It's the Third Quarter Already! See below for
Walk Reports and Photos as they occur

Where oh where were all the whales? There were 42 excited souls who arrived in sunny Huskisson that Sunday morning in time for a stroll and cuppa before boarding the large cruise boat with three decks and able to accommodate approximately 140 people. We spread out among other passengers, some choosing sunny open decks and others to be inside at the front where the captain and steering wheel had pride of place.

Who would have believed that an hour before we went on board there sprung to life on the waters of the bay an extremely strong and cool wind, but we were not deterred. As we set forth perhaps the very choppy seas may have signalled to the whales that it wasn't such a good idea to linger in the bay and so they sailed off further towards the horizon.

We couldn't blame them, but we were all disappointed and so kept hoping for three hours to see them. The captain cruised out past Bowen Island to the southern headland of Jervis Bay where he told us he would normally cruise a short distance out to the open sea and almost always see whales.

But the day's wind and extremely rough seas in that area changed his routine, midst some unsteady footwork and spills by some folk, and we were turned around to cruise safely back to Huskisson

Now for the best part of the story, because we actually did not see one whale (almost glad, you'd really want to see at least three, because 13 were seen the previous Friday) we were all given a free ticket to have a return cruise independently any time within the next 12 months. Enjoy the next time everyone.
Joan  

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Lois Lane Meets Clark Kent,
Wednesday 24 September 2008

Unfortunately only four people enjoyed Margaret's walk. The weather was perfect with a slight breeze to keep us cool. The walk was along mostly shaded tracks and roads with a huge variety of wildflowers. We saw purple Patersonia (flag lilies), various shades of pink Boronia, many types and sizes of yellow pea flowers, purple mint bush and an assortment of white flowers.
Betty  

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Spring Creek - Orchids and Waterfall
Sunday 21 September 2008

Pink indigofera in flower Photo by Donna Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Rock orchid flower Photo by Donna Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	The unusual granite bed of Spring Creek Photo by Donna Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

On a beautiful Eurobodalla day 17 members took part in a pleasant walk. Starting off along a fire trail past the burrawangs we came upon:

- several types of spring flowers, purple, pinks, yellow, red and white,
- a flowering Cabbage Tree Palm, a highlight for the group, and
- a large rock formation was seen off the track.

We then cut through the bush down to the creek where we found several clumps of large rock orchids, some in flower, some waiting to flower. We were fortunate to also see some of the smaller bush orchids.

As to the waterfall it was dry. However, there is a long drop and you can imagine (should there be water/rain) the water cascading over the dark rock adding further to the serenity of the area.

The shade of the creek was the perfect spot for lunch.

After lunch we walked up the creek scrambling over the slippery rocks then through the bush back to the fire trail. Unfortunately the walk was over too soon and we were home in time to mow the lawns.
Glenn  

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Deep Creek Dam
Thursday 18 September 2008

	Deep Creek Dam Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo		Cliff and visitor Ken Photo by Ann Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Wednesday, 18 September was a beautiful, sunny day for 18 bushwalkers following the lead of Sharon (including one visitor and one new member) to visit Deep Creek Dam.

We walked up Mogo Trig Road, from the Princes Highway, to Dog Trap Road, before heading into the bush and down to Deep Creek Dam where we stopped for morning tea overlooking the water. We lingered as long as possible, enjoying the view and the warm sunshine before heading along the edge of the dam all the way around to the overflow channel. Oftentimes we were within one step of the water, but everyone managed to keep their footing and stay dry.

During the last half hour before lunch, and during our lunch break by the water, we were treated to the vision of two black swans making their way gracefully across the water. The last leg of the walk was up the bank from the dam to the road and the waiting cars. Thanks for a wonderful walk, Sharon
Susan  

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Potato Point - Forest, Lake and Beach
Saturday 13 September 2008

Bob and walkers at Brou Lake Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Karen, Pat and Kay Photo by Ann Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Bob in his natural habitat Photo by Ann Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

The forecast was for a very warm and windy Saturday and a large group of walkers were keen to head out on our Potato Point Walk. After leaving the meeting point at Moruya we headed south to the Tuross turnoff where two more car loads of walkers joined our convoy. By the time we arrived at the starting point of our walk we were a total of 28 walkers, including visiting members of the Eurobodalla Bicycle Users Group plus a visitor from Central Tilba.

