BATEMANS BAY BUSHWALKERS INC.

Wednesday 23 November 2016

Morning Tea on the track

The Karens admire the first of many orchids

A beautiful specimen

Chris up close and personal with orchids in the wild

Walkers on their way down near a rocky outcrop

Leader Brian finds a shelter in case we had rain

Nature’s bridge on the Discovery Trail

A recent fall on the trail

Photos by Helen, Brian and Mary T

Walk Leader Brian called his walk The Secret Door because the start point is a very overgrown track off Mt Agony Road, North Durras – hard to find, even if you know what you’re looking for.  But Brian had no trouble locating it today and after pushing through tangles of vines, and climbing over fallen trees and branches, the Secret Door opened into a magic world.  A world of deep gullies vegetated with temperate rainforest and stately blue gums, spotted gums and cabbage leaf palms.  There were old tree stumps crowned with flowering snake orchids (Cymbidium suave) and a rocky outcrop tumbling down the hill, covered in moss, more orchids and with a commanding view of the surrounding rainforest.

After lunch among the rocks we went offtrack, pushing our way through rainforest vines and thickets, over a creek and up a hill to find the Discovery Trail, a short National Park circuit through some really outstanding Murramarang forest.  To finish our magical mystery tour, we emerged on the shore of Durras Lake, and followed the Lake Track along the waterline for a few kilometres back to the start.

The dire weather forecast of 90% chance of 15-25mm of rain did not eventuate until we finished the walk and started our drive back to Batemans Bay.

Karen M

Sunday 20 November 2016

Leader Jill consults the map as Susan enjoys a break

Val and Jill chat on the track

Joan, Simeon, Carol and Denise admire a Xanthorrhoea resinifera

Photos by Karen C

Gathering by the riverbank in Batemans Bay we felt sure that today’s walk would be a good one! So off we set, thirteen of us, the walk start point being the forest in the Brooman area.

Having parked the cars it was not long before we crossed a small creek surrounded by rainforest, including many Cabbage Tree Palms. We knew that we had a few hills in front of us, however the many  wildflowers along the track, and the sight of some majestic trees still standing after forestry logging, kept us sufficiently distracted so that the hills slipped away under our feet.

Though much of the track was shaded, we certainly welcomed the slight breeze that greeted us on the crest of the hills! Eventually, with 9kms under our belt, and the day warming, our cars were a welcome sight indeed.

Mary M

Thursday 17 November 2016

The group on the beach

The tide was a challenge

Information board and lookout on the Aboriginal Trail

Walkers climbing over a rock platform

Photos by Mary M and Mary T

The mid week club walk of 18 members was from Merry Beach to Bawley Point, a distance of 9 km. A car shuffle ensured we did not have to walk twice this distance and allowed for a leisurely lunch at the end on the grassy reserve at the Bawley Point car park, picnic area.

The main features of this walk being magnificent beaches, expansive rock platforms and a trail through Murramarang Aboriginal Area. Of particular interest is the ‘midden’ grounds protected from damage by a raised, steel footpath. Our leader Mary M provided additional interesting details to the excellent information boards; by giving us some history of the early European settlement in the area that dates back to the mid 1800’s.

As added bonuses to the day, White Sea Eagles drifted over our heads and a large Sting Ray swam near a rock edge. A little judicial side stepping and hopping to avoid wet boots from incoming waves; added a degree of challenge and all to a backdrop of big waves and blue sky.

Thank you Mary and Stan for another delightful day. An old club walk but one that never fails to please.

Mary T

Sunday 13 November 2016

The group on the track

Ian clearing the track

Photos by Amanda

Thirteen walkers turned up to walk the 14 km of The Corn Trail, 10 BBBW members and three guests.

Using a “passenger trains” and “freight trains” analogy helped explain to participants how the car shuffle was to work – well, sort of. We unceremoniously dumped most of our walkers on the Kings Highway for an hour while we shuffled 4wds into the car park on No Name Mountain Road. Upon returning and feathers smoothed again, we proceeded to the top of the mountain for a start.

The walk was straight forward, leaving the Dasyurus picnic area on the Mongarlowe River in Monga National Park around 10am. Now being used by horse riders, the track was quite open and uncomplicated. As we proceeded over the escarpment the westerly wind picked up and even down in the valley it was still quite blustery.

A late lunch, and drinking water, on the Buckenbowra River was welcomed. After enjoying some small patches of rainforest in this section, including a flowering Orange Blossom orchid, we slowly slugged it out to the waiting cars, arriving at 4.30pm.

