Cape Conran Camp 2014

Saturday 25 - Thursday 30 October 2014
Led by Donna and Betty

Words by Donna, Helen, Irene and Karen
Photos by Donna, John, Karen, Helen and Brian

 

Twenty Five members of the club spent an enjoyable week at Cape Conran in Victoria. Completing four days of bushwalking in the area including the iconic Snowy River Estuary walk which provides breathtaking views of the estuary, river mouth and the sweep of coastline to Point Ricardo. Camping at the Cape Conran Coastal Park the group enjoyed nightly camp fires, visits from the cheeky local possums and monitor lizards and some even ventured into the cold Victorian waters for a bracing daily swim. Earlier in the year the club had spent a week in the Snowy Mountains so this year we have explored the start and the end of the mighty Snowy River.

Day 1 - Eight walkers in the medium group set off on the Swampy Creek walk hopeful of a dry day after a forecast of rain and a damp start. However in the end it was only our feet that got wet, as the bridge over Swampy Creek was under water itself. Treating it as a real creek crossing, we removed our boots and socks and paddled to the beach and back. Our feet felt refreshed from the wash and the rest of us stayed dry. Next we followed the Heathland track and enjoyed all the spring flowers and the re-generation of grass trees after the recent hazard reduction burn in that area. Then Betty led us back to East Cape beach and took us around the Cape itself returning via the Cape Conran Nature Trail. On the beach we found a few shark egg cases, lots of "tumbleweed", a few cormorants but no whales. A lovely introductory walk to the area.
 

 

Ann, Bev, Carol, John & Marle Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Helen, Betty, Martin, Karen, Bob, Val & Sharon Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Lesley, Donna, Heather & Kay Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

 

Rock Hopping Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Surveying the way forward Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	A path less travelled Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

 

Day 2 - Todays walk was along a picturesque road strewn with wild flowers to Cabbage Tree Palm reserve. Each group began at a different part of the road but all groups travelled the same way and reached the same spot. After stopping at a very interesting farm to view the vast array of rusted farm equipment and ooh and aah at the cute goats everyone arrived at a lovely green oasis where all had morning tea. The groups then completed the short but beautiful riverside walk before returning along the road reaching the cars just as the threatened rain fell.
 

 

Not another group photo Donna! Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Morning Tea Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Amongst the palms Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

 

Carol and Ann Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Photographers in action Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Proud mama Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

 

Day 3 - Lay Day

The lay day saw the group heading in many directions to make the most of their time in this beautiful part of our country - some paddled the Yeerung River, some visited Lakes Entrance for a leisurely cruise to Metung while others saw what Orbost and Marlo had to offer.

Day 4 - Wednesday's walk for the Medium, and Fast Medium groups was the 10.5 km Yeerung Gorge and Yeerung Estuary Walk. I was in the Fast Medium group led by Betty and we walked to Yeerung Gorge first - the other group led by Leley did the Estuary Walk first.

Once again there was a riot of Spring wildflowers along the track to the gorge, including thickets of flowering boronia, and the shy little pink bauera. The track ended at the base of the gorge, but our group decided to walk upstream to further explore the many cascades, pools and waterfalls. Rather than retrace our steps, we then climbed out of the gorge, and bushbashed our way back to the track.

After lunch on the banks of the Yeerung River at the bridge, we then took a very scenic track downstream towards the coast. More wildflowers lined this track, most notably yellow everlastings, and white common heath. We followed the ridge for a while, with wonderful views over the river towards the ocean, before descending through a deep cutting lined with ferns to the beach. The mouth of the river is open, and the tide was rushing in, but that didn't stop Martin from dashing across to the other side and back again between waves.
 

 

Acting Rangers - Helen, Brian, Martin & Bob Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Brian, Chris & Martin Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Yeerung Gorge Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

 

Easy Medium group taking it easy (medium!) Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo)	Happy hour Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Around the campfire Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

 

Day 5 - No wind, no rain, just a lovely fine sunny day to venture on our Snowy River Estuary walk. The medium group walked along the track and after years of visiting the Snowy River area it was amazing to actually see where the Snow River flows into Bass Strait. Across the water we could see the illustrious Betty leading her lot - left, right, left, right. We had lunch at a lovely lookout and the walk ended up being very social as we also met the easy walkers along the way.
 

 

Bev, John & Marle Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	The bridge across the estuary Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Crossing the Snowy estuary Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

 

Heather in her new beach house Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Elaine checking out the surf Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Lesley and Irene Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

 

A great week with lots of activity, good company and beautiful surrounds.  

   

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