Bendeela Road – Mount Carrialoo

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Saturday 27/06/2020    Bendeela Road – Mount Carrialoo

                                           Morton National Park, Kangaroo Valley, NSW

                                            Tharawal country

Participants: Ella Brewer, Lee Cordner (Leader), Andrew Corish (guest author, Report), Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies , Kynie Evison, Frank Hartigan, Warren Mahoney (Header Photo), Trish Law, Yanwen Shao, Dave Whitelaw

A crisp winter’s day did not dampen the spirits of a keen group of South Coast Bushwalking Club members to get going. An earlier reconnaissance party confirming our intended route closed due to road closures on Jacks Corner Road from summer fires, we set off on plan B up McPhail’s trail. A hill climb that would get any faint heart firing meant we soon climbed from the lowest point to highest point in Kangaroo valley.    

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Wattamolla – Curracurrang – Curracurrong – Garie North Head – Curra Moors Track

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Wednesday 1/07/2020   Wattamolla – Curracurrang – Curracurrong – Garie North Head – Curra Moors Track

                                             Royal National Park, NSW

                                             Tharawal country

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Trish Law, Dave Whitelaw

This walk is a section of the longer Coast Track in Sydney’s Royal National Park (the full walk extends from Otford in the south to Bundeena). The park is in the traditional lands of the Dharawal people. It is a classic track known for it’s stunning coastal scenery, rugged sandstone cliffs and sandy beaches.
 
  

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Yarrawa – Keenans Pass – Hindmarsh Pass – Hindmarsh Ridge – Les Lambert Lookout

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Saturday 4/07/2020   Yarrawa – Keenans Pass – Hindmarsh Pass – Hindmarsh Ridge – Les Lambert Lookout

                                         Budderoo National Park, NSW

                                        Tharawal country

Participants: Mel Ardern (Leader), Ella Brewer, Harry Cizerle, Lee Cordner, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Warren Mahoney, Lisa Matuzelis, Thomas Korber, Michelle, Rod

The walk starts at the Budderoo National Park gate at the end of Wallaby Hill Road, Robertson. According to the topographic map most of the walk was in fact in Morton National Park but the sign at the beginning of the walk indicated Budderoo National Park. This is an on and off track walk following fire trails, bush bashing under cliff lines with rewarding views of Kangaroo Valley.   

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Waterfall – Bondel Pool – Kingfisher Pool – Mount Mannell – Boobera Pool

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Sunday 14/06/2020   Waterfall – Bondel Pool – Kingfisher Pool – Mount Mannell – Boobera Pool

                                       Heathcote National Park, NSW

Participants: Phil Allen, David Butler, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Ken Humpries, Mair Humphries, Ron Hutchings (Leader), Corin McAleer, Tania Sundgaard

The walk can be accessed by car with street parking available at the northern end of Warabin Steet, Waterfall. Waterfall train station is a short walk away. 

Heathcote National Park is considered one of the jewels of the Sutherland Shire. It is ideal for experienced and prepared bushwalkers (more on this later) and is known for it’s beautiful bushland, freshwater swimming holes and craggy ridges.     

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Wattle Creek Car Park – Slotts Way – Nattai River – Mcarthurs Flat – Emmetts Flat – Troy Creek – Starlight Trail

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Friday 5/06/2020   Wattle Creek Car Park – Slotts Way – Nattai River – Mcarthurs Flat – Emmetts Flat – Troy Creek – Starlight Trail
                                   Nattai National Park, NSW

                                    Gundungurra country

Participants: Melissa Ardern (Leader), David Brinson, Rod Dale, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Thomas Korber, Liz Paslawsky

This scenic loop down into the Nattai River valley is accessed from the car park at the end of Wattle Creek road near the small town of Hilltop. The final ten minutes of the drive are on dirt. The road is suitable for two wheel drive vehicles.

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White Island – NEW ZEALAND

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Wednesday 4/03/2015      Whakaari – “White Island”

                                                Bay of Plenty, NEW ZEALND

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)

White Island (Whakaari) is an active marine (cone) volcano situated in the Bay of Plenty. To the Maori Whakaari is a treasured ancestor and features in many stories and legends of the region. It is estimated to be between 150,000 and 200,000 years old and is 49km offshore. The closest town is Whakatane, on the North Island of New Zealand. At the time of our trip it was possible to visit the island by helicopter or by boat and guided tour with White Island tours. 

Tragically, on 9th December 2019 White Island erupted while tours were being conducted resulting in numerous deaths and horrific injuries. All tours were immediately suspended. 

