Inspired by an article and photo in the local Narooma and Moruya papers last year, Bob Thurbon led a walk of discovery to see one of Moruya’s “best kept secrets”, Louttit’s pioneering granite quarry on the south side of Moruya river.
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Despite the hot day, a keen bunch of bushwalkers enjoyed a shady walk from Preddys wharf, meandered by the waterfront, over private property (with permission) and around the granite outcrops before returning to Louttit’s granite quarry, which from the angle of approach was quite dramatic, revealing the sheer granite rock face.
On the way, the group came across a couple of Orb weaving spiders on their webs and received a warm welcome from the local mosquito population.
At the quarry, Bob provided a brief history of the area written by Norman Moore, a local historian.
Moruya was the first port from which gold was shipped in Australia, but it also once had at least seven different granite quarries during the mid-1800s.
Well, we all know of the quarry on the north side of the river and granite from this area was used to create many fine blocks for buildings, including the cladding for the pylons of Sydney Harbour Bridge.
However, Louttit’s quarry produced “long grained” granite suitable for column work and so from when it was opened in 1858 by Joseph and John Louttit, supplied among other things, 24 columns for St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney, the bases for statues of Captain Cook and Queen Victoria in Sydney, stone for Sydney’s Custom House, Canberra’s foundation stone, and, in Moruya, the Bank of New South Wales.
To make these structures, a large lathe was required to cut the stones (often weighing more than 12 tons) and this is housed next to the Moruya Historical Society building in Campbell Street.
As mentioned, the granite rock face was impressive, but so too was the raised tramway built to transport the stone to the boats for shipping elsewhere.
Other information given included the use of shark oil for rheumatism, and accounts of the accidents that occurred during quarrying in this era.
First formed in 1985, Batgemans Bay Bushwalkers Inc has about 200 members. It is not-for-profit and run by volunteers.
We publish 4 Walks Programs per year, with 2 walks a week of varying grades. Visitors are welcome on walks, and pay $5 per person per walk.
Walks are led by volunteer Walk Leaders, who carry a GPS, topographic map, and, where appropriate, a safety beacon. Each walk is graded for difficulty so that you can choose walks to suit your level of ability.