General Information
Distance: 9.5 kilometers
Total climb: 491 meters
Time taken: 4 hours 25 minutes
Map: Caoura 8928-III-N 1:25 000
Guide: Bungonia National Park - link
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO: 124 kilometers
Start point map grid reference: 56H KG 27160 44914
Destination map grid reference: 56H KG 29266 45882
End point: same as start
Route
http://maps.six.nsw.gov.au/
Description
The Bungonia White Track begins at the David Reid carpark, which is on the Bungonia Lockdown Road about 1.3 kilometers northeast of the Bungonia National Park information centre. We purchased our parking permit ($8) at the information centre on our way through. From the carpark we set out along the White Track, skirting around the southern side of Mount Ayre until we reached a lookout just beyond it. For here there were excellent views of the Marulan South limestone quarry and the Shoalhaven River.
Continuing along the White Track, we initially followed a ridge to the east of Mount Ayre until it starts a steep descent to the Shoalhaven River which can occasionally be glimpsed far below.
About 1.75 hours into the hike we reached the Shoalhaven River near where Bungonia Creek runs into it.
This is the end of the White Track, but rather than going back the way we came, we headed west along Bungonia Creek.
For most of the time it was relatively easy to follow the Creek on its south side, although there were some rocks to be scrambled over in some places. About 2 kilometers up the Creek, we found the point at which the Bungonia Red Track ascends out of Bungonia Canyon. This is a very challenging climb, ascending just under 400 metres in a distance of about 1 kilometre. It offers some good views of the eastern end of Bungonia Canyon, which we had many opportunities to look at during our very frequent rest stops.
Eventually we crossed the White Track west of Mount Ayre, and due to fatigue and inattention, failed to turn right back on to the White Trail and instead followed the Bungonia Green Trail until it met Bungonia Lockdown Road, and then following the road back to the car. Once in the car, we decided to drive down to the spectacular Bungonia Lookdown, which provides excellent views of the area we had just walked through.
After taking in this view, we heard a lyrebird singing in the scrub just off the carpark. While I was content just to listen to the song, my companion went bush looking for the bird and was rewarded with nothing more than a fleeting glimpse at it scurried away.
This is a fantastic hike, particularly in the sunny conditions we met. The White Track is well-marked and easy to negotiate, even in the steep sections. The walk up Bungonia Creek was a pleasant change from the Track, and the ascent back up the Red Track, while I cursed it all the way, gives a great sense of achievement at the end. The scenery at Bungonia is among the best to be found so close to home.
Continuing along the White Track, we initially followed a ridge to the east of Mount Ayre until it starts a steep descent to the Shoalhaven River which can occasionally be glimpsed far below.
About 1.75 hours into the hike we reached the Shoalhaven River near where Bungonia Creek runs into it.
This is the end of the White Track, but rather than going back the way we came, we headed west along Bungonia Creek.
For most of the time it was relatively easy to follow the Creek on its south side, although there were some rocks to be scrambled over in some places. About 2 kilometers up the Creek, we found the point at which the Bungonia Red Track ascends out of Bungonia Canyon. This is a very challenging climb, ascending just under 400 metres in a distance of about 1 kilometre. It offers some good views of the eastern end of Bungonia Canyon, which we had many opportunities to look at during our very frequent rest stops.
Eventually we crossed the White Track west of Mount Ayre, and due to fatigue and inattention, failed to turn right back on to the White Trail and instead followed the Bungonia Green Trail until it met Bungonia Lockdown Road, and then following the road back to the car. Once in the car, we decided to drive down to the spectacular Bungonia Lookdown, which provides excellent views of the area we had just walked through.
After taking in this view, we heard a lyrebird singing in the scrub just off the carpark. While I was content just to listen to the song, my companion went bush looking for the bird and was rewarded with nothing more than a fleeting glimpse at it scurried away.
This is a fantastic hike, particularly in the sunny conditions we met. The White Track is well-marked and easy to negotiate, even in the steep sections. The walk up Bungonia Creek was a pleasant change from the Track, and the ascent back up the Red Track, while I cursed it all the way, gives a great sense of achievement at the end. The scenery at Bungonia is among the best to be found so close to home.
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