BATEMANS BAY BUSHWALKERS INC.

Sunday 11 September 2016

Jan, Ainslie, Robyn and Ian admiring the view from Florance Head

Mike and boronia

Photos by Mike and Carol

From the park with the huge fig tree in Milton we looked west to see Little Forest Plateau with its sharp cliff at the southern end. This marks Florance Head, our walk destination. This easy level walk had thirteen members who were attracted by the promise of wildflowers and views. The sunny clear day was just what we needed for views of the coast as far north as Point Perpendicular, and down over Lake Conjola and Milton’s farmlands.

To get to our lunch spot we had to go through head-high Boronia thujona in full bloom, one of the many plants which are prolific on Sydney sandstone. Here at Florance Head we had fine views over the Budawang Range – Pigeonhouse, The Castle and Byangee Walls.

Ainslie & Mike

Sunday 11 September 2016

Tent erosion of granite boulder

Hiking through the rocks

Rock orchids in flower

Stan and Martin

Betty on rocky outcrop 2

The standing stone

Standing stone crowned with a rock orchid garden

Photos by Helen and Karen M

One dozen Batemans Bay Bushwalkers completed a 5 km circuit walk in the Mogo State Forest north west of Mt Pollwombera.

As the walk name suggests, the circuit took in the interesting rock formations and westerly views from 2 granite topped hills. Although the walk leader was aware some of the granite boulders had rock orchids growing on them, he was not aware they would be in flower. So the walk catered for all interests; biological and geological.

While descending the second granite topped hill, one walker got a poke in the leg from a wayward stick that required a little first aid – a No 4 field dressing being put to good use. (Reminder to all walkers, long pants and/or gaiters are a good idea on any off track walks!)

The final point of interest was the standing stone. This is a 5 m high, roughly rectangular block of granite standing by itself a few metres off a fire trail. Today the standing stone was putting on a good show, with its head covered in a mass of rock orchids in full bloom.

David

Thursday 8 September

Pat’s walk in the Benandarah area of the state forest this week was very pleasant and still wearing its morning dew as we set out.

We followed old trails and a new little track through the pretty bush. Adding to the bush’s freshness were the variety of bird calls up in the high tree-canopy as they called out to each other – although this time the black yellow-tailed cockatoos were nowhere to be seen or heard.

The young Sydney Blue Gums were a picture growing amongst all the other tall straight trees and the group admired the variety of native shrubs in bloom. Further along, even the stark burnt tree trunks from a recent hazard reduction burn  had a certain abstract beauty about them with their new fresh leaves and the new green undergrowth in stark contrast.  A very old lone Kurrajong tree was also seen along the track.  Overall a nice energising walk.

Pat

Saturday 3 September

Cancelled, due to poor weather

Wednesday 31 August 2016

View of morning tea by creek

Joan and Carol find the first of the orchids

Betty with a bigger one

And after that they got bigger

and bigger

Photos by Karen M

This was the last day of winter and perfect for the group of 13 led by Joan through Cullendulla Nature Reserve.  The track wanders through Spotted Gum bushland with expansive views north of Long Beach and comes to the end of the clifftop of Square Head.  After admiring the view the group followed the track along the top of Cullendulla Creek to the area where steps lead down to the sandy foreshore for morning tea and views across to Batehaven.

The walk then followed a track along the edge of the tidal creek at low tide which gave the opportunity of Bob T noticing resting marks in the moist sand from flathead and stingrays which were of great interest.  Further along the shoreline, the beginning of an area of Casuarina trees is where the Rat’s Tail Orchid (Dendrobium Teretifolia) begin to be noticed growing and flowering at various heights on the Casuarina tree trunks.  The abundance of these orchids in this area this year is truly amazing, the best year ever, and all were overawed at this wonderful display of these tiny cream coloured orchids in such profusion – August is their prime time.

The track wanders along the creek foreshore to the end area of an open space known as the Cullendulla Aboriginal midden which has many layers of shellfood deposits from the past.  Lunch was enjoyed beside the creek at a pleasant small clearing and then the return walk to the Nature Reserve car park finished an exploration of this most enjoyable part of our coast.

Joan

Sunday 28 August 2016

Morning tea view

Lunch view

Photos by Amanda

The Pigeon House walk is one of the best walks in this area for those who like to ascend a little mountain for some wonderful views.   Geoff and Elizabeth led the group of 12 Batemans Bay Bushwalkers, including some who had never been up on top of Pigeon House before.

