Monday 9 January 2023 Wallagoot Lake

 As Monday was forecast to be the first decent summer day since the holiday hordes descended we decided Wallagoot Lake would be the best option to avoid the crowd. We arrived at the yacht club about 8.40am and other than a sailing dingy pulled up at then end of the beach we had the place to ourselves.

Launching just after 9.00am we headed up the lake. Following the shoreline we encountered heaps of jelly fish and in one little bay paddled over a large swarm of tiny little ones - barely visible so small they were, but destined to grow into large ones urrgh.

After rounding the head of the lake we ventured into Moncks Creek not expecting to get very far. First we explored the two leads off the righthand branch. 

End of the line of the 1st branch.

A fallen tree stopped further progress up the 2nd branch.

And finally, L calling a halt to our exploration of the left hand lead.  

Shortly after entering the creek I somehow knocked the GoPro askew and sadly only got footage of  mainly sky.  Which was unfortunate as even though the water looked a bit manky there was lots of activity going on below the water and upon the surface. Many schools of different types and size fish darted past. Fish leaping all over the place and an occasional 'bigun' breaking the surface of the water, startled by our presence. Ducks taking flight, heaps of bird life in the scrub lining the creek, swallows and dragon flys flitting around and skimming the water and even some startled kangaroos.

Upon exiting the creek into the lake we discovered a strong headbreeze had sprung up and at this end of the lake the waves had whitecaps and came close together hitting us side on so we paddled steadily for about 20 mins, back up the lake to the first sheltered beach we could find, reaching it about 11.15am.

Some discussion followed about whether this was to be lunch or morning tea. Other than the breeze the day was so beautiful we opted for morning tea so our outing could last longer. We had a snack and loitered for half an hour while L flew the drone.

Taking to the water again

 we continued our circumnavigation and we soon looking for a suitable spot for our next stop.  By now people had appeared on the shoreline and it was with some difficulty we found a secluded patch to stop for lunch.  In the distance we could see a variety of craft on the water: a speed boat pulling people on something doing endless loops in front of the boat ramp, a jet ski also doing loops in front of the boat ramp, another sailing skiff, this one wooden which L later much admired and numerous kayaks dotted around the lake.

Thankfully the speed boat and jet ski were restricting themselves to the small area in front of the club and we sat back undisturbed and had a leisurely lunch, idly watching a crab busily going about his business in the shallows.

After lunch we paddled to the closed entrance where we watched three little hermit crabs beside the boat. Each inhabited a different sort of shell. We watched and cheered as the smallest, in a tiny white shell, was pounced on by the largest of the trio and looked as though it narrowly avoided getting eaten. Too engrossed in this little drama I forgot to switch on the camera until it was all over and the little one had successfully made its escape.

 After poling across some shallows we returned down the northern side of the lagoon, passing a another nesting Pied Oyster Catcher and this rarer Sooty Oyster Catcher as we went.

Here is the footage of the days outing

Upon our return to the boat ramp about 2.25pm we found the area quite busy with boats putting in and boats waiting to come out and we congratulated ourselves on our decision for an early start to this very pleasant paddle - our first of 2023.

Trip Notes:

Put In/Take Out: Wallagoot Yacht Club

12.5kms

Lake closed.