Kiama Weekend Camp

Friday 26 - Monday 29 March 2010

Led by: Ainslie and Mike

On Friday 26 March, 31 Batemans Bay Bushwalkers met at Kiama Harbour Cabins on Kiama's Blowhole Point, overlooking the blowhole, lighthouse and harbour to hear what Camp Leaders Ainslie and Mike had planned for them over the next 3 days.

Walks Day 1 Easy. 15 walkers drove from camp to do the easy Seven Mile Beach walk. En route we made a detour up to Saddleback Mountain lookout - it was a little misty but the views were great.

We then continued on our way to Beach Road picnic area and the start of our walk, which consisted of a figure eight, the first half prior to lunch, the second half after lunch. Both loops were through scrubland and then back to the picnic area along beach where there was a lovely sea breeze, which was much appreciated........Denise


John explains the comms towers to Helen, Ainslie & Judy Photo by Claudia Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Barbara & Judy Photo by Claudia Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Ann & Jan Photo by Claudia Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Day 1 Medium. Mike, our leader, led us on a lovely scenic drive up the winding Foxground Road to a grassy meadow, the start of the our Hoddle Track Walk.

The track, heading east and steep in parts, led along the ridge to the top of Saddleback Mountain with its crown of Communications Towers and great 360 degree views, slightly obscured by the hazy atmosphere.

We stopped for morning tea and were diverted by two unexpected visitors. Not goannas, lizards, snakes or dive bombing birds who grab food out of unsuspecting hands, but two roosters, one with beautifully glistening rusty red plumage the other plain white, out for a forage to see what scraps visitors had left behind.

We returned along the same track pausing to admire a bull and his harem along the way, then continued west to walk towards the Barren Ground escarpment up Noorinan Ridge. This track was much steeper, constantly heading upwards. A section which seemed impassable with fallen trees deterred some of the group who headed back for lunch, while a few scrambled onwards. The track cleared and we found ourselves under the escarpment with towering rock formations reaching upwards, twisting roots and vines, mosses and ferns. It was well worth the scramble and the odd leech. We would have liked to go explore further, but turned round to join the others for lunch and the trip back to camp.

A lovely dinner at the Brighton Hotel, completed the first full day of Mike and Ainslie’s Kiama Camp........Karen C


Towers on Saddleback Mountain Photo by Karen C Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Nature's art on the track Photo by Karen C Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Mike & Bob below Illawarra Escarpment Photo by Karen C Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Walk Day 2: Griffiths Trail and Cook’s Nose, Easy & Medium. Starting off from the carpark in the Barren Grounds Nature Reserve, located on the escarpment to the west of Kiama, nineteen Bay walkers set off on the Griffiths Trail. First stop was the Illawarra Lookout with majestic views, on a fine day, of the slopes to Kiama and the coast.

We then removed our backpacks for the long and exhausting walk to the Saddle Back Trig Point. Our leader located the trig within 20 metres from the set-off point. Much hilarity!

Back on track we met our second red belly black for the weekend and lunched at Stone Bridge. After lunch, the group split into two. Group one walked back to the car park and the remainder ventured a further 5 km to Cooks Nose. There were spectacular views of the upper reaches of the Kangaroo Valley. A walk back to the carpark completed the Griffiths Track Loop........author not credited


Ready for the off Photo not credited Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Mike at Stone Bridge lunch spot Photo by Karen C Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	View from Cook's Nose Photo by Ann Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Walk Day 3: Kiama Coast Walk. The culmination of the very successful Batemans Bay Bushwalkers Club 3 day camp at Kiama was the Kiama Coast walk on 29th March 2010. This walk followed 2 days of excellent bushwalking in the beautiful Kiama area and was a fitting finale.

Recently another 6 kilometres was added to the Kiama coast walk, beginning at Werri Lagoon and going north, the walk passes through open pasture country with lovely ocean views most of the way, including very scenic headlands and rock shelves. There are challenging hills along the way and the surroundings are rich in history and geological interest. At one point there was a tiny remnant of original rainforest which gave us a view back into the past with its vast areas of warm temperate rainforests dominated by the glorious red cedar.

The remainder of the walk from Love’s Bay to the Blow Hole near Kiama Harbour is mostly through built up areas, but still mainly follows the coastline. Just north of Easts Beach there is a little blow hole which is more likely to be spouting than the large blow hole near the lighthouse.

Despite walking in light rain for much of the walk, spirits were not dampened and everyone was very grateful to Mike and Ainslie for organising not only this walk, but the very enjoyable days at Kiama.......Barry


Marle looking the part Photo by Ann Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Jill and John on the coast walk Photo by Carol Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Coast walk on an overcast day Photo by Ann Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo