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+======The Sydney Bushwalker.======
 Established June 1931
-z 0 Bati 4er-ken:1.K
-A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to the Sydney Bush Walkers Incorporated, Box 4476 GPO, Sydney 2001. Club meetings are held every Wednesday 'evening at 8 pm at Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre, 16 Fitzroy Street, 1Cirribilli (near Milson's Point Railway Station). Visitors and prospective members are welcome any Wednesday. To advertise in this magazine, please contact the Business Manager.
-Spiro Hajirtakitas
-Telephoner 332 3452 (II) 681 4874 (B) (Fax) 892 1036
-Joy Hynes, 36 Lewis St., Dee Why 2099 Telephone:-982 2615 (h), 888 3144 (w)
-George Gray, telephone: 876 6263
-Kath Brown - 103 Gipps S. Drtunmoyne 2047 Morag Ryder
-Kenn Clacher, Kay Chan, Bar ne Murdoch, Margaret. Niven
-and Les Powell
-, EDITOR
-iusDIEss MANAGER
-PRODUCTION MANAGER. TYPIST AND,LAY-OUT ILLUSTRATOR
-PRINTERS
-JANUARY 1993.
-Easter Among the Bilbies ' Croajingolong National Park
+A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to the Sydney Bush Walkers, Box 4476, G.P.O. Sydney, N.S.W. 2001. Club meetings are held every Wednesday evening at 8 pm at Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre, 16 Fitzroy Street, Kirribilli (near Milson's Point Railway Station). Visitors and prospective members are welcome any Wednesday. To advertise in the magazine please contact the Business Manager.
-Conservation - Letter to Gladys Roberts How I Joined -the SEW - Part 1
-Letter from NSW Nat.Parks & Wildlife Service The Stone Bridge
+|**Editor**|Spiro Hajirtakitas. Telephone 332 3452 (h), 681 4874 (b), (Fax) 892 1036.|
-The December General Meeting
+|**Business Manager**|Joy Hynes, 36 Lewis St., Dee Why 2099 Telephone 982 2615 (h), 888 3144 (w).|
-The "Landslide" Cyclorama Point
+|**Production Manager**|George Gray. Telephone 876 6263.|
-Adyertisements
+|**Typist**|Kath Brown. 103 Gipps St. Drtunmoyne 2047.|
-y Dot Butler Page
+|**Illustrator**|Morag Ryder.|
-Stuart, Brooks -2.
+|**Printers**|Kenn Clacher, Kay Chan, Barrie Murdoch, Margaret Niven and Les Powell.|
-Alex C011ey )4.
-"Puffing , Billy" T
+====January 1993====
-Pat Harrison 9
-Barry Wallace 11
+=====Contents.=====
-Geoff. Grace 12
+| | |Page|
+|Easter Among the Bilbies|Dot Butler| 2|
-Paddy Pallin - Leaders in Adventure 8
+|Croajingolong National Park|Stuart Brooks| 4|
-'Eastwood Camping Centre 14
+|Conservation - Letter to Gladys Roberts|Alex C011ey| 7|
-Willis's Walkabouts 18
+|How I Joined the SBW - Part 1|"Puffing Billy"| 9|
-***********#
+|Letter from NSW Nat. Parks & Wildlife Service| |11|
-PAGE 2 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER
+|The Stone Bridge|Pat Harrison|12|
+|The December General Meeting|Barry Wallace|15|
+|The "Landslide" Cyclorama Point|Geoff. Grace|17|
+=====Advertisements.=====
+| |Page|
+|Paddy Pallin - Leaders in Adventure| 8|
+|Eastwood Camping Centre|14|
+|Willis's Walkabouts|18|
+----
+=====Easter Among The Bilbies.=====
 by Dot Butler
-JANUARY 1993
-EASTER AMONG THE BILBIES'
+A large range of stall native animals exists in Australia. They were once more widely distributed but, as any bushwalker knows, they are rarely, if ever, sighted. The main reasons for their disappearance are twofold - the destruction of habitat by clearing, grazing and burning, and the depredations of feral animals (pigs, goats, cattle, foxes, donkeys and CATS). Many native species are extinct and many are endangered. The last refuge of many is wilderness.
