Current and Final Quarter for 2008. See below for
Walk Reports and Photos as they occur

It was a "ho, ho, ho" sort of end to our bushwalking year on Sunday when hordes of bushwalkers turned out to celebrate the holiday season. A seasonal drink on the verandah was followed by a croquet/skittles hybrid game devised by Mike where skittles bore photos of past and present bushwalker Presidents. We had barely knocked over our favourite President before it was time to look at photos of various shapely bushwalking legs to try and guess who they belonged to. The most challenging pasttime of all was to peruse the 40 odd photos of bushwalkers taken between the ages of 5 and 15 and guess their identities. It was more difficult than we thought, although Bev still has the same cheeky grin.

The Social Committee had then devised a dastardly exercise called the Great Reindeer Race, where teams of three attempted to walk simultaneously on wooden skis while wearing a red stocking full of balloons and a false nose - see the photos and you'll get the picture.

After a convivial dinner, a familiar looking Santa arrived bearing gifts. And there were a couple of trivia quizzes, which we probably should have worked on before breaking out the alcohol. After competition winners were presented with their prizes, the evening was over all too soon when the coffee and home-made Christmas cake was served.

Michael the red-nosed reindeer Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Susan casts an incredulous eye over Santa Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Bushwalkers en masse Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

This party was another bushwalker triumph of organisation and Mary and her crew, plus various other recruits who were pressganged into making reindeer skis and presidential skittles, must be congratulated on their great work. Your efforts are very much appreciated. Thank you also to everyone who came. It was a fitting end to a tremendous year and the enthusiasm and good-will within the Club bodes for a wonderful 2009.
Karen M  

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Forest and Fern Gullies West of Termeil
Saturday 27 November 2008

The walk description said “hills”, however we were all pleased to find, on this rather warm spring day, that they were long languid rises rather than steep climbs. Although the forest behind Termeil certainly holds evidence of the once major timber felling industry, we were all pleasantly surprised to find that much of the track was shaded by some magnificent trees including turpentine, spotted gums, and Sydney blue gums. Looking up we could see orchids and elkhorns high in the trees. However the highlight of the walk, which slowed our pace, was a particularly beautiful section of rainforest with its mosses, ferns, & palms proving that there is much to see in the forests of Termeil. Thank you Geoff and Elizabeth.
Mary M  

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Tomaga River Catchment
Saturday 22 November 2008

Unfortunately cancelled due to rain. Look out for it again next year.
 

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Three Day Backpack Northern Budawangs
Wednesday 19 - Friday 21 November 2008

This backpacking trip was led by Val with Betty, Pat, Len, Joe and Sharon. After covering the first six kilometres along the track, which excelled itself with wildflowers and shrubs and different butterflies, to the National Park entrance, at last we were soon following the Folly Point track. The track was pretty over grown in places but at least there were plenty of rock cairns, and from the rocky vantage points we had wonderful views over towards the west, and then from Mitchell's Lookout we had great views back towards the Castle, Shrouded Gods, Holland Gorge and so much more - all very dramatic scenery.

Eventually at Folly Point, again we admired another wonderful view, before scrambling up and down, and up and down again over the rocky formations which were sort of like bee hive formations. However having climbed down via the steel pegs and tiny bit of chain, and taking stock of the time (by now 6.15 pm) it would take to get down the Pass and find the destinated cave, we decided caution was the better part of valour and returned to a nice little camping spot we'd previously seen.

A very pleasant night was had over our dinner and a few laughs around the camp fire. During the night however rain showers began and with the thought of lots of rock climbing and scrambling, over wet slippery rocks, with heavy packs on, we decided to retrace our steps back to the cars. However the trip rekindled plenty of enthusiasm for another try, another time - with more settled weather.
Pat

Our original idea was to camp at the northern National Park entrance, but as the days are long, we decided to leave at 8am on Wednesday. There is a 6 km walk before the track starts so we had lunch at this point. The track was good till Mitchell Lookout, when it deteriorated - many ups and downs and almost impassable with overgrown scrub. We reached Folly Point in the late afternoon, but by the time we found the route and negotiated packs and people over a rock wall, it was 6.30 pm. We decided to return a short distance to Folly Point Creek and camp with tent flys and had dinner, thinking to pull out next day if the weather was worse. At 3am we had light showers so we packed up at 6am and walked the 14 and half kms to the cars. In hindsight, it will be better to camp the first night at the 6km spot and walk in the next day to our destination - the cave at Watson's Pass. This way we can spend the next day in Holland Gorge before perhaps camping the 3rd night somewhere.

