Heather and Paul provide more tourist destination ideas.
Heather continues with her updates on the wonderful retirement holiday tourist destinations throughout Australia. “Following on from their time in Arkaroola they headed south to Ikara Flinders range for 4 days, such a stunning area, Wilpena pound & Brachina gorge, Arkaroo rock. We’ve done a few walks, hiked St Mary’s peak loop 21klm and 1100mtrs, a big day but incredible. Had a big rainfall one night at Brachina gorge and tried to help out a bogged caravan heading out of a gorge , the national parks had to come and we also saw another van jack knifed in a creek bed. We’ve had a couple of flat tyres.
The last four days have been spent at Silverton, Broken Hill & Menindee. Really enjoyed this area, so sparse. Did a few tourist destinations, the Palace hotel where Pricilla was filmed and the mad max museum. Amazing sunset at Menindee bush camp and living desert park. River Cruise in the Menindee lake and some historic stops. Also the Pro Hart museum.
We have started our drive home and are looking forward to seeing the clan, Briddy baby is due in 7 weeks ”
Silvereye, one of the bird varieties on the Florance Head walk.
Yellow Faced Honey eater, another of the many bird varieties
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Things to do visiting Mollymook Milton Ulladulla, a beautiful bush walk to Florance Head. A relatively easy flat walk of 8.5kms (return) say allow 2hr 45min (return) Enjoy some lovely flora and fauna along the way and some very active bird life for some beautiful photography. The highlight is at the end with majestic views over Pigeon House Mountain and the Budawang Mountains.
We reminisced on this ‘Florance Head’ bush walk of the bygone years when Bobby White would arrange our bush walks that included the Castle, Mount Bushwalker, Yadbora, Shallow Crossing, Ulladulla to Batemans Bay to name a few. He would share his decades of National Parks knowledge explaining and naming the different flora and bird life, he would even take a ‘Billy’ and boil some real bush tea. So on this occasion we took a book with directions and descriptions of the flora and fauna.
Directions: 8.5kms north of the Milton Post Office, turn left off the highway at Porters Creek Dam. Drive up onto an unsealed road for 10kms, reaching a T section. Turn left and continue for another 2.6kms, where you will reach a fork lreft to a parking bay. (If you get to the dam, you have gone too far)
The 2017 Surf Club Presentation night was a huge success with a star studded cast being recognised with a multitude of awards.
Highlights included: Boys U/15 relay team with Gold at State and National titles, 260 Masters boat crew Gold & Tony Ireland Gold in the master surf tube race, both at Nationals. Rod Austin was acknowledged for 50 years patrol service and long service awards also went to Kevin and Sue Whitford, John Patterson, Keith Claxton, Mick Bond, Wendy Austin and Ivan Johnson. Tony Ireland was ‘Club Person’ of the year, Eadan Burton Junior Club person of the year, Chloe Scott junior champion competitor, with Mal Dowler the ‘Quiet achiever’ award.
Champion patrol to No 14 patrol captained by Dave Johnson and Patrol person of the year to Leonie Hicks.
As a club Mollymook received a plaque from Surf Life Saving NSW for ‘Champion Country Surf Club’ at the NSW Titles.
It was night reflective of a GREAT surf club. Rod thanked the organisers for this wonderful evening with numerous photos attached, compliments of photographer extraordinaire Kim Matthews.
Things to do – Mt Bushwalker, Hiking, Bush walking
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Directions: 9 km Nth of Milton PO, turn left off Highway at sign post to Porters Creek Dam (Pointer Gap Rd). At the end of Pointer Gap Rd turn right (T section) & travel along to the Mt Bushwalker car park. The track is easily followed with colour markers, marking the way across the rock plateau.
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Things to do in the Mollymook, Milton, Ulladulla area include the Mount Bush walker hike. Mt Bush walker is bounded by the Morton National Park to the west, the Conjola National Park to the north and the Meroo National Park to the south and the Tasman Sea to the east. The National Parks provide for some excellent bush walking/Hiking trails, astonishing views westward to the Budawang mountains and wilderness areas, and east to the majestic coastline. On these National Park walks you will experience an array of bird-life, flora and fauna. Graeme Barrow author of “Bush Tracks between Nowra and Batemans Bay” has an extensive list of walks in this region. Some of the popular bush walks include: Mt Bushwalker, Pigeon House Mountain, George Boyd lookout and the Pretty Beach to Pebbly Beach walk.
