New Year Along The Coast
Beautiful Country
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Been a deeply relaxing end to 2023 and start to 2024 down along the South Coast of NSW.
It’s high summer school holidays but it does not feel crowded or busy here. We have been housesitting on a hill overlooking the ocean in Surf Beach. The birdlife has been amazing, the resident pug (Bubbles) and cat (Jasper) have been easy and joyful to have around.
My connection to Black Cockatoo’s is very strong and having a few that pass by and frolic in the trees nearby have me smiling like a child. I hear their cry and go running outdoors to catch a glimpse of them in flight. It brings me such a simple and warm joy.
Yesterday, Tina and I went to Pebbly Beach. I knew there were the ‘surfing’ kangaroos there and wanted to visit Murrmarang National Park where this beach is located. Walking along the beach and gazing at the ocean or the spotted gums that come down to the coastline, with only a dozen or so people scattered around, you lose track of what century it is. The world continues to spin but you can feel the spirit and the history in the land.
At one point thousands of Aboriginal people lived here. Just walking around, you can easily realise why. Not just for the beauty of country, but for the food and shelter provided by such land. The headland was a gathering point and as I said you can feel the spirit in the country.
Murramarang Aboriginal Area is located in the northern region of the park and it encompasses the largest midden on the south coast. We did not make it to this area on this trip. There is just so much coastline to explore.
Guerilla Bay has to be one of the most beautiful spots I have been to along the NSW Coast. Situated in Batemans Marine Park it is a sanctuary zone. It is idyllic.
Guerilla Bay also sits within the traditional Aboriginal country of the Yuin people, with boundaries stretching the length of NSW’s southeast coast and west to the Great Dividing Range. The local Yuin people are known as Walbanja.
Research on the name Guerilla Bay shows it has nothing to do with warfare or primates but is more likely a simplified pronunciation and adapted spelling by white settlers of an Aboriginal word meaning ‘big rock’.
An Aboriginal man from Tomakin told the late Professor C.P Fitzgerald the local name was “Guarella” meaning ‘big rock or big stone’ in the local language. Gurabung means stone, and can be shortened to “guray” pronounced “goo ray ah”. (Eurobodalla Council excerpt)
From Melbourne to Wagga Wagga to Surf Beach and back home again. Miles of smiles.
I hope your 2024 is moving along at the pace you so desire.
Hope to see you somewhere along the trail.