Narooma Dalmeny bushwalkers are feeling liberated after COVID-19 lockdown restrictions were eased recently.
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"Our walking program for this year was thrown into chaos with COVID-19 restrictions and walks were suspended," spokesperson for the walkers, David Maidment said.
"As they eased, recently restricted numbers were allowed to walk so we travelled to Pambula for our spring camp. It was a wet few days but all planned walks were held around the showers," he said.
Last Thursday, walk organiser Steve Deck and experienced local walker Amanda Marsh took eight walkers in and around the southern section of the Dreaming Track north of Tuross.
"We left the cars at the Coila Lake entrance before making our way north around the shores of Coila Lake.
"The bird life is prolific along the shores of the lake and the vegetation bordering the wetland, including ancient Banksia trees and Port Jackson figs along with saltmarsh comprising extensive samphire flats and native billy buttons in flower were very interesting.
"Amanda guided us inland through a towering ancient Black Butt Eucalypt Forest. Not many of these areas remain that haven't been removed for land clearing or forest timber harvesting.
"Eastern and crimson rosella's were spotted hanging around hollows probably tending 'young'uns' and two sea eagle nests," Maidment said.
The bushwalkers continued north at the back of Bingie Beach, along the edge of flooded ground and past a couple of beautiful forest red gums making their way to just short of Bingie before turning around and making their way back to the beach where they had lunch looking over the ocean 2 kilometres or so north of Tuross.
The bushwalkers made their way back through an extensive Banksia forest with many grass trees that are close to flowering before heading back to the cars just before the rain came in, completing a walk of about 11 km.
"I generally make no political comments about our environment but it is a shame the Eurobodalla Council and National Parks cannot get their act together as the damage being done to the Coila Lake foreshore by uncontrolled 4WD access is unnecessary in this day and age," Maidment said.
"The rutted tracks behind the dunes are also not good in this beautiful area. The Nature Coast is being wrecked."