All very keen and we plan to return in October, 2009.
Val  

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Lilli Pilli Bush and Beach
Wednesday 19 November 2008

	Paul, Grant, Hugh and Mike Photo by Karen C Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo		Ron, Mike and Ainslie Photo by Karen C Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Due to uncertainty in the weather, there were only 8 members who did the Lilli Pilli Bush and Beach walk on Wednesday, 19 November, with Hugh and Margaret leading. That walk is always a pleasant reminder of the wonderful bushy headlands and beaches that we have so close to home.

Of more significance this time was the social component that followed at the leaders' home, when quite a number of members and now non-walkers gathered to remember Jack White, who died recently. With Beryl we enjoyed a meal together and then shared memories of lots of happy times spent together on bushwalks, camps where the Whites much preferred the bush variety than accommodated and even one safari in Victoria, the very wet one where only 8 survived to the end in Lorne. Laughs and reminiscences were plentiful! It was fun to have those early walkers back with us to bring on the reminders.

Thanks to Ruth, who organised the reunion and to Dennis who was MC.
Margaret & Hugh  

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Pig Road and No. 4 Logging Road,
Saturday 8 November 2008

8th of November, seven walkers arrived under overcast skies for a very pleasant walk lead by Ian H. The walk commenced just off the Western Distributor Road then climbed up Pig Road and eventually to our highest point on No. 4 Logging Road.

The group lunched on the downhill run and were joined by a rather game little Golden Whistler, a beautiful luncheon guest.

The walked had passed through some remnant rain forest, and eventually through some recently logged areas, this was interesting as some regrowth had already commenced. Wild flowers were still in abundance also.

The day was a little humid, but luckily cooled at regular intervals by a refreshing southerly, but it was agreed by all even though somewhat spoilt by the logging, it was still a worthwhile ramble. Thanks Ian.
Bob J  

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Kioloa Forest
Sunday 16 November 2008

On Sunday the Kioloa Forest walk led by leader Lesley along bush roads and tracks was an adventure in the unfolding through a mixture of stately eucalypt trees, palm trees and lush undergrowth. The cheerful group explored the gullies and slopes of the forest which led us down to the shady but dry creekbed before beginning the return of the circular walk.

Being a day of mixed sunshine and overcast skies there was an unexpected horde of extra passengers all over backpacks - flies were also out in huge numbers on the same walk. The walk was most enjoyable in such a peaceful environment and included a hearty Cooee chorus down the valley to fellow walkers from the club searching for the strangler fig. Thank you, Lesley, for a lovely walk.
Joan  

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Not Back to Durras Mountain!
Sunday 16 November 2008

	Pat and the elusive Strangler Fig Photo by Bob T Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Following several attempts to find the elusive giant strangler fig in Murramarang National Park, nine fearless bushwalkers plunged into the rainforest and descended through various forest types to a little-known creek near Durras Mountain. The spotted gum forest was suddenly replaced by thick stands of bangalow palms and tree ferns, while the creeks had lawns of palm seedlings for us to wade through. After some careful navigating, and while enthralled by the enormous monkey gums, then the centuries old giant spotted gums that indicated we were on the right track, we marvelled at the lushness of the creek areas, and a huge rock wall which looked like a buried Mayan temple.

