Seal Rocks to Mungo Brush

31 km (825 km) | 9 hr

Today was a mighty saunter from Seal Rocks and Treachery Head to Dees Corner and Mungo Brush

Commenced the day with a sunrise walk along Treachery Head and then back to Yagon Gibber via the campground (gorgeous place but BYO drinking water). I retraced my steps along Submarine/Fiona Beach past the Middle Camp dunes to a km or so north of Big Gibber. On the day I was there it truly was impassable – at least for a novice like me – perhaps with climbing gear and/or more expertise than I possess, it would be possible to get around the steep rockface or negotiate the once existing trail through the broad melaleuca swamp, but I discreetly cut my losses and returned to the Middle Camp dunes. I was relieved to have a back-up plan and was fully at ease with the nemesis of Big Gibber. In fact, it was strangely satisfying to be bested, but not quite defeated, by a worthy opponent.

Up and into the ‘dune-field’, tinged with purple (I guess because of the rutile) in the morning light. It was just as moving a place as the day before, and I spent some time wandering around and exploring just to drink it all in.

I was glad I'd left a boy scout arrow (sticks and stones) in the final dune ridge to mark the entrance down – as no bushwalker ever needs reminding it is incredible how tricky the Aussie bush can be. For reference, it is the only tiny sandy break in the vegetation, close to the very southern end of the final dune ridge.

So, Plan B, up pretty Middle Camp trail and along the Old Gibber Trail. The road bends within a few hundred metres of Big Gibber - I could hear and feel the ocean but had to ‘accept and adapt’ to my destiny (as Stoic philosophers always advise) on the inland route. I did spot a couple of possible points where a scramble through the scrub might have been possible, but I was mindful of being solo in rather isolated country.

Much of the rest of the day was on the Old Gibber Trail. It’s pretty enough but, as it's a management trail, I think it would be best enjoyed on a gravel or mountain bike. 'The long and winding road' was on repeat in my mind! There were lots of grass trees and some beautiful angophoras and eucalyptus trees and melaleuca swamps along the way, but my heart was at the beach!

Finally came out on the Mungo Brush Road, not far from the Bombah Point Ferry and Myall Lakes. It was a few more kilometres of walking to head back to the beach for a good stickybeak of the southern end of Mungo Beach at Dee's Corner.