Saturday 11 May 2019
On a bright Saturday morning ten members and two energetic visitors gathered at the Wasp Head car park for what must be one of the most beautiful walks in the Murramarang National Park. The forecast had predicted heavy seas but the outlook across Emily Miller Beach was placid. The Beach is named after a wrecked ship and the rocky headlands between all the beaches on this walk attest to the dangers for early shipping. The walk passed across seven named beaches but there are other rocky and often dramatic small coves in between. After the climb out of Emily Miller we descended to the ominously named Dark Beach (but only named for the colour of the sand), then up again and down to Myrtle, with its rocky platform to cross and grassy backdrop.
Photos by Christine & Karen
On all the ridge tops the stunted gums evidenced the fierce and chilly southerly winds that cross the ridges. That did not seem to stunt the ancient burrawangs, however, and our off-track sections had us pushing our way through these unfriendly natives with their knife-like leaves. Up again and down to Richmond Beach. By now the wind was rising and the waves were getting up. These south-facing beaches were catching the rising wind the sea was no longer enticing for a lunchtime dip. A quick drop down to Little Oaky Beach, across two dry creek gullies and then down to Oaky Beach proper for lunch, close to a native bee nest embedded under one of the cliffs.
After a sunny lunch, footpaths became the order of the day, passing Honeysuckle Beach and providing a civilized end to our walk to the North Head camp site. A splendid walk, with lovely clifftop views along the coastline, on a beautiful day.
Rodney