Leader: Margaret Rozea

Royal NP: Otford to Bundeena

9 August 2019

An 80 leaders walk

Photos Jon Hestelow

The team minus Jon: Glenis, Margaret, Margaret Rozea, Terry, Tom, David

Looking south towards Wollongong

On the boardwalk

Rocks tumbling down

Participants:

Margaret Rozea, Jon Hestelow, Tom Dowling, Margaret Tayar, Glenis Carroll, David House, prospective Terry Perram

Walk description:

Otford to Bundeena along the Coast Track. All on track, small distance beach walking, 2 climbs 120, 140 metres, few other minor climbs Map: Royal National Park tourist map

Report:

A fit party of seven set out in extremely strong winds which persisted all day, but we were sheltered from it on some stages of the walk. Fortunately the sun was out so we were not cold while we were walking. There has been good recovery after the January 2018 bushfires, resulting in spectacular displays of Gymea Lily flowers and Xanthorrhoea (Australian grass tree) flower spikes. These are stimulated by fires.

Jon was lucky enough to see a whale breaching quite close to shore. The rest of us just saw the huge splash following. Because of the large amount of boardwalk we arrived at Bundeena in plenty of time for the 4 pm ferry. We were concerned this may not be running because of the wind, however the water was not surging, and we had quite a smooth cruise to Cronulla. Apparently a bus is provided if the ferry doesn't run.