17th Oct 2005

A beautiful calm morning and 35 of us gathered on the Jetty for our 7.30 start on the MY Loch Ard. Our captain was Bob Shooter, assisted by his wife Janice, and he told us many interesting bits of infornation on the lakes and the history of Ma1lacoota.

We headed up through Bottom Lake past Karbethong Lodge and the picturesque little hut that operated as the Customs House in the days of the tannin industry. Up through the Narrows and around much of Top Lake. The first part of the trip afforded spectacular reflections of the lakeside vegetation in the calm water and a nunber of bush birds could be heard and identified because of the still conditions. (Thanks Glenise!)

We also saw an unused Sea Eagle's nest and koala both in large Mountain Grey Gums. Also shoals of small jellyfiS. Back to Bottom Lake and close to the Goodwin Sands where we saw the small colony of resident pelicans and a million or so Black Swans. Past the site of the original Lakeview Hotel (which later moved to become the Mallacoota Hotel), and the former Cape Howe Wilderness Lodge, both now part of Croajingalong Park. Past Allan Head and to Cemetery Bight where tracks lead to the original cemetery and the only gold mine, the Spotted Dog Mine. A Sea Eagle perched conveniently close and we saw a solitary Musk Duck.

Welcome coffee was provided at Cemetery Point Jetty before we went on to the idyllically sited property of Fairhaven with its ivy clad whale jaw bone in the garden. Back down to skirt the Goodwin Sands again, passed John Bull Beacon, Rabbit Island and to the jetty.

By then the wind had risen so we took shelter in various spots for our lunch before meeting at the beginning of the Pittosporum Walk. A shady walk through Pittosporums, Mountain Grey Gums, Black Wattles and Meleluca armillaris towards Bastion Point. Part of the walk goes through Mortimers Paddock Bushand Reserve. We spent some time watching a pair of Brown Warblers building a nest just below one of the bridges and also checking out the beach for Hooded Plovers and Pied Oystercatchers from the spectacular viewpoint overlooking the entrance. A long time was spent investigating the rock pools of beautiful Bastion Point before skirting the sand flats, back around Devlins Inlet and up to the Pittosporum Walk, returning via Devlins Creek.

A great boat trip and walk. Thanks to Val Walker.

43 birds on and around the lake, 31 on the Pittosporum Walk and 13 on the beach.

From notes provided by Joan Edwards (Semmens).
Photos: Joan Edwards (Semmens)

From Bastion Point.	Reflections on Top Lake.