-' A' large-range of stall native animals exists in Australia. They
-were once more widely distributed but, as any bushwalker knows, they are rarely, if ever, sighted. The main reasons for their disappearance are twofold - the-destruction of habitat by clearing, grazing and burn-ing,
+One of our commonest small animals was the bandicoot. Three of our known varieties are thought to be extinct, and five are endangered, among them the bilby, about the size of a rabbit or cat. It has been named by the United Nations as one of the world's most beautiful animals. It was shot for sport, or because horses tripped in its burrows, and many were caught in rabbit traps. By early this century it had disappeared from most of its former inland range. One Of its retreats is Davenport Downs Station on the Diamentina plains of Queensland, so I jumped at the opportunity to go there last Easter with my daughter Rona's husband Jack.
-and the depredations of feral animals (pigs, goats,.cattle, foxes, donkeys and CATS). Many native species Are extinct and many are endangered. The. last refuge of many is wilderness.
-One of our commonest small animals was the bandicoot. Three of our known varieties are thought to be extinct, and five are endangered, among them-the bilby,-about the size of a rabbit or cat. It has been named by the United Nations as one of the world's most beautiful animals. It was -shat for-sport; -or because horses tripped in its burrows, and many were
+Between June 1990 and July 1992 Jack (Professor John Pettigrew) has led 9 expeditions to this extensive bilby colony. As Directer of the Vision, Touch and Hearing Centre of the University of Queensland he has been studying the vision of birds, which is very relevant to the study of human vision, but, at the same time, a grant from the Australian Research Council enabled him to study the impact of dingoes and feral cats on the bilbies. Having brought about the extinction of our own native "tiger", the thylacine, we are now replacing it with our own "tiger" - the feral CAT. These animals grow to an enormous size - a metre long not counting the tail, and stand twice the height of a domestic cat. They can pull down a small wallaby and are rapidly causing the extinction of our small mamals, birds and lizards.
-caught in rabbit traps. By early this century it had disappeared from most of its former inland range: One Of its retreats is Davenport Downs Station on the Diamentina plains of Queensland, so I jumped at the
-opportunity to go there last Easter with my daughterRomats husband Jack.
+Travelling in Jack's 4WD with his assistant and my two small granddaughters, Tara and Chloe, we covered the 1,300 km from Brisbane in one day, witnessing en route at Mount Isa a typically Australian Easter carnival - billy-goat racing down the cordoned-off wide main street, and contests in which burly countrymen ran a course with a 25 kg bag of cement hugged to their chest. We reached our destination that night, a huge cattle property.
-Between June 1990 and July 1992 Jack (Professor John Pettigrew) has
-led.9 expeditions to thissTextensive bilby. colony. As Directer of the
+Next morhing was "Easter Bunny" day. However a Queensland confectioner, scorning this introduced pest, has manufactured attractive little chocolate "Easter Bilbies". We had bought a stock of these and in the morning hid them around the farm property and the littlies had much fun following the cloes to their whereabouts.
-Vision, Touch and Hearing Centre of the University of Queensland he has been studying the vision of birds, which Is very relevant to the study of human vision, but,. at the Same time, a grant from the Australian Research Council enabled him to study the impact of. dingoes and feral cats on the bilbies. Having brought about the extinction of our own native "tiger",
-the, tkylacine, we are now. replacingityith our own "tiger" - the feral
+The next day off we went over the vast Mitchell Grass plains to Jack's study area amongst a grove of coolibars on the bank of a creek. Night was drawing on as we started to erect the tents, using the car as one tentpole. Suddenly the grandfather of a willy-willy smote us; the tent-pegs pulled out of the sandy soil and the tents flapped madly upwards. My groundsheet took off like a dervish and disappeared forever across the plain in a cloud of dust. I spent the night in the more sheltered creek bed under a huge coolibar tree.
-CAT. these animals grow to an enormous size - a metre long not counting the tail, and stand twice the height of a'domestic cat.' They can pull down. a small wallaby. and are rapidly causing the extinction of our small_ mamals, birds and lizards.
-, Travelling in Jack's 4WD with his _assistant and my two small granddaughters, Tara and Chloe, we covered the 1,300 km from Brisbane in one day, witnessing en route at Mount Isa a typically Australian Easter carnival - billy-goat racing down the cordoned-off wide main street, and contests in which'burly countrymen ran a course with a 25 kg bag of cement hugged to their chest. We reached our destination that night, a huge cattle property.
