BATEMANS BAY BUSHWALKERS INC.

Saturday 25 February 2017

Walking towards Bingie

Gillian and Barbara enjoying the view at Bingie Point

Settling in for a break at Bingie Point

Picnic on the sand at Mullimburra Point

Photos by Karen Mc and Mary T

Leader Karen C led an afternoon walk from Mullimburra Point to Bingie Point and back, a distance of about 6 kms. 23 walkers started out in overcast, blustery conditions with the threat of rain a forecasted possibility later in the afternoon. The track is a mixture of beach, rocks, the Dreaming Track and bush with views of the ocean and a couple of dolphins and distant mountains. A perfect coastal walk.

A picnic supper watching the sun set was in the plan at the end, weather permitting, on the beach at Mullimburra Point. Karen led a similar walk last year with the promise of a sunset picnic, but alas, rain prevented both the picnic and the promised sunset. Last Saturday Karen kept two thirds of her promise with a delightful walk and the picnic supper but the clouds remained in place to screen the sunset. I have it on good authority that our leader will try for 3 out of 3 next year!

Thank you Karen for a lovely afternoon.

Mary T

Wednesday 22 February 2017

The first encounter with granite underfoot

A spectacular granite slab towering above walkers

Morning tea

The tram line

A peaceful backwater of the Moruya River

Photos Helen, Joan an Mary T

Inspired by an article and photo in the local Narooma and Moruya papers last year, Bob took us on a walk of discovery to see one of Moruya’s “best kept secrets”, Louttit’s pioneering granite quarry on the south side of Moruya river.

Despite the hot day, a keen bunch of bushwalkers enjoyed a shady walk from Preddys wharf, meandered by the waterfront, over private property (with permission) and around the granite outcrops before returning to Louttit’s granite quarry, which from our angle of approach was quite dramatic, revealing the sheer granite rock face.

On the way we came across a couple of Orb weaving spiders on their webs and received a warm welcome from the local mosquito population.

At the quarry, Bob T provided us with a brief history of the area written by Norman Moore, a local historian.

Moruya was the first port from which gold was shipped in Australia, but it also once had at least seven different granite quarries during the mid 1800s.

Well, we all know of the quarry on the north side of the river and granite from this area was used to create many fine blocks for buildings, including the cladding for the pylons of Sydney Harbour Bridge.

However, Louttit’s quarry produced “long grained” granite suitable for column work and so from when it was opened in 1858 by Joseph and John Louttit, supplied among other things, 24 columns for St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney, the bases for statues of Captain Cook and Queen Victoria in Sydney, stone for Sydney’s Custom House, Canberra’s foundation stone, and, in Moruya, the Bank of New South Wales.

In order to make these structures, a large lathe was required to cut the stones (often weighing in excess of 12 tons) and this is housed next to the Moruya Historical Society building in Campbell Street.

As mentioned, the granite rock face was impressive, but so too was the raised tramway built in order to transport the stone to the boats for shipping elsewhere. We also heard of the use of shark oil for rheumatism and of the accidents that occurred during quarrying in this era.

Thanks Bob T for a very interesting, historical walk.

Helen

Sunday 19 February 2017

Group at Bingie Point at the start of the walk

Photo by Karen M

Over 30 walkers and paddlers met at Bingie on Sunday for a 6 km walk followed by a paddle on Coila Lake.

Rob led the large group from Bingie Point south along the Dreaming Track which weaves its way across headlands overlooking the ocean, down to rocky coves and beaches, and behind the dunes through shady forest, to eventually emerge at Coila Lake near Tuross.

After the walk, there were a variety of kayaks for members to take out on the lake and further enjoy the mild sunny weather and calm shallow water.  Rob then lit the barbecue back at his place where everyone enjoyed a noisy, social lunch on his verandah.

Thanks to Rob for showing us around his part of the Eurobodalla and hosting such an enjoyable day out.

Karen M

Thursday 16 February 2017

Morning tea by the lake

A tranquil Meroo Lake Backwater

Walkers striding out through the forest

Photos by Philip 

Twenty two walkers set out on a warm sunny Thursday morning. An early start enabled the group to finish well before the mid-day heat set in. Starting close to the Pacific Highway, the walkers headed east through scattered forest towards the Lake, where a morning break was planned. Despite the size and sociability of the group, we were surprised to find that the wildlife was not frightened off by our presence. Early in the walk, a two metre long goanna posed artistically on a tree trunk, just above the heads of the tallest members of the group. And the break by the sandy lake shore was interrupted by a small Black Snake, clearly uninterested in our noisy presence but seeking some shelter from the heating sun. Similarly the cries of Glossy Black Cockatoos, eventually spotted and identified with their red tail flashes, kept the group company on the return to the cars through thicker shadier forest. All in all, we had experienced a very pleasant morning nine kilometre stroll, ideal for this time of the year.