There were some delightful spring flowering native shrubs and flowers out in bloom, however we were a week or so early for the beautiful boronia “show” on the plateau, as it was still just in bud.

Up on top the views were spectacular as usual and everyone gazed around at the beautiful Budawang land formations and gorges and took photos to record the view.

After lunch we then descended the ladders and the steep track back down to the cars. Along the way it was lovely to see many young people and children out on the track also enjoying the exercise, their bush surroundings and the great views.

Pat

Thursday 25 August 2016

Lunch on Wagonga Scenic Drive

Mary, Rob, Bev and Bob

Lawlers Creek track

Views along Lawlers Creek

Dwarfed by lush vegetation

More Lawlers Creek views

Photos by Karen M

13 bushwalkers scored a clear sunny day to explore this 10km walk in Bodalla State Forest, led by Rob.  After crossing Lawlers Creek, we ascended virtually the only hill on the walk to the ridge.  Then we strolled through groves of flowering wattle, encountering a few undulations, and passing an old Underground Tank used as a water source by the Rural Fire Service.  This area is now recovering from being logged several years ago.

We then descended back to the creek gully, and enjoyed lunch seated on Wagonga Scenic Drive to try and escape the leeches – fortunately no traffic that day.  The last leg of the walk was most enjoyable – wandering along the banks of Lawlers Creek on a slightly overgrown meandering track.  The vegetation is lush, the eucalypts are towering, and there are occasional glimpses of surprisingly steep cliffs on the opposite bank.

Thank you to Rob for putting this walk back on our Program.

Karen M

Saturday 20 August 2016

Start at Mackenzies Beach

The view south

South from Pretty Point

North from Pretty Point

Lilli Pilli Beach

Lilli Pilli headland

Photos by Karen M

The spectacular scenery on Saturday’s bushwalk was proof enough to all 19 bushwalkers of why they chose to live where they live! The walk started under a clear blue sky at Mackenzies Beach, and we were soon heading on our way to Pretty Point. A couple of walkers glimpsed a whale out at sea on their walk out to the point, but alas it was not visible during our morning tea break out on this very rocky point. However it was obvious that the day’s slight breeze and relatively calm sea had enticed quite a few fisherman out in their boats to try their luck.

From Pretty Point it was a series of up, over, then down many of the headlands on our way north. Though much of the track is clearly marked, there were enough rough challenging descents to keep us focused on where we put our feet!

Looking down into the water from the higher points on the track, it was obvious that there are plenty of good snorkelling spots along this coast. Lunch was spent on Lilli Pilli Beach, before once again heading north across another headland to the cars at Circuit Beach.

Mary

Wednesday 17 August 2016

Bob leads the troops

Behind Turlinjah

Photos by Karen C

Fourteen walkers made the best of the excellent weather to explore an area of Moruya State Forest near Turlinjah.   Using some motorcycle tracks (thankfully no two wheeled vehicles were encountered), some dirt roads, namely Kays and Triangle, Bob led us around forest close to Coila Creek’s tributaries. As there was no recent rain, the creek crossings  in the gullies were dry, but made for lovely cool ferny areas where the still water reduced the temperature – just right for refreshing us prior to the next upward hill!

We were shown Green helmeted native orchids (easy to miss and step on by the unwary, but thankfully off the track so they survived our visit) and spent some time checking out the animal tracks on sandy parts of the path.

Another lovely walk in the Eurobodalla.

Helen

Thursday 11 August 2016

Mark, with Leaders Mary and Stan

Rob checks his location

Front row seats for lunch

Campsite in the National Park

Photos by Donna and Karen M

Mary and Stan led a group of 11 bushwalkers on a 12 kilometre circuit walk from Nelligen township to Clyde River National Park.

The group walked along well-formed hilly trails with a little bush bashing thrown in for good measure. It was a perfect sunny winter’s day for walkers to take in the sounds and sights of the Australian bush. The group enjoyed a well-earned break for lunch on the banks of the picturesque Clyde River, watching a beautifully restored timber boat from a bygone era cruise past.  Following lunch the group re-entered the bush for the return journey, where walkers were lucky enough to see a glossy black cockatoo flying low overhead.

Thank you to Mary and Stan for sharing this wonderful walk with the bushwalkers.

Mark