The weather forecast looked good and despite the earlyish start and a longish train trip, a remarkable 15 walkers turned up for the walk. Although, truth be told, there were a few imposters present – nominally Plus walkers (left without a walk for the day) who liked the sound of this new walk in an interesting location!
Having been met on arrival at Thirroul Station by Helen A (who’d arrived even earlier on a bit of a nostalgia mission at Austinmer), it was a short walk to the coast in warm sunshine to No.3 Craig Street – a somewhat locally famous house called ‘Wyewurk’ which was where the English writer D. H. Lawrence resided during 1922, writing the novel ‘Kangaroo’. Unfortunately, little of the house is visible from the street, however it is readily distinguished by two very large Norfolk Island pines on the seafront of the house.
Nearby on the seafront is a small plot of parkland named for D.H. Lawrence and there we paused for morning tea. To add a historical and cultural element to the walk co-leader John G read an extract from ‘Kangaroo’ which described the very coastline we were looking at.
An easy stroll southwards on local streets and then a coastal pathway brought us to Tramway Creek named, as our other leader Don B explained, because there was originally a tramway (or light rail) which ran beside this creek to bring coal from the nearby Bulli Colliery to a wharf at Bulli Point where it was loaded onto small ships for transport to Sydney. It’s hard to imagine now, but the southern end of Thirroul Beach which curves out to Bulli Point is still known as Bulli Harbour! With prevailing southerly winds it must have offered a degree of protection for loading coal onto the colliers, but for our visit, with a north-easterly, then strong north-westerly wind blowing, it offered little protection!
A further stroll southwards on the coastal path and we arrived at Waniora Point for lunch. With a uncanny sense of timing the four orphan plus walkers arrived to join us just as we arrived – having extended the length of their walk by walking from Coledale Station.
Lunch over (and a coffee for some from the nearby café), it was another short stroll away from the coast to Bulli Station. There Don showed us some steam engine ‘relics’ from an earlier era of rail transport of coal. We also inspected the impressive memorial to the 81 (including 17 boys) lives lost in the Bulli Mine Disaster of 1887, before catching our train home. At lunchtime, Helen A had the closest correct answer to Don’s now-traditional quiz and, of course, was rewarded with the equally traditional block of Toblerone, which was shared as an after-lunch treat amongst the walkers (thanks Helen!).
A Handsome Group arrives on Platform 2
The Waiting Room on Thirroul Platform 1
Doors to the garage of the residence ‘Wyewurk’. D H Lawrence stayed in ‘Wyewurk’ in 1922 The two Norfolk pines in front of 'Wyewurk' and wrote most of ‘Kangaroo’ during that time
The reading from 'Kangaroo' DH Lawrence Commerative Plaque
Don giving us the history of Tramway Creek DH Lawrence Park
Lunch time at Waniora Point with an interesting view of waves coming from both NE and SE at same time.
Bulli “Harbour” – site of the coal loading wharf
The original Bulli Station building is now a museum Bulli Mine Disaster Memorial
... and some images from the 'Extra EZY' walkers:
Austinmer Station. In the foothills between Austinmer and Thiroul, the Excelsior Mine closed in 1962 and on the track there is still plenty of coal about. 
View from Brickyard Point at M T for the "Extra Kms" walking group
Leaders: Don B and John G.
Walkers: Rex & Robyn, HelenA, Barrie, RosemaryW (welcome back!), Lilian, Jim, RosG, Kurt, Bert, DonWo, JohnD’C and a former HVB member.
Photos By: Bert (7,9,10,11,20) HelenA (1,2,4,14,16,17,18,19), Lilian (3,13,15), RosG (5,6,8,12)
Words By: John G