Mullimburra Point to Mystery Bay

Tuross head - looking towards Plantation Point

After breakfast with Jane and Drew, and a few additional suggestions accompanied by maps and brochures from Jane, I headed off

On her suggestion, I headed for Mullimburra Point to walk part of the Bingie Dreaming Track to Bingie Bingie Point.  The track is a  coastal path that traces the ancient song lines of the Yuin people and Jane had suggested a section that she thought most scenic.  The full track is 13.5km, so 27km return - a much greater distance than I had the time or inclination to attempt.  

From Mullimburra Point





The track does go all the way to Tuross Head: a location recommended by a Tassie acquaintance, but my plan was to drive to there subsequently

From Mullimburra Point





First, of course, was a detour out to Mullimburra Point to admire the views - long sandy beaches separated by picturesque headlands.

The track was wide and well formed, initially largely through casuarina forest

Bingie Dreaming Track - casuarina forest




But then opening out to some lovely gum forest before going back into the casurinas.

Bingie Dreaming Track - gum forest







Out of the bush and down onto the next beach, I walked the length of the beach, on firm, grainy sand to enjoy the rocky headland at Grey Rocks and views of Meringo Beach beyond.

Grey Rocks, looking towards Meringo Beach



I walked to the end of Meringo Beach, to Bingie Bingie Point, enjoying the lovely weather and the empty beach.

I think this little one was a bit stranded




I returned the same way I had come, and continued driving on to Tuross Head.  

Tuross Head offers some pleasant views

From Tuross Head





My next stop was the Mummuga Lake Walking Track.  Apart from the fact that maps wanted to take me down a 'road' that had no access from that particular place, the track was easy to find, and while I could have been tempted by it as a campsite, it was close to the main road and a bit noisy.

Lawlers Creek before it enters Lake Mummuga
The track is through gum forest - largely spotted gums, with cycads in the understory.  When I first encountered the water, I assumed that was the lake, but no, it was Lawlers Creek.  NSW has some pretty wide creeks.

Eventually I came to the lake, which was rather lovely.  It is one of the coastal lakes that sit behind the current coastline.

Lake Mummuga







The return walk was a little interesting, I deduced that a relatively unmarked section of track that branched off was an alternate route back to the carpark.  Maps showed me it had the name of the road that I'd previously been directed to walk.  After a short distance, there were signs indicated it was part of the walking track circuit.

Cycads under spotted gums
There were a very well shaped termite mound on the way, and while I saw more of these over the next couple of days, this was the first I had really noticed.

Termite mound









After returning to my car, I continued my journey, stopping off at the picnic area at Corunna Lake to admire that water body.

Corunna Lake

From there, I proceeded on to Mystery Bay, congratulating myself on arriving well before dark.  The temporary caretaker was unable to process payments, but offered that I could pay in the morning with the permanent caretaker.  I promised to try to pay online once I found a camping spot, but that was unsuccessful due to poor reception.

Mystery Bay Campsite

The campsite is very extensive, sitting in a relatively open forest of rather magnificent spotted gums and facilities consist of his and hers long drop toilets (I do like the separation of these facilities), fresh water taps and open air showers for rinsing down after swimming.

I drove around, aiming for the far end of the campsite (Jane's recommendation), but the roads and informal tracks to access camping spots were confusing, and I eventually chose a spot somewhere in the middle that was sufficient yet convenient distance from the toilets and water supply, as well as reasonably distant from other campers, oriented my car correctly for comfortable sleeping (front slightly downhill) and set up camp.  

There was a young possum and its mother that investigated my car and me - it had quietly managed to climb onto my awning and I only noticed it by the tail hanging down.  

Vegetable fried rice was on the menu (again).  The possum seemed to have sneaked in while I wasn't looking and dealt with the couple of bits of vegetable that had landed on the ground as I was peeling and cutting.

I had some chat conversations with a friend who elucidated on the Mystery of Mystery Bay:  a boat without its 2 passengers and 3 crew found upon the rocks, apparently damaged from the inside, and no sign of the people was ever found.  There may be some local stories among the Yuan people about assisting one of the men, but who knows.  This was a time of those seeking gold...

I retired not long after I had eaten and cleaned up as there were a few mosquitoes around. 






























Mystery Bay





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