A Coastal Eucalyptus Forest: Mimosa Rocks National Park, NSW Australia

A Burrawang cycad in front of a forest of spotted gums, Mimosa Rocks National Park, NSW Australia

Nature’s Artworks : An Evergreen Cycad against a Eucalyptus Forest
The sights and scents of the Australian ‘bush’ are unique. The forests along the southeastern coast are home to a range of endemic plants. Here, the delicate-looking rich green fronds of a Burrawang (Macrozamia communis) – a locally-specific cycad – contrast against the tall, muted, trunks of the eastern Australian spotted gums (Corymbia maculata).

It is so easy to take one’s own backyard for granted!

After years of good intention but little action, I finally joined a local community walking group this year – the Bega Valley Bushwalkers -and managed to fit in some coastal walks in my region before setting off again on travel further afield.

One of these, back in early autumn, was in Mimosa Rocks National Park, just an hour north of me. While it is not the first time I’ve walked in this park (see: Coastal Walks, Far South Coast), this particular walk covered some sections that were completely new to me.

We started at the campground at Gillards Beach and hiked north, hugging the coast between Middle Beach and Middle Lagoon to the heritage-listed coastal property of Penders on Bithry Inlet, where we lunched. The return was via a different track through the woods back to Middle Lagoon, and then retracing our steps back to our cars.

This is considered a moderate hike by AllTrails, who follow the shorter straight out-and-back route. Thanks to the beach-walking and a few short uphills, I was exhausted when I finished. But the views and the beautiful coastal forests made it well worth it!

Join me among the eucalyptus:

Red-brown cliff face, golden sand and turquoise waters, Mimosa Rocks National Park, NSW Australia

Overlooking Gillard’s Beach
It’s a short walk from the carpark to the path, which overlooks the stunning coastline, rich with the colours of the Sapphire Coast.

Close-up: flowers and leaves of a coastal rosemary, Mimosa Rocks National Park, NSW Australia.

Coastal Rosemary – Westringia Fruticosa
Although this regional native is named for the shape of it leaves rather than it’s smell, the flowers carry a very faint, sweet fragrance that contribute to the fresh smell of the bush.

Nature’s Sculpture: Rocks on Middle Beach
There is beauty and drama everywhere I look.

Reeds and Grasses on the Lagoon
Soon we are working our way along the narrow stretch of land separating the South Pacific Ocean and Middle Lake. Middle Lake is a coastal lagoon that is intermittently open to the sea.

A Tangle of Trees
Twisted grey mangroves (Avicennia marina) are among the vegetation that grows along the shores of Middle Lagoon.

Across the Sands

Middle Lake Reflections

Still Waters
Middle Lagoon is a pristine body of quiet water framed by dense eucalyptus forest and backed by the coastal hills of the Sapphire Coast.

Green
Sections of Middle Lake are sheltered by the surrounding native coastal scrub and eucalyptus forest. The shady, shallow waters are covered with bright green aquatic plants.

Beautiful Invader
Not all of the vegetation belongs here. Smooth cassia (Senna septemtrionalis) is an introduced shrub, widely considered an environmental weed in these eastern coastal regions.

Coastal Eucalyptus Forest
We continue into a beautiful forest, mostly consisting of spotted gums (Corymbia Maculata), which thrive in these sandy coastal areas,

A Giant Eucalyptus
The tallest known spotted gum in the world is in a forest about three hours north of here, but this one must be almost as large and old.

Spotted Gum – Corymbia Maculata
It stretches up, straight and tall, through the canopy. These trees that typically grows to a height of 45–60 m (148–197 ft) – but I suspect that this one is taller.

Colourful Bark
Spotted gums are distinguishable by their distinctive patchy and shedding bark …

Almost Abstract
… which, with the leaf litter, makes colourful patterns at our feet.

Into the Woods
The vegetation changes dramatically as we continue towards Bithry Inlet.

Lily in the Pond
Know as Pender’s, this area is part of a State Heritage site that was home to a collection of buildings designed by the renowned architect Roy Grounds (1905 – 1981).

Quiet Waters on Bithry Inlet
After lunch near Penders Beach, we find an alternate track back towards Middle Lagoon.

Eastern Grey Kangaroo -Macropus Giganteus
We are treated to some native wildlife.

Bangalay Trees – Eucalyptus Botryoides
Colloquially known as southern mahogany, these tree can grow as a straight-trunked tree to 40 m (130 ft) high in favourable conditions. In these coastal areas, however, winds, storms, and salty air twist and contort them into wonderfully gnarled shapes.

Twisting Gum
Some of the eucalypts seem to grow more sideways than up.

Nature’s Artworks: Fabulous Fungus
Shaggy cap mushrooms (Boletellus emodensis) love the sandy soils, leaf litter, and decomposing wood found here in the shadows of the eucalypts and she-oaks.