Lucky we put a chainsaw in the back of the car because the strong winds knocked a tree barrier over the road. Dispatching of that, many turned for home while a few of us finished the car shuffle, arriving in Batemans Bay at 6.30pm.

Six and a half hours of walking, four hours of car shuffling. And we just might have some new members joining up!

Ian B

Sunday 6 November 2016

The group at morning tea

Members climbing down to the creek

Birds Nest Ferns find a comfortable home

Walkers avoiding a deep pool

Water Dragon

Betty emerging through the ‘jungle’

As we 11 members led by “Dauntless” Pat began the descent to Musgrave Creek, we passed through large patches of Tetratheca Thymifolia, their masses of mauve flowers lending a summery feel to the dry bush. Once in the creek and heading downstream, we enjoyed many bird calls, and a Scarlet Honeyeater was sighted. There seem to be more of them than usual passing through this year, and they are a delight to see.

There were frequent colonies of Birds Nest ferns, usually grouped around one or more Soapy Box trees, and to prove this is an excellent season for native orchids, the delicate Sarcochilus Olivaceus were happily flowering. Further on, we found a lethargic Water Dragon. The reason for its inactivity was not clear, but it did seem on the skinny side, so we left it with a wish that it may find some of the abundant yabbies for dinner.

Another creature that kept us amused for a few minutes, as we tried to take photos, was a Short-Finned eel, but it was not as co-operative as the lizard.

All too soon it was time to begin the ascent to the cars, as the creek environs are addictive. However, the loss of the previous parking area near the top of the walk was a blessing in disguise, as we parked lower down the mountain, thereby having a shorter climb, albeit quite demanding in the hot sun. Baths & beer were the main topic, after congratulating Pat on another delightful walk.

Bob T

Thursday 3 November 2016

One Tree Point

Opening of Tuross Lake

Horse Island in Tuross Lake

Photos by Karen M

Our walk commenced in Tuross heading along the ridge overlooking Tuross Lake, our first point of interest being a view across to Horse Island before heading further around to historic Tuross House built by the Mylott family (early settlers in the area) with the original heritage listed Norfolk Island Pine.    From here we meandered down to the edge of the golf course, a local high point with an excellent vista encompassing Coila Lake, Bingi Headland, North Plantation Beach & the ocean.

Continuing on, we walked the track that skirts Coila Lake, passing the estuarine wetlands that eventually returned us to the Boulevard footpath.  We followed the path along the coast passing the burial site of a humpback whale which washed ashore many years ago, then up to the Memorial Gardens and from there onto the beach until One Tree Point which has undergone a recent beautification and is much improved.  Happily a  whale was spotted frolicking & splashing (just for our entertainment).

After this we continued on the newly completed boardwalk & path back towards our start point but still managed to include some final points of interest such as views of Tuross river mouth and lake also the old Tuross Bakery Building.  As we passed all the many points of interest our walk leader Susan gave an interesting talk and insight into the history of each, thank you Susan, all your hard work & research was really appreciated!  At the completion of the walk, a number of walkers enjoyed a tasty feed of fish & chips for lunch at the old boat shed.

Deborah

Friday 21, Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 October 2016

30 Bushwalkers travelled to Goulburn on the weekend of 22-23 October to explore this historic inland city and its surrounds.

After nearly running out of water in the early part of this century, Goulburn is now linked to Sydney’s water supply and after recent rain, is looking green and lush.  Goulburn Tourist Bureau gave us a Saturday morning bus tour of all the historic and interesting sites – the lavish Courthouse, the impressive sandstone Cathedral, the stone War Memorial Tower, the infamous Goulburn Gaol and Supermax Prison, the Police Training Academy, and the Railway Station to name a few.

Saturday afternoon was free to explore the museums, art galleries, shops and further afield, Pejar Dam.  Several of us enjoyed an excellent organ recital in the Cathedral of 11 best known organ pieces ever written, followed by afternoon tea in the Cathedral Hall.  Great venue, impressive pipe organ, accomplished organist.

We spent Sunday morning out at Garroorigang Historic Home on the Braidwood Road.  This is now the private home of descendants of the explorer Hamilton Hume, but started its life in 1857 as Mulwaree Inn catering to traffic heading from Sydney to the Braidwood and Araluen goldfields.  It was later converted to a private boys school.  The current owners gave us morning tea and showed us through the house, the old stables which morphed into classrooms, and the gardens.  The house is full of the memorabilia from all stages of its history and is a fascinating and personal journey through time.

View of Goulburn from War Memorial Tower

The stone tower built to commemorate fallen soldiers

Visit to Garroorigang Homestead

House and stables

Garoorigang gardens

Our Foodi Tour of Goulburn began on Friday night with dinner at the iconic Paragon Café.  The food is great, the service is quick and because we were all too full to have dessert, many of us made a return trip for a sundae or gelato.

