Deua National Park: Big Hole (1)

General Information

Distance:  3.6 kilometers
Total climb:  120 meters
Time taken:  1 hour
Map:  Kain 8826-4S 1:25 000
Guide:  link
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  129 kilometers
Start point map grid reference:  55H GA 39292 43340
Destination map grid reference:  55H GA 40570 42986
End point:  same as start

Route

http://maps.six.nsw.gov.au/

Description

The starting point for this hike was the Berlang camping area, off Cooma Road about 43 kilometers south of Braidwood. Soon after leaving the camping area I came to the Shoalhaven River. The water was shin-deep, so I took off my boots and waded across. This proved to be a bit painful, however, since the rocks I was walking over were quite sharp and painful on the soles of my feet.



After the river the walking trail gradually climbs through scrubby terrain with occasional views back to the valley.





At about 750 meters elevation the track curved around to the south taking me directly to Big Hole. This was actually far more impressive than I was expecting, and a viewing platform to one side of the Hole gives a pretty good view of the feature. I need a better camera though.


I returned to the carpark by the same route. This is a very good short walk, although it is in a fairly remote area. Walkers might want to consider having some form of footwear to make the river crossing a little less painful.

Nowra: Ben's Walk and The Grotto North

General Information

Distance:  6 kilometers (about 3 kilometers each walk)
Total climb:  unknown
Time taken:  2 hours 30 minutes
Maps:  Nowra 9028-3S 1:25 000; Berry 9028-3N 1:25 000
Guide: none
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  194 kilometers
Start point map grid reference:  Ben's Walk - 56H KG 79713 38368 [Nowra]
                                                   The Grotto North - 56H KG 79205 391205 [Berry]
Destination map grid reference:  loop walks
End point:  same as start

Note: These are actually two separate walks with a short drive between them. Ben's walk follows Nowra Creek on the south side of the Shoalhaven River at Nowra, while The Grotto North follows cliffs on the northern bank of the Shoalhaven at North Nowra.

Route

Ben's Walk

http://maps.six.nsw.gov.au/

The Grotto North

http://maps.six.nsw.gov.au/

Description

The start of Ben's Walk is on Scenic Drive just behind the Nowra Showgrounds. I followed the trail south above Nowra Creek past a suspension footbridge through a light forest with rocky outcrops.





Eventually the trail crossed the creek and started back north on the opposite bank through more bushland and a large grassy reserve back to the suspension footbridge.





Crossing the footbridge I then made my way to the point where Nowra Creek joins the Shoalhaven River. I then climbed up to Hanging Rock Lookout, which provided panoramic views over the Shoalhaven.



Returning from there to my car, I drove over to North Nowra to do The Grotto North walk starting at the western intersection of Yurunga Drive and Kareela Crescent. Following the trail I first had a great view of Nowra Creek and Hanging Rock Lookout from the other side of the Shoalhaven.




Descending towards the river I passed through some very nice forest with views of the escarpment above me.





After continuing along the river for a way I turned back and climbed back up the escarpment to my car. I could have continued further along the river and climbed back up the escarpment at Murrell Place, but after a long day of walking on my own I felt I had done enough.

These are both reasonably nice short walks if you happen to be in the Nowra area. Of the two I think that The Grotto North is the more interesting.

Abrahams Bosom Reserve: Coomies Walk

General Information

Distance:  8.2 kilometers
Total climb:  100 meters
Time taken:  2 hours 30 minutes
Map:  Currarong 9027-1N 1:25 000
Guide:  link
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  218 kilometers
Start point map grid reference:  56H LG 01850 23575
Destination map grid reference:  loop walk
End point:  same as start

Route

http://maps.six.nsw.gov.au/

Description

I started this walk at the Abrahams Bosom Beach carpark at the end of Beecroft Parade in Currarong. After crossing Abrahams Bosom Creek and walking on a bit further I took the side track to see the wreck of the SS Merimbula which ran aground there in 1928. Retracing my steps for a short distance I followed the walking trail past Abrahams Head and Honeysuckle Point, which had occasional ocean views, before returning to the main track.



From there I followed the main track east until at map grid reference 56H LG 03088 23839 I followed the sigs towards Gosangs Tunnel and Mermaids Inlet. Gosangs Tunnel leads to a rock shelf above the ocean cliffs, while Mermaids Inlet is a step and narrow inlet just north of Beecroft Head.





Retracing my steps to where I left the main track, I continued along Coomies Walk. Initially this was through light forest, but as I gained elevation the vegetation changed to shoulder-high scrub giving some more nice views towards the ocean. The views from Merimbula Trig (62 meters) were quite good.



From the trig the trail started to head back to the starting point, at first through scrub and then back through light forest. There is an Aboriginal rock shelter on the way back that is well worth a look.

A beautiful walk in a beautiful part of the world. The trail is easy to follow, although some parts were covered with water and needed to be walked around.

Canberra Nature Park: Molonglo Gorge

General Information

Distance: 6.6 kilometers
Total climb: negligible
Time taken: 2 hours
Maps:  Canberra 8627-3N 1:25 000; Bungendore 8727-2N 1:25 000
Guide:  link
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  19 kilometers
Start point map grid reference:  55H GA 04479 88164 [Canberra]
Destination map grid reference:  55H GA 06798 87761 [Bungendore]
End point:  same as start

Route

http://maps.six.nsw.gov.au/

Description

This walk started at the Molonglo Gorge picnic area, which is off the Sutton Road approximately 5 kilometers north of Queanbeyan. I followed the clear and well-marked trail through Molonglo Gorge with scenic views of the Molonglo River below.



The walking trail ends at Blue Tiles picnic area between the Molonglo River and the Kowen Pine Forest. There is a pool here that could be used for swimming, but you would need to beware of the blackberry bushes growing around its edge.



I walked back the way I had come. This is a great short walk that isn't too difficult to get to. It can be done as a return walk, as I did on this occasion, or can also be a start point for longer walks through the Kowen Pine Forest.