Following tracks and trails we made our way through gullies and over hills towards the beautiful pristine Lake Brou. A variety of spring blossoms were on show including the deep pink flowers of Indigofera australis, the gold and green from abundant wattles and a shy Calendia carnea living up to its name of Pink Fingers orchid.

Morning tea at the lakeside, a sea eagle soaring overhead, sea gulls floating on a brilliant blue lake, it doesn’t get much better than this. We made our way along the lakeshore and then back through the bush where sadly the dumping of rubbish rather diminished our pleasure. Then another pristine fresh water lake, Lake Tarourga, where a Swan sitting on a nest drew our attention. After a short beach walk we found a sheltered spot at Jemisons Point where we could watch the surge of the ocean over craggy rocks while having a welcome lunch.

A leisurely walk back to our cars and another successful bushwalk was completed. Thank you to our walk leader Bob.
Karen C  

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Annual 6 Hour Rogaine
Wednesday 10 September 2008

	Karen and Margaret check the map Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo		Bev, Betty and Jamie relax with a cuppa back at Base Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Wednesday 10 September was The Annual Rogaine for the Batemans Bay Bushwalkers. A rogaine is an type of orienteering team competition. It was held in bushland west of Surf Beach. 24 walkers made up the six teams that used their compass, map and GPS to find their way to as many check points as they could in the six hour time limit.

I personally was part of an “all girl” team. We checked our map and decided which tracks we would take and come back to base camp for lunch. After lunch we did the same again deciding which track to take in the few hours left. There was a penalty if teams were not back in the allocated time.

We noticed the spring flowers were coming into bloom. Many varieties of wattle were flowering. A little bush that seemed golden all over was not a wattle but Choretrum candolli. The purple flowering vine, Hardenbergia wound its way through the bushes and to our delight we spotted tiger orchids on two occasions. There were also a very delicate mauve twinning flower (Glycine) that really caught my eye. Our team walked 20 km and checked through 18 of the 28 checkpoints.

Congratulations to the winning team led by Ian C. The team included Wendy, Jan and Susan. They won by 32 points from our all girls team, with the remaining 4 teams very close runners up. And well done to Len and his helpers for all their work in organising it.

As a participant in this rogaine, I would recommend this annual activity. It hones your skills of map reading and using the GPS as well as developing skills in recognising land features. Teams can be as competitive as they want to be. It really is good fun.
Margaret W  

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Pigeon House Mountain with a Boronia Bonus
Sunday 7 September 2008

The summit of Pigeon House Photo by Kay Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	View of the Castle and Byangee Walls Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Those handy ladders Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Delicate pink boronia in flower on the slopes of Pigeon House Photo by Kay Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

The Batemans Bay Bushwalkers climbed to the top of Pigeon House mountain on Sunday 7th September 2008. We couldn’t have been more fortunate with the weather as Sunday was perfect after days of unfavorable conditions.

Thirteen walkers led by Geoff Mitchell made the climb in under 2 hours, with the track being waterlogged in places. The wildflowers were beginning to put on their display, particularly the pink boronias which made a wonderful spectacle when in large clusters.

The final ascent is made on well engineered steps and platforms provided by National Parks and Wildlife Service with people commenting on what a good job NPWS had done. Despite the sound, safe conditions a few members still had the fear of heights syndrome - but we all survived!

Pigeon House is obviously a popular walk as the members passed a considerable number of other walkers making the climb, and it is easy to see why. On a good day the 360 degrees view is magnificent, the highlight being The Castle and Byangee Walls to the north west and east to the coastline.

Pigeon House mountain (alt. 720 mtrs) is one of the classic walks for the Batemans Bay Bushwalking Club and everybody thanked Geoff for taking us there.
Barry  

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Bolaro Road and Paradise Creek
Thursday 4 September 2008

Cancelled, due to rain. Will be rescheduled next year.  

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Corn Trail Up or Down
Sunday 31 August 2008

Mongarlowe River Crossing Photo by Kay Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Glenn by Buckenbowra River Photo by Ann Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Lesley and Denise Photo by Ann Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Donna in the rainforest Photo by Kay Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

One of the classic walks of the area,“The Corn Trail” was the nominated walk for the Bushwalkers on Sunday 31 August. Seventeen people turned up, seven walkers led by Bob M walked up the Corn Trail, Len led 10 walkers down.

