Adventure to Narooma and Montague Island
03 June 2023 / Story: Karen Olde and Dewi and Neil Brewitt; Photos: Rob Wilkins, Dewi Brewitt, Anda Clayton
Day 1: Karen Olde
On a glorious autumn morning, the day finally arrived and 14 enthusiastic trekkers met up at the Milton Heritage Bakery. We then headed off south along the Princes Highway, a short slow drive down just south of Ulladulla to regroup, then off to Batemans Bay and beyond to the tourist drive turnoff at Mogo.
Through picturesque countryside, past the Mogo Zoo to our morning tea stop at the Coffee Shed at Mossy Point. (Despite our intrepid run leader once leading us slightly astray).
Refreshed with coffee and cake, we hit the road again, along the banks of the Moruya River, for the run to our lunch stop at Bodalla - a choice of the Bodalla Dairy Café, the Bodalla Pub or Bakery followed by a brief look around town. Then back on track to our overnight stay at the Top of the Town Motel at Narooma.
After checking in, free time to relax or look around town. Some headed off down the hill on foot or by car to the harbour and breakwater. A great photo stop was the hole-in-the-wall Australia Rock which was nature’s artistic creation of a good likeness. A few tourists requested photos be taken of them alongside or within this iconic piece of art. Further along the breakwater, quite a few seals were basking on the rocks in the last of the autumn warmth, and the subject of many photographs.
Then came the hard footslog back up the hill to our motel to get ready for dinner. Pre-dinner drinks and much talking at Lynch’s Pub, then off to a delicious Australian / Nepalese meal at Food Mantra by Wildfire where two local members joined us. Then back to the motel for a good night’s sleep before our exciting Day 2 boat trip and tour of Montague Island.
A great day – good weather, good trip, excellent company and delicious food.
Day 2: Dewi and Neil Brewitt
Montague Island, here we come!
We woke to a brisk cloudy Sunday morning. Everyone was excited for our boat trip to Montague Island. After a short drive to Mill Bay, we waited and had a few photos taken together as the crew prepared the boat for our departure. After a short safety briefing, we departed the wharf for Montague Island.
As Montague Island sits approximately 9 km off the township of Narooma, the boat trip took half an hour. We were instructed to put on our life jackets for the five minute crossing of the Bar. The water was pretty calm due to a Westerly blowing at the time. As we approached the island, Captain Georgia slowed down to give the seal pups a chance to swim towards our boat for photo opportunities. We saw lots of seals sunbaking on the rocks and swimming in the water. We also got to see eagles chasing an albatross, which even the boat crew had never seen before.
Captain Georgia then brought us to the only disembarkment on the island where we were greeted by our guide, a First Nations Elder, (Debbie) and a Parks and Wildlife Ranger. The island is famous for its colonies of penguins, mutton birds and Australian and New Zealand fur seals. Unfortunately, we did not get to see any penguins as we were there at the wrong time. of year but we saw a few frolicking whales on their annual northern migration instead.
A few of us made the long spiral climb to the top of the lighthouse for a spectacular view of the island and of the NSW coast. The lighthouse was built in 1881 from local stone quarried on the island itself. The stone on the island was also used in the pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Our guide introduced us to native plants such as the Bracken Fern that can help ease the itch caused by insect bites, and the Soap Wattle. She took us to see the island’s cemetery which consisted of a grave containing the remains of the children of John Burgess, the lighthouse keeper of the time, and the other containing the remains of Charles Townsend, his Assistant. She also shared with us the Dreamtime story of Gulaga (Mount Dromedary) and her two sons, Najanuga and Baranguba (Montague Island). We then walked to the old wharf and saw seal pups playing and learning their shark evasion skills.
We were back on the boat at 12 noon heading back to Narooma. Everyone had a wonderful time. For Neil and I, we have been going to Narooma for years but this is our first trip to Montague Island. Thank you, Bob and Linda, and MX5 for a great weekend!
Dewi and Neil Brewitt
The photo's which are attached are but a few of many which can be viewed on the South Coast chapter Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/mx5southcoast