Breakfast next morning was at the community based Railway Café operated by Angels for the Forgotten.  The café is not for profit, staffed by a combination of Work for the Dole participants and community volunteers who are supervised by paid staff.  Each paid meal served in the café provides a free meal to someone in the local community in need via the community kitchen program.  They purchase all produce and supplies from local businesses and in addition promote Goulburn’s railway history.  Highly recommended!

A few hours later we had lunch at the 98 Chairs Restaurant in the main street – another enjoyable meal together.  The evening meal was at the Goulburn Soldiers Club, opposite Belmore Park.  By that stage most of us could only manage an entrée.

On Sunday, after morning tea at Garroorigang, we stopped in at Lerida Winery overlooking Lake George for lunch.  Our Social Organiser Elizabeth had arranged for a series of tasting plates to be served with house breads at this popular venue.

Paragon Cafe

Not-for-Profit Railway Cafe’s $15 breakfast

98 Chairs Restaurant lunch

Lerida Winery before

Lerida Winery after

View of Lake George from Lerida Winery

Thank you to Elizabeth and our Social Committee for a well-paced, interesting weekend.  It was obvious that a lot of work had been done behind the scenes to ensure that everyone enjoyed themselves.  Some of us are already planning a return trip to see the roses blooming, walk the lookouts at nearby Bungonia Gorge and make another visit to the Paragon Café.

Photos and Report by Karen M

Saturday 29 October 2016

Swathes of Pink Tetratheca and purple Dampiera cover the slopes of Bolaro Mountain

A new generation of Burrawangs

Glenn and Chris admire the work of our early road builders

Len tackles the crumbling bridge on Old Bolaro Road

Mark makes sure the gate is closed

Photos by Bob M, Helen and Mary

After a bit of a drive on dusty roads, through several creek crossings in lovely country and the “car shuffle from hell” we arrived at the beginning of the walk ready for a good 16km hike.

Described as a ”good uphill walk”, Bolaro Mountain and Buckenbowra Valley certainly delivered the goods!

There was plenty of downhill too, but with such varied terrain, pockets of rainforest, some interesting bird song and swathes of spring flowers, the 16 of us were distracted enough to make it comfortably. To top it all, we even had great views of mist covered hills and the distant Clyde river as we climbed Bolaro Mountain and followed the ridge back down into the beautiful pastoral valley.

The old Bolaro Mountain Road was admired for it’s construction and stone work to shore it up but found to be wanting where a wooden bridge had rotted through. The Black Wattle was in full flower and walking past a remote homestead made us wonder what it was like to live in this picturesque out-of-the-way area.

Thank you for another great walk.

Helen

Wednesday 26 October 2016

Group at lookout

Whale watching at morning tea

Photos by Mary and Erika

Seventeen club members walked the cycle/walkway from Dalmeny to Apex Park, Narooma. The walk started out with overcast skies which apart for some very warm bursts of sunshine and humidity, remained so most of the way. We were shadowed by several whales some quite far out to sea but visible enough for us to enjoy their displays of breaching, tail flapping and spurts of vapour as we had morning tea on the grassy headland. A mother and calf swam nearer to shore and mum put on a lovely aerobatic show. It is indeed a great year for whale watching and appreciation.

As we neared the end of our walk we spotted a goose nesting amongst the reeds with two goslings. Lunch was at Apex Park where we found beautiful picnic tables and benches, luxurious facilities as we usually sit on fallen forest logs.

Thank you Lesley for organising the car shuffle and leading a pleasant walk along our lovely coast line.

Mary

Thursday 20 October 2016

Lunch break

Lesley and Donna by the Clyde

Photos by Mary and Ainslie

Val led 11 walkers on a pleasant hike off Marilyn’s Road near the Clyde River. The walk followed forest roads and offered great views of Pigeon House and the Castle as well as taking us along the Clyde River. The highlight for the nature lovers was a large goanna climbing a nearby tree 20m off the ground. Its colour blended so well with the tree’s bark it took some of us quite a while to spot it.

Bob T regaled us with the story of the reccie for this walk and getting stuck on the berm across the abandoned forest road, frustratingly only 20m from River Road. Fortunately, a local drove by and helped Bob out of this predicament but a number of us mentally noted to take two vehicles on Bob’s future reccies, just in case. Bob shrugged it all off as part of the experience and colour of bush walking.

The long climb (300m) back up to the cars subdued the chatter of this group and showed us that Val is still as tough as she always was when designing a medium walk – good to have her back inspiring us.

Rob