The Batemans Bay Bushwalkers have been treated to a variety of walks over the past couple of weeks taking advantage of the good walking weather and the various grades of walks on offer.
27 Walkers enjoyed a leisurely excursion along the banks of Moruya River. Much of the 5 km return walk is on shared pathway, except for 2km of well graded gravel road from the Moruya Country Markets to Ryans Creek on the peninsula.
Another group took on an easy/medium 9km walk to Meroo Lake Backwater – a delightful area north towards Ulladulla. The little known Meroo lake, is a small water body near Termeil, typical of many "occasional" estuaries which only open to the sea after heavy rain.
Not so typical is the forest, which in this area is the southern extent of Turpentine (Syncarpia glomulifera), and in large specimens is a very valuable timber. The regrowth forest walked through has been logged several times in the past, but is now populated with abundant small Turpentine, reigned over by majestic large Spotted Gum (Corymbia Maculata).
The return from the lake, via a different track, led the walkers through impressive forest featuring large specimens of Woolly Butt (Euc. Longifolia) and Grey Gum (Euc. Punctata), also known as "monkey gum" for its attraction to koalas. Grey Gum are notable for the yellow stripes of newly exposed bark.
On the other end of the spectrum, 7 intrepid walkers took on the 15kms Coondella Trig track in the Deua National Park. Apparently desperate to tackle some hills, they were not disappointed with an ascent of over 700 metres. Perhaps this group needed the expertise of the walkers on the Meroo Lake walk – as the walk leader had to field the dreaded question “What tree is that?”
And for the ultimate walk, a 2 day camp was held in the Budawangs. More on the walks in this area next week!
Above: Rachael Kennedy, Rodney Hills, Gay Samal, Helen Ransom, Jill and Barry Keeley - Coondella Trig and proof that they made it! About the BATEMANS BAY BUSHWALKERS INC. First formed in 1985, we have about 200 members. We are not-for-profit and run by volunteers We are an Incorporated Association with a Constitution and a Committee to oversee administration Personal Accident, Public Liability and Associations Liability Insurance is funded by your annual subscriptions We publish 4 Walks Programs per year, with 2 walks a week of varying grades. Visitors are welcome on walks and are covered by our insurance for 3 walks per financial year Walks are led by volunteer Walk Leaders, who carry a GPS, topographic map, and when appropriate, a safety beacon. We take our safety seriously. Bushwalking is a risky business, accidents do happen, injuries do result. Each walk is graded for difficulty so that you can choose walks to suit your level of ability. Members and Visitors sign a Responsibility Waiver before each walk. We also get together for a variety of social activities and camps, but you have to be a Member to come along to those
