Review—The Great South Coast Walk presented by David Briese

This presentation by David Briese at our May The route is being promoted as a “walk”, not a 2019 General Meeting was reviewed by Ian track, given it links a series of existing tracks and Turland. other pathways. On this point, David considered the whole to be better than the sum of its parts, including because of the great diversity it provides over its length.

Sussex Inlet Fifteen years ago, David and Pennie Briese walked the 660km length of the coastline from to Mallacoota, following a series of established Candlagan Creek mouth, Broulee tracks, forest trails and pathways. Their trip was While the name for the walk has not been entirely the genesis for the concept of The Great South settled, “Great South Coast Walk” is gaining Coast Walk. David’s talk outlined to us the increasing traction. There has been some features of the walk and the efforts being investigation of possible alternative names, undertaken to raise its profile. including an indigenous name. However, no particularly suitable alternative names had emerged. David described eleven stages of the walk: (1) – Illawarra Escarpment (63km) (2) Illawarra and Kiama coasts (60km) – this features ‘transformed’ landscapes (e.g. dairy farms) and the Kiama Coastal Walk

Big surf at Kiama (3) Shoalhaven and Jervis Bay (52km) Awareness of the walk has been growing gradually (4) Jervis Bay – Ulladulla (60km) over time. Since 2010, there have been walkers (5) Murramarang Coast 76km) – as most regularly, even if not frequently, completing the Canberra walkers would know, this is a walk, including international walkers. In 2017, an particularly beautiful area active campaign for the walk was commenced, (6) North Eurobodalla Coast (76km) – the including the establishment of a steering is developing a committee to raise awareness, take up issues with “headlands walk”; which would be potential stakeholders and find solutions to included as part of the greater walk logistical issues. A website was created in 2016 and a Facebook page in 2018. (Continued on page 7)

Canberra Bushwalking Club It—June 2019—Page 6

(Continued from page 6) (7) Southern Eurobodalla Coast (56km) (8) Bermagui – Tathra (44km) – includes Mimosa Rocks National Park; and the National Trust in Bermagui is scoping out a new walk in the area (9) Sapphire Coast (50km) (10) Ben Boyd National Park (66km) Bittangabee Creek near Green Cape (11) Nadgee-Howe Wilderness (63km) There are some small sections of private property that, if substantial detours are to be avoided, need to be crossed. David thought this should not be insolvable, given that other extended walks, such as the Heysen Trail, cross private land and access issues had clearly been dealt with in those cases. There are around 50 water crossings on the route, with around eight of these presenting some degree of challenge, and this is another Tabourie Beach issue that will need to be properly addressed. The , for example, presents a For the first 80 per cent of the walk, camping is significant obstacle – options for walkers include available in commercial campsites or other a boat ride to the other side from an oyster accommodation. For the southern 20 per cent, farmer at Moruya Heads. there are National Park campsites. Water availability is only really an issue in Nadgee National Park; there is no intention to develop new infrastructure for the walk in the wilderness area.

Coastal wildlife David succeeded in highlighting the attraction of an extended south coast NSW walking route and

various benefits its establishment would confer. Coloured cliffs of The Pinnacles As he noted, the Great South Coast Walk would be first truly long-distance walking trail and it would be set to become one

(Continued on page 8)

Canberra Bushwalking Club It—June 2019—Page 7

(Continued from page 7)

of ’s iconic walking experiences. No doubt quite a few in the audience have added it to their “bucket list” of walks they would like to do. I know I have. Ian Turland

Leatherjacket Bay, Ben Boyd NP

Laterite rock platform, Ben Boyd NP

End of the walk – approaching Mallacoota

Navigation Refresher Course

This course will be running again this year for both beginners who want to learn how to use a map and compass, and for those old hands who’d like a refresher. The course begins on Tuesday evening 20 August and continues to mid-September – check out the website and newsletter for details.

Rob and Jenny Horsfield

Canberra Bushwalking Club It—June 2019—Page 8