BATEMANS BAY BUSHWALKERS INC.

Sunday 2 April 2017

See anything Bob?

Philip, Leader Dennis and Denise

The bash to the creek and lunch

A shelter if needed

Photos by Mary T

The walk on Sunday was to the Coles Creek area led by Dennis assisted by Nancy. 8 club members set out in mild conditions for the drive north of Milton. Once we left the cars the track into the creek area deteriorated rather badly and the first point of interest was a large sinkhole right in the middle of the track. We all agreed that with crumbling sides, driving a vehicle any further would have been very foolish.

We soon left the relative comfort of the forest road to bash our way along and through the vegetation above the creek to the second area of interest, a good sized overhang of rocks, an ideal spot to shelter had it been raining

We continued along the same contour lines to a pleasant rocky spot overlooking the flowing creek where lunch was eaten. After consultation with the map it was decided that our return to the car would be possible by crossing the creek and climbing a fairly gentle incline to the track where our cars were parked.

Thank you Dennis for another interesting club walk.

By Mary T

Wednesday 4 April 2017

Watching the army of crabs on the Boardwalk

Lunch at Batehaven playground

Photos by Erika and Mary T

12 Bushwalkers led by the very capable leader, Karen started our walk at Cullendulla.

We made our way around the boardwalk viewing the tiny army of crabs in Cullendulla Creek, back to Surfside beach and walked down the beach, around the rocks to the carpark at the bridge where we had morning tea.

We did not time our walk well across the bridge, Innes boat decided to make its way up the river so we had a short wait while the bridge opened, no one complained just enjoyed the views. In no time we found ourselves walking along Corrigans beach, finishing the 11km walk at the newly constructed children’s playground at Batehaven, where we had lunch. All enjoyed the walk and pleased we did not get rained on, thank you Karen.

Lesley

25 March 2017

Bob, Carol, Denise and Simeon at Surfside Beach

Photo by Joan

After recent days of uncertain weather with afternoon downpours but on a clear lightly overcast morning there were five walkers keen to get out and about on the walk led by Bob and Joan.  Beginning from the car park at the bridge the group began the walk along the shoreline behind the caravan park and on to the sand around to Surfside Beach where many uprooted casuarina trees were seen left as the result of high and rough seas.  Also surprisingly there was a large group of seagulls and sooty oyster catcher birds relaxing together on the beach to entertain those passing by.  Morning tea was enjoyed on the boardwalk seating area as several black swans were seen in the distance and also very much closer the antics of the many many little crabs which live in the mangroves of that part of Cullendulla Creek.

22 March 2017

Barbara, Joan and Denise rock scrambling on Broulee Island

Photo by Bob B

Sunshine and high spirits surrounded four intrepid walkers led by Barbara as they left Broulee Surf Club and headed up the hill to the viewing platform of the coastline south towards Moruya Airport and beyond. The gentle walk then proceeded to the beach and along to Broulee Island which fascinated us with the surrounding rock formations. As the morning advanced so too did the temperature and the four intrepids voted to enjoy the invitation by Barbara to have our lunches on her home back deck complete with a magnificent view of bush, ocean and island. Thank you to Barbara for telling of the fascinating history of the island and for a most enjoyable walk.

Joan

Sunday 19 March 2017

3 walkers defy the rain on Tomakin Beach

This walk had been preceded by days of rain and more rain was forecast.

7 walkers set off in fair weather and enjoyed the sands of Tomakin Beach and the Tomaga River at low tide.

The forecast was correct and a well saturated group enjoyed morning tea at the Rivermouth Cafe and voted to cut the walk short and return to the cars.

Ian

5 March 2017

Parking just behind Merry Beach, the sound of the pounding surf reached the 25 walkers well before they headed down to the beach itself.  Strong gusty wind had turned the ocean into a sea of white caps, and large dumping waves had disgorged seaweed and small dead jellyfish onto the sand.

Once on top of the headland, south of Merry Beach, the walkers felt the full force of the wind, as they stood watching the waves crashing and foaming over the rock shelf below.  After three days of heavy rain, the normally dry track over the headland and through the banksia was now quite waterlogged with frequent puddles.

