Light to Light Walk, Eden NSW – Day 2 – Life…one big adventure

After such an enjoyable day yesterday, we were all busting to get back out onto the trail.

A few walkers were a bit bleary after losing an hour’s sleep due to Daylight Saving and a little too much liquid socialising the previous evening, but it was all manageable and you can always rely on refreshing sea breezes and breath-taking views to cure any headache.

It’s time to wander along Day 2 of the Light to Light Walk…

Looking out to sea at Saltwater Creek on the Light to Light Walk, Beowa National Park — Looking out to sea at Saltwater Creek

Logistics:

Day: 2

Date: Sunday, 2 October 2022

From: Saltwater Creek Campsite

To: Bittangabee Bay

Official Distance: 9km Actual Distance: 10.4km

Total: 22/30km

Time: 5h24m

Ascent: 194m Descent: 183m

Weather: Sparkling blue skies and warm.

Stayed At: Wonboyn Lake Resort

General Comments:

It was such a glorious day to be out in the bush. Apologies if I am sounding a little too effusive or Pollyanna-ish, but just like the bear’s porridge, everything was ‘just right’. I think it was just as well I was walking out near the front of the group, so no one could see the delirious grin I had on my face. The men in white coats may have grabbed me and taken me away. Ha, ha, he, he.
Terrain: The path led us through landscapes that were just as varied and beautiful as yesterday. One minute you are walking on the beach, a short and steep climb takes you through thick forest and then you are out onto coastal plains. There was always something different to see or you could park your brain into neutral and just walk.

Up the hill from Saltwater Creek on the Light to Light Walk, Beowa National Park

Across the plains on the Light to Light Walk, Beowa National Park

Through the bush on the Light to Light Walk, Beowa National Park

Walkers: Being a Sunday, there were tonnes more people out on the path, including many young people (lordy, I am sounding old). I did walk with the young ones for a while (very proud of myself at keeping up with them), but I soon let them speed off into the scrub. They don’t want an old boiler like me hanging around. From chatting to this group and others, it seems most people complete this path in two days with an overnight camp at Saltwater Creek.
Sealife: When we set out from Saltwater Creek, I noticed a whole lot of blue bottles lining the edge of the beach. This was not a one-off sighting and they appeared again as a thick line of blue on the beach, and trapped by the rocks, at our morning smoko stop. It certainly did not encourage us to strip off our boots and socks to go for a paddle.

Again, the whales put on another spectacular show for us today. They were far out to sea and, even though you could only see their waterspouts or large splashes, it was still wonderful.

Fungi on the Light to Light Walk, Beowa National Park

Native flora on the Light to Light Walk, Beowa National Park

Birdlife: Today it was Bird Central. Through the forests the bellbirds and whipbirds called loud and long, while out on the plains a white-bellied sea eagle circled and an osprey-type hunter zeroed in on its prey. Lyrebird sightings were also a feature, although they were so well camouflaged you had to be lucky to spot them. Walking quietly and on your own really increased the chances of spotting the local birdlife.
Bittangabee Bay: Another major camping and picnic area is Bittangabee Bay. It was undergoing major work as we passed through and it will be amazing once all the shelters and picnic areas are completed.

About 800m North of Bittangabee Bay is the most scenic creek with mini-waterfalls and clichéd babbling brooks. It is the perfect spot for a lunch break or just to rest awhile in the shade on smooth rock platforms. Make sure you take a good run up to jump across to the other side of the stream. I nearly provided comic relief for my walking colleagues by only just making the leap successfully.

Bittangabee Creek on the Light to Light Walk, Beowa National Park

Top Tips for this Section:

Saltwater Creek: If you are thru-walking or starting the day here, don’t bother putting your boots/shoes back on as there is a small creek you must cross at the southern end of the beach (as well as the northern end if you are walking northwards). Again, it has a sandy bottom so there is no need to carry sandals or crocs to cross.
Small Binoculars: If you have a set of small binoculars, I would really recommend you pack these. They would be so handy to zoom in on the whales and birds.

Bluebottles on the Light to Light Walk, Beowa National Park

Ocean views on the Light to Light Walk, Beowa National Park

Signage on the Light to Light Walk, Beowa National Park

Campsites: It is possible to camp at both Saltwater Creek and Bittangabee Bay campsites, but you must book. Talking to one pair of northbound walkers, they had to push on a bit further than they had originally planned as Saltwater Creek was booked out. From the look of it, the number of fisher-people and weekend campers far outweighed walkers.

There are a number of other areas where you could camp and they are basically just bare patches of ground with no other infrastructure. Mowarry Point has a lovely, large grassed area and a white sand beach – both looked very tempting.

Sadly, only one day of walking left…

Resources:

Light to Light Walk – read more about it – HERE
Eden Tourism – find out more about this region – HERE
Light to Light Overview post – read more about it – HERE
Light to Light – Day 1- read more about it – HERE

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