+Our days were spent at various places across the plain climbing trees to peer into stick nests and count the letterwing kite eggs or young, and at night we would go in the car, spot-lighting to count the bilbies, which are night feeders. The ground was peppered with holes of native rats and bilbies, the bilby holes being distinguished by being nice and tidy at the entrance in contrast to the untidy rats' holes. Bilbies would skitter across our spot-light beam, the white slash on their tail making them easy to spot.
-Next morhing was "Easter Bunny" day. However a'Queensland confectioner, scorning this introduced pest, has manufactured attractive little
-chocolate "Easter Bilbies". We had
+Jack came back later in July, when the creeks were so densely populated with __cats__ that a spot-light shone at dusk, just before the cats go hunting on the Plains, made the creek appear as if the bordering trees had been decorated with Christmas lights. Virtually every tree had a pair of eyes shining back, and some trees had as many as nine pairs of eyes.
-bought a stock of these and in the morning hid them around the farm property and the littlies had much fun following the cloes to their
-whereabouts.
+The next day, in a single pass down the creek, 79 cats were shot from 73 tree, all perched on kite nests on what had been a thriving colony of letterwing kites at Easter. Jack's findings, a full page spread on the front page of the Brisbane Courier Mail, resulted in six Army sharp-shooters being sent at the request of the Queensland Minister for the Environment, Mr. Comben. They eliminated another 400 cats from this same tiny area three weeks later.
-JANUARY 1993 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER PAGE 3
-The next day off we went' over the vast Mitchell Grass plains to Jack's study area amongst a grove of doolibars on the bank of a creek. Night was
+There appeared to be no dramatic change in cat numbers in the other study areas, even though these areas had an equally large population of native rats. Jack is of the opinion that dingoes help to keep down cat numbers. In places where dingoes have been shot out for the bounty ($10 a scalp - Finchy and Barry Wallace take note!) the cats are in plague proportions.
-drawing on as we, started to erect the tents, using the car as one tentpole. Suddenly the grandfather of a willy-willy smote us; the tent-pegs pulled out of the sandy soil and the tents flapped madly upwards. My groundsheet took off like a dervish and disappeared forever across the plain in a cloud of dust. I spent the night in the more sheltered creek bed under a huge coolibar tree.
-Our days were spent at various places across the plain climbing trees to peer into stick nests and count the letterwing kite eggs or young, and at night we would go in the car, spot-lighting to'count the bilbies, which are night feeders. The ground was peppered with holes of native rats and bilbies,'the bilby holes being distinguished by being nice and tidy at the entrance in contrast to the untidy rats' holes. Bilbies would skitter across our spot-light beam, the white
+__Landcare__ - the Federal Government's Youth Employment program, aims to employ young out-of-workers in improving and protecting the environment. It will take in 9,000 this financial year. Feral animal control is part of the work envisaged. 15 to 17 year olds will be paid $125 a week, and l8 to 20 year olds $150, plus living and travel allowances.
-slash on their tail making them easy to spot.
-Jack came back later in July, when the creeks were so densely populated with cats that a spot-light shone at dusk, just before the cats go hunting on the Plains, made the creek appear as if the bordering trees had been decorated. with Christmas lights. Virtually every tree had a pair of eyes shining,back, and some trees had as many as nine. pairs of eyes.
+This sounds like a useful way keen young boys and girls can do a good job saving our native animals and having adventure at the same time. If the proposed bounty on the scalps of cats as proposed by Jack ($5 a scalp) is brought in, think of the money that can be made!
-The next day, in a single pass dovn'the creek, 79 cats were shot from 73 tree, all perched on kite nests on what had been a thriving colony of letterwing kites at Easter. Jack's findings, a full page spread on the front page of the Brisbane Courier Mail, resulted in six Army sharpshooters being sent at the'request of the Queensland MiniSter for the
-Environment, Mr. Comben. They eliminated another 400 cats from this same tiny area- three weeks later.