After a short stop at the lookout along the way, we paused on a grassy knoll above Pretty Beach for morning tea. Then down to Pretty Beach itself to battle a strong head wind as we made our way south towards O’Hara Island. The gusty strong headwind whipped up any dry sand, so with heads bowed and backs bent, we made our towards the neck of sand that normally provided access to O’Hara Island .

But alas, here the waves, charging across the sand spit from both directions, formed a barrier to the rock shelf. We would not be exploring O’Hara Island rock shelf today. So it was about turn, and this time with a tailwind we soon found ourselves back at Pretty Beach Campground. Taking tracks that circumnavigated behind both the Pretty Beach and Merry Beach Camping Grounds, we were soon in sight of our cars. Though the strong wind never abated during the walk, I think it actually enhanced the walk providing a visual reminder of the power of wind and water.

Mary M

Saturday 11 March 2017

Len shows Bob and Mary the track to Diamond Creek

On our way down the first spur

Bob and Philip take a break

Morning tea

Photos Philip I, Bob T, Mary T

Early Saturday morning 8 walkers met to drive out to the aptly named Oulla/Burra Wilderness area west of Moruya to walk to and along Diamond Creek. We hoped to view 4 waterfalls. It is not often that the drive in the comfort of a vehicle is worthy of comment. However the last stretch on the Coondella Fire Trail is one such occasion. The track along and up and down the ridges is rough, steep and downright scary for someone whose normal driving experience is tarmac, some unsurfaced at times slippery, pot holed forest ‘highways’. Fortunately the club has drivers of excellent ability and experience so we were  in the safe hands of Len our leader and Mark who bravely took his brand new vehicle out for a baptism of fire.

On arriving at our starting point, a small car shuffle was organised. This was to assist us at the end of the day when a steep climb would have been necessary, not ideal Len said, his words proved to be prophetic.

We set off down the first spur in warm sunshine. The floor of the forest was strewn with dead, fallen branches, some large tree trunks and loose rocks everywhere all trip hazards for the unwary. Signs of a bush fire in the last year were apparent with blackened surfaces but also indications of the resilience of our native flora with new, bright green growth, still low lying but well on the way to rejuvenating the area. Our early start and long drive had us looking for a suitable spot on the first spur for a welcome morning tea.

Len leads the way

A view of distant hills

The relatively clear forest thickened as we descended towards the viewing area of Waterfall No 4.  As we bush bashed our way down to a narrow, rocky ledge the air was full of the pungent aromas from the surrounding shrubs. The view of the top section of the falls and distant hills and valleys was spectacular and worth the effort despite a few of us experiencing close encounters with the ground. Growth further down the hillside hid the bottom of the falls but did not dampen our delight or the photographer’s zeal.

Waterfall No 4

View from the rocky ledge overlooking Waterfall No 4

The creek narrows

Beautiful Diamond Creek

It was soon time to turn away from the cliff edge and make our way up and along the ridge on a further descent to the next scheduled sight, Diamond Creek. This is indeed a gem of a waterway. Not having seen this creek before I am not sure if it always has such a vigorous flow of water or if the volume was due to recent rains but it really was magnificent. The character of the creek is one of deep waterholes, in places so dark and deep we could not see the creek floor, interspersed with small cascades over large boulders, followed by longer tannin stained stretches of free flowing water. The one common feature was crystal clear, cool water, so clear and cool that later in the day Philip couldn’t resist temptation any longer and went for a dip. He declared it beautiful but refreshing!

Lunch pool

We’re ready for lunch at Waterfall No 3

Our intrepid leader Len crosses Diamond Creek above Waterfall No 3

We made our way along the creek sometimes on the bank until the vegetation became too thick to negotiate and then in the creek, rock hopping to and fro until we reached Waterfall No 3. This waterfall allowed the brave to get up close and personal as with careful steps and some ‘crab’ crawling we were able to make our way down the rocks to see the fall of the water and of course get those important photos to prove ‘we was there’.

Erika enjoying the view

Another crossing

Len leading the way for Anna

All too soon it was time to continue, we had another waterfall to see and the day was moving along. Due to time restraints we were unable to get to Waterfall No 2. Our next stop; after another scramble along the creek fighting vines and ferns and the by now familiar rocks and fallen branches, was waterfall No 1. Len decided he had viewed enough falling water for the day and opened his pack to hand over two long ropes to Mark. Why is Len giving Mark ropes I heard one group member ask? I vaguely remembered hearing something about ropes. Oh well ‘in for a penny in for a pound’ and off to Waterfall No 1. At the top of a steep slope Mark secured and let down the ropes that were to assist us on our descent to the viewing area of the waterfall. This time we were looking up at falling water which meant we had viewed falls from 3 different aspects, as a bird, a leaf or other floating object and finally a frog.