Mt Bushwalker. This is Graeme Barrow’s pick of the National Park bush walks. Unlike Pigeon House Mountain, the Mt Bushwalker walk is an easy walk with majestic scenery. You actually drive to the top of the mountain and then the walk is across a plateau (walk climb is approx. 6.5 km return) with views of the “The Castle” & “Pigeon House Mtn”. On the occasion my wife and I did this walk we were able to light a fire and boil the bush billy (literally) plus BBQ some meat. Just a beautiful outing. Can be done in 2 hours or take your time and enjoy.
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(Walking trail maps used with permission) (Click on images to enlarge)
Things to do, Pigeon House Mountain, Bush walking – Hiking
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Directions: From the Milton traffic lights drive west past the showground and follow the sealed road for say 10 or 12 minutes arriving at the sign post to Pigeon House mountain. Follow up the dirt road on the right to the car park.
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Things to do in the Mollymook Milton Ulladulla area: The Pigeon House Mountain climb is a “MUST DO” for those that are “FIT” visiting the Mollymook Milton Ulladulla area. An estimated 8,000 people making the climb each year. Allow 4 hours. We left early in the morning and had breakfast on the summit. Majestic views are enjoyed at sunrise. On a clear day you can see the entire coastline from Point Perpendicular in the north to Mount Dromedary in the south. (Walking trail maps used with permission)
Captain Cook & Sir Joseph Banks wrote about this remarkable peak back in April 1770. The Aborigines of the Walbanja and Wandandian tribes called it Dithol meaning a woman’s breast or Did-Del. From the top of the mountain there are magnificent panoramic views of the rugged cliffs and gorges carved by the Clyde River and its tributaries. Dominating the view to the north-west are two elongated plateau of Byangee Walls and the Castle. My wife and I can confirm the majesty of this “Hike” and the glorious views in all directions, once on top of the peak.
You could not be more impressed with the beauty of the Murramarang National Park.
Take your camera and a map for this coastline walk, Drive via Kioloa to Pretty Beach. Best in the morning, from Pretty Beach walk the short distance north to the Snapper Rocks lookout for some majestic pics. Then head south along the beach to Snake Bay. Here you detour inland a little and follow the track to Pebbly Beach.
For the (Pretty Beach to Pebbly Beach) return journey take the Murramarang Range plateau track back to Pretty Beach. (16 km return) (OR you could do the return journey from Snake Bay, allow 4 hrs or from Pebbly Beach allow 6 to 8 hrs) (Best to do the beach walk at low tide.)
Things to do – Other pretty walks include:
Depot Beach. Another picturesque beach, coastline and unspoilt area. Take a camera & picnic lunch to explore this beautiful area.
George Boyd Lookout and adjacent Rainforest Walk. Turn off the Princes Highway north of Milton at the sign “12 mile drive”. Short easy walks with extraordinary views.
National Parks – Hiking – Bush Walking, Things to do, Mollymook Milton Ulladulla
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The Mollymook, Milton, Ulladulla area is bounded by the Morton National Park to the west, the Conjola National Park to the north and the Meroo National Park to the south and the Tasman Sea to the east. The National Parks provide for some excellent bush walking/Hiking trails, astonishing views westward to the Budawang mountains and wilderness areas, and east to the majestic coastline. On these National Park walks you will experience an array of bird-life, flora and fauna. Graeme Barrow author of “Bush Tracks between Nowra and Batemans Bay” has an extensive list of walks in this region. Some of the popular bush walks include: Mt Bushwalker, Pigeon House Mountain, George Boyd lookout and the Pretty Beach to Pebbly Beach walk.
(Click on images to enlarge) (Walking trail maps used with permission)
Mt Bushwalker hike
Mt Bushwalker.
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This is Graeme Barrow’s pick of the National Park bush walks. Unlike Pigeon House Mountain, the Mt Bushwalker walk is an easy walk with majestic scenery. You actually drive to the top of the mountain and then the walk is across a plateau (walk climb is approx. 70 metres) 6.5 km return with views of the “The Castle” & “Pigeon House Mtn”. On the occasion my wife and I did this walk we were able to light a fire and boil the bush billy (literally) plus BBQ some meat. Just a beautiful outing. Can be done in 2 hours or take your time and enjoy.
