Members of the Gloucester Environment Group ventured to the Myall Lakes National Park's Yacaaba Headland Trail, Hawks Nest last month.
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Spurred on by the most glorious of winter days imaginable, a stalwart group of GEG members took to Bennetts Beach on the approach to Yacaaba Headland, the northern gatekeeper of the Karuah and Myall Rivers. The 217 metre summit loomed above the beach.
Bottlenose dolphins close to shore performed for the group as we left the beach to trek through rolling coastal blackbutt scrub before approaching the final rocky ascent. Atop Yacaaba's crown we admired the panorama stretching before us.
The promise of breaching migratory whales was unfulfilled, but the resplendent vista of offshore islands, lighthouses, coastal hamlets and the distant peaks of the Barrington Tops were great substitutes.
We explored the base of the headland skirted by a towering palm and paperbark forest and saw a swell of coastal birds including the white-bellied sea eagle and the threatened pied oystercatcher.
No sign, however, of the elusive and endangered Gould's petrel from the nearby breeding colony on Cabbage Tree Island.
If you're interested in untold adventure, join the Gloucester Environment Group on their next walk on Saturday, August 17.
It's a medium to hard walk with 1.5 kilometres of uphill climbing on about a 10 kilometre circuit to the summit of Spectacle Mountain, along Hawes Creek and fire trails on private property. A shorter walk may be available on enquiry.
Meet at 2743 Thunderbolts Way, Tibbuc at 9am, or Billabong Park, Gloucester to car pool at 8.30am.
Contact Mark Sutherland for more information on 6558 7422 or markwsutherland@gmail.com