to the dry winter – we’ll just have to come back next year! Rob L found a dark grey rock with many fossilised shells easily visible – we could only marvel at how long it had been there.

On the way back, the group was less chatty than on the walk in. Perhaps the warm humid day had taken its toll – or maybe we were just in quiet contemplation of the beautiful, peaceful place we had just left behind. Thank you Mark for leading a truly memorable walk.

Rosalie G.

Sunday 8 October 2017

Bob, the leader with walkers on Mullendaree Creek

A welcome lunch by the creek bed

Photos by Amanda

Bob T led 7 walkers on a new exploratory walk up the west arm of Mullendaree Creek.  We stopped for lunch after 4kms when the number of fallen trees over the creek bed made hiking quite an ordeal before heading back. The creek had no running water and only a few pools of black water but it made hiking easier. The creek made a number of turns due to the interesting geology and the accumulation of gravel at the bends showed us it must be quite a spectacular sight after a heavy rain. Despite the warm dry weather the local bird life was very active and our feather collector, Amanda, found a beautiful red, yellow and black tail feather from a glossy black cockatoo. I know this walker found his legs quite tired the next day but it was a most enjoyable hike.

Rob L

Thursday 5 October 2017

View north from Najanuga.

Little Lake.

Dalmeny and Batemans Bay club members enjoy a day out together.

Erica descends Najanuga.

Cows appreciate a great view too!

Phot0s by Amanda, Helen and Karen

Our leader, Rob, promised us “views all round” and this walk certainly delivered.

From the panoramic scenery of Gulaga (Mt Dromedary), Najanuga (Little Dromedary) and Tilba, lake and sea vistas, views of whales splashing about off the coast, and dramatic cloud formations as we hoped for rain, it was all there.

17 Batemans Bay bushwalkers arrived early and set off up hill followed by 18 members of Dalmeny and Narooma walking club. 35 being a few too many for one leader to handle, we stayed in two groups and met up during morning tea and lunch.

As we had permission from the land owners we enjoyed walking in pastural land accompanied by friendly cows then we climbed to Najanuga summit where the best views were to be had. On return we checked out stag horn ferns growing on rocks near the ground, dodged cow pats and kicked up dust from the dry path.

Then we walked through Sheringham farm to the serene Little Lake and onto the golden sandy beach for an early lunch. A bank of dark clouds followed us from the south as we headed to the Tilba Cemetary but we stayed dry on the return to the cars.

A beautiful walk.

Helen

Sunday 1 October 2017

Overlooking the gully behind Depot Beach

Cool, green shade of the Discovery Trail

North Durras Beach

Betty in one of the twisted spotted gums on the headland

Photos by Erika & Philip

Starting from the carpark above Depot Beach picnic area we walked a short distance up Depot Beach Road before turning onto a bush track and heading uphill. The track was surrounded by spotted gums and about half way up we took in the view across the tree ferns and flowering palms to beautiful Depot Beach below.

Upon reaching the top of the hill we turned onto North Durras Road and walked downhill until we met and turned onto Lake Road, which led us down to the Durras Lake Discovery Trail. After walking the loop of the Discovery Trail we continued down to Durras Lake and walked along the shore line to the back of the North Durras caravan parks. Skirting around the back of the caravan parks we turned onto a looping bush track that after couple of kilometres returned us to the back of the caravan parks. From there we made the short walk to Durras North Beach.

At the beach, near the mouth of the lake, we stopped for lunch. After lunch we walked to the far end of the beach where we came to the start of the Burrawang Walking Track, which winds through the largest preserved stand of spotted gums in coastal NSW. Climbing the steep track to the top of Depot Beach Headland we took the side track out to Point Upright for great views of the coast line, Durras Lake and the Tasman Sea with migrating whales in the distance. Then it was back to the main track and down to Depot Beach village, stopping now and then to admire the towering spotted gums with their pale mottled trunks contrasting starkly with the dark green understory of burrawangs.

From the back of Depot Beach village we walked around to Beach Road, and after a stop at the boardwalk and lookouts, continued on back to our starting point at the carpark.

Erika & Philip

Wednesday 27 September 2017

Checking out the view

Filtered views on climb

Relaxed Pebbly Beach local

Photos by Denise

A group of eight walkers including leader Carol had a terrific walk up to and around the summit of Mt Durras on Wed 27th September.  For some it was an easy stroll, for others they found muscles they had forgotten about that complained about the steep parts and rejoiced in the downward slopes.  Sad to say not too many opportunities for views, though morning tea stop at Clear Point was lovely.

Felt like more than 10 km though, I would say closer to 12, but a nice sense of achievement at reaching Pebbly Beach at the end of the walk.  Thanks Carol for leading this walk.

Molly