ON the coastline beyond Bulahdelah is Myall Lakes National Park, one of NSW’s natural hidden gems.
This massive park comprises coastal wetlands, sanddunes, and heathland native forests that are largely intact and unsullied by human activity.
A refuge of serenity, Myall Lakes National Park covers an area of over 30,000ha – 10,000 of which are coastal lakes and lagoons.
The area has a long history of Aboriginal settlement, as evidenced by the middens found in the park. It also has a history of white settlement involving timber-getting, fishing, and farming.
Sand mining in the 1960’s led to major conflict between conservationists and mining interests. Partially as a result of that conflict, 15,000ha was reserved as National Park in 1972 – a gift to future generations.
On Sunday, 30 September Gloucester Environment Group organised a bushwalk at Myall Lakes from Boomeri Campground, just 2km from Bombah Point Punt, to Johnson’s Beach.
Our plan was to experience springtime in the park, as the native vegetation blooms.
We were lucky that in a previous life, our walk leader had been a nature tour guide in the park and was familiar with the various heath and wetland landscapes, wildflowers, orchids and other flora.
Our walk took us through the coastal heathlands, up the Old Gibber Road, to Johnson’s Beach and included a short side-trip to the lookout on Johnson’s Hill.
A sign board explained that the Johnson family had lived in the area and were involved in cattle farming around 1900. It also described the adventurous journey that the six Johnson children had getting to school each morning.
They rowed a boat across the lake with horses tied to the back, then rode them 9.5km to their grandmother’s house. Leaving the horses with their grandmother, these intrepid kids walked another 2.5km to school.
They were a tough breed.
After visiting the lookout, we headed to Johnson’s Beach where we enjoyed a lunch and a swim.
The water here was crystal clear, only slightly salty and very refreshing.
It was a great way to end the walk – before heading back to the start point.
The Gloucester Environment Group plans a range of activities including River Care, Koala Ways, Bird Watching, Bushwalking and quarterly feasts.
To take part, contact the group at Gloucester.environment.group@gmail.com
By Rod ECKLES, Gloucester Environment Group
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