Wallaga Lake Summer Camp

The following is an account of the adventures of 67 Batemans Bay Bushwalkers based at Regatta Point on Wallaga Lake. Camp Leader Kay organised the throng into 5 groups of walkers - the Go-Getters, the Mid-Pacesetters, the No-Sweaters, the Speed Forgetters and the Toe-Wetters. Days were spent walking the wonderful coastline, and canoeing on the lake. In the evenings we gathered together for fun and games organised by Lyn and Barry, and a Summer Feast with food contributed by everyone present. And we mustn't forget our fish dinner on the Bermi headland ferried from the Co-op by Bob and Jan.

DAY 1

Go-getters: Starting very early from Mystery Bay, the group followed the shoreline to Tilba Lake Entrance, which was closed, and then returned to the village. With an early start and low tide it was possible to follow the squeaking sandy beaches, including Mystery Bay itself and 1080 beach, including scrambles across the low rocky headlands. Groups of shags sat on the rocks off-shore watching the walkers.

Everyone enjoyed both breakfast on the cliffs overlooking a blowhole that was gouged in the rocks close to Mystery Bay, and later a coffee break on the hard sands beside Tilba Lake, with Oyster Catchers and local bees working over the coastal flowers for company.

Before starting the return, as the sun rose towards mid-morning, the group climbed the headland to the south of Tilba Lake and found a sheltered bay containing a stand of mature Norfolk Pines. While the group enjoyed the panoramic coastal view to Tilba Cemetery and beyond, the members argued at length about whether the pines were natural immigrants, brought in on a high tide, or planted.

Back at Mystery Bay. the whole Club met together for a long lunch after the walk.....Rodney

Mid-Pacesetters: Are they Barbary Apes on those high jagged rocks overlooking the sea? No, they're "The Go-getters", led by Betty the Greyhound. So we, "The Mid-Pacesetters", joined them, and gazed down the cliff to watch the waves sloshing in and out of three big deep holes. Heather told us they are horizontal blow-holes in a big sea at high tide. We walked several kilometres down the coast - and who's that sitting by Tilba Tilba Lake? Have we overtaken "The Go-getters"? Did our dear leader Lesley mean to make Betty cry? To be continued.....Ainslie

Speed Forgetters: It was a lovely cool morning for our 6.00 am start with a promised forecast of 22 degrees. The Speed Forgetters drove a short distance to the Mystery Bay area and commenced the bush walk through a well maintained camping site with excellent facilities. Our first stop was on a large rocky outcrop in the ocean with interesting caves and blowhole formations and views up the pretty coastline.

Our beach walk traversed firm sand, stones and rocks and the peaceful environment was welcoming. As we searched for the timber steps we were happy to see other groups in the distance enjoying the beach setting. After climbing the steps we had a short break on the grass, then walked along a bush track in the National Park, which showcased beautiful ferns, to the final destination of Mystery Bay.....Julie

Camped along the shores of Wallaga Lake Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Barbara & Ron at Mystery Bay Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	The Go-getters at Tilba Lake Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Betty and her Go-Getters Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

DAY 2

Go-getters: On arriving at a beautiful beach about 17 kms south of Bermagui, Betty's group first skirted around a headland surprising a small flock of yellow tailed black cockatoos feeding in the banksia trees. Down onto the beach we then rock hopped around the little bay and up onto higher ground crossing over undulating grassy country to Goalen Head where we all enjoyed the views south and north. Onwards, we followed a pretty little track just behind the beach to the old ruins and a marvellous camping spot. We think we followed the original old coast road with its broken down log bridges through coastal bush and over some cleared undulating, possibly old farming country until we reached the larger reed encircled dam with its old ruined jetty. The old coast road continued on above it over the ridge and far away. Meanwhile back at the dam we were surprised by two big black red-bellied snakes on the grassy yellow-flowered dam wall. On the opposite side of the dam were remnants of rainforest with tree ferms, pencil cedars and swamp mahoganies.

Retracing our steps back, literally hundreds of orange butterflies were still flitting around and different bird calls were heard. After another short beach walk it was up and over the rolling grass fields back to the cars, where as we descended the same black cockatoos flew out of the trees.

Following a pretty long drive into Mumballa Falls picnic area, the beautiful picnic area was the scene for lunch, and afterwards we watched two teenagers sliding down the waterfall into the deep pool at its base - they enjoyed that until they got too cold. The much shorter route out to the highway and back to camp via Cobargo was a nice end to a very pretty coastal walk into Hidden Valley.....Pat

Mid-pacesetters: The Mid-Pacesetters set off for a walk promising fabulous views from Goalen Head, then lots of rock scrambling and sights of old ruins until we reached the dams, which are in an area called Hidden Valley. Everyone was surprised to see that one dam had a lot of water in it still, yet the second dam was empty.

