Heath and Waves

 On 11 July we completed the join of Pebbly Beach and Shipwreck Creek by driving to Shipwreck and walking back.  The road down to Shipwreck is in average, going on ordinary, condition.  Parks have recognised this by putting up a few signs saying to the effect that 4WD is recommended.  I'd suggest that this reflects the added clearance and strength built into 4x4s rather than traction issues, although I did go into 4WDH a couple of times (reflecting the need for new tyres on the back of the Pajero as much as the difficulty of maintaining grip and direction).

Here is the route.

When we arrived at the turning point we were surprised how wet the track was, compared to its (remembered) condition when we turned on Friday.  However I have checked the two track images and Google Earth and have no doubt we were at the right spot.

About 1lkm after leaving the car and plodding through forest we emerged into the heathland.  This is well endowed with stalks of last years Xanthorrheas.

This image shows the good condition of the track and how the Xanthorrhea plain becomes more of a grassland after about a further 400 m.  Allocasuarina paludosa is busy, in a rather slow fashion, regenerating under both of these more evident forms.

One of the Patersonias, with the timing of flowering indication P. occidentalis.

I try not to repeat photos of species already covered in a series, but this is such a clear image of a Drosera auriculata it gets a run.

A different bean!  Bossiaea ensata - note the flattened stem!

Persoonia levis: quite a few of these around, but this is the first flower I have seen this season.

Euphrasia collina: this glaring patch of white lured me off the track into reptile habitat.

Vert attractive in close-up

A different Goodenia.  But I don't know which!  I can't get it to match any images of the species listed in this genus in the Mallacoota area.  The reason it didn't match any Goodenias is that it was a Hibbertia!  An expert on iNaturalist has identified it as H. aspersa!

I am fairly sure this is Lomandra glauca but according to Flora of Victoria it is not kmown from this area.

After turning we battled out to a "beach" I have decided to call Caroline's Beach after the neighbour who first drew it to our attention.  There are considerable pebbles but little sand.  Poms should feel right at home.

There were some quite reasonable sized waves incoming.

They were quite spectacular when they broke over the rocks.

We didn't see any orchids (in whole or in part) so here is a Helmet Orchid (Corybas fimbriatus I saw earlier in the day at Betka.