A little way past that, the legendary Strangler Fig suddenly appeared, as if it had decided that it should reveal itself to reward our efforts. What a reward it was! With huge buttressed roots snaking over and through the boulders and earth, it dominates the scene; several metres wide at the base, many metres high, and with a canopy that seemed to cover the sky. We marvelled at its majestic features and dimensions while taking an abundance of photos, before reluctantly climbing back up steep slopes to the forests above, where the feeling persisted that we had been granted access to a fantasy world of forest giants. Our thanks to our leader, Val, who had failed in earlier attempts, but finally succeeded in finding the fabled tree.
Bob T  

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North Durras Lake and Walking Track Ramble
Thursday 13 November 2008

	Group at Durras Lake Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo		Sue and Julie by Durras Lake Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

This delightful bushwalk was around the shores of Durras Lake, which was a really picturesque setting. We saw several huge Spotted Gums, how they were missed by the "axeman" I don't know. We also saw a large number of Cabbage Tree Palms, which added interest to the walk. Our morning tea and lunch spots were on the shore of the Lake, from where we watched canoeists gently paddling by. Thank you Karen for a lovely walk.
Betty  

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Pig Road and No. 4 Logging Road,
Saturday 8 November 2008

8th of November, seven walkers arrived under overcast skies for a very pleasant walk lead by Ian H. The walk commenced just off the Western Distributor Road then climbed up Pig Road and eventually to our highest point on No. 4 Logging Road.

The group lunched on the downhill run and were joined by a rather game little Golden Whistler, a beautiful luncheon guest.

The walked had passed through some remnant rain forest, and eventually through some recently logged areas, this was interesting as some regrowth had already commenced. Wild flowers were still in abundance also.

The day was a little humid, but luckily cooled at regular intervals by a refreshing southerly, but it was agreed by all even though somewhat spoilt by the logging, it was still a worthwhile ramble. Thanks Ian.
Bob J  

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Richmond Beach, Oaky Beach and Beyond Circuit,
Wednesday 5 November 2008

Margaret, Ainslie, Carol and Jock with flowering orchid Photo by Rodney Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Susan, Jock and Olive amongst a bluebottle plague Photo by Rodney Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Lunch on Richmond Beach Photo by Rodney Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Jock and Margaret led a group of ten through the Murramarang Park forests and around two of the Park’s more secluded and beautiful beaches. The walk was short and relatively easy, but nevertheless was full of variety and interest. It included forest tracks, dry creeks, rocks beside the beaches, as well as sandy stretches along the shoreline. The currawongs and other bush birds watched the groups from the ironbarks and spotted gums. Some of the gums close to the shoreline had developed extraordinary hobbit-like forms, the most interesting and outrageous one was christened the “moose-gum”. In the forest Jock showed the group old house foundations dating back to the depression eighty years ago, as well as a healthy Cymbidium suave orchid in flower, thriving at eye level in the fork of a spotted gum on the windswept headland.

Unfortunately the whales that had been spotted off Durras on Sunday had moved on, but the beaches revealed other interesting features. The recent rough weather seemed to have left the shoreline strewn with numerous bluebottles, large numbers of cuttlefish and numerous dead mutton birds. But the most sad feature was the obvious invasion of the beach dunes by invasive foreign species that will no doubt threaten the native vegetation in the long term.
Rodney  

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Mummaga and Brou Lakes and Brou Beach,
Sunday 2 November 2008

Eight enthusiastic members and one visitor joined Ainslie and Mike for what turned out to be a slightly more challenging hike to Mummaga and Brou Lakes and Brou Beach last Sunday. The highlight of the walk of course was the discovery of a black swan nesting on its elevated perch in the middle of Lawlers Creek at the entrance to Mummaga Lake, very cleverly spotted by Mike.

A bit of bush bashing was necessary to reach Brou Lake but we all enjoyed the peaceful scene on arrival. A walk along the clifftop to our shady lunch spot was rewarded with beautiful views seawards and towards Potato Point and some were lucky enough to briefly spot a whale amongst the whitecaps. We noticed quite a large number of bluebottles during our walk along Brou Beach towards Dalmeny but the ocean and beach were quite beautiful. Our thanks go to Ainslie and Mike for another nice walk.
Nancy  

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Mt Budawang
Thursday 30 October 2008

	Walk Leader Ian Photo by Carol Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo		Monga Waratahs on Mongarlowe River Photo by Stuart Cohen, NPWS Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

On Thursday 30th October, after an hour’s drive from Batemans Bay, 7 bushwalkers - Ian, Pat, Rodney, Carol, Barry, Val and Len set off on a walk to Mt Budawang.

