Northern Rivers
Bushwalkers Club Inc.
PO Box 5155 East Lismore NSW 2480
www.northernriversbushwalkersclub.org.au
Newsletter: June 2015
Walks Gradings.
We suggest that you keep this as a reference so that you can assess whether or not outings in
the program will suit your ability and fitness level.
1. Tracks may have some uneven surfaces. Gradients are slight to moderate. Up to about 12 km.
Suitable for beginners with above average fitness.
2. Tracks may have some rough sections. Gradients are generally moderate. There may be some
steep sections. Up to about 15 km. Walkers should have at least slightly above average fitness
and some bushwalking experience.
3. Tracks are likely to vary from moderately uneven to rough and some sections may be off-track.
Some gradients are likely to be quite steep and there may be some moderate rock hopping or
easy rock scrambling. Above average fitness and some bushwalking experience required.
4. Tracks are generally rough with some off-track sections. Some gradients will be steep and include
rock hopping and/or rock scrambling with some height exposure. Above average fitness and
bushwalking experience required.
5. Tracks are rough and may be mainly off-track. Conditions similar to those described in 4, but more
demanding. A high level of fitness and considerable bushwalking experience required.
6. Generally off-track. Strenuous walking conditions in very steep, rugged and remote terrain.
Includes moderate to difficult rock scrambling with moderate to high height exposure. Suitable
only for very fit and experienced walkers.
7. Off-track strenuous walk in very steep, rugged and remote terrain. Challenging conditions include
difficult rock scrambling and possibly severe height exposure. Suitable only for the very fit and
very experienced walkers.
 Exploratory walks, for members only, may be conducted to determine conditions on a walk
not previously attempted.
 If a quoted grading does not adequately describe a planned walk, the walk leader must ensure
that appropriate additional information is included in the walk description provided in the
Walks Program
Meetings are held at 7pm on the last Wednesday of most months at the Crawford House Meeting
Room in Alstonville. A General Meeting is normally held in January, March, June and September. A
social/guest speaker meeting is normally held in February, April, May, July, August, October and
November. Everyone is welcome to both general meetings and social /guest speaker meetings.
NRBC Annual Membership
Due March each year (Includes cover for Public Liability and Personal Accident Insurance). New
Membership Fees of $30 per person are payable by 1st March annually. A discount of $5 is
available to those members paying before 1st March. The Newsletter costs $15 per year per household
mailed, and free if emailed.
Office Bearers 2015 – 2016:
President
Sectary
Treasurer
Social Secretary
Walks Convener
Bill B
John R
Shane
Carmel
Ian P
6628 6314
6628 1127
6624 4493
6687 1855
6684 7733
presidentnrbc@gmail.com
thesecretarynrbc@gmail.com
shane@mse.net.au
carmel.h@hotmail.com
Ianpick2@gmail.com
Ordinary Cttee Members
Julian
Bert
Stephanie
Gillian
Beverley
Clancy
Mary
0410663566
6686 8834
0422313090
6628 3032
6628 8911
6621 3896
6686 8834
julian.dimbleby@gmail.com
mb.carter@bigpond.com
christinsteph@yahoo.com.au
rumsbb@gmail.com
clancybenson@gmail.com
mb.carter@bigpond.com
Designated Roles (those undertaking these roles may be committee members but may also be
members of the club not involved with the committee).
Vice-President
Public Officer
Kayak Coordinator
Cycling Coordinator
Membership Officer
Newsletter Editor
Website Manager
David R
Gillian
Clancy
Ruth
Shane
John R
Ian P
6629 8339
6628 3032
6621 3896
66 871634
6624 4493
6628 1127
66847733
david.robertson@industry.nsw.gov.au
clancybenson@gmail.com
ruth_dare@hotmail.com
shane@mse.net.au
thesecretarynrbc@gmail.com
Ianpick2@gmail.com
Notice to Walk Leaders
A brief walk description should include any particular feature that may involve some risk, the distance,
terrain and a map reference. Walk Leaders please note: - A changed walk venue must be formally
advised in writing (emails are OK) before the walk for insurance purposes. Walk leaders should ensure
that all new participants obtain a copy of the Essential Information Document (EID) prior to the actual
walk. The current EID is dated January 2011. A copy is available on the website.
