Events

We will paddle through the nature reserve along canals covered with water lilies. The vegetation is dominated by large paperbarks and swamp oaks which become inundated in wet weather. This is a great paddle for bird enthusiasts with ducks, black swans, whistling kites, pelicans, royal spoonbills and the shy comb-crested jacanas to be seen. Binoculars assist.  Parking is limited so car pooling recommended - list of participants to be sent.  Grade 2, 5km plus - depending on how paddlers are feeling, there are plenty of canals to explore. Leader Sandy 0415 239 620 sandylpimm@gmail.com You will need your own kayak for this one as all the spare kayaks are booked.  

The route follows the hind dune trail to Salty Lagoon, an ICOLL where you may spot Black-necked storks or other waders. Broadwater is a refuge for migratory shorebirds, a hunting ground for birds of prey and habitat for a broad range of birds that inhabit the park's various plant communities. These include threatened species such as pied oystercatchers, little terns and beach stone curlews. White-bellied sea eagles can also often be seen trawling the coastline. we will return along the beach. This is the peak season for northern migration of whales, in case you haven't caught them yet this year. We will meet at the end of Broadwater Beach Road and have a quick look at Broadwater Beach Lookout to marvel at the size of the sand dunes formed thousands of years ago. Easy Grade 2 walk. Leader Sandy 0415239620 sandylpimm@gmail.com

Departure Sept 1 From Manali (2200m) we begin with a short trek in the mountains surrounding the beautiful Kullu Valley to acclimatise to higher altitudes, and then follow the Grand Shepherd’s Traverse from Kullu to Kangra Valley. The trek is through one of the most remote corners of Himachal Pradesh, following an ancient and remote shepherd’s trail between the Kullu and Kangra Valleys. Beginning in dense forests and alpine meadows above Manali, the trek crosses the KaliHind Pass to the ancient Gaddhi village of Bara Bhangal in Kangra, the most scenic valley in Western Himalaya. Each trekking day is a delight with tremendously varied landscapes and a great variety of Himalayan flora and the possibility of seeing fauna such as brown bear, black bear, fox, snow leopard, musk deer, monkey and the Giant Indian Flying Squirrel. On the trek we pass through remote Gaddhi villages isolated by heavy snowfall for most of the year. There are spectacular views of the rugged Dhauladhar Range especially crossing Thamsar Pass but then on descent, another world; a softer landscape of meadows, forests and the cascading waterfalls and tiny villages hanging on the sides of the mountain slopes. We finish at Bir, a small Tibetan village with a monastery. From Bir we drive to Dharamsala, the home of the Dalia Lama and the Tibetan Government in exile.           Book a 'ticket' below as an expression of your interest and phone Steve to express this interest 0414312917