Your Akubra-clad columnist's penchant for exploring our region's more remarkable natural features is one shared by many readers, including Tom Corra of Watson.
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In fact, you could say Corra's fascination with hunting down curious local landscapes is verging on the obsessive, especially when it comes to arches. Yes, arches.
In a quest to document our region's arches, the 30-year-old recently embarked on a mission to visit as many of the curved, naturally occurring rock formations as possible.
"I have travelled all over Australia but am still amazed at what we have right on our own back door," says the keen outdoorsman and photographer. "Our region has many hidden treasures that only a handful know about."
Here are Corra's top five arches. Have you visited any of these?
1. Beach beauty
Surrounded by a sea of black pebbles, this arch, hidden on the coast near one of Canberra's most popular holiday playgrounds, is a photographer's dream.
Where: Guerilla Bay (near Broulee). Located at the southern end of the main beach, this arch isn't signposted and involves a short walk around the rocks and a scramble over a ridge.
Tom's Tip: Venture out early to watch the rock colour change as the sun rises. It's absolutely stunning.
Did you know? Guerilla Bay rocks are some of the oldest rock formations on the east coast of Australia, dating as far back as the Ordovician period about 450 million years ago.
2.London Bridge
This was first recorded by Europeans in 1823 by explorer Captain Mark Currie, who described it as "a natural bridge of one perfect Saxon arch, under which the water passed". The origins of the arch date back 420 million years ago when limestone began to form as sediment and coral remains were deposited on an ancient ocean floor. Over time, the ocean receded and the arch was formed by water slowly leaching through the limestone, enlarging cracks until a passage became large enough for Burra Creek to pass through.
Where: A 3.4-kilometre walking circuit starts at the London Bridge car park, about 20 kilometres south of Queanbeyan via the southern entrance to Googong Foreshores. A brochure and map is available at the start of the walk. For more information, call the ranger station on 6207 2779 or check out www.tams.gov.au Keep to the track and do not climb on the arch or enter the adjoining cave. They are extremely fragile and take thousands of years to recover from disturbance.
Tom's tip: While in the area, visit the London Bridge Homestead. When looking through the fence, it's clear there are at least five architectural styles here, including the original 1860s stone cottage and slab hut to more recent cement and weatherboard buildings.
Did you know? According to local lore, during the late 1800s, human bones and skulls were discovered in a small cave near the arch.
3.Curious cave
The dramatic Glory Arch marks the entrance of the North Glory Hole cave at Yarrangobilly Caves, which is 358 metres long, has 191 steps, and features huge stalactites. It is popular among school and adventure groups but others can gain access by arranging a guided tour.
Where? Yarrangobilly Caves are 77 kilometres from Tumut or 109 kilometres from Cooma.
Tom's tip: The arch was created when the roof of the cave collapsed to create a surreal skylight, which will have you standing in awe.
Did you know? The first European to discover the caves was stockman John Bowman, who, in 1834, apparently found some cattle sheltering in the Glory Arch.
4.Wilderness wonder
The remains of small mammals and birds thought to be thousands of years old have been found in this remote limestone cave system hidden in bush between Canberra and the coast.
Where? Marble Arch is in the beautiful Deua National Park, about 40 kilometres from Braidwood at the Berlang Campground and is well signposted. The hike is about 12 kilometres return (allow five hours) and is for the more adventurous arch seeker.
Tom's tip: The Big Hole, a naturally occurring sink hole, is along the walk, which most people venture to then turn back, but it's worth pushing on to the arch.
Did you know? Downstream from Marble Arch is an impressive slot canyon. When wet, the marble rock becomes very slippery, and it is tricky to negotiate the pools without getting saturated.
5.Australia Rock
According to local legend, many decades ago, chains attached to a moored ship wore the distinctive shape into the rock during big seas and it has since been known as the Hole in the Rock or, due to its shape, Australia Rock.
Where? Near the Bar Rock Lookout, two minutes-drive from Narooma.
Tom's tip: Although not completely natural, because it is one of the region's most accessible, it has to make the top five.
Did you know? Australia Rock can be viewed from two vantage spots, an easily accessible one from the Bar Rock Lookout car park and a more difficult and seldom-seen position from the sea. Several years ago, Gungahlin author and adventurer Klaus Hueneke photographed the landmark from the ocean, complete with the setting sun shining through it. His stunning photo takes pride of place on the back cover of his photographic journey along the south coast (A String of Pearls, Tabletop Press, 2011).
Best of the rest
Although Corra is saving his pennies for trips to photograph the striking Natural Bridge in south-east Queensland and world-renowned Arches National Park in Utah, he still hopes to uncover more local arches. Below are five more of his recommendations. Has he missed any?
·Corang Arch, Wog Wog (in the Budawangs)
·Victoria Arch, Wombeyan Caves
·Horse Head Rock, Bermagui
·Carlotta Arch, Blue Mountains
·Grand Arch, Jenolan Caves
Slippery Tracks
In response to this column's recent snippet on the steep hill on the Southern Railway Line near Breadalbane (Where in the Region, 26 March http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/canberra-life/tim-the-yowie-man-investigates-the-myths-surrounding-lake-george-20160320-gnmxsu.html]), Bill Weatherstone reports that he fondly recalls "watching the steam trains crossing the edge of the plain and struggling up the incline" when he lived on the Cullerin Plains during World War II.
Intriguingly, Weatherstone further reports that his dad "later talked of life during the war years and spoke of saboteurs greasing the lines on the incline with fat to disrupt the troop and supply trains" and wonders "if it's fact or myth." Someone must know.
Contact Tim: Email: timtheyowieman@bigpond.com or Twitter or write c/- The Canberra Times, 9 Pirie St, Fyshwick. You can see a selection of past columns at: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/by/Tim-the-Yowie-Man-hvf8o
WHERE IN THE REGION?
Clue: Nowadays, ghost trains are the only choos choos likely to cross this bridge.
Degree of difficulty: Hard
Where in the region last week
Congratulations to Adam Poland of Campbell who was the first to identify last week's photo as part of the historic London Bridge Homestead precinct near the Burra Creek at Googong Foreshores, and which features in today's top five arches.
The proud Poland beat a number of readers to the prize, including Steve Hill of Kambah, Roger Gottlob of Kaleen and Ian and Kirsti McVay, who recommend "the circle walk to the junction of Burra Creek and the Queanbeyan River" where they stepped out "a few weeks ago".
You can discover the circa 1850s homestead as part of a Canberra & Region Heritage Festival open day, which is on this weekend (10am-2pm, Sunday, April 17). Nearby you can see the woolshed, shearers' quarters and, of course, the amazing London Bridge natural arch. Make a day of it and take a picnic. Entry by gold coin donation. Take London Bridge Road off Burra Road. For more information, call 6207 2779 or email: john.freeman@act.gov.au
How to enter: Email your guess along with your name and address to timtheyowieman@bigpond.com. The first email sent after 10am, Saturday, April 16, 2016, with the correct answer wins a double pass to Dendy Cinemas.
