All it takes is two feet and a heartbeat to discover Illawarra treasures - and find happiness along the way

Checking out a sheltered pool at Bass Point which we intend to revisit in the summer for a dip. Photo: Aeron Masters.

You don’t have to travel far to have adventures.

Migrating whales, inviting swimming spots, modern-day “rock art” and the enigmatic rainforest can be discovered without having to shell out for a plane ticket to faraway places.

The Illawarra is full of terrific walking tracks which is a bonus during this cost-of-living crisis. As the saying goes, all you need is two feet and a heartbeat. And maybe a car to get to the various walks. And a stout pair of boots. Perhaps a coffee at a cafe afterwards as a treat.

Some friends and I have formed an informal group of walking-class heroes to go on regular rambles. (Perhaps we should have formed a formal group, with tuxedos and evening gowns. No, no, don’t be silly. If we trudged up Mt Keira in that getup we would be accused of being social climbers and we can’t have that.)

Anyway, we are a variety of ages and abilities but we all share a love for the place where we live and delight in sharing our favourite haunts and discovering treasures hidden in plain sight.

One of our discoveries was images of animals etched into concrete on the cycleway near McCauley’s Beach, Thirroul. I don’t know who made this art, but the mystery is appealing.

Anneke Wright was the instigator of our walking group. She signed up for the Great Aussie Hike and we, her faithful sidekicks joined her.

I’ll let her explain why.

“After I got a diagnosis of type two diabetes, I knew I had do something to turn that around, and as soon as possible,” Anneke said.

“I also face other health challenges in my life, after a motorcycle accident 10 years ago severely limited my mobility.

A different view of the famous Sea Cliff Bridge between Coalcliff and Clifton. Photo: Eileen Mulligan.

It’s amazing what you find while staring at your walking boots - etchings in the concrete cycleway near McCauley’s Beach, Thirroul. Photo: Eileen Mulligan.

The secretive rainforest of Mt Keira is one of my favourite places. Photo: Eileen Mulligan.

Arthur and Aeron Masters, Eileen Mulligan and Anneke Wright in the Royal National Park. Photo: Anneke Wright.

Spectacular cliffs at Wattamolla are ideal for whale watching. Photo: Eileen Mulligan.

A fern forest on the Brokers Loop track reminds Anneke Wright of New Zealand. Photo: Aeron Masters.

Look closely to see the many wildflowers such as this native fuschia blooming in winter on the heathland near Wattamolla in the Royal National Park. Photo: Eileen Mulligan.

“I decided it was time to take back control, of my health and my (dis)ability. I used to love hiking and bushwalking when I was younger, here and overseas, but it isn’t smart anymore for me to wander off by myself, so this hike seemed a great way to get back into moving, and to have the support of an organised event.

“The event requires people to enter in teams, so I gathered together some friends who I thought would both enjoy the activity and be OK with going at my pace.

“The training walks we have been doing have been amazing. There is so much right here, in the Illawarra, and it is such a great way to hang out with friends as well.”

Aeron Masters enjoys bringing baby Arthur on some of the walks to spend some one-on-one time with him.

As for me, I need some gentle exercise to hopefully slow the slide into decrepitude and delay the effects of arthritis in my feet.

We have signed up for the one-day 30 km stretch of the Great Aussie Hike from Yellow Rock to Penrith. Other hardier souls have signed up for the two- and three-day treks of 60 to 100 km.

Our training walks have included leisurely wanders along the cycleways around Lake Illawarra and the coast. We have enjoyed the same splendid views as seen from the multi-million dollar mansions we’ve passed without the need to toil in a high-stress, high-paying job to pay for them. Or the bother of marrying a sugar daddy. Free and easy.

We’ve gone on more challenging bushwalks, such as the cliff-top track from Wattamolla to Eagle Rock in the Royal National Park. We were thrilled to see a whale, or at least the spray from its blowhole. Not long afterwards, we saw the back of another whale as it came up for air. Then we sighted flippers, tail flukes, more spray. It got to the point where we didn’t stop every time we saw a whale. So many whales.

We are building up towards more strenuous walks up and down the escarpment and I’m looking forward to showing the others some of my favourite places.

A psychologist friend of mine told me he tells his clients, if they are feeling down, to go for a little walk and say hello to the people they pass. Not everyone will respond. But many do, and he guarantees at the end of the walk, his clients will feel a bit better. Good advice which I’ve taken to heart. Now, I’m just waiting for his invoice.

By the way, the Great Aussie Hike is raising money for Beyond Blue so if you feel inclined to donate, click here.