BATEMANS BAY BUSHWALKERS INC.

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