Meet a Local, Bushwalking in the Shire Series
Welcome to Walk this Way, a new series showcasing the beautiful bushwalks to be discovered in the Eurobodalla Shire.
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While most walking tracks in this area are unmarked, we've asked some of the shire's most experienced bushwalkers to give us the inside scoop on their favourite walks and how to get to them.
This week, Batemans Bay Bushwalking Club member Rob Lees shares his favourite area to walk in the shire: the Murramarang National Park in Durras.
Rob Lees moved to Bingie from Canberra to retire in 2014 and has since spent many hours discovering the various walking tracks across the shire.
He said Durras is one of his favourite spots to visit because it's easy to access and highlights so many of the great features of the region.
"If you go to South Durras toward the ocean you'll find places like Emily Miller Beach, Myrtle Beach, Dark Beach and Wasp Head," he said.
"They have good facilities for picnics and a swim and there are trails that link you between them. They're not too well marked so you do need to know where to go."
One of Mr Lees' favourite walks is called Durras Forest, Beaches and Rocks.
"It says it all in the name really, but it is on the more difficult side so I would recommend doing it with an experienced group like the Bushwalking Club, not on your own," he said.
"Murramarang National Park was part of a state forest up until the 1970s and so it is criss-crossed with many old abandoned logging roads which make great hiking trails."
As a geologist, Mr Lees is fascinated by the interesting geological features in the area, including the fossils.
"You won't find dinosaur bones in this area I'm afraid, mostly mussel fossils which essentially look like rocks," he said.
But, what you will spot is an array of bird life, wildflowers in spring, snakes and a variety of other animal species.
"We like to take people down on the cliffs because we often see whales going by, depending on the time of year. We also see the sea eagles hunting and dolphins surfing the waves," Mr Lees said.
"It really is a nice place to see a lot of animal and plant life."
The Batemans Bay Bushwalkers club is set to resume its walk schedule with groups of up to 20 people from October 14.
For more information visit the Batemans Bay Bushwalkers website.
Rob's guide to Durras Forest Beach, Rocks - 10.5km Medium
We hike inland along old abandoned roads in majestic spotted gum forests. Then we move along the cliff tops with fantastic views of the ocean and beaches.
On the coast we get to explore the interesting geology of this region including stepping over an eroded volcanic intrusion, "the leap of faith". This part of the coastline was under a shallow sea over 250 million years ago with icebergs that carried large rocks that were deposited when the ice melted.
We get to see these boulders called "drop stones" on the shore platform as well as ancient fossils of mussels. Finally we get top see remnants of old timber milling equipment near Durras beach.
Medium difficulty means this walk has some serious hills and rough tracks so it's important be aware of your ability before embarking.