Participants: Bev 1, Rod, Wendy, Ed, Michelle, Allan, Joy, Bev 2, Ken, John, Helen, David, Judy and Patsy (leader).
No words can explain how beautiful the Murramarang South Coast Walk is! Having done this twice now, it was such a privilege to share this with fellow hikers.
On our first evening we all met in the camp kitchen for Happy Hour. The bar in the NRMA Murramarang Resort was closed. We discussed the logistics of the next few days. We had to consider the tides and the weather.
Sometimes 13, sometimes 12 hikers set out under a soft coastal sunrise, spirits buoyant with the promise of three days along the Murramarang South Coast Walk.
The air smelled was fresh. The little rainforest walk blew us away, particularly the spotted gums – huge. The distant hush of waves became a constant companion. Boots found rhythm quickly, crunching along sandy tracks and winding through spotted gum forests. Every now and then, the trail would open onto a cliff edge or a quiet beach, as if offering a reward just for showing up.
On our first afternoon, we reached a wide, empty stretch of sand where the ocean shimmered like hammered glass. Packs were dropped and we enjoyed a lovely lunch. We finished early afternoon and some of us went for a swim or shared a yummy caramel slice. Happy Hour was on the beach in front of Wendy and Ed’s cabin. We saw some lovely colours over the ocean.
Day two was our longest walk – we started at Maloney’s Beach and walked back to the resort. The environment was a mixture of cycads, gnarled spotted gums, cliff tops and beaches. We spotted kangaroos grazing in the distance, unbothered by our presence, and a sea eagle circling high above a rocky headland.
That evening’s happy hour was at the bar – in the dark.
By the third day, legs were getting tired, but our hearts were full. The trail felt like an old friend now, each turn familiar, each incline predictable. We managed the tides beautifully and got great views. Again we were joined during lunch by the Kangaroos.
Happy Hour had to be on the beach again….. the best!
On the fourth day we hiked the newly opened Munjip Trail, the landscape shifted subtly, steeper inclines, great views, bushland, and a coffee shop…… and many rather nice houses.
We enjoyed an end of basecamp dinner in the bistro at the resort. We toasted the walk! And a successful basecamp.
All in all we completed approximately 50kms in stunning weather and great company. Thank you everyone for participating in the car-pooling and being such good sports.
"The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination and brings eternal joy to the soul."