In the beginning we passed through farming properties on a well defined access road. Eventually we began a steep ascent on an old disused dirt road which further up the mountain joined the access road again right to the top of Mt Budawang where a radio transmitter and fire watch tower is positioned, surrounded by a security fence.

The view from the top was spectacular and well worth the climb. In the distance looking across mountains clouded in mist we could see other popular places to walk such as the Castle, Byangee Walls and Pigeon House.

After a relaxing lunch on the top of Mt Budawang we commenced our descent back down through the forest to the cars, passing a pretty gully of treeferns on the way.

We decided to call in to the Monga National Park on our return home to stop for a brief time to look at the numerous flowering Monga waratahs which proved to be a nice bonus for the day.

We thanked our leader Ian for an invigorating walk which left us feeling like we had had a good workout for the day.
Carol  

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Three Short Walks and Lunch around Narooma
Saturday 25 October 2008

	Superb views from the Rotary Lookout over Narooma Photo by Meriel Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo		Rest stop by Wagonga Inlet Photo by Meriel Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Led by Lyn and Barry, our drive started at the junction of Princes Highway and Tourist Route 4, along the Wagonga Inlet. We walked to the Rotary Lookout and back, took lots of photos of the fabulous view out to Montague Island, and then did a delightful rainforest walk. We saw some interesting fungi, birdsnest ferns, orchids and a lyre bird.

On our drive to the old wharf, we frightened a goanna scuttling across the road. After morning tea watching a hawk circling, we walked around the lakeside, then headed into Narooma where we lunched at the Golf Club while watching whales from the dining room.

After lunch we walked out to the breakwater to see more whales, then along the boardwalk where we saw two octopi, plus the usual pelicans. The weather was perfect and we enjoyed our day.
Barry  

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From North Durras over Point Upright to Tranquility Bay,
Wednesday 22 October 2008

On a day which promised a return of winter and strong winds, Jock led a party of ten intrepid walkers on a ramble at North Durras. The route along the beach and uphill to Point Upright escaped the worst of the wind and the group was rewarded with distant vistas as far as Mount Dromedary and sunshine for lunch at Depot Beach.
Ian H  

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Maloneys Beach North - Murramarang National Park,
Sunday 19 October 2008

Sunday was a warm, still day when 12 members of the Bay Bushwalkers set out in the Murramarang National Park for a short morning walk. After about a half hour of walking we separated into two groups. One group to venture up a few hills and the other group to take a flatter route, before joining up for morning tea.

The Park was very dry but surprisingly there were many clumps of native iris flowering (sometimes known as the purple flag flower). We came upon some wildlife - the small goanna that quickly escaped up a tree, a red belly black snake that also disappeared quickly down a hole. As we entered an area of scrubby growth, several yellow tailed cockatoo took to the air. Was that a sign of approaching rain?

As this was a short walk we enjoyed a barbeque lunch at Maloney's Beach before going home.
Margaret W  

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Higgins Creek/Cousins Gully - Kioloa,
Thursday 16 October 2008

BBBW club members, 12 in all, undertook a Jill led walk through some clear and not so clear tracks in the Higgins Creek area just off Dam Road in the Kiola forest. With an occasional deep creek scramble and quite a few very lively and obviously hungry leeches, the group enjoyed the 12km walk (and talk) on a cool sunny day.
Joan  

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Bartleys & Punt Arms, Durras Lake and Ocean
Saturday 11 October 2008

	Group at Durras Lake Photo by Carol Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Batemans Bay Bushwalkers are fortunate to have younger members taking over as leaders. On Saturday 11th October, new leaders Carol and Barry took 16 members and one visitor on an excellent 12km forest, lake and beach walk. Starting at their home in South Durras, they walked the original road into Durras until arriving on Durras Lake at Bartley’s Point for morning tea. Many late-flowering Wild Iris (Purple Flag) were seen in this area, along with dozens of Blueberry Ash (Eleocarpus reticulatus) that, unfortunately, were past flowering but had already set their beautiful berries. Then to Punt Arm on the lake for lunch, round the shores of the lake to Durras Beach, to be met by a pod of about half a dozen dolphins.

