Click link belowClick link belowClick link below

This website has been superceded.

Go to the new Shoalhaven Bushwalkers website by clicking the link below

www.shoalhavenbushwalkers.com

(Scroll down to see the old page)

Click link belowClick link belowClick link below





























This is the Shoalhaven Bushwalkers Logo

Shoalhaven Bushwalkers Inc.

PO Box 403
Nowra NSW 2541


Click to view site on your mobile phone Click here to visit our Youtube channelClick here to email usClick here to visit our Facebook pageMembers click here to visit the Members Only Area


info@shoalhavenbushwalkers.org.au

Abraham's Bosom

by Paul Ellis

On Wednesday 4th February I joined 23 other members of the Shoalhaven Bushwalkers for the first Wednesday walk of 2004 - an intermediate walk at Abraham's Bosom near Currarong, led by Cyril Crutch. The weather had been bad earlier, but by the time we started the walk the sky was clearing with most storms out at sea. Another hot day was on the cards.

We crossed over the tannin-stained Abraham's Bosom Creek and after a short walk to the information board turned right and took the Coomies Walk Track. We descended quickly along the track, taking us past the Aboriginal Rock Shelter, stopping only to let those who had not done the walk before take a quick look before descending further to cross the creek. Originally there was a boardwalk here, but this had recently been ripped up and only the metal supports remained. As we ascended towards Merimbula Trig we noticed what has become known as the 'Madonna Tree' with its 2 knolls that look like a well-endowed woman. We continued our ascent to the trig, quickly warming up, especially those of us who tend to sweat in muggy conditions. Our shirts were soon quite damp from the exertion.

At the Trig marker, Lauri Ball pointed to the many Navy ships on the horizon - a naval exercise was in progress. We followed an old trail that took us to the cliffs near Eve's Ravine. A short scramble took us to a rock ledge and overhang halfway down the cliffs where we had morning tea. My descent was a rather nervous one as the rocks were a little steep and looked out over a large drop, but it was easier than expected.

After morning tea we backtracked to Coomies Walk high on Abraham's Bosom Reserve and took the track down to Mermaids Inlet. We followed the narrow foot pad along a drop past the inlet and around the rocks to the rock platform below Gossang's Tunnel. A very popular fishing spot, this area also features a large cave and great views across the very blue waters of Mermaids Inlet to the spectacularly sculpted coastal cliffs.

After taking a few photographs we doubled back and took the sidetrack to Gossang's Tunnel, an eroded cave that runs through the cliff line and out to a ledge above the rock platform we had just explored. The tunnel is very low, and most of us had to negotiate on our hands and knees, careful of the low ceiling above us while those of shorter stature were able to make their way through by crouching and waddling. On the ledge we took in the coastal views, including more weathered and sea worn cliff formations and stopped for lunch, taking note of the storms, now well out to sea.

After lunch we returned through the tunnel where Jock Finlayson jokingly suggested we use some of the rocks to block the entrance. We climbed the rocks to get on top of Gossangs Tunnel and made our way across Little Beecroft Head, looking for an old track that would take us to another popular viewpoint on the coast. This area was overgrown, but after a lot of scrub bashing and several backtracks we found ourselves on the rocks just above the water. Here Lauri removed a rather large black spider from his hat which took an instant dislike to our Club President and went for him before being unceremoniously dispatched to the afterlife by Lauri's boot.

The track detoured across a dry creek bed before taking us onto the rocks and sand of Lobster Bay. We started to make our way towards Honeysuckle Point where some swimming was to be undertaken. A small group, including myself, had to leave early and took the Lobster Bay track up to Marions Way back to the cars via the wreck of the SS Merimbula on Whale Point, while the rest of the party went on to finish a very good and most enjoyable walk.



(Ettremist - February 2004)