+----
-There appeared to be no dramatic change in cat numbers in the other
-study areas, even though these areas had an equally large population of native rats. Jack is of the opinion that dingoes help to keep down cat numbers. In places where dingoes have been shot out for the bounty ($10 a scalp - Finchy and Barry Wallace take note!) the cats are in plague proportions.
+=====Croajingolon National Park.=====
-LANDCARE - the Federal Government's Yoiith Employment program, aims to employ young out-of-workers in improving and protecting the environment.
-It willtake in 9,000 this financial-jear. Feral animal control is part of the work envisaged. 15 to 17 year,olds will ,be paid $125 a week, and lg to 20 year olds $150, plus living and travel allowances.
-This sounds like a useful way keen yOling boYs and girls can do a good job saving our native animals and having adventure at the same time. If the proposed bounty on the scalps of cats as proposed by Jack ($5 a scalp) is brought in, think of the money that can be made!
-* * * * * * *
-Traced by Morag Ryder from a Courier Mail photograph.
-PAGE 4_ THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER JANUARY 1993
-'
-Croajingolon
-National Park
 by Stuart Brooks
-Croajingolong is a relatively new National Park, amalgathating several smaller ones and some additional areas to form a continuous strip from Cape Howe to Bemm River, except for the Mallacoota township section. We planned to walk the length of the park., This was mainly Alan's idea, as he wished
-to be able to comment on a plan of management for the park soon to be released in draft. form. As a leading light in the "Friends of Croajingolong" he felt some input was imece8sary to ensure protection of some sensitive areas.
-There are'fOui large inlets to cross and a number of smaller ones.
-Out plan was to walk from Mallacoota to Cape Howe and return (3 OW', then from Bemm River to Mallacoota (8 days). Our first hurdle, the Mallacoota Inlet, was solved by engaging the services of the local boat hire business
-(Mr. Rankin). He ferried us across and promised to pick us up at-the same
-spot in a couple of days.
-Lake Barracoota is a large freshwater lake about 8 km from Mallacoota and 1 km inland. Bounded inland by forests and shorewards by immense sand dunes it proved a 'pleasant enough site for a camp for two nights. It is a
-km walk along beaches to Cape Howe. A year or so before we had-stood under Cape Howe obelisk with Somebushwalker friends from Hobart after a walk through Nadgee - we now felt we had'"done" Cape Howe.
-The next section Of our walk started from Bemm River. We had left a car at Mallacoota (outside the Police Station) and stayed overnight at "Cosy Nook", a fishermens retreat run by Di and Don. Don had agreed to ferry
-us across Sydenham:Inlet - our second major obstacle, so long as we were ready to leave by 7.00 am. This proved no trouble as every fisherman
-staying at "Cosy N6o0, took it on himself to knock on our cabin door, starting at first light (5A0 am)., So by 8,00 am we were on our way along the long, long beach to Tabobn Inlet - our third large obstacle..
-Soft sand, 8-day packs and enough water, for the day made for slow going. There are usually a few boats on Tamboon Inlet as it is a popular fishing spot. Today'was no exception. An obliging couple on a day's sailing gave
-.us a lift over, saving a long swim, or a short but precarious wade across th e-mouth.
-Our first-campsite was about 3 km further on at Clinton Rocks CrRek - plenty of fresh Water and a grassy flat, just what we needed. Next day was a bit more varied - a few kilometres of rocky Shore, about 7 km of beach, a' bush track across Cape Everard, which picked up the road from the Point Hicks lighthouse.. This led around to the N.P. camp on the Thurra River.
-Being a weekencLit was fairly busy but is so laid out that campers don't intrude on each other. We found a spot close to the day area which is equipped with tables and fireplaces, and right on the bank of the river. The river is fresh, and about 70 metres wide but is very shallow on a sandy bottom.
-The next day was a "lay day" -.but Alan had arranged an inspection of the lighthouse. "This is one of 'many lighthouses being de-commissioned by the Commonwealth so its future is uncertain.. It is a beautiful and historic place and the "Friends" hope it will become part of the Park and hence protected from vandalism and decay. We spent several hours here with the keeper exploring the lighthouse and its attendant buildings and hearing a lot of its history.
-On the walk back we decided to have an early dinner in Heti of lunch,
-C_
-Xt.
-To Eden;
-Mapping Information
-The fotiouring sheets in the 1:100.000 AUSLIG (formerly NAIMAP)iertes which provide even greater detail, are available at
-outlets for AUSLIG.