The Corn Trail follows the route used by pack horse teams in the 1830’s. The downhill trail started from the picnic area near the banks of the Mongarlowe River in the Monga National Park. Crossing the river (the 1st of 3 river crossings) we headed through wilderness forest, the wind in the tree tops was so loud you could not hear each other talking. The trail crossed high mountain ridges, out of the forest and into the low scrubby area with sculptured specimens of grass trees, as far as the eye could see. We are now getting filtered views of the coastal ranges, some areas were very steep (pleased we are going down and not up). Several walkers fell, but no one was hurt. About half way down we passed the other 7 walkers on their way up, which was a much more demanding walk. We swapped car keys and continued on to lunch.

Our lunch break was very pleasant sitting by the Buckenbowra River in a rainforest valley. On we went, passing wall to wall ground ferns, with cabbage tree palms and tree ferns en masse. After 15kms we were happy to reach the cars left by our seven uphill walkers at the end of the trail.

Our thanks to Len for organizing this walk and the car shuffle, also sunshine when rain was forecast. It was an AWESOME WALK.
Lesley  

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Mullendaree Area
Wednesday 27 August 2008

	Bob, Jamie, Susan and Betty in Munderlow Creek Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Jamie led 6 Batemans Bay Bushwalkers on a 16 kilometre fast paced walk around Mullendaree in the Mogo State Forest. Jamie had found a couple of tracks running parallel to Runnyford Road which took us off the road and in amongst flowering wattles and native holly. High up on Firebreak Road we had some great views over the valleys below to Bolaro Mountain.

After a very pleasant bushbash down to Munderlow Creek, and up to the ridge on the other side of the gully, we headed back along Saltwater Road to the start point.
Karen M  

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Lemon Tree Creek
Wednesday 24 August 2008

	Bob, Carol, Barry and Mary Photo by Denise Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Sunday a lovely sunny day for a brisk 12km walk, so 16 of us set off for a walk around Lemon Tree Road, Tabourie.

Although there were no lake views there was plenty to look at, a variety of trees, open glens and some native Pterostylis nutans, or more commonly known as Nodding Greenhood orchids. Also found was an unknown plant, so it is on its way to the Eurobodalla Regional Botanical Gardens for identification (several of our walkers are Gardens volunteers with Native Plant Collecting Licences). The results have just come back, and it is an endangered species of orchid called Calanthe triplicata. It has now been planted and the Gardens Supervisor is personally looking after it.

A lovely lizard was found sunning itself along the track, letting us know that it won’t be long before other reptiles will be out and care will have to be taken not to step on them.

Thank you Jill and John for a lovely walk.
Denise  

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Dingo Road Area
Thursday 21 August 2008

	Long Distance Lunchers Photo by Barry Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Those of the Bushwalkers who enjoy a real workout presented for Ian’s walk into the Budawang National Park for a serious hike along Dingo Road and other old forest trails down to Carter’s Creek and up again. Nine of us followed some closed and long unused forest roads, now enthusiastically tilled and scoured by lyrebirds, wombats and pigs for their harvest of subterranean invertebrates. This activity, plus regrowth and windfalls, make these trails interesting, in the very least. After traversing some mighty hills and ridges, descending into lush creek gullies and climbing out again, we trudged over hill and dale until we finally returned to the cars.

Although unable to decide whether we were more pleased that we had done it, or that we had finished it, we were unanimous that it would require both external and internal applications of liberal doses of hot water, various unguents and copious medicinal fluids to reward our efforts and ensure a speedy recovery. Our leader was unruffled and showed no sign of exertion.
Bob T  

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Kelly's Creek and Mine
Saturday 16 August 2008

Kellys Mine Walkers Photo by Ann Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Spotted gum eats neighbour Photo by Kay Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Spotted gum eats neighbour Photo by Kay Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Kelly's Creek and Mine was the goal and location planned for lunch by 14 Batemans Bay Bushwalkers on this crisp sunny morning. Ron and Barbara led us to park our cars up Mison Road just 5km south of Mogo and from there we enjoyed walking a trail through tall eucalypt bushland with an understory of wattles in flower as well as orchids on a high branch.