Notice of Intention
It will be appreciated if those intending to go on day walks could notify walk leaders by mid-week and
those intending to go on camps or overnight backpack walks a week in advance. Anyone intending to
bring an additional participant on a walk should be sure to notify the Walks Leader before the actual
walk.
Transport
Passengers are expected to contribute to vehicle running costs. A suggested contribution per
passenger is: Estimated cost of fuel multiplied by 1.5 divided by the total number of people in the car.
Advertising Items for Sale
If any members have walking /cycling/kayaking/camping gear etc. they no longer use and would like
to sell, then they should contact Ian P and he will advertise the item(s) for free on the club website.
Leaders
Thank you to all NRBC members who have led Club activities since the last newsletter.
Northern Rivers Bushwalkers Club Document titles
Please see below the list of updated club documents. These were adopted at the General Meeting held
on 19 January 2011. All documents are available on the Club Website:
Essential Information Document, Walk Leaders Guidelines and Checklist, Emergency Contact
Procedure, Activity Attendance/Risk Acknowledgement Form, Incident Report, Child Protection Policy,
Application for Membership, Membership Renewal Form.
Deadline for input to the Newsletter
The first of the month is the deadline for input to that month’s newsletter. The newsletter then would
be published as soon as possible thereafter.
Next Meeting
A social meeting will be held on Wednesday 24th June and a general meeting on 29th July, 2015 in the
Crawford House Meeting Room in Alstonville.
Ian’s Ramblings
The club is really pumping at the moment. Just take a look at the busy activity programme! So far this
year 39 members have volunteered to lead a club event. I will be asking for a few more later! I was only
thinking the other day how full the calendar had become when I received an email from Cam and Cecily
with a proposal to put the Fraser Island Great Walk onto our programme. This I eagerly accepted. What
a week that will be!
You really have to look at the programme and start putting all the great upcoming club events on your
calendar. There is everything from walking in Hobart to skiing on Mt Buller to bird watching in Latvia to
cycling in Austria. Not to mention all the wonderful walks the club is putting on. Many events are multi
day activities.
I would personally like to thank all members who have contacted myself and the activity co-coordinators
to volunteer to put on club events. You are all solid gold! Barry and Anna are two remarkable members.
They are organising the trip to Poland. Nobody could have foreseen the reaction to this trip. Through
sleepless nights they have changed the format of the trip several times to include all members (45) who
have registered and paid a deposit. A huge change to the original plan.
Many others are contributing to club activities, members like Gwen who is putting on a second club
weekend this year, this time at Brooms Head, new members like Des and Susan, Julian and Peter who
have, and/or will be putting on club events in the future. Clancy who is organising the kayaking that is
going gangbusters, Ruth organising an adventurous cycling programme, Shane and crew with their
abseiling certificates and exploratory walking, Steve organising pack walking for beginners, Stephanie
who leads walk after walk, Marie who leads a club cycle every Tuesday, and other members who for
several years now, have been spending many hours a week fighting to get the rail trail up, the list goes
on. The only problem here is that I have missed out so many members from mention. Sorry.
Last month I advertised the possibility of the club putting on the Sydney Coastal Walk next year starting
a week after the Easter weekend. We will be staying at The Rocks YHA. I am now in a position to group
book at this hostel. Members have been registering for this week. Please look at the full information and
event description in the activity programme. If you wish to take part, make a decision now - it's a long
time ahead so you probably haven't made a commitment to be elsewhere doing other things. It will be
a great week staying in The Rocks, a true Aussie iconic place. Not only will the walks be spectacular,
the optional evening activities based in Sydney will be a highlight.
Earlier I mentioned the Fraser Island Great Walk. This is something we should all do once in our lives.
This will be very popular. The full itinerary is documented in the activity programme. I suggest you
register with Cam as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you are not sure about how you would
go pack walking, try out Steve's pack walking for beginners to be held over the long weekend. Don't
worry if you haven't got all the gear. We can help you.
The other weekend events you should now register for include Brooms Head in August and Lake
Moogerah in September. Check out the activity programme.
Just look at the range of club activities for the month of June. This should keep you busy. As I said
earlier, Stephanie is leading many of our Grade 2 walks at the moment. She is very willing for any
aspiring leader to take over any of her walks. This is an ideal opportunity for those who feel that they
would like to contribute to the club as a leader but do not know the routes. Stephanie will be present on
the walk, so no problem finding the way - so please contact me and volunteer. It will make Steph and
myself very happy.