-Eden. 8823.
-Malli000ta. 8822;
-a Cann. 8722
-A walk along a moderately steep 'track to Genoa Peak rewards - you wah magnificent views of
-_. the coast and ranges. ?icnic
-laciklies are available.
-Orbost
-and Melbourne
-Croajingolong National Park
-;11
--
+Croajingolong is a relatively new National Park, amalgamating several smaller ones and some additional areas to form a continuous strip from Cape Howe to Bemm River, except for the Mallacoota township section. We planned to walk the length of the park. This was mainly Alan's idea, as he wished to be able to comment on a plan of management for the park soon to be released in draft. form. As a leading light in the "Friends of Croajingolong" he felt some input was imecessary to ensure protection of some sensitive areas.
-) r
-Princes Highway
-,
+There are four large inlets to cross and a number of smaller ones. Our plan was to walk from Mallacoota to Cape Howe and return (3 days), then from Bemm River to Mallacoota (8 days). Our first hurdle, the Mallacoota Inlet, was solved by engaging the services of the local boat hire business (Mr. Rankin). He ferried us across and promised to pick us up at the same spot in a couple of days.
-Bemm aiver 441- -
-To-
-Ct.
-ww..,
-Sydennam Inlet
-Sydenham Inlet is quite-shallow and suitable only for small --. boats There is good fishing
-near the entrance. Most of the Inlet is outside the Park. You can camp at Bemm River. where good facilities are provided
-Ternbooit Inkit t
-Access to Tamboon Inlet gained by two roads. both outside the Park_ This picturesque estuary can only be seen by boat There is a launching ramp at Furnell Landing. The settlement at Tamboon South is private properly: owners rights should be respected.
- Camping is available on Peach Tree Creek. at the end of Fisherman's Track.
-Lighthouse \
-/ Point Hicks
-Point Hicks lighthouse Reserve is under Commonwealth control. There are picnic facilities for day visitors in the carneine area near the Reserve.
-Seated Road
-There are campgrounds at the mouths of the Thum' and Mueller Rivers with pit toilels. Fireplaces and picnic tables are provided at Thuvra.
-13 CO ill
-eiDrinking Wider
-Fishing
-.15
-Remote arid serene, WIngsn Inlet is accessible by private vehicles. Fresh water, camping sites, pi toilets, fireplaces and picnic tables are provided. Attractions include abundant wildlife. walking tracks, estuary fishing and beautiful surrounds. ' The toad is not suitable for caravans.
-11110113111111
-.13111111111
-to.-
-TuBaberpe
-. GADO* . MAW 1
-Wane
-lighthouse
-About 560 km east ol
-Melbourne. Mallacoota is a scenic spot for family holidays. Activities such as swimming. fishing. boating.-bushwalking. beachcombing and picnicking are all popular. Opportunities to see wildlife. bottron land and water. are excellenl. Camping. hotel arid motel accommodation
- is available in Matiacoola township.
-There are a number of picnic areas around the Inlet -Many are accessible by boat only.
-Seeathreti r brochure "Discovenng Mattacoota Inter for details of this ea
-Utile Herne Head
-Attractions at Shipwreck Creek 6. include camping. swimming and businvalking.
-LEGEND
-Camping gp -toilets
-Point Hicks has been the Subled of much debate_ It is famous for being the first land sighted by Lieutenant Zachary Hicks on Captain James Cook's tourney along the east coast of Australia in 1770 However the point recorded in the ships diary. lace on rnapi is actually in 50 fathoms of water and 12 nautical miles from the coast
-  Unsealed Road Walking
- jNational Park pa Fireplace
- -Tables Canoeing 0 2 4 6
-1=1 1
-(1 Conservation & 12 Boat Launching Swimming IN Nature walk
-la Environment
-eripire4 Efthirek ii.Dern. I./1:
-   Kilometres
-   G/6146
-a
-Cann River
-voingarTInlef-
-'
+Lake Barracoota is a large freshwater lake about 8 km from Mallacoota and 1 km inland. Bounded inland by forests and shorewards by immense sand dunes it proved a pleasant enough site for a camp for two nights. It is a 10 km walk along beaches to Cape Howe. A year or so before we had stood under Cape Howe obelisk with some bushwalker friends from Hobart after a walk through Nadgee - we now felt we had "done" Cape Howe.