Waterfall No 1

Erika prepares to descend to Waterfall No 1

Anna on the rope

Scrub wren nest on track

Some of us decided we had had enough rope work and made the return ascent via a rock climb rather than haul ourselves up via the rope. We all reached the top without incident and returned to meet up with Len and proceed along the creek to the point where we would leave the beautiful Diamond Creek and end the walk.

Sightings of  local life were scant, one eel, a small fish, a frog, a deserted Scrub Wren nest, thankfully only about 3 leeches and Mark frightened a brown snake back down into its hole in the ground. Anna was the only member of the group to take an unplanned dip in the creek.

The last welcome sight was 3 pink ribbons marking our exit from the creek to where Len, with characteristic fore thought had left a car. An exhausted but very contented group thanked Len for a physically challenging day full of visual delights.

Mary T

Wednesday 8 March 2017

Betty at Billy’s Hut

Walkers at the hut

Billy’s Hut

Walkers pick their way down the slippery slope to the creek.

Crossing the creek

Photos Karen M, Helen, Mary T

In a previous walk report written four days ago; I described walking along beaches and over headlands during strong winds. Well, today’s walk was very different indeed. Not a breath of wind but instead the day started with misty rain.

So clad in the necessary rain gear the 20 walkers set off on the 11km walk to the ruins of Billy’s Hut, which is tucked away in the Currowan State Forest.

William (Billy) McCarthy, a young 26 yr old Irishman, built the hut in 1880. He used anthill mud as mortar to hold the rocks together, and collected water from the nearby creek. Known as a bit of a loner he would, on occasions, make his way to Nelligen to receive his mail from Ireland.  The historic hut is slowly being enveloped by the surrounding bush and vines, but its ruins are a reminder that 137 yrs ago a young man, after traveling all the way from Ireland, decided to make a home for himself deep in an Australian forest.

As the rain eased, and the hills increased, waterproof gear was soon stowed away. Creeks that had been dry during the reconnoitre a few months earlier, were now flowing full and crossing them required some careful rock hopping. The wet forest floor was ideal for the leeches who managed to “hitch a ride” on anyone standing still for too long. Though most of the walk was rain free, the high humidity and long hills certainly provided a good “work out”.  After reaching our cars it was time to head to Nelligen for lunch on the banks of the Clyde River.  Perhaps sitting close to the spot where “Billy” McCarthy sat, on his visits to Nelligen, all those years ago.

Mary M

Thursday 2nd March 2017

A keen group of walkers

Look! Glossy Black Cockatoos

Photos by Bob T

20 keen young bushwalkers, all under 90, with only one “pup” under 60, set out to walk some tracks in East Nelligen, led by the very experienced “Queen of the Bush”, Valerie.

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.

The elusive Glossy Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami) made a cameo appearance in trees near the track, but characteristically kept moving, hiding & refusing to pose for a decent photo.  After teasing us for a while, both observers & observed tired of the game & all moved on.

With the many & varied conversations, and the bonus sighting of several Forest Red Gum, Valerie & the tracks led us back to the cars, and for some, a delicious lunch of “fushnchups” at Nelligen.   A better way to spend a day would be on a very short list.

Bob T

Monday 27 February 2017

Kayakers gather before setting out from Snake Flat

Karen & Ian exploring a backwater of the Tuross River

Photos by Bob M and Ian

Monday’s paddle was a convivial affair, as 7 kayaks launched from Snake Flat on the Tuross River and headed south towards the Tuross Lake system. This was the first time most of us had paddled this lower section of the river, and we explored a few backwaters along the way. In one we saw several Azure Kingfishers flitting along the banks at close quarters. Once we reached the Fourways in Tuross Lake, we turned towards Deuaumba Island and then west into Bowns Creek. This leads into Trunketabella Lake where there was some excitement when we had to squeeze ourselves under the low wooden bridge on Coopers Island Road Causeway.

Karen M