Some attractive rock formations were admired further along, and Ron was also able to show us the remaining mine shafts from times past as we made our way for lunch to the old mine site where machinery relics and the tunnel were investigated. The flat bed riffle table was pointed out where fine broken ore was placed to be washed and filtered by vibration to allow the gold particles to be collected.

This 15km walk was very much enjoyed by all, thank you to Ron and Barbara.
Joan  

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One Pipe Road, Cold Chisel Road, Pebbly Beach Road to Pebbly Beach,
Wednesday 13 August 2008

Precocious kookaburra Photo by Lesley Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Pebbly Beach Photo by Lesley Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Lunch Photo by Lesley Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Seventeen participants, including guests from Tasmania and Melbourne undertook a gentle stroll on roads and tracks through the forests around Pebbly Beach, led by Jock and Margaret. The mood of the party reflected the bright and cheerful morning.

The walk was on easy forest roads and tracks and the sun played through the trunks of the spotted gums and ironbark along the route. Black Cockatoos and a Tree Creeper were spotted as the group searched for orchids in the branches.

At the Pebbly Beach lunch spot, the kangaroos were missing – obviously at their own lunch party on a different beach. But the group were closely watched by several inquisitive Kookaburras who wanted to share the meal. Some members were also lucky to spot a female lyrebird near the gents’ toilet. There was some discussion about whether a whale might have been seen out at sea, but since only one member of the party claimed to have seen it, it was impossible to reach a consensus.

The group drove home shortly after lunch following Bob’s vote of thanks to the walk leaders.
Rodney

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Buckeridge Lookout and Makins Creek
Sunday 10 August 2008

Walk Leader Margaret and Bob Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Moss, fungus and ferns on rainforest walk Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Narrow forest trail Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Lush Lawlers Creek Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Sunday August 10 started overcast and cold, but the company was warm and cheerful as 11 of us began the circuit walk from Lawlers Creek sawmill, a little North of Dalmeny. The first hill was a good steady puff - the map says 100 metres - (I`m sure they left a zero off) - which soon warmed us up. The trail led up through open eucalypt forest, sometimes on recently cleared track, sometimes over a mosaic carpet of fallen leaves. We paused by a large underground water tank with logs for a lid, installed by the forestry service for bushfire control. Apparently there are several of these in the area. Nobles Fire Trail led mostly upwards for an hour through the forest until our morning tea stop, where Margaret, our leader, and Karen, who helped with the recce, were quite dismayed that somebody had "pinched" their smoko log in the last fortnight. A fine drizzle drifted over, so it was ponchos all round, but it soon passed over, as we continued through the forest, past Makins Hill, onto the Kianga Forest Road, up Wagonga Hill, to the Buckeridge Lookout. The whole area here is one of magnificent trees with an underlying bush lower storey, and scrubby groundcover, with the incessant tinkle of bellbirds in the tops. The lookout was our lunch stop - no logs here - and it was poncho time again, due to a chilly breeze while we sat in the open, enjoying the view over mountains, lakes, towns, and ocean, with Montague Island in the background.

Lunch over, we retraced our steps for 15 minutes, then turned west onto Box Cutting Road. We then dropped down into a delightful gully to the Box Cutting Rainforest Walk. This would have to be amongst the best spots of a great region, with towering rainforest trees overshadowing a myriad of life forms. Tree ferns, ground ferns, orchids, moss covered logs, brilliant fungi, stinging trees, a leaf carpet, all overhung by the forest giants. We were entranced with that 1/2 kilometre of nature. We headed west again on Box Cutting Road, then north to Makins Creek area, following its tributaries till we crossed the creek itself, swung east along an undulating road. It was wall-to-wall bellbirds, whipbirds, kooka's calling, black cockatoo, lyrebird calls, and various unknown small bird notes. We saw no animals, they were probably sheltering.