- To Borntiela and Centernt
-,
-Alfred National Park
-PAGE 6 . - THE SYDNEY *BUSHWALKER JANUARY 1993
-then press onto the Mueller River campsite (about 3 km) to cut down the length of next day's walk to Wingan Inlet. Mueller River campsite is primitive - a few sites on the grass behind the dunes on the edge of the inlet. ' There is no fresh water here and no open fires are permitted. The mouth of the river was closed so we crossed with ease early next morning.
-The next day brought more beaches and rocky headlands culminating
-in a cut track through the thick and scrubby bush behind Rare Head. There is a cut track Out to the trig on Rame Head (about 2 km)., well worth the visit. Wingan. Inlet has another very pleasant N.P. camp areaset about
-km in from th'e mouth of the inlet. it is reached from the beach along a long board walk through swamps and ti-tea scrub. Being 'a weekday there were few car campers around, and all were inconspicuous ,because of the thick forest and the well-planned layout. There is a large grassy area for walkers with abundant fresh water from 'a spring. We planned a lay day here, both to explore the mouth Of the inlet for , possible'place to cross, aid to walk some of the "tourise'foot tracks through the rainforest and
-_
-magnificent dunes around the inlet.
-We had completed our walks and fOU:nd.'a feasible way across the inlet
-(involving a 50 metre swim) and' wete on our I4ay'back to..caMp when we heard a'pleasant sound - the put-put Of an outboard motor. ' One ofithe car campers.
+The next section of our walk started from Bemm River. We had left a car at Mallacoota (outside the Police Station) and stayed overnight at "Cosy Nook", a fishermens retreat run by Di and Don. Don had agreed to ferry us across Sydenham Inlet - our second major obstacle, so long as we were ready to leave by 7.00 am. This proved no trouble as every fisherman staying at "Cosy Nook" took it on himself to knock on our cabin door, starting at first light (5.00 am). So by 8,00 am we were on our way along the long, long beach to Tamboon Inlet - our third large obstacle.
+Soft sand, 8-day packs and enough water for the day made for slow going. There are usually a few boats on Tamboon Inlet as it is a popular fishing spot. Today was no exception. An obliging couple on a day's sailing gave us a lift over, saving a long swim, or a short but precarious wade across the mouth.
+Our first campsite was about 3 km further on at Clinton Rocks Creek - plenty of fresh water and a grassy flat, just what we needed. Next day was a bit more varied - a few kilometres of rocky shore, about 7 km of beach, a bush track across Cape Everard, which picked up the road from the Point Hicks lighthouse. This led around to the N.P. camp on the Thurra River. Being a weekend it was fairly busy but is so laid out that campers don't intrude on each other. We found a spot close to the day area which is equipped with tables and fireplaces, and right on the bank of the river. The river is fresh, and about 70 metres wide but is very shallow on a sandy bottom.
+The next day was a "lay day" - but Alan had arranged an inspection of the lighthouse. This is one of many lighthouses being de-commissioned by the Commonwealth so its future is uncertain. It is a beautiful and historic place and the "Friends" hope it will become part of the Park and hence protected from vandalism and decay. We spent several hours here with the keeper exploring the lighthouse and its attendant buildings and hearing a lot of its history.
+On the walk back we decided to have an early dinner in lieu of lunch, then press onto the Mueller River campsite (about 3 km) to cut down the length of next day's walk to Wingan Inlet. Mueller River campsite is primitive - a few sites on the grass behind the dunes on the edge of the inlet. There is no fresh water here and no open fires are permitted. The mouth of the river was closed so we crossed with ease early next morning.
+The next day brought more beaches and rocky headlands culminating in a cut track through the thick and scrubby bush behind Rame Head. There is a cut track out to the trig on Rame Head (about 2 km), well worth the visit. Wingan Inlet has another very pleasant N.P. camp area set about 2 km in from the mouth of the inlet. it is reached from the beach along a long board walk through swamps and ti-tea scrub. Being a weekday there were few car campers around, and all were inconspicuous because of the thick forest and the well-planned layout. There is a large grassy area for walkers with abundant fresh water from a spring. We planned a lay day here, both to explore the mouth Of the inlet for possible place to cross, and to walk some of the "tourist" foot tracks through the rainforest and magnificent dunes around the inlet.
