Lord Howe Island

32 Batemans Bay Bushwalkers, under the leadership of Geoff and Elizabeth, took over Blue Lagoon Lodge for a week of walking, cycling, swimming and snorkelling on World Heritage listed Lord Howe Island.

Day 1 - Sunday's walk was to the lookout on Transit Hill in the centre of the island, which was a great way to get our bearings. It is a steady climb through forests and paddocks to the summit which gives excellent 360 degree views. The track then continues on down through the dunes to Blinky Beach and Lagoon Road.

Day 2 - Monday saw the group split into two. Elizabeth and Geoff led the walk on the coastal track to Boat Harbour via Mutton Bird Point Lookout and Rocky Run. This track follows the eastern coastline (opposite side to the lagoon).

Len, Martin and Helen continued on from Boat Harbour up a steep, narrow track to Goat House Cave, which is a large overhang on Mt Lidgbird's eastern face. The cave is named after the feral goats which used to shelter there, but nowadays it is home to nesting tropic-birds.

Joone's group headed off to Clear Place which is a fairly level walk following the fenceline above Middle Beach and continuing through the palm forest to the Clear Place and Valley of the Shadows.

Transit Hill Walkers Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	View to Mts Lidgbird & Gower Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Mary and Stan get mobile Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Joan and Bob enjoy the tropics Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Day 3 - Tuesday was a lay day and windy. People hired bikes and went exploring, checked out the shops and cafes or went off on more walks. It was a little cold for swimming, but some braved the water at Ned's Beach to feed the fish.

Day 4 - Wednesday was spent with the Island's Naturalist, Ian Hutton. We took a boat with him to North Bay at the northern tip of the island which is a great spot for snorkelling among the coral and tropical fish. After a lunch of barbecued kingfish, Ian took us on a walk to Mt Eliza which is a sooty tern nesting site from October to January. Ian is a fount of knowledge on the Island's rare collection of plants, bird and marine life.

Day 5 - Thursday was the big day for 7 of our party - Martin, Helen, Len, Stan, Mal, Geoff and Val - who took on the mighty Mount Gower, the tallest peak on the island. It's a guided 14 km return walk, hard and demanding. Some of the steep ascents are rope-assisted, there are several sheer drops, and on the summit is a misty forest with woodhens, twisted trees and beard-like lichen. And the best views on the island.

Elizabeth led the rest of the group to Malabar Hill and Kim's Lookout. The trail passes through a stand of kentia palms shading shearwater breeding burrows. After a climb to the spur you emerge at the top of Malabar Hill where the cliffs plunge straight down to the ocean. These cliffs shelter one of the world's largest nesting sites for red-tailed tropic-birds and there are commanding views up the spine of the island to Mt Gower.

Coffee break Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	North Bay Naturalist Walk Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Mt Eliza climb with Naturalist, Ian Hutton Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	On top of Malabar Hill Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Day 6 - Friday was our last full day which we spent on various pursuits. Some took a boat trip out to Ball's Pyramid, that amazing spire of rock rising straight out of the sea to the southeast of the Island. Some took a boat on a trip around the Island to admire the views for the last time and hear more about its amazing history and ecology. There were also visits to the museum and a fabric printing workshop.

A seafood farewell dinner completed our week of "restful activity". Many thanks to Elizabeth and Geoff for suggesting the trip and making the subsequent arrangements to this serene corner of the Pacific.

Leaders Elizabeth and Geoff, with Stan, Mary and Ian Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Sooty tern feeds squid to chick Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Climbing Mt Gower Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Mal, Zella, Bob and Sandra Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

back to Top