Those of us who went to Kangaroo Island will remember one of the locals, Justin, who led our walk at
Cape Willoughby. He was a remarkable photographer. He has provided a collection of photos he took
while he was with us. If you would like to see these great photos, just check out the Photos Page on
our website and click on Kangaroo Island. Talking of photos, if you have a photo(s) taken on one of our
club activities, particularly if I am absent, please email them to me. I need your photos to keep our
website up to date. Check out the kayaking page. There is a great audio/video of the last kayak at
Clarrie Hall Dam. Well worth watching.
Finally, Stephanie was due to lead, on Sunday July 5, the Mt Nardi Two Loops Walk. If any member
would like to lead this walk, please contact me. We can supply the topographic map and a club GPS
with the track loaded. If you are new to leading walks, I will ensure that an experienced walk leader will
be in attendance.
See you on the track.
ACTIVITY REPORTS
3rd May, 2015 - Walk - Leader: Stephanie – Mara Creek Picnic Area to Shelley Beach Headland.
Participants: Gillian M., Ed and Denise B., Mike H., Beverley & Ken R., Sue M., Peter & Desley
W., Bert C., and Stephanie C.
After meeting at our usual spot in Woodburn we proceeded to the Mara Creek Picnic Area, just south
of Angourie. By 10.10am we were off walking in very pleasant sunshine. We stopped about half an hour
later for morning tea. It was lovely to be able to sit in the sun and not be roasted.
Our walk proceeded without incident over the headland and down onto Shelley Beach. Sue busied
herself as usual filling a plastic bag with rubbish off the beach. She is certainly earning herself a place
in heaven! The run-off from the recent rains had created several streams across the beach and for
those who did not have waterproof boots on it was difficult to avoid wet feet. However no-one
complained.
At the Shelley Beach Picnic Area Sue was able to empty her plastic bag into a container at a place
where a lot of rubbish from the beach was being collected. We walked over to the top of the headland
where the wonderful views to the south could be enjoyed. However we could not stop there for lunch
as the ground was far too wet. Peter and Bert decided to try going around the rocks and across the little
beach to a track which comes back up to the top just near the helipad. The rest of us simply retraced
our steps and waited near the helipad for the other two.
After some effort Peter managed to come up the track but Bert decided to go back. The rest of us
proceeded on down to the picnic area for lunch and about ten minutes later Bert joined us. We returned
to the cars the same way we had come, with Ed now earning his place in heaven with the plastic bag.
We had our usual sumptuous fare for afternoon tea (no calories of course) and voted that it had been
a very pleasant day. Thank you all for making it so.
8th May, 2015 – Walk – Leader: Shane - Nothofargas, Ballow Recce
Participants: Gary W and Shane M.
We headed off to Woodenbong at about 8:00am and at 9:40 were off up a mapped track at GDA 677651 and crossed a newly installed rabbit fence that was running in a direction perpendicular to the
border. A big question mark, what is going on there? I had read that there was a move to remove the
fence from the National Park and let it all revert to wilderness; maybe this is part of a compromise.
We jumped the locked gate and proceeded along a fairly clear track for about 1km before it gradually
deteriorated to thick lantana. We then decided it was time to leave the track and head off up the slope
through the trees. This proceeded quite well until we were again confronted by very thick vines. After
struggling on for another couple of hours and not making much headway, and being unlikely to
reach our desired destination before dark, we decided to return to the car and try an alternative route.
We drove along Summerland Way towards Rathdowney until we reached the border, where the rabbit
proof fence meets the road. Looking at the cleared area along the fence we could see that it could have
been an alternative route earlier in the day. By this time it was about 1:30pm and far too late to be
starting a 15km pack walk.
In any case, how far was the fence clear and did the other fence we saw meet it, and would that meeting
be the end of the fence along the border? Taking all that in we headed for the Woodenbong Pub to
find a local for some information on a way access the park. We were told that the rabbit fence was
accessible down Lindsay Creek Road and then left down Hill Road. So we set off.
Turning left onto Hill Road we were confronted at Lindsay Creek by workmen with a backhoe repairing
the bridge. It had been severely damaged in the storms of the previous couple of days. We spoke to
the workmen about the access to the Donaldson State Forest and Nothofargas NP and were assured
that there was no access possible without crossing private property.
