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View from the Kangarutha Walking Track
Being an island, Australia has no shortage of breathtaking coastal views, like this one near Tathra in the Far South Coast of NSW.
I’m very lucky: I live in a region with a magnificent coastline, lined with national and civic parks which are criss-crossed by walking trails.
Even so, I have to be reminded to get out of my own immediate back yard from time to time!
That is why I am so pleased that my local branch of the National Parks Association of NSW facilitates bimonthly bush walks, providing the impetus to stretch out a little.
Tathra is a seaside town just 45 minutes north of me here on the Sapphire Coast. It sits on a stunning headland, nestled between two National Parks: Mimosa Rocks National Park to the north and Bournda National Park to the south. That makes it a good starting point for many hikes.
Our group met there last Sunday to walk along a section of the Wharf to Wharf Walk, a 27 kilometre coastal walk between the historic Tathra and Merimbula wharves. Officially opened in June 2021, the walk links pre-existing trails that run through public coastal reserves, flora reserves, beaches, and across the varied terrain in Bournda National Park.
The track took us south from Tathra Headland to Boulder Bay in Bournda National Park, following part of the Kangarutha Track and a small portion of the Wharf to Wharf Walk. It is generally considered a moderately challenging 7 km (4.3 mi) route, with a lot of steps up and down, but the views are glorious, and provide a good excuse to stop and catch your breath. Still, I have to confess: three days later, my calves still hurt!
It was a real contrast to the last walk I did with the group in this locality: an easy 4.7-km out-and-back trail near Tanja, from Middle Beach to Gillards Beach in Mimosa Rocks National Park. Mind you, that one was in the middle of summer. As high temperatures can make any walk more difficult, caution is always advisable.
Join me for two, distinctly different walks in the same general area.
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Middle Beach
It is a short from the car park to Middle Beach, …
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Walkers on Middle Beach
… where our walk takes us across the sandy beach that borders the Pacific Ocean.
Nature’s Artworks : Driftwood
Rocks on Middle Beach
Looking south along the rugged coastline, we can just see Tathra on the horizon.
Lacy Patterns
Wind, water, and time have worked into the rocks, …
Patterned Rock
… leaving behind wonderful designs.
Jagged Rocks at the end of Middle Beach
At The Lookout
We take time to enjoy a last look over the beach …
Twisted Grey Mangrove – Avicennia Marina
… before heading into the forest between the ocean and Middle Lagoon. These beautiful, twisting trees are the most common mangroves found along the mainland coast, and the only ones that thrive in these cooler climate zones.
Pied Oystercatcher
Oystercatchers look for food in the saltbush on the shore of the lagoon.
Views from the Tathra Headland
The other, more recent walk started further south in Tathra itself.
The Wharf to Wharf Walk
This section of the Wharf to Wharf track hugs the cliff edges, …
Boulder in the Grass
… giving us views over the lichen-covered rocks that have tumbled down.
David Gallan
These wild places remain – and have been made accessible – because of volunteers and activists who lobby on behalf of our natural spaces. National Parks Association of NSW member Dave updates us on current issues.
Walkers in the Tea-Trees
Much of the bush up here on the sandy cliffs is melaleuca (myrtle – myrtaceae) mixed with the coast banksia (Banksia integrifolia).
Towards Kianinny Bay
Looking south from above Kianinny Bay, the coastline is pretty spectacular. A sailboat, tiny in the offshore waters, enjoys a different perspective to ours.
Kianinny Boat Ramp
As we round the bend and before we drop back down to water-level, the boat ramp comes into view.
Sea Urchins
While most of the fishermen off the Kianinny Boat Ramp are recreational, there are some commercial operators taking advantage of these beautiful waters.
Goanna – Varanus Varius
Not far from the Kianinny Bay picnic area, a sharp-eyed walker spots a large lace monitor lizard – or goanna.
Nature’s Sculpture – Tree Roots
Stairs Up
On the other side of the parklands around the Kianinny Boat Ramp, we finally meet the Bournda National Park. Here, the relatively-new Wharf to Wharf walk picks up the long-standing Kangarutha Track.
Blue Stars – Isotoma Axillaris
Flowers are a good excuse to take a breath-break after a difficult uphill section!
Into Boulder Bay
After all the up-hill, we have a steep drop into Boulder Bay.
Rounded Boulders
It is easy to see how the bay gets its name! The rocks and boulders are smoothed by years of tidal action.
Back Up!
Although we have walked the whole 9 km (5.6 mi) track before (see: Walking the Kangarutha Track), on this occasion, we lunched at Boulder Bay and then retraced our steps.
Echidna – Tachyglossidae
Although commonly quite shy, we managed a good look at this echidna in the shadows off the track.
Coastal Views
When we are almost back at the carpark in Tathra, I continue to admire the coast – and to take virtually the same pictures as I took on the walk out.
This coastline is always beautiful – and walking it in good weather is hard to beat!
Until next time,
Happy Walking!
Photos: Mimosa Rocks National Park 17January2021 and Bournda National Park 19March2023
