On a perfect Autumn day our Tuesday walk group of 19 set off along the beach from the lime kilns at Walkerville South towards Walkerville North.
After taking in the views that could have been mistaken for Cornwall or even the Greek Islands, we were surprised to meet another walking group coming towards us - The Perigrines! After chatting we walked on until we came across an almost decomposed whale that had been washed up onto the beach and here we met another group. This was a VERY social beach gathering!
Finally, we walked on to the foreshore park where we found a track heading up the hill behind the beach and into the Cape Liptrap Coastal Park. Here we encountered a small patch of rainforest with some lush tree ferns before crossing the road and heading up through bush to the Waratah Bay Overlook. We enjoyed morning tea here while taking in the view. After retracing our steps back down to the park and part way along the beach, we veered left onto the Lime Burners path and to the historic cemetery. Here we discovered the history of the lime industry set up in the 1870's and extending till the early 1900's. On this very beach - the thriving settlement back then was called Waratah after the Waratah Fault which follows the hill above what is now Walkerville.
What an interesting and varied walk in another beautiful part of our South Gippsland backyard - encompassing beach, bush and history - all made even more enjoyable by the good company of our fellow walkers.
PS: Two of our walkers dipped out of the last historic part of the walk opting for a dip in the sea instead. Wendy and Sue said the water was a beautiful temperature, but the rest of us were not so sure.
Diffculty: Easy
Duration: 3 hours
Attendees: Julie Johnson, Ed Jensen, Marg Waldron, David Lewis, Wendy Page, Val McDonald, Michelle Prentice. Kerri McKenna, Joe Jans, Graham Clements, Michelle Carr, Sue Whyte, Robert Harrison, Martin Fraser, Heather Fraser, Pili Flores, Julie James, Barbara Burton, Gayle McHarg