Lake Street & Djirringanj People's walk

Lake Street & Djirringanj People's walk created by Victoria Walks

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Summary

Follow the contour of the bluff over Merimbula's bottom lake from Spencer Park to Bar Beach. The vistas are as extensive as they are seductive. You can't help but be inspired to explore more.

Description

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If you are looking for remarkable views of Merimbula township and its idyllic setting, beautiful beaches, sandbars and the bottom lake, walk this walk. If you want a good look at lakeside bushland, marine and birdlife, this is the walk for you. If you love fishing, boating, watching happy people or anything else water based, you will love this walk.

There are two aspects to this walk. It begins at the flat Spencer Park by the water and passes up through the neighbouring Rotary Park before meeting the recently constructed 1.3 kilometre elevated walk that is Lake Street shared pathway. This is a steel structure with a smooth surface and safety rails. The wide plastic, non slip decking is suitable for low exertion walking, prams, mobility aids and dogs on leash. The gradient is mild and the walking is easy. It travels at canopy level above the eastern bluff on the lake. Once you get to the Bar Beach destination, you can explore this cute sandy crescent and its surrounding rocky platforms. If the idea of a more challenging second stage of the walk doesn't appeal you can easily return the way you came.

The second stage of the walk as mapped is a loop closing path carved into the bluff below Lake Street. This is a basic bush track that heads down to the water and back up again. It includes lookouts, boardwalks and steps. There are several interpretive signs en route. The signage and vegetation is of great interest. There are plenty of birds and the lake waters are clear enough you can look right in. Note: at the lowest point of the walk there has been erosion damage that was due for repair at the time of writing. If you can't continue at this point, the walk remains worth doing as a return route back via Bar Beach.

The views really are superb. There are many examples of indigenous coastal vegetation encountered and described in the signage. The bird and marine life repeatedly delivers marvellous surprises. Expect to discover vegetation such as woollylbutt, black she-oak and wildflowers. Bird observations may include eastern yellow robins, white-bellied sea eagles and pelicans. In the water you may see whales, dolphins, seals, salmon or rays.

There are parklands at both ends of the walk offering an abundance of amenities between them. There are playgrounds, BBQs and picnic tables, shelters, drinking water fountains, refreshment vendors, lookout and viewing platforms, fishing jetties, car parking and public toilets.

Spencer Park is a 750 metre walk from Merimbula's Market St central business district.

The bus route along Lake Street has a stop at Bar Beach.

Dogs must be on a leash.

Other Sapphire Coast walks:
Mimosa Rocks/ Aragunnu Beach walk
Middle Lagoon & Beach loop walk
Merimbula Boardwalk
Jiguma coastal walk

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Points of Interest

1. Spencer Park

The start point of the walk offers grassy lawns, a playground, BBQs and picnic tables, shelters, bins, drinking water fountains, car parking, a refreshment vendor and toilets

2. A jetty and oyster farms

Visiting Merimbula is about relaxing. There are plenty of places and ways to do it. Walking, fishing, simply sitting on a jetty or enjoying oysters fresh from a local farm are iconic pastimes here.

3. Options according to ability

As with the rest of the walk, alternatives are present according to ability. Spencer Park is right next to Rotary Park. Take either this concrete path or steps between the two or park in Rotary Park.

4. Directional signs

There are plenty of directional signs to point the way. This one in Rotary Park nominates 1.5km as the distance to Bar Beach. It has been there a while.

5. Lake Street elevated pathway

The elevated pathway begins above Rotary Park. There is a detailed map sign at the start.

6. Bus stop

The bus stop on Lake Street is at the corner with the short driveway to Bar Beach. Note the map sign. There are three of these along the Lake Drive elevated pathway.

7. Bar Beach

This is one cute beach particularly suited to multi generational family visits. There are picnic tables, refreshments, drinking water, a viewing platform, car parking and toilets. Kids love the rocks.

8. Water watchers

You can't help but love watching Merimbula 's waters. However, not all want to share. These seagulls were very keen to move this egret on.

9. Who you might meet

The eastern yellow robins appear quite used to walkers on the track and go about their business as long as you don't get too close.

10. Fishermen's Lookout

Fishermen's Lookout is an historic site. From this location fishermen watched for schools of salmon. When spotted they descended ladders to boats below and rowed out to immediately net the fish.

11. View to Merimbula Wharf

The walking track doesn't go quite as far as Merimbula Wharf. Nonetheless, you do get a good view of it from the end point.

12. View from Fisherman's Lookout

The view west from Fishermen's Lookout is across a rock platform to Merimbula's long stretch of sand that is Main Beach.

13. Djirringanj track

In contrast to the manufactured smoothness and width of the Lake Street elevated pathway, the Djirringanj walking path is a bush track foot padded and cut into the bank of the bluff below.

14. Fishing the bar

By boat or by sand, lines are cast in hope daily.

15. Fish cleaning pontoon

This floating fish cleaning table is also a popular place to exchange stories about and share some of the day's catch.

16. Return of the whale boat

Once upon a time the return of a whale boat meant something quite different to today. The day before these photos were taken a pod of 8 Orcas including calves were frolicking by the wharf.

17. Nature watching

A large Orb spider on the Djirringanj track

18. A view to beaches opposite.

Lookout points on the Djirringanj section of the walk offer views of beaches, boathouses and boats.

19. Marine life

You are very likely to spot something of interest in the water from the vantage point of the bluff face track, such as this cruising stingray.

20. Small coves

Having some of the small coves amongst the mangroves at the bottom of the bluff to yourself feels pretty special. You look across the water from your seclusion to the busy town in the distance.

21. Wildflowers

There is a floral display for every season, such as this fetching rice flower.

22. A moist gully

A moist gully sees a change in vegetation including quite a number of introduced species. Here a red-browed finch perches on thistles.

23. Erosion damage

At this point erosion has washed out a boardwalk. Repairs are due. If you cannot get past, the Djirringanj path is still worth your while. Make it a return walk back via Bar Beach instead of the loop.