+We had completed our walks and found a feasible way across the inlet (involving a 50 metre swim) and were on our way back to camp when we heard a pleasant sound - the put-put of an outboard motor. One of the car campers had brought his car-topper in to do a little fishing on the inlet. He agreed to ferry us over - one by one, early next morning, so we had a pleasant afternoon around camp washing, preparing dinner and discouraging the numerous large, over-fed goannas prowling the campsites for handouts. With their 2-inch scimitar claws they make you rather nervous as they lumber within inches of the very fragile (and expensive) nylon tents in search of tid-bits.
+From Wingham Inlet on, the route is mostly inland along little-used dual tracks winding through forest and across moors covered in wildflowers, an agreeable change from soft sand. We had lunch where the track hits the coast about 14 km on, at a spot behind a little beach backed by high rock walls and a gushing cataract. As it was only a few "k" on to our campsite at Benedore River, we indulged ourselves with a long lunch, a plunge in the sea and a shower under the waterfall. Alan had been luring us along with tales of the breath-taking campsite on the Benedore River. When we eventually found it, it proved almost all he said - except it had no fresh water as the inlet here is very brackish. We were only saved by Harry having left his glasses at our lunch spot. As he had to go back to retrieve them we pressed all our empty water containers on him, starting dinner with the water we had with us.
+Onwards the track leads through forest and moor again. There is a 3 km diversion out to the trig on Little Rame Head which offers extensive views along the coast and our first glimpses of Mallacoota. On to the N.P. camp area at Shipwreck Creek for our last camp.
+We again occupied the day area with its table and fireplace and were joined by a young couple on a day trip from Mallacoota. We were soon coercing Harry to go back into Mallacoota with them to pick up his car and save us a long roadbash on the morrow. He returned with more than his car - some cold cans and a bottle of rough red to celebrate our last cmapfire.
+With time on our hands we spent the next morning exploring the coast around the mouth of Shipwreck Creek, a fascinating area for rock lovers, botanists and beach combers.
-had brought his car-topper in to do a little: fishing on the inlet. He "agreed t,pferry us over - one by one, early next morning, so we had a pleasant afternoon around camp washing, 1)eparing dinner and discouraging the numerous large, over-fed goannas prowling the campsites for handouts. With their 2-inch scimitar claws they make you rather nervous as they lumber within inches of the very fragile (and expensive) nylon tents in search of tid-bits.
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-From Wingham Inlet on, the:route is mostly inland along little-used dual tracks winding through forest and across moors covered in wildfloviers, an agreeable change from soft sand.. We had lunch where the track hit S the coast about ,14 km'on, at a spot behind-a little beach backed by high rock. walls and a gushing'cataract.. As-it was only a few "k" on to our campsite at Benedore River, we indulged ourselves with a long lunch, a plunge in the sea and a shower under the waterfall. : Alan had been luring us along with tales of the breath-taking campsite on the Benedore , When we eventually found it, it proved almost allhe said - except it had no fresh water as the inlet here is very brackish. We were only Saved by Harry having left his glasses at our lunch spot: As he had to go back to retrieve them we pressed all our empty water containers on him, starting' dinner with the water we had with-us.
-Onwards -the track leads through forest and moor again. There is a
-km diversion out to the trig on Little Rame Head which offers extensive views along the coast and our first glimpses of Mallacoota. On to the N.P. camp area at Shipwreck Creek for our, last camp.
-We again occupied the day area withits-table and fireplace and were joined by a,young 'couple on a day trip from Mallacoota. We were soon coercing Harry to go back into Mallacocta with them to pick up his car and save us a long roadbash on the morrow. He returned with more than his car some cold cans and a bottle of rough red to celebrate our last cmapfire.
-With time on our hands we spent the next morning exploring the coast ,around the mouth of Shipwreck Creek, a fascinating area for rock lovers, botanists and beach combers.
 And so back to Bemm River and Cosy Nook - with Alan reasonably happy with the results of our eleven-day trek.
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-JANUARY 1993 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER PAGE/
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