Directions: 9 km Nth of Milton PO, turn left off Highway at sign post to Porters Creek Dam (Pointer Gap Rd).
At the end of Pointer Gap Rd turn right (T section) & travel along to the Mt Bushwalker car park.
The track is easily followed with colour markers, marking the way across the rock plateau.
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Pigeon House Mtn. hike
Pigeon House Mountain.
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Captain Cook & Sir Joseph Banks wrote about this remarkable peak back in April 1770. The Aborigines of the Walbanja and Wandandian tribes called it Dithol meaning a woman’s breast or Did-Del. Today upwards of 8000 people make the assent annually. From the top of the mountain there are magnificent panoramic views of the rugged cliffs and gorges carved by the Clyde River and its tributaries. Dominating the view to the north-west are two elongated plateau of Byangee Walls and the Castle. My wife and I can confirm the majesty of this “Hike” and the glorious views in all directions, once on top of the peak. A “must do walk” provided you are fit!
Directions: Take the turn off at the Milton traffic lights and follow the signs.
Allow 4 hours, can be done quicker or take your time and enjoy. Best on a clear day. (4.5 kms ascending 500 metres.)
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Pretty Beach to Pebbly Beach walk
Pretty Beach to Pebbly Beach.
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The day my wife and I did this walk the temperature was in the mid 30’s. Nonetheless you could not be impressed with the beauty of this national park. Take your camera and a map for this coastline walk, Drive via Kioloa to Pretty Beach. Best in the morning, from Pretty Beach walk the short distance north to the Snapper Rocks lockout for some majestic pics. Then head south along the beach to Snake Bay. Here you detour inland a little and follow the track to Pebbly Beach.
For the (Pretty Beach to Pebbly Beach) return journey take the Murramarang Range plateau track back to Pretty Beach. (16 km return) (OR you could do the return journey from Snake Bay, allow 4 hrs or from Pebbly Beach allow 6 to 8 hrs) (Best to do the beach walk at low tide.)
Park near the Kioloa boat ramp, follow the track around the headland to Snapper Rocks Lookout down to Pretty beach and take the National Park track direct back to Kioloa. Best in the morning, to reach the Snapper Rocks lockout before the winds arrive for some majestic pics. of the coastline. Take your camera and a map for this coastline walk. (Could combine this easy picturesque walk with the more strenuous Pretty Beach to Pebbly Beach walk.)
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Florance Head Walk
Things to do visiting Mollymook Milton Ulladulla, a beautiful bush walk to Florance Head. A relatively easy flat walk of 8.5kms (return) say allow 2hr 45min (return) Enjoy some lovely flora and fauna along the way and some very active bird life for some beautiful photography. The highlight is at the end with majestic views over Pigeon House Mountain and the Budawang Mountains.
Another picturesque beach, coastline and un-spoilt area. Take a camera & picnic lunch to explore this beautiful area.
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George Boyd Lookout and adjacent Rainforest Walk.
Turn off the Princes Highway north of Milton at the sign “12 mile drive”. Short easy walks with extraordinary views.
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Botanical gardens at the Booderee National Park.
Jervis Bay. A relaxing and inspiring walk through the Jervis bay Botanical gardens.
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Beecroft National Park, Currarong.
This is my wife’s favourite walk. See the wreck of the SS Merimbula &/or take the trail to Mermaid Rocks where according to Rex Hunt it is the only place whereby you can fish for marlin off the mainland. While in the area visit Point Perpendicular a spectacular sheer cliff face that rises 75 metres up from the ocean. On one of our trips we witnessed a youngster who had ab-sailed down the face and climbing back up froze about 10 metres from the top of the cliff. Another nice area is the protected shores of the secluded Long Beach & Honeymoon Bay. Take a picnic lunch a make a full day of this excellent outing. Also take your cosies, good swimming and snorkeling.
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(Click on images to enlarge)
Mt Bushwalker
The Castle
Yadboro Picnic
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Ken Banks, Mollymook Beach Waterfront: Editor for Mollymook News and Destination Mollymook Milton Ulladulla