Rodney

Sunday 12 February 2017

Preparing to launch into the undergrowth

Pushing through the Brown Barrel forest

Walkers gathered around the hollow Brown Barrel

Entering the first rainforest area

Walking through first rainforest area

Leader Ian looking for the lyrebird

Canopy with mist

In the second rainforest area

In front of a large Pinkwood

Still in the second rainforest area

In the third rainforest area

Liz and Ros dirty but not beaten at the end of a great day in the Monga

Photos by Amanda, Lin and Philip

The heavily forested headwaters of the Mongarlowe River lie on the southern tableland just over the escarpment south of the Clyde Mountain.  The area was State Forest with a history of 150 years of timber cutting.  In the year 2000 it was dedicated as National Park.  The impressive regrowth forest of tall trees, dominated by Eucalyptus fastigata (Brown Barrel, Cut tail), with its dense tree fern understorey in the moist gullies is very attractive for car based tourism.

One of the particular attractions of Monga, although small in area, is the cool temperate rainforest dominated almost entirely of Eucryphia moorei (Pinkwood).  Most visitors see a small sample of it in the oft visited Penance Grove gully boardwalk but the most significant areas of up to 20 hectares, and once protected by Flora Reserve, require some special effort.

On this occasion 11 walkers, including two guests, visited the three most significant areas of cool temperate rainforest in southeast NSW.

The area is trackless and although the rainforests are near to existing roads they are surrounded by a thick eucalypt understorey of fern, litter and lawyer vine.  Walking progress is slow and good navigation to find the shortest and least restrictive access is essential.

The most significant obstacles were near the edges of the rainforest where old eucalypts fall downhill and remain un-rotted for decades.  Some were so large in length and diameter they required climbing skills to get over.  In the wet conditions of the day we soon had muddy bums as we slid over wet logs and stumbled into the gullies.

Bursting into the rainforest brings a breathtaking contrast.  The dense tree canopy means the understorey disappears with only patches of low fern at ground level.  Despite the gloom, one has a park like view for great distance.

As we began to explore this parkland we found we could stroll about relatively unhindered.  The ground was spongey from the many years of litter decay and matted fine roots.  Moss and lichen adorned tree trunks and rotted logs.  The impression was one of a fairy wonderland of elves and goblins, very different to the more open surrounding eucalypt forest.

The weather was misty, turning to light showers in the afternoon and everything became damp.  Leeches were common.

The trees within the rainforest were almost exclusively Pinkwood, most with large and obviously old stumps from which coppiced stems sprouted.  Some have grown up to dominate the canopy with fine bright green pinnate leaves – a Pinkwood signature.  Some had lianas hanging from them.  Their only companions were Dicksonia Antarctica, the Soft Tree Fern, and many of these were of significant size.

But, in one area a few giant old Brown Barrels remain, veterans of centuries ago when eucalypts dominated the site.  And they were monsters, huge, metres in diameter.  They don’t come any bigger and they were full of character with all the battle scars expected of very old decaying eucalypts.  We paused beside them, even explored inside one, and took many photos.

We strolled around a couple of downed Pinkwood trees which appeared to have crashed to the ground within the last 24 hours.  And we were witness to the roaring sound of a eucalypt giant on the next ridge falling and breaking apart as it hit the ground with a mighty thump.  It was a sombre reminder of the dynamics of these forests – constantly changing in detail, if not in character.

Of the six hours walking, at least four were spent under the rainforest canopy, testament to the amount of time we had to enjoy the star attraction – fully developed Pinkwood rainforest over a relatively large area.  A very enjoyable place indeed!

Ian

Sunday 5 February 2017

Leader Rodney and group of walkers

Morning tea at the mouth of Meroo Lake

Photos by Karen C

What a lovely walk for 11 keen bushwalkers and one visitor despite weather forecasts of a day with high temperatures over 30 degrees.  The day was indeed a lovely surprise with some cloud and coastal breezes which encouraged each and every one to enjoy the walk.

The Bawley Point carpark at the beach frontage picnic area is where the walk began and the leader, Rodney, then led the group to the track leading north through coastal bushland and tall trees out to Nuggan Point where views were appreciated of the coast in both directions with hopes of seeing dolphins, but without any luck.  The walk continued North through bushland and along to Meroo Lake shoreline for morning tea, after which the group began the return walk along a shady track to the carpark where a very pleasant picnic lunch with a cool breeze was enjoyed.

Joan

Sunday 29 January 2017

Elaine, Carol, Geoff and Jean relaxing after the walk.

A happy duo, Kurt and Pat

The ‘Sausage Sizzlers’.

Photos by Lyn

Lyn and Barry once again hosted this popular afternoon at their home overlooking the ocean. 60 walkers split into 3 groups of varying grades and set off to enjoy nearby beaches and cliff top tracks.

The day was neither raining nor hot, just perfect for a scenic scramble along the coast followed by a social sausage sizzle in Lyn and Barry’s back yard.

Karen M