The final leg of the walk, down an old overgrown firetrail by Lawlers Creek, gave great views out over the creek sides. In one place, the opposite bank was carpeted with green moss. The gold and lime green of the flowering wattles was superb, and their scent filled the air. We did a "wattle walk", a six-foot path through walls of pale green and gold fernery, in subdued sunshine. After stopping for a fine view of a craggy bluff overhanging the creek, we wound our way along a narrow bushy track, then by firetrail, arriving back at the cars about 3pm. Thanks, Margaret, for a great experience.
Joe  

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Durras Mountain from the West
Thursday 7 August 2008

	Walkers emerge from rainforest Photo by Ann Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo		Geoff, Pat and Val at the waterfall Photo by Ann Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Ten members met at the Higgins Creek Road to be led by Val up the west face of Durras Mountain. The 90mm of rain that fell the previous day created a damp, sometimes muddy climb that produced special delights and challenges.

A kilometre down the road from the meeting point and we branched off into the bush up a wet gully and into the forest proper. For those of us who thought Durras Moutain is a smooth bump, the shock came quickly. It was one of those walks where you realize how important it is to get off the track in order to feel and experience the real forest environment. Within ten minutes the group was wading through the muddy stream, fighting through the hanging vines, scrambling over the mossy damp rocks and admiring the stands of beautiful palms that emerged in sheltered areas beside the creek.

As the slope slowly steepened to the near vertical at the rocky outcrops, the only sounds were the whipbirds’ calling, the groups’ panting and the occasional screech of “leech, leech.” Fortunately Bob’s salt worked wonders and the invaders were repelled at each stop. We all learned just how unstable, almost treacherous, the forest floor can be on a steep slope in wet weather.

At the top of the mountain we emerged at the old settlement site, now taken over by National Parks, with some evidence of past use in rotting fence posts and rusting barbed wire. We had climbed 250m and covered less than a kilometre in about 90 minutes! After a lunch in bright sunshine, but with the threat of more rain in the background, the group voted to head back down the easy track to the cars for an early return.

The group stayed together in convoy on the way out. With only three cars in the convoy the importance of convoy rules and keeping in touch had been emphasized by our temporarily losing the last car on the way in!
Rodney  

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Bartleys Creek and Richmond Beach Big Tree,
Saturday 2 August 2008

Morning tea break Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Richmond Beach Big Tree Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Durras Beach kangaroos Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Thanks to Mike and Ainslie, the Batemans Bay Bushwalkers (31 in total) were led through some of the best forests of the Murramarang National Park.

Saturday was a perfect day for a walk which began from South Durras village heading in a westerly direction across Skid Ridge Road and then onto the main Durras Road for a short distance.

The route eventually took us onto an old overgrown forestry track adjacent to Bartleys Creek, dry at present. It was through this normally well watered area that magnificent big trees were common - blue gum in particular were just majestic. Some bush bashing was necessary to get back onto the old forestry track which is gradually being reclaimed by the forest as evidenced by lots of seedlings.

The walkers eventually made their way back onto Skid Ridge Road, then Richmond Road where a small detour took us to the “big tree” - a huge spotted gum, well known by the locals. We then returned via the old coast road to Durras where our gracious leaders put on afternoon tea for everyone. A nice finish to a perfect day.
Barry

Orchid Spotters Addendum

Our botanic-minded walkers had a field day spotting flowering orchids in the forest. Peering high into the ironbarks we were rewarded by numerous sightings of ironbark orchids in flower - unfortunately notoriously difficult to photograph. However, our photographers had better luck with the rats tail orchids, which were nothing short of spectacular.

Rats tail or pencil orchids Photo by Donna Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Close up Photo by Mike R Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Gorgeous super close up Photo by Mike R Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

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Moruya Mines,
Wednesday 30 July 2008

Bracket fungus down by the creek Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Disused Moruya minesite Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Disused Moruya minesite Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Twenty three members of the BBBW were well led by Karen M on Thursday, on a rambling bush riddled scratchy up and down 10 km walk in the hills behind their farmlet, to view the varied and interesting local bushland and its hidden traps. There are many mine shafts in them there hills testifying to the determination of early pioneers to scratch a living from what appears to be hard rocky barren soil. Some later entrepreneurs went to a lot of trouble and expense to build rock crushers and separation furnaces. Now we know how Karen and Bob fill in their spare time, and do so much bushwalking. It's gold fever!