At the dams we turned around and retraced our steps back to our cars and then set off for the Mumballa Falls, a very significant site for the Yuin people. Here a lot of work had been done to make it an enjoyable picnic area for everyone. There was water coming down the falls which then cascaded down along a rocky riverbed. Just spectacular and a great day - thank you Lesley.....Denise

No-sweaters: Today we had a special treat – an 8am start, so, happy, and with ablutions and toiletry complete, we set off in four cars with Bob as our leader. We followed all instructions but mysteriously arrived at a ‘Private Property - Go no further’ sign. Our leader strode up a well-tended driveway and disturbed a mother and daughter breakfasting on their verandah. They redirected us, and we returned the way we had come for a short distance before finding the right road and a carpark.

The weather was semi-overcast, but the walk on Bunga beach and up to a headland, was glorious. The beach was pristine, and at times the sea glowed with a wonderful turquoise colour. The company was good, with people helping each other. Among the sightings were three or four sea eagles, soaring on the thermals, a small black snake, a Morning Glory lookalike, some ground orchids and a species of Kennedia, or Running Postman. We were not able to substantiate rumours of a larger black snake, although we kept an eye out for it. Joone collected the remains of a large sea horse. The hidden valley was worth a look, and the tracks generally good.

We then drove on the long and winding road to Mumbulla Falls, where we enjoyed a beautifully set out and well maintained picnic site. There was a small trickle of water snaking its way over rocks to a round rockpool and thence to a creek. Apparently it is an important initiation site for the Yuin people, and the author was aware of a certain ‘presence’ about the place. Back to camp for a nap!.....Gillian

Margaret on Goalen Head Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Like shags on a rock - the Mid-pacesetters Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Bob relaxes in the Hidden Valley Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Lesley and Kay's early morning paddle Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

DAY 3

Mid-pacesetters: On Thursday our group started from Regatta Point Holiday Park at Wallaga Lake at 11am - our destination being Bermagui along the Bermagui Coastal track. After about 5 minutes of walking along through the forest beside the lake we spotted dozens of black swans on the lake looking all magestic as they floated by. Our track continued on through the forest beside the lake and ocean, and as we trekked on further on top of a cliff overlooking the ocean, the ruggedness of the south coast was evident. Spectacular rock formations were along this coastal stretch and we came across one in particular called the “Camel Rock” which at a distance did look like a camel.

After lunch we veered off the track to visit the Montreal Gold Fields where we took a guided tour around the area taking in the history of the goldfields where the original diggings could still be seen. After the mine tour we continued back on our walk until we reached Bermagui. As this was the last evening where all the various groups of bushwalkers would meet, we all decided on a meal of fish and chips on top of a grassy hill which overlooked the beautiful coastline. Our chairs fish and chips and wine were delivered by car and we all enjoyed a wonderful end to an eventful 5 days. Thanks go to Kay who organized the camp and to our leader Lesley who led us though some magnificent south coast countryside.....Carol

No-sweaters: Late start of 11 am well received by the No-sweaters. Weather overcast and cool. Leaving the caravan park, we walked across the road and down to the beautiful Wallaga Lake, across a boardwalk beside the lake where there were many black swans at play. Magnificent scenery out to Montague Island as we continued along the Coast Walk where we came to a cliff looking out over Pebbly Beach with stunning views of aquamarine water, golden sands and rocky outcrops. Continuing along the track we passed Camel Rock beach and went through bush to reach Montreal Goldfields site where we had lunch and a rest before a tour of the mine site with our guide, Malcolm.

Mining of this alluvial gold site was carried out during the Gold Rush from 1880 to 1883. We viewed numerous open rectangular mineshafts from above, many of which remain in almost original condition and are fenced for safety reasons. Malcolm explained that there was only one other goldmine established near a beach and that was at Greymouth, New Zealand. An informative tour ended and we proceeded back to our base at Regatta Point along a track beside the vast Wallaga Lake, arriving at 3.30pm.....Alex

Crikey! Heather comes to grips with the local wildlife Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Montreal Goldfields with mesh-covered shafts in background Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Mike at Camel Rock Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Paul, Trish and Jan Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Camp Leader Kay and her walk leaders did a marvellous job keeping us all on the right tracks throughout the week. Everything from the fairy lights in the trees, to the Summer Feast bonfires, to the fish dinner on the headland, to the most amazing car shuffle in the history of the Club, were a tribute to Kay's organisational skills. Even the weather behaved. 67 sets of sincere thanks Kay, for a super bushwalking week.  

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