Thursday 11/05/2023 Teddington – Bushy Park
London, ENGLAND
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
It was our first day in London after arriving on a long-haul flight from Sydney the previous night. We were keen to get out for some fresh air and a bit of sunlight to assist with readjusting our body clocks.
Thursday 23/03/2023 Mallacoota Coastal Walk – Betka Road – Quarry Beach – Geology Point – Fishermans Track – Betka River – Betka River Estuary – Betka Surf Beach – Betka South Beach – Beach 8
Betka River Tourist Reserve & Mallacoota Coastal Reserve
VICTORIA
Bidawal Country
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies
After a 6km morning run from our Bemm River campsite, we had our minds set on a relaxing day as we started to make our way home. As we drove towards our destination of Mallacoota, we were pleased to see the forests that were burned so badly during the 2019/20 bushfires showing plenty of new growth. During lunch, overlooking Bottom Lake, we reflected on our 2013 Nadgee-Howe Wilderness Walk and observed the small ferry that had taken us across Bottom Lake to Lake View Jetty for our start.
Wednesday 22/03/2023 Pearl Point Track – Pearl Point – Binn Beach
Cape Conran Coastal Park, VICTORIA
Brabuwooloong Country
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies
Undeterred by our morning walk to Yerung “Gorge” we decided to check out the “spectacular sedimentary formations” at Pearl Point. This had been listed as a 25km return hike from East Cape and one we had seriously considered doing until Sue checked out the “All Trails” site for reviews. She could only find two, the main comment being “I hate sand!”
Tuesday 21/03/2023 Marlo Western Boundary Track – Marlo Wetland Track – Marlo Centre Track – Marlo South Boundary Track – Marlo-Conran Road – French’s Narrows Carpark – French’s Narrows – West Cape Road – Salmon Rocks Boat Ramp – Salmon Rocks Track – Salmon Rocks – Cape Conran Road – Sailors Grave – Cape Conran Nature Trail – Cowrie Bay – Yeerung River Road – Yeerung River Walking Track – Estuary View Trail – Pearl Point Track
Marlo Coastal Reserve & Cape Conran Coastal Park, VICTORIA
Brabuwooloong Country
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies
Today we completed five short walks between Marlo and Conran Coastal Park. Early in the day, we checked out a small section of Marlo State Forest next to our campsite. Then after a very short drive, we walked across French’s Narrows at the mouth of the Snowy River. Soon after another short drive to West Cape in Cape Conran Coastal Park, we walked across the Cape to Salmon Rocks with great views along the coast and half a dozen surfers enjoying some waves.
After lunch and another short drive, we walked through burnt-out country along the Cape Conran Nature Trail and finally after yet another short drive we circumnavigated the Yeerung River estuary through healthy, unburnt bushland.
Wednesday 22/02/2023 McKillops Bridge Campground
Snowy River National Park, VICTORIA
Bidawal, Gunaikurnai, Monaro Ngarigo, and Nindi-Ngudjam Ngarigu Monero Country
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies
It is a serious drive down to McKillops Bridge Campground from Little River Falls. Although this gravel road is not particularly steep it is hazardous due to the long unprotected drop-off that runs along its side and the fact it is very narrow. The signage at the top suggests you check for the presence of any other vehicles via UHF radio, which works only if both you and any other vehicle has one. We don’t, so our fingers were crossed as we proceeded along the road. Sue was on high alert for any sign on other vehicles, whilst I kept my eyes on the road ahead.
Thursday 9/03/2023 Tidal River Campground – Tidal Overlook Circuit – Tidal Overlook – Lilly Pilly Gully Track – Mount Bishop Walking Track – Mount Bishop – Lilly Pilly Gully Boardwalk – Tidal River Track
Wilsons Promontory National Park, VICTORIA
GunaiKurnai and Boonwurrung Country
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies
We departed Tidal River Campground just after 9:00am aiming to combine the couple of nearby tracks we had not yet walked in a single trip. We first crossed the Tidal River Footbridge before heading west towards Pillar Point, the weather was cool and heavily overcast with blustery winds. Looking seaward there was a lot of white water from those brisk westerlies, so we were pleased to turn and start walking more easterly up to Tidal Lookout.
Tuesday 7/03/2023 Tidal River – Norman Beach
Wilsons Promontory National Park, VICTORIA
GunaiKurnai and Boonwurrung Country
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies
Faced with a miserable, wet, windy day we caught up with chores and reading until the late afternoon when conditions improved enough to tempt us outside. This was a very short walk from the campground along Tidal River, onto and along Norman Beach and back to camp via the Oberon Track.
Saturday 25/02/2023 Cunninghame Arm Footbridge – Entrance Walk – Birds Lookout – Lakes Entrance Lookout – Flagstaff Lookout – Boardwalk Track – Flagstaff Jetty
Lake Tyers Coast Reserve, Lakes Entrance, VICTORIA
Gunaikurnai Country
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies
After successfully completing our first The Entrance parkrun we returned to our campervan for breakfast. Shortly thereafter we were walking off again towards the esplanade crossing the Cunninghame Arm Footbridge. The Entrance walk commences just over the bridge next to the Lakes Entrance surf club.
Monday 27/02/2023 Sale Game Reserve
Sale, VICTORIA
Brayakooloong Country
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies
This is just a short detour off the main road and well worth a visit. The lagoon and drier marshy areas, together with surrounding trees have created a bird paradise with lots of food and shelter. During our short visit, we got to observe a lot of birds enjoying the offerings of the area.
Tuesday 28/02/2023 Emu Bight – Lake Victoria Track – Trouser Point – Lake Killarney – Sperm Whale Head – Balfour’s Swamp – Point Wilson – Murphy Hill – Tree Fern Track – Murphys Swamp Track
The Lakes National Park, VICTORIA
Gunaikurnai Country
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies
We arrived at Emu Point Campground late yesterday only to have it all to ourselves. After dark, we ventured out to meet the nightlife with headlamps, close to camp I managed to sight four possums in trees and another much smaller creature I couldn’t catch a good enough view of to identify. It was on a branch in a tree and I had the impression it was mouse-like in size.
Friday 10/03/2023 Darby Beach Carpark – Tongue Point Track – Fairy Cove – Lookout Rocks – Tongue Point
Wilsons Promontory National Park, VICTORIA
GunaiKurnai and Boonwurrung Country
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies
We departed Darby Beach Carpark at 9:40am, appreciative of it being heavily overcast but for the first time in many days not windy or raining. We had been to Darby Beach on the Wednesday but the weather to too unpleasant for us to be tempted to start out.
The Tongue Point Track gradually climbs from the carpark to provide a good view of the meanders of “Darby” Creek to the east as it passes through thick heath. After climbing about 90m you pass through a saddle to catch your first glimpse of Tongue Point, immediately you realise this is going to be a very scenic walk.
Sunday 16/10/2022 Sloth’s Territory
La Fortuna, Alajuela Province
COSTA RICA
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies, Cal Stewart, Kerrie Stewart
This is a privately owned and run sloth sanctuary. It consists of a relatively narrow corridor of remnant rainforest through which a population of sloths can be found. We were very fortunate to have Reuben as our guide today.