After traversing South Durras village, the walk finished back at Carol and Barry’s home where the group were treated to a much appreciated cuppa and cake.
Jock  

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Byangee Walls
Wednesday 8 October 2008

	Byangee Bonsai Photo by Bob T Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Wednesday the 8th October was the perfect day for Batemans Bay Bushwalkers to walk to the summit of Byangee Mountain. There were only 5 walkers this time - Len, Bob, Bruce, Joe and Barry - Len being our intrepid leader.

After a long drive, we commenced the walk at 9:00am in cool enervating conditions. The first section was a long gradual ascent on an old 4WD track and this was probably the most tiring part of the whole walk. Smoko was on a large rock, then we began the walk along the ‘walls’ which are spectacular in themselves with lush rainforest environment at the base from run-off and sheltered conditions.

After about an hour we began the ascent off the Byangee Wall through a long steep cleft, then further on and up through a ‘shaft’ in the rocks nicknamed ‘the chimney’.

On top the conditions were marvelous with a cloudless sky and no wind. The views were superb and wildflowers were a bonus. There were even colourful butterflies to entertain us while we sat serenely on flat rocks and enjoyed our lunch.

The return trip went well and we expressed gratitude to Len for putting on the walk. Everyone went home tired and content after the perfect bushwalk to Byangee Walls.
Barry  

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Mogo Forest, Logging Tracks, Motorbike Tracks and No Tracks
Sunday 5 October 2008

	There were tiger orchids in abundance Photo downloaded from Internet Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Betty led 7 Batemans Bay Bushwalkers into forest off Buckenboura Road on Sunday 5 October. It had rained the day before and the bush was still damp and fragrant. We spent a lot of time walking on no tracks at all, and enjoyed wandering down through the trees into gullies and alongside creekbeds. There were quite a few delicate little flowers underfoot, including twining glycine, black eyed susan, pastel flowers and various types of yellow pea flowers. But best of all were several areas of tiger orchids, tiny perfect yellow orchids with brown stripes and spots and two yellow "ears".

The walk was 14 km long and we passed through several different vegetation zones, at one stage following overgrown tracks through head high white flowering teatree. Sections of Mogo State Forest have been heavily logged this season, and we skirted around what can only be described as "bomb sites" where loggers had churned the forest floor to mud, brought down trees, discarded great piles of unwanted felled timber and bark and then attempted to burn the lot, leaving a muddy, semi-charred mess.

We also came across several large patches of ploughed up ground and smashed burrawang trunks which looked suspiciously like the work of feral pigs. Fortunately we didn't come face to face with any on the walk (pigs or loggers!).
Karen M  

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Bush and Bike Tracks off Maulbrooks Road
Thursday 2 October 2008

	Bob and Betty rest in a shady creekbed Photo by Rodney Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo		Drink stop at the top of a hill Photo by Rodney Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

It was likely to be the hottest day of the emerging Spring, and just before a long weekend to boot. Nonetheless eight hardy walkers met in Mogo for a walk led by Margaret through an area centred on the Maulbrooks Road. Although the outside temperature registered at the end was 33C, none of the walkers felt that the weather had impacted on their enjoyment of a walk through some very picturesque forest scenery.

The walk was taken at a sensible pace in view of both the temperature and the terrain. The tracks were nicely graded, some small footpaths, others open roads and at times just bushbashing. The group passed through stands of ironbark, stringybark and spotted gum with an open understorey dotted with burrawangs. We crossed small creeks, with evidence of much stronger flows in the creek beds. Several ground orchids were identified and a swamp wallaby appeared fleetingly, but provided a welcome break in the long uphill trudge that preceded a well-earned lunch in the shade.

Several areas of the forest had been subject to the ravages of digging pigs, but even these were minimal compared with the impact of the machinery in the areas that had been logged. Indeed it was interesting to scale the relative impact of the work of loggers, pigs and bowerbirds.

It did turn out to be the hottest day of the year to date but that didn’t stop the group members from lining up for the next walk, scheduled in a similar area a few days ahead.
Rodney  

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