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Crystal Clear Waters
It is not for nothing that this section of New South Wales (NSW) is called The Sapphire Coast. The views from the Kangarutha Track in Bournda National Park are stunning.
It is always a treat to explore one’s own back yard – especially when that yard includes some spectacular coastline.
As much as I love travelling, it is nice to spend some time at home – particularly when the weather is right for walking! My husband and I have been members of the National Parks Association of NSW for a lot of years, and every so often the walks that our local chapter offers line up with “pockets of availability” in our schedules. So it was that we were out on a glorious Sunday last month with a group of nature-lovers, walking one of the “60 Best Walks in NSW”.
Rated at a Grade 4/6 difficulty by WildWalks, the Kangarutha Track runs up over the bluffs and down into the coves for nine kilometres along the Pacific coastline through the Bournda National Park. One of the advantages of doing it with a group was that we could shuttle vehicles to the other end of the track, parking some at our end point at Wallagoot Gap, and leaving the others at our starting point south of Tathra.
We had the most perfect winter weather: sunny and clear but not too hot.
Do join us!
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Chamberlain Lookout – Vista Point, Tathra
Google Maps are not perfect! Although I had programmed our meeting point: the Kianinny Boat Ramp, Tathra, into the search engine, the map delivered us to a lookout at the top of a cliff. Fortunately, we could see the parking lot far below us, and we had plenty of time to enjoy the view before setting off again.
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Kangarutha Walking Track
Once the cars are shuffled and the whole group has gathered, we can set off. As with most walking tracks in the NSW National Parks network, this one is pretty well marked.
Watching Water
This walk has a lot of ups and downs – according to my walking app, I gained (and lost) 655 meters in elevation. After the first steep climb, walkers are happy to pause and enjoy the view over the coastline.
View from above Kianinny Bay
The walk takes us through the northern half of Bournda National Park. Our first view, looking south from above Kianinny Bay, is pretty spectacular. A tourist boat is tiny in the water below us.
Into the Tea Trees
Once we’ve caught our collective breaths, we set off again – climbing higher through the Melaleuca (myrtle – myrtaceae) tea-trees, …
Down into Boulder Bay
… before dropping down again steeply into Boulder Bay.
Boulders in the Bay
It is pretty easy to see where Boulder Bay gets its name!
Boulder in the Spray
Boulders in the Sand
White Water – Boulder Bay
In summer, this would be a perfect spot to cool off.
The Colours of Boulder Bay
Still Life Found – Seaweed
Once Again – Into the Myrtle (Myrtaceae)
What goes down, must climb up again!
Through the Trees
The sapphire waters recede below our track.
The Sapphire Coastline
Bournda National Park follows the coastline for about 13 kilometres south.
Rock Pools at Rocky Beach
We drop down to sea-level again at Rocky Beach. The waters in the rock pools are crystal clear …
Reflections in the Rock Pools
… and glassy smooth.
Grasses on the Rock Pools
Sapphire Waters
Echidna Hiding
Although we usually see kangaroos and wallabies when we are out walking, on this occasion, the only wildlife we spotted was a little spiny anteater who was trying desperately to hide, …
Sea Eagle over White Rock
… and a sea eagle, too high overhead to get a good shot.
Lunch at White Rock
White Rock marks the half-way point in the walk and provides a great vantage point for a scenic lunch stop.
Inlet north of White Rock
Sapphire Waters south of White Rock
View from White Rock
It was mesmerising watching the waters ebb and flow over the granite rocks of the rugged coastline.
Heart – Games Bay
The next time the trail drops us back to water-level is at Games Bay, where someone has left their heart in the sand.
Seed Pods
As we continue south, the mix of bush changes around us.
Wallagoot Gap
The lookout at the dramatic Wallagoot Gap marks the endpoint of our walk; …
Bournda Coastal Walking Tracks
… although there are further tracks south, around Wallagoot Lake, we head to the carpark, only a short walk away.
We couldn’t have asked for better weather.
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the walk – although, I confess, we were both too exhausted to move the next day!
Until next time,
Happy Walking
It was a beautiful day out
Indeed, it was! 😀
[…] To take a break from the smoke-filled skies and to cheer myself up, I’m visiting photos I’ve taken in the past: on two walks in the Bournda National Park. This 2,655-hectare (6,560-acre) reserve boasts a magnificent coastline and three bodies of water: a fresh lake, a salt lake, and a brackish lagoon. It is just a short drive north of me, but I’ve only ever visited when my walking-group organises something along sections of the tracks (e.g.: Kangarutha Track). […]