With no possibility of crossing the damaged bridge we decided to call it quits and headed home at about
3:00pm, soaking wet, covered in lantana scratches and quite stuffed. So, this was not a two day pack
walk, this was a walk, with a heavy pack, for less than one day, but the border fence route will be our
next attempt. I suppose that is what a reconnaissance is all about. We have the track log of where
NOT to go, if anyone is interested.
9th May, 2015 – Kayak – Leader: Leo - Clarence and Esk Rivers.
Participants: Betty, Brian, Mieke, John (V), Faye, John, Noeleen, Chris, Alison, Ruth, Bill, Clancy,
and Leo.
This paddle, led by Leo, attracted this large group who were not disappointed! After meeting at Leo’s
and organising a car shuffle, we launched from the boat ramp on Goodwood Island on the Clarence
River. The weather was perfect: cool, clear skies, and little/no wind. Initially we headed upstream and
rounded the western tip of Goodwood Island before turning downstream following the north arm of the
Clarence.
We passed under the bridge we had crossed to the island and continued down the wide channel which
was lined with mangroves, dotted with islands and had some residences on the northern bank. We saw
some juvenile sea eagles, but otherwise had the river to ourselves. After about 7km we reached the
junction with the Esk River and turned left navigating a series of channels before paddling east to take
a longer path through the lower reaches of the river. Here we stopped for morning tea, a little later than
usual and very welcome.
We continued, crossing a large ‘lake’ and joined Woram Channel which wound its way upstream. The
scenery was stunning – thick bushland with casuarina forest, eucalypts and other native vegetation.
The water was glassy smooth and the reflections breathtaking. We stopped for lunch under the
casuarinas, then continued to the bridge on the Iluka Rd. Here, some decided that 14 km was sufficient
paddling for the day and headed for the cars left near the bridge.
Others continued upstream along the wide course of the Esk. Gradually, the group reduced with some
returning to the cars. A few continued to Jacky’s gully (Jimmy’s Creek?) and were rewarded with superb
reflections, flowers and bushland. The return trip to the bridge was made at a fast pace, and all survived!
Many thanks to Leo for a really great day – we are sure to re-visit the Esk.
9th May, 2015 – Leader: Shane – Walk - Quondong, Repentance Creek, Minyon,'Two Falls
Bottoms'.
Participants: Cathy H, Ruth P, David D, Simon A, Brooke C, Dani B, Nick W, and Shane M.
The rendezvous was 8:30am at the Rosebank Shop and then we were all off down Fox Road to park
outside the gate at the beginning of Baldwin Road and the Nightcap National Park. We then walked down
Quirks fire trail to arrive at our 'gone bush' spot GDA376-331 and headed east for the escarpment.
After a slight detour, Ooops wrong gully, we descended at GDA378-331 down below the top escarpment
and proceeded along the contour at the base of the cliff to the spur and then descend down the steep spur
passing through a wonderful forest that showed signs of very old logging. We reached Quondong creek in
quick time, having avoided the stinging tree of our last attempt. We then proceeded to rock and then boulder
hop upstream towards the base of Quondong Falls. We found it necessary to leave the creek several times
for higher ground as the rocks were quite slippery. All made it up to the base of the falls and there we had
morning tea, and several ventured behind the falls and into the cave.
After the break we headed back down stream and, passing our previous entrance, soon reached the
confluence of Repentance Creek GDA 384-331 just on the edge of the National Park. This was our lunch
spot, then after 30 minutes we headed up Repentance Creek toward Minyon Falls. The rock hopping soon
turned into bush bashing as it was all rather slippery in the creek. Some found the going rather tough but
after a couple of hours and several 'are we there yets' we reached the point where the formal track crosses
the creek.
Some of the team then sat and waited while the rest headed up to the base of Minyon Falls. The amount of
water going over the falls compared to the zero of just a couple of months previous was amazing. On
regrouping we discovered that Simon A had taken a fall and injured his lower back.
The rescue from the creek then proceeded and on the track, minus his pack, he was able to walk in pain at
a very slow pace. A couple of the participants held back and assisted, but as the shadows got longer it was
necessary for the majority to make it to the cars. At about 6:15pm Simon was finally reunited with his car
and managed to drive home. It was a pity that such a wonderful day's outing had ended in such an incident
but all others were happy and very much enjoyed their escapade.
16th May, 2015: Kayak - Leader: Clancy - Richmond River and Tuckean Broadwater.
