Royal National Park Spring Camp

Sunday 20th September saw 24 Batemans Bay Bushwalkers settling into Bonnievale Campground, Bundeena in the Royal National Park ready for four solid days of walking in Australia’s first national park.

Walk Day 1: The Coast Track from Bundeena to Wattomolla and onto Garie Beach
Gathered at the start of the Coast Track were 22 walkers, with a range of walk options available. Heading south, we were only on the track for 5 minutes when out came the cameras! Our eyes swiveled between the distant panoramas of sheer sandstone cliffs and the incredible display of wildflowers surrounding us. Snakes and lizards provided added interest along the way, as well as Martin, who managed a few laps in an old stone swimming pool just north of Wattomolla.

Two walkers left us at Wattomolla, whilst the remainder walked on to Curracarang, where we had lunch by a waterfall and deep pool. Martin and Peter couldn’t resist a swim, whilst some of us refreshed our feet in the cold water.

A few walkers then returned to Wattomolla, while the rest of us headed off to Garie Beach. More wildflowers and great views all the way south to North Garie Head, from where we scrambled down to Garie Beach and our cars.......Mary

Walk Day 2: Curra Moor Track, Walumarra Track and The Forest Track
The walk started down a well-defined shady track in an area that abounded in wild flowers, including Waratah and Gymea Lillies in full bloom. Walkers were delighted to see a few early flowering Christmas Bells along the more open heathland track. The Curra Moor Track ended in quite a steady climb along a rocky road into a hot gusty headwind.

After catching our breath we then proceeded onto the Walumarra Track where we found shelter within shaded open forests. Passing a camera shy red-bellied black snake, we soon descended into and through the tall wet forest surrounding Bola Creek. Following a group photo, we walked on a few hundred metres before finding a marvellous lunch spot along side a side steam flowing into Bola Creek. We then walked alongside Bola Creek, though lush rainforest including cabbage tree palms and tree ferns.

On reaching Lady Carrington Drive we took to the Forest Track, an area that has not been logged for over 100 years. Finally, some 14 kms later the cars were in sight, and although hot and tired it had proved a wonderful walk”.......Ann

Ainslie, Marilyn, Mike and Mary Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Mike on Coast Track Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	View from Coast Track Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Group Photo on Forest Loop Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Gymea Lily Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Waratah Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Cabbage Tree Palm in flower Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Patersonia and fern frond Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Day 3: The Lay Day
Dawned murky and red with NSW in the grip of a strong northwest winds and a dust storm which extended from inland up and down the coast.

Morning in the dust Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Mary, Donna and Jill Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Dust storm Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Kay, Lesley and Donna throw away their damaged tent before returning home Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Walk Day 3: Garie Beach to Otford and return to Garrawarra Farm
From the Garie Beach SLSC, an impressive and expensive looking set of buildings, we took to the rocks around to Little Garie and its shacks. Then up over the hill to North Era where we admired the very large midden. Some walkers then took to the rocks while most of us slogged over another hill for a beautiful view north and south along the coast.

Soon we come across more shacks at Burning Palms, along with a “loo with a view”! From this point Cabbage Tree Palms were dominant until we started the long but easy climb up to the ridge. After lunch on a rocky slab lookout, one party went ahead onto Otford Lookout, whilst the other group headed north back to Garrawarra Farm. A fine walk, with a wide range of terrain and no vehicle tracks in sight.......Ron

Walk Day 4: (a) Audley to Audley via Kangaroo Creek, Karloo Pool and Uloola Falls
(b) Bonnievale to Jibbon Head and Return
(a) Stan led the Medium Walk with ten of us feeling fit – and we needed to be! From Audley, with its lawns and English trees, we climbed a steep rocky track above the Hacking River. Karloo Pool was a delightful surprise on Kangaroo Creek, stretching its clear waters over 200 metres. Over the next sharp ridge with gorgeous pink Native Rose (Boronia serrulata) and other wild flowers not seen closer to the coast, and down for lunch at the Uloola Falls, naught but a sad trickle.

Along the Ridge Track we spied the city high rise of Sydney, and greeted four young Americans, who admired our topo map on which Mary and Stan had marked our route. Their preparation for our walks and the whole camp were thoroughly admirable.......Ainslie

(b) On a wonderful windless morning a relaxed happy group of ten walkers set out from the camp along the foreshore toward Bundeena. Once at the village, we headed up The Avenue & along Lambeth Walk, both roads providing views of many lovely homes. On reaching Jibbon Beach we took to the sand, and at the eastern end of the beach we scrambled over the rocks to a bush track that took us out to Port Hacking Point, which provided stunning views across to Kurnell and south along the coast.

Following morning tea, we ventured back down the track to find the path that led to a large display of Aboriginal rock carvings. Here we were able to identify carvings of a wallaby, whale, shark, turtle and stingray. We all appreciated Mary’s efforts to find these for our group. Lunch was enjoyed back at Bundeena in a foreshore park, before we all gathered at the local coffee shop.......Joan

Spectacular coastal scenery Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Coast Walk Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Uloola Falls Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Final Group Photo Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

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