Karen and Bob finished off the day providing the bushwalkers with a nice afternoon tea looking out across the spectacular western hills and valleys of the Moruya River and Deua National Park.
Bob B  

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Baby Chair and Other Fire Trails
Sunday 27 July 2008

	Pat, Carol, Max and Baby Bob Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo		The last hill (phew!) Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Sunday's walk, led by Bob T, headed off into the hills west of Moruya for some serious hiking. Mungerarie State Forest is divided by several fire trails, Baby Chair, Moruya, Flying Fox, and Ironridge to name just a few. The terrain is very steep with long slippery downhill sections into the gully, followed by precipitous uphill sections back to the ridge. We made our way through several of these gullies before finally hitting Donalds Creek Road high up on the ridge, from where we had great views of the Moruya River, the Heads and surrounding farmland. To the west were the mountains of the Deua National Park, and all around was thick forest.

Our small group of the Club's hardiest walkers (as usual the majority were female) powered along the firetrails, enjoying the crisp, cool, clear weather, stopping occasionally to admire a noteworthy specimen of correa or native orchid growing beside the track. Of course the last hill was also the biggest, so after 12 km we were pleased to reach the top and spot the cars.
Karen M  

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River to Ridge,
Thursday 24 July 2008

Mary leads the way Photo by Ann Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Jill Photo by Ann Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Bob, Sandra and John Photo by Ann Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

It’s not often that the Batemans Bay Bushwalkers walk through a ‘construction site’ but that’s what happened when Mary and Stan took 21 of us, including 4 visitors, on their 10.5 km River to Ridge walk last Thursday.

The walk began near Nelligen along a track beside the Clyde River. We were delighted with the magnificent reflections of eucalypts and flowering wattles in the perfectly still water. On the high side of this track the masses of burrawangs looked beautiful amongst the trees.

We entered the construction site when we turned into Black Flat Road which is in the process of being sealed. We caused the workers a bit of anxiety as we manoeuvred amongst the bulldozers, steamrollers and huge ‘dogs’ (double-bogie trucks) on our climb toward the ridge.

We were treated to some spectacular views from the ridge towards The Tollgates and Pigeon House Mountain. Later, a very observant bushwalker pointed out what looked like a healthy looking rock lily high up the trunk of a tree, quite a distance from the track.

The sunny but cool day was perfect for this very pleasant walk. Thanks Mary and Stan.
Ann  

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RHA Fire Trail, Forest Tracks near Bimbimbie Road,
Saturday 19 July 2008

Saturday morning was a bit crisp but eleven bushwalkers gathered to take a thirteen kilometre walk on the fire trails near Bimbimbie Road, Mogo. After walking up a couple of steep hills we stopped for morning tea among the granite boulders. At this point we were about 280 metre above sea level. To the east we could see glimpses of the sea between the trees and looking west the mountain range had a definite blue hue.

Continuing on, the track then started to descend. This too was steep and we needed to take care After a little while walking on relatively flat tracks we were lead down the hillside bush bashing to another trail in the valley. Here the flora was different, burrawangs and bracken under the gum trees. Lunch was held in a delightful spot in a dry creek. There were plenty of granite rocks to sit on and an absence of flies.

After the lunch break we continued following on bike tracks that brought us back to where we had left the cars. Good company, clean fresh air makes for an exhilarating walk in our native bush land.
Margaret W  

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Dalmeny Bush and Beach,
Wednesday 16 July 2008

Track through Dalmeny Forest Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Cove on Dalmeny coastline Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Dalmeny Coast Path Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

This circular walk of some 10 kms from Kianga to Dalmeny took in paved walking/cycling paths, dirt roads, bike tracks through the bush and beach walking – something for everyone.

It was a lovely sunny day so the colours of bush and beach were spectacular, with not only the group of 11 walkers enjoying the day, but also herons, wrens, parrots and several smaller birds. Whales travelling north were spotted on two occasions, while the bush section with wattle in flower reinforced the beauty of the burrawangs and spotted gum forests in our local area. A short detour was made to the Dalmeny Nursery and the walk finished off with afternoon tea at Kianga café. Thanks Karen for a lovely walk.
Marilyn  

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Burri Road to Tomakin Road and Return,
Sunday 13 July 2008

No report available. To be rescheduled at a later date.  

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