south coast Archives - Page 4 of 8 - Destination's Journey

30 September 20245 October 2024

All Saints’ Anglican Church Bodalla

Completed in 1901, All Saints’ Anglican Church sits on a hill on the outskirts of Bodalla, a small town on the New South Wales south coast.

Getting There

Only a 40-minute drive from Batemans Bay, Bodalla is on the Princes Highway, so if you are travelling the coast, you will probably pass through. Parking at the church is very easy, as there is room at the back of the church, or on the street outside. We parked outside and walked, as the short driveway is bordered by mature bunya trees. Flanking both sides of the walk up the hill, the huge trees add to the beauty of the church.

The Church

Designed by architect Edmund Blacket (and later his son Cyril Blacket), and funded by T.S. Mort, a prominent local businessman, All Saints’ is built of local granite. The woodwork, including the amazing ceiling is of oak. The stained glass windows, the Chancel tiles the unusual reredos of marble mosaic, as well as the pipe organ, were brought from England.

Born in England at Bolton, Lancs. in 1816, T.S. Mort came to Australia in 1837, a pioneer of Australian dairying (through the creation of the Bodalla Estate), of engineering and shipbuilding at Balmain (Morts Dock), the wool industry and other enterprises. He devoted the last fifteen years of his life to the invention of a process of freezing and exporting Australian meat to supply the need of England. He died on 9th May, 1878, of an illness contracted in ministering to the needs of one of his workmen.

During our visit to Bodalla, we were fortunate to find the church open for cleaning. The interior is beautiful, with stain-glass windows, commemorative plaques on the walls and amazing woodwork for the ceiling. If you are in the area, it is certainly worth a visit.

Bunya Pine Trees at All Saints Anglican Church

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To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

29 September 20245 October 2024

Burrawang Walking Track

Starting at Depot Beach, the Burrawang Walking Track takes you through spotted gum and cycad forest to Upright Point with views towards North Durras Beach. Access is easy, with parking at the trail head on Carr Street in Depot Beach. As this is part of Murramarang National Park, no dogs are allowed.

The Walk

Graded as a 4 by NSW National Parks and Wildlife, the track is mostly uphill on the outward leg. The track itself was well maintained and sign posted during our visit.

Not far from the start, a huge fire damaged spotted gum, continues to re-grow; it is hollowed reminding us of the fires from 2020 that caused significant damage in the area. Time has healed most of the damage and Australian trees regenerate fast after a fire, as we saw while we walked through the headland. The forest is composed of the largest preserved stand of spotted gums in coastal NSW with a Burrawang cycad understory. The gum trees are impressive but it’s the Burrawangs that make the walk special.

Along the track, numerous signs warn about the cliff edges and soft surfaces. So, although fences are in place, don’t risk climbing over them for that perfect photo, it’s not worth it. The viewing platform provides the best views that you would want.

What Did We Think?

At 2km return this is a short walk, but being steep still took us 90 minutes to complete. However, this was not all walking as we stopped for photos and to admire the forest and views. We really enjoyed this walk, especially the views and the cycads.

Bushfire damaged gum tree The Burrawang Walking Track — The Burrawang Walking Track

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To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

28 September 20245 October 2024

Acheron Ledge Walking Track

Acheron Ledge Walking Track

Located in Murramarang National Park on the New South Wales south coast, the Acheron Ledge Walking Track is a 1.5km round trip through spotted gum forest with beautiful views over the ocean.

Getting There

There are several ways to start this walk, depending on how much you want to do. The full loop can starts at the Maloneys Drive, Archeron Track intersection, or you can shorten the walk by starting at Maloneys Beach. Although shorter, the second option means climbing stairs from the beach to the track.

We chose to park at Maloneys Beach, which is a great destination itself, with a wide stretch of sand and views across to Batemans Bay. The adjacent Hibiscus Close Reserve also had a large group of kangaroos in residence who were becoming active as we were there near sunset. Leaving the carpark was a slow drive as they were bouncing along the road and in front of the car.

The Track

Once the stairs were conquered, the rest of the track was relatively flat. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service rate the track at level 3 (Some bushwalking experience recommended, Clearly sign posted, Short steep hills, Occasional steps). We found that the track was well maintained, but strong wind the previous week had caused some trees to fall although they did not completely block the track.

Walking the track to Reef Point, we went though the spotted gum forest which was very relaxing. Along the way, gaps in the trees provide excellent views over Batemans Bay and out to the Tollgate Islands.

Ending at Reef Point, the track descends to Quirriga Beach, a small beach with more great views over Batemans Bay.

What Did We Think?

This was a short easy walk (unless you don’t like stairs – there were approximately 130 of them). We took about an hour and a half in the area, but this including looking at the beach and taking photos. You could probably do it in half this time if you didn’t stop. As it was sunset, the kangaroos were an added bonus.