Participants: Peter, Desley, Ross (V), Graeme, Mandy (V), Winston, Heike, and Clancy.
This paddle started from the boat ramp just upstream of the Broadwater bridge, almost opposite the
sugar mill. New members, Peter and Desley, were welcomed as were our visitors, Ross and Mandy.
After introductions and preparations were completed, we set off about 9:40 travelling downstream with
the tide and wind behind us. We passed under the bridge and, after about 1.5km, turned left into the
wide expanse of the Tuckean Broadwater.
This is a mangrove lined channel with great potential for further exploration on future paddles. As we
paddled upstream, we began to think about morning tea, but thick mangroves made landings
impossible. This problem was solved by Winston who befriended some locals who welcomed us to their
property and even provided a kettle of hot water for tea and coffee. Many thanks Winston!
Refreshed, we continued to the Bagotville barrage which was not much further upstream. This barrage
was built in 1971 to prevent salt water from entering agricultural (mainly cane) farmlands. Here, we
disembarked and found a suitable launching place for the paddle scheduled for later in the year
upstream of the barrage in the Tuckean Nature Reserve.
Then it was back to our starting point, into the stiff south-easterly wind which had really picked up.
However we battled through it, taking as much shelter as we could along the way. As we turned into
the river for the final 1.5km, we found, in addition to the wind, a very strong tide running against us.
Progress was slow, but a count when we returned to the cars confirmed that all had successfully
returned.
Many thanks to all for a great day.
24th May, 2015 – Walk – Leader: Stephanie - Shelley Beach, Ballina to Lennox Headland
Participants:
Mike H., Beverley & Ken R., Agnes M., Ruth D., David F., Rachel M., Jude H.,
Richard B., Sandy M., and Stephanie C.
It was lovely to welcome three new-to-the-Club walkers into our group. Hopefully we haven’t scared
them off joining! We set off from Shelley Beach carpark at around 10am. The sky was constantly a little
bit threatening with rain so we were all prepared. Fortunately, apart from a few sprinkles, we remained
dry.
We stopped for morning tea near the exit from the beach to the Flat Rock Campground. After morning
tea Ken decided to proceed from there at his own pace and turn back when he felt like it. Mike was
experiencing trouble with his knee and hip and so turned back about half way to Lennox. The rest of us
proceeded without incident to Lennox Headland.
The sea was quite turbulent which rendered seeing a whale almost impossible. We were quite jubilant
that the powers-that-be have finally finished an amenities block at the lookout. We retraced our steps,
with a few stops for a bit of bird spotting/watching, until we reached our morning tea spot. At this point
we left the beach and from the Flat Rock Campground followed a track behind the sand dunes. Here
we were out of the wind which was good.
We finally emerged from the bush onto the road at the northern end of Shelley Beach. We then walked
along the footpath back to the cars, very ready for our afternoon tea, as the walk was some 15 to 16
kilometres. We did enjoy the camaraderie of the group over afternoon tea, and thank you all for making
it such a pleasant day.
23rd May, 2015 – Kayak – Leaders: Winston and Heike
With a forecast of 36 km winds, a decision was made late Friday to change our route entirely, head for
far more sheltered waters and start an hour later due to the tide. Deadman's Creek runs into the upper
reaches of North Creek, so we thought we'd try an exploratory paddle up there. Seven boats set off
from North Creek Road boat ramp (Lennox side), but there was an early retirement when a canoe, with
a crew of five (if you include 2 small dogs), withdrew, as their vessel appeared to be overwhelmed by
the blustery conditions.
The remaining 6 paddlers, in as many boats, flew up the creek at near record pace, fuelled by an
incoming tide and a strong southerly. Deadman's Creek narrows noticeably as you round each bend.
But, with dogged determination, our little fleet pressed on, even when the waterway seemed to have
ended, only to open up again as a reward for literally bashing through the vegetation.
Eventually though, we had to turn back before we reached the junction with Roberts Creek. A very
satisfying and interesting paddle nonetheless and we had extraordinary luck with the weather.
A perfect stop off point bathed in sunshine was located for a leisurely lunch on the way back.
Then a final push with the stiff southerly on the nose saw us safely back at the boat ramp at 3pm.
ATTACHMENTS
The following document was attached to the e-mail carrying this Newsletter:
NRBC Walks/Activities Program ???? to ????, 2015.