Tag Archives: 2018

Lady Elliot Island

8/07/2018 – 13/07/2018    Lady Elliot Island

                                               Great Barrier Reef,  QUEENSLAND

                                               Darumbal country

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

We spent a wonderful five nights at the Lady Elliot Eco resort which is the only accommodation on this small coral cay. The island is accessed by a short scenic flight from Hervey Bay or Bundaberg. 

When you first arrive you wonder how you will occupy your time on such a small island. It takes about a day to get into the island rhythm and then you don’t want to leave. 

The snorkeling is excellent. On high tide you can snorkel in the lagoon which has an incredible variety of tropical fish, octopus, coral and abundant turtles. Swimming with turtles who appear to be unperturbed by our presence is such a beautiful experience. At low tide you can join a guided reef walk with the marine biologists who are part of the activities team. 

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Stanwell Park – Sublime Point – Austinmer

Tuesday 17/07/2018   Stanwell Park – Sublime Point

                                         Illawarra Escarpment, Austinmer, NSW

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Mel Brodie, Paul Brodie, Sue Davies (Report)

The walk combines several hiking tracks but is easily navigated. It offers scenic views of the stunning Illawarra coastline and beaches. It is best to have a car at each end making it a pleasant one way walk.  Continue reading

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First sighting of Bonnum Pic

Bonnum Pic

Sunday 17/06/2018   Bonnum Pic

                                       Nattai National Park, NSW

                                        Gundungurra country

Participants: Mel Adern (Leader), Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Kylie Falconer, Frank Mathey

This varied and enjoyable day walk to Bonnum Pic culminates in a spectacular knife edge ridge. There are expansive scenic valley views, interesting geology and some rock scrambling. It is recommended for the cooler months as there is no reliable water supply. However, it would be best not to attempt it when there is a severe weather warning for damaging winds!
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Sunset along Wilkinsons Creek from our camp below Muellers Peak at 2000m

Hannels Spur – Moiras Flat – Muellers Peak – Dead Horse Gap

08/04/2018 – 10/04/2018     Hannels Spur – Moiras Flat – Muellers Peak – Dead Horse Gap

                                                  Kosciuszko National Park, NSW

                                                  Ngarigo country

Distance: 37km   Total Ascent: 2870m   Total Descent: 1870m   

Time: 18 hours

Participants: Damien Aggio, Stephen Davies (Photos, Report)

Hannels Spur runs up from the Geehi River to the West of the Main Range up to the highest peaks in Australia. This 1,800m climb is the biggest in Australia. 

Damien and I had both harboured ambitions to complete this walk for some time. However, heavy regrowth after the 2003 bushfires that devastated the area meant there had been some serious scrub bashing along the route for some time. Fortunately for us we had some inside information that National Parks were planning a work party early in 2018 to clear some of the worst of this regrowth. An opportunity too good to miss had now presently itself. Continue reading

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Party members on Winifred Falls Track

Loftus – Bundeena

Sunday 20/05/2018   Loftus – Bundeena

                                       Royal National Park, NSW

                                        Tharawal country

Participants:  Kevin Abnett, Jocelyn Booth, Ted Booth, Ben Bretag, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies, Kylie Falconer, Ken Humphries, Mair Humphries, Trish Law (Report), Frank Mathey, Yvonne Rozier, Dave Whitelaw (South Coast Bushwalking Club Trip Leader)

This South Coast Bushwalking Club trip was an undulating amble along bushland tracks from Loftus Railway Station to Bundeena Ferry Wharf. It passes through the northern section of Royal National Park. Early encounters with morning joggers and mountain bike riders near the tramway track were followed by morning coffees and hot chocolates at Audley. Walking the length of Winifred Falls Trail past the non-flowing Winifred and Anice Falls suggested it may be preferable to complete this section soon after some reasonable rainfall! After a short section of walking along the road into Maianbar we crossed over Cabbage Tree Basin on the foot bridge before walking though to the ferry wharf at Bundeena to complete our walk. Continue reading

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Track above Steamers Beach

Steamers Beach – Kittys Beach – Whiting Beach

Thursday 1/03/2018   Steamers Beach – Kittys Beach – Whiting Beach 

                                        Booderee National Park, NSW

                                        Tharawal country

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

Located on the south-east corner of Booderee National Park this walk takes you to three beaches each with a distinctly different aspect and feel. Along the circuit you pass through scenic bushland, several great vantage points and Blacks Waterhole. Encounters with red bellied black snakes are common in the warmer months. Continue reading

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Murrays Beach

Murrays Beach – Murrays Hill – Snapper Point  

Wednesday 28/02/2018   Murrays Beach – Murrays Hill – Snapper Point  

                                               Booderee National Park, NSW

                                                Tharawal country

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

Located on the north-east corner of Booderee National Park this walk takes in the awesome Murrays Beach. Around the circuit you pass through scenic bushland, one this occasion recovering from a recent bushfire, several great vantage points which provide fleeting glimpses of the coastal cliffs and Governor Lookout with views of Bowen Island and Jervis Bay. Continue reading

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Summit of Bishop and Clerk

Darlington – Bishop and Clerk

Tuesday 13/2/2018  Darlington – Bishop and Clerk

                                      Maria Island National Park, TASMANIA

                                      Paredarerme country

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

This scenic day walk to the rugged rocky outcrops known as Bishop and Clerk provides panoramic views over Fossil Bay to the west on Maria Island and across the Tasman Sea to Freycinet Peninsula.  Continue reading

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Painted Cliffs

Darlington – Painted Cliffs

Monday 12/2/2018  Darlington – Painted Cliffs

                                     Maria Island National Park, TASMANIA

                                     Paredarerme country

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

It is a short walk from the main settlement at Darlington to the impressive Painted Cliffs at the southern end of Hopground Beach. They are accessible on a low tide with small swell.  Continue reading

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Looking over Wineglass Bay and Hazards Beach to Mount Graham and Mount Freycinet from  Mount Amos summit

Mount Amos – Wineglass Bay – Hazards Beach

Sunday 11/02/2018   Mount Amos – Wineglass Bay – Hazards Beach

                                       Freycinet National Park, TASMANIA

                                      Paredarerme country

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

This walk provides photo opportunities to capture the iconic Wineglass Bay panorama from the top of Mount Amos. Key features of this fantastic day walk include the crescent shaped white sand of Wineglass Bay with the chance to swim in it’s crystal clear turquoise waters all surrounded by native forest and nearby rugged granite peaks. Continue reading

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