Upper Durras Lake and Benandarah Creek

Thursday 21 April 2016

Photos by Karen C

9 walkers enjoyed some easy walking through old logged areas, now part of Murramarang National Park, among crazy twisted and multi trunk Spotted Gums.  Great spot for Cymbidium suave and maybe Rats Tail Orchids on the casuarinas in Spring and possibly Ironbark Orchids as well, and all so very accessible. We had two close encounters with Red Belly Black snakes, one we almost stepped on.   It didn’t move and we thought it might have been dead till its tongue flickered.  The other was down by the lake and was much more active but we still managed to get a photo. We had a short walk both to the west and east along the lakeshore and then lunched overlooking the water which was like a millpond.

Thanks to Sharon for another enjoyable bushwalker outing.

Karen C

North Durras Lake Walking Trail

Wednesday 13 April 2016

Photos by Donna and Karen

Mary T led 11 walkers on a very pleasant 15km hike along the shores of Durras Lake. The well-defined trail took us through some majestic Spotted Gum groves with numerous sites where we met the shoreline and a number of walkers reached for their cameras. While we tend to be a noisy crowd it did not stop the birds chatting continuously as we moved through their territory.

The trail skirted along the edge of the caravan park and back into forest where we emerged at the lake edge for lunch. Apart from a few noisy fishing boats moving about the scene was idyllic with paddlers providing a splash of colour on the water. We had the mandatory sea eagle fly by inspecting things.

On the return trip Mary showed us a bower bird structure adorned with every blue bottle top and peg the male could steal from the caravan park. I trust the females were impressed. Everyone agreed that this was a very enjoyable walk and with no hills would be an ideal walk for our Easy and Medium members to enjoy.

Rob

 

Long Beach, Square Head Circuit

Thursday 7 April 2016

Photos by Donna

Ten Bateman Bay Bushwalkers set out from Long Beach on Thursday morning, walking along the coast toward Cullendulla.  After the previous day’s mid 30’s temperatures the weather was just about perfect for bushwalking. The scenery, as normal for the Eurobodalla coast, superb, with the sound of the bay water gently breaking against the shore. The view across the bay to the Tollgates, made the walk worthwhile, and added to by the black swans and small mob of kangaroos.

A most enjoyable walk, and back home for lunch for those who didn’t stay to picnic.  Thanks Ian for a lovely walk.

Denise

Monga Forest Walk

Saturday 2 April 2016

Photos by Karen & Bob M

 

Maulbrooks Road, Mogo State Forest

Wednesday 30 March 2016

Photos by Mary T

On Wednesday 30th a happy band of BBBWalkers  explored a section of Mogo State  Forest.  Ably led by Rob, we bush bashed (gently) for one and half kilometres, crossed creek beds, climbed interesting rock formations and  “rediscovered ” a line of Callistemon rigida (Rigid bottlebrush) rarely found in these parts.  Following bike tracks and forestry roads we investigated what remains of many old mines and  imagined lives long past.  It was lovely to see so many plants in flower. The Banksia spinulosa (Hairpin banksia) were especially stunning.

Reaching the cars, having walked just under 10kms in beautiful surroundings,  we all felt renewed and invigorated.  So do come and join us.

Sharon

 

Pig Road, No. 4 Logging Road Plus Creek Walk

Thursday 24 March 2016

Photos by Karen & Bob M

A group of four eager club members were led by Len for the Thursday club walk that started at Pig Road in the Currowan State Forest area. Pig Road is a good forest road that ascends steadily and then rather steeply in some parts, past large Blue Gums and vistas of the forest and the distant ranges. The road follows the valley formation below until reaching the apex of the valley, an interesting feature well illustrated on this walk.

We left the dusty road and commenced the descent along No 4 Logging Road, (where are No 1, 2, and 3?). This is a disused forestry road; now more a track over grown with young She-Oaks and other juvenile native trees and shrubs. On the side of this track we encountered Banksias with golden flowers standing upright a little like lanterns to lighten the way. Delicate ferns, two varieties new to this writer, grew under the deeply cut out sidewalls.

We met up with the creek and began what was for the group the highlight of the day, a walk along the creek bed that would take us back to our cars. The creek started out being dry but as we progressed along its course we encountered water and with it magnificent walls of rock. Filtered sunlight shone on the numerous huge slabs of rock, home to interesting plants and much to our amazement, big trees that appeared to literally sit on the rocks seemingly with very little soil to retain their roots.

The creek meanders along its course and for the most part we were able to stay in it sometimes having to hop over rocks to keep our boots dry and at others diverting a little higher to avoid the inevitable fallen tree across the water. As the light faded due to an overcast sky, the creek and the surrounding area took on a somewhat sinister air that reminded this writer of childhood fairy tales.

Reluctantly we reached the exit track and our leader announced we had to leave the creek and take a good forest track past a property with mowed paddocks to the Western Distributor Road and Pig Road junction where we had parked our cars.

Thank you Len for so ably leading us on another perfect day made possible by our proximity to such an abundance of local walking areas and the Batemans Bay Bushwalkers Club.

Mary

Monga National Park Pinkwood Viewing

Saturday 19 March 2016

Photos by Kay

9 happy walkers set off from Batemans Bay to visit the plumwood trees in bloom at Monga National Park at the top of the Clyde Mountain.  We parked at the Mongarlowe River Picnic Area and began the first part of the walk to Penance Grove.

The path wound its way through beautiful tree ferns, delicate ferns, eucalyptus and plumwoods (also known as pinkwoods), and the petals decorated the undergrowth like confetti.  The path was overgrown and had many fallen trees and branches and seen through the dappled sunlight, added to the magical effect of being in the bush.

Penance Grove is where many magnificent tree ferns had in earlier times been stolen, but there are many still remaining and there are good examples of how the plumwood seeds drop onto tree fern trunks and feed off them and climb over them until they are totally consumed.  This is a very ancient landscape.

We continued along a dirt track, stopping to look at trees, shrubs and the occasional echidna until we completed the circular walk at Mongarlowe River.  The platypus did not conform and so we continued to the barbecue area for an alfresco dinner before saying thank you and goodbye to our great leaders, Ainslie and Mike.

Barbara

Surf Beach Circuit

Wednesday 16 March 2016

Photos by Bob and Karen M

Brian and Chris led a select group of Batemans Bay Bushwalkers on their local walk through the wilds of Surf Beach mid week.  Walkers ducked and dived up streets, through bush reserves, behind house, over a creek, eventually ending up at Wimbie Beach for morning tea.

Walkers then headed north on Wimbie, Surf and Denhams Beaches, over a cliff, up the road, through more bushland and back to their hospitable Leaders’ home for lunch on their back deck.

Bob M