13 November 2012 - Milton Showgrounds, Shoalhaven, NSW

A severe wind storm came up last night, severe enough to keep Chris awake for some time. Personally I had no problem dropping off at all, but then I seldom do.

By the time we were up, the wind had abated but the day was quite overcast. I checked the weather forecast on line and while it was unlikely to rain, it was to remain relatively cool, a fact that suited our purposes very well because today was to be a “walking-in-the-bush” day.

Walking in the Morton National Park

We headed about eight kilometres north of Milton on the Princes Highway, then turned inland, soon entering the MacDonalds State Forest and then climbing the escarpment into the Morton National Park. Fourteen kilometres from the highway, we reached the carpark to the Mt Bushwalker track, an easy seven kilometre walk across the cliff line of the Little Forest Plateau to reach the lookout a little below the summit of Mount Bushwalker, a rounded mountain of 640 metres ASL. We crossed over rocky heathlands, simple boardwalks above waterlogged sedge and heath, over expanses of bald rock and through tunnels of banksia and other tall scrub, emerging finally on to a spacious rock platform high above the gorge of Claydons Creek at a viewpoint considered one of the best in the Budawangs. The flowers along the route were just wonderful and all the more so because of our educational flower walk of yesterday. Today we saw all those seen yesterday as well as Wild Iris, Bent Cassinia, Yellow Peas, Ladies Slipper, and dozens of other identifed species; what a true delight!

We had nearly bowled three or four black wallabies on our way to the car park, but on our walk saw a brown snake which Chris must have just missed standing on (I was following him) and numerous small lizards. Hundreds of small birds were busy in the scrub, some rising up in fright, but mainly invisible, just as the frog we tried to find. Frog spotting is an activity we frequently indulge in with absolutely no success at all. Here in Australia there are so many species of so many different sizes and we never know quite what we are looking for.

We were back at the cruiser just outside the two and a half hour walk time, mainly because we had spent several minutes in conversation with the one other couple we encountered on the track as well as spending some time looking for the side track down to the Gaolhouse Pass. Our initial attempt was unsuccessful, however after consuming our sandwiches we were better prepared and found the track by hacking through new grass growth to the top of the cliff face ramp.  The Pass is a sheltered area between the cliff base and huge outlying rock walls, hosting lush rainforest, totally out of place in this immediate area. The rock has split from the cliff and gradually moved away from the escarpment, an example of “block gliding”. We were pleased that we had persevered and pleased indeed with the entire walk; one I would be happy to do all over again.

Back on the forest track, we headed eight kilometres south, still along the escarpment, to Porters Creek Dam. This is the main source of water supply for the southern Shoalhaven area, supplying the townships from Lake Conola to Tabourie Lake. The dam which was completed in 1968, is just fifteen and a half metres high and very narrow. The water reservoir area is less than half a square kilometre and not very accessible at all. Deliberately so, I am sure, because it is not a recreational lake. The four kilometres of dam access from the main track is pretty dreadful so although we did stop at the dam to finish our lunch, we would not recommend anyone bother with a visit. Our attitude was probably soured further by the fact that the thermos had tipped sideways and the water was lukewarm; I tossed my coffee out after just one sip.

Back on the main forest track, we turned into the Pointer Gap Lookout, 493 metres ASL, a manmade platform out over a ledge from where one has spectacular views to the east over Lake Conjola, Burrill Lake and Milton. At least they would have been spectacular if there were not so much low cloud about.

We stopped again just a few metres down the descent to marvel at the incredible rocks above the road, rocks one should not linger under. While I was lining up a photo shot, I noticed a yellow bellied snake on the road, quite immobile but not squashed. Chris and I picked up a  long stick each, picked the snake up and lifted it gently to the side of the road. It was alive but on its last legs, or rather, near its end. Perhaps away from the road surface and in the more comfortable leaf litter, it will have gathered itself together, and slithered away to recuperate.

Back on the road, we were soon at Milton and home. Last day of the cricket today or at least for this test; I believe there are still two more to come?