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Yarramummun Fire Trail – Boolijah Creek

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Saturday 13/04/2013     Yarramummun Fire Trail – Boolijah Creek

                                            Ettrema Wilderness, NSW

Participants: Melissa Ardern, Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies, Dave Whitelaw

The start of this walk is located on a small side track off the Yarramunmun Fire Trail, which is accessed via the Nerriga road. Apart from a stroll in along the fire trail the walk is completely off track with no defined path. The clamber down the creek gives good views of cascades and waterfalls, the most pleasant being the large pool at the lowest section of the creek reached on the walk.

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North Head Circuit – Murramarang National Park

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Monday 16/03/2020    North Head Circuit

                                         Murramarang National Park, NSW

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)

We were on a short break to the South Coast of NSW to try to assist with the local economic recovery following the disastrous bushfire season which devastated the bush, wildlife and local communities during our past summer.

We have many fond memories of camping at the North Head with friends when our children were young. Arriving again in 2020 we were very happy to find this section of the bush untouched by the fires. The campground is set in a particularly beautiful grove of large spotted gums dotted with huge cycads and supporting abundant wildlife.  

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Nellies Glen – Missingham Steps – Kangaroo River – Stevos Pass

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Saturday 03/12/2016      Nellies Glen – Missingham Steps – Kangaroo River – Stevos Pass 

                                             Budderoo National Park, NSW

                                              Tharawal country

Participants: Mel Ardern, Carole Alcock, Phil Allen, Joce Booth, Ted Booth, Lee Cordner, Mandy Creighton, Stephen Davies (Photos, Report)), Sue Davies, Brian Dooley, Jason Shanks (Leader), Dave Whitelaw, Fred Zickar

Over the weekend of 3rd – 4th December 2016 South Coast Bushwalkers Club organised their annual Christmas Celebration at Budderoo National Park. On Saturday morning Jason Shanks lead a grade 4 walk in the Missingham Steps area. The group left the camp ground heading west towards Missingham Lookout where there are views far down along the Kangaroo River Valley. From here we meandered along the tops for a while before heading down Missingham Steps to the Kangaroo River. A nice pool was located and many of us jumped in for a quick swim.

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Bundeena – Little Marley Beach

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Sunday 09/07/2006     Bundeena – Little Marley

                                         Royal National Park, NSW

                                          Tharawal country

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies

Great weather for a day walk from Bundeena to Little Marley Beach. During this walk out of Bundeena we passed by Jibbon Hill along the Coast Track until reaching The Waterrun at the coast. Continuing south along the Coast Track we passed a multitude of coastal cliff views before reaching Marley Head. Just south of Marley Head where Marley Head Trail joins The Coast Track you get views to the south west of Marley Beach and Little Marley Beach, our final destination for the day before heading back to Bundeena after beautiful winter’s day walking. A highlight of the day was seeing some aboriginal rock art etched into sandstone.

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Snow Monkeys – JAPAN

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Saturday 22/02/2020      Snow Monkey Park

                                             Nagano, JAPAN

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)

We had a wonderful visit to the Jigokudani Monkey park in the Joshinetsu-Kogen National Park. This is apparently the only place in then world where wild monkeys (Japanese Macaque – Macaca fuscata) bathe in hot springs and they really seemed to enjoy it!

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Upper Mustang Valley – NEPAL

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2/5/2019 – 11/5/2019  Kagbeni – Chele – Syanboche (Shyangbochen) – Ghami (Ghemi) – Chrang (Tsarang) – Lo Manthang – Choser – Ghami (Ghemi) – Samar – Kagbeni

                                         Upper Mustang Valley, NEPAL

Distance: 177 km   Total Ascent: 10,050m   Total Descent: 10,050m   Time: 46 hours

Participants: Subin Basnet (Porter), Pawan Dai (Assistant Guide), Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Giorakh “Kaka” Dulal (Porter), Prabin Karki  (Guide), Saideh Kent, Ralston Keyt, Sarah Keyt, Mohan Khaimrange (Porter),  Ravi lal Phuyal (Porter), Kerrie Stewart, Lisa Stewart

Mustang, formerly the ancient Kingdom of Lo is a remote and isolated region of the Nepalese Himalayas. The Upper Mustang was a restricted demilitarised area until 1992 and is one of the most preserved regions of the world with a predominantly Tibetan culture. It’s status as a kingdom ceased in 2008. The influence of the outside world, especially China is leading to changes in the lives of these previously isolated inhabitants. 

The region is cool and semi-arid being in the Himalayan rain shadow. Tourists have been allowed in the region since 1992 but visits remain highly regulated. It is considered a rare privilege to trek in this region and to experience the way of life of the true mountain people.

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