General Information
Distance: 11 kilometers
Total climb: 450 meters
Time taken: 4 hours 40 minutes
Map: Caoura 8928-3N 1:25 000
Guide: Graeme Barrow, 30 Family Bushwalks in and around Canberra (2002), pp. 45-48.
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO: 125 kilometers
Start point map grid reference: 56HKG 27183 41382
Destination map grid reference: 56HKG 29556 41373
End point: same as start
Distance: 11 kilometers
Route
http://maps.six.nsw.gov.au/
Description
The start of the walk is not easy to find. From Bungonia village, head roughly northeast along Lookdown Road for about 6.2 kilometers and there is a rough track off to the side known as Carne Road (map reference 56HKG 24971 42119). Turn into Carne Road and follow it for about 1.7 kilometers where it becomes the Trestles Track - the map shows a locked gate here, but this must have been removed. About 1.1 kilometers past this point there is a locked gate and a parking area. This is the start of the walk.
We first followed the Trestles Track east for about 2 kilometers until the wide track ends at a walking trail down to the Shoalhaven River. At this point we saw the first relics of the flying fox that was used to transport materials over the Shoalhaven to the Tolwong Mine.
After pausing here for a break, we started down the walking track which is named on the map as "Blue Walking Track" in true Bungonia fashion. This is a very steep track, descending over 340 meters in 1.4 kilometers. Along the track we got our first glimpse of the distant chimneys across the river.
At the base of the walking track there is a marker post, and walkers are advised to take notice of its location as it can be hard to find for the return journey. Having reached the Shoalhaven we looked in vain for a suitable crossing place to the Mine site. Recent rain made it too deep to safely and comfortably cross. We were satisfied with the view of the Mine across the river, and enjoyed just sitting by the river.
Making our way back to the marker at the bottom of the walking track we started the long and exhausting climb back up to the Trestles Track. From there the going became easier again, even though it was mostly uphill back to the carpark.
The start of the walk is not easy to find. From Bungonia village, head roughly northeast along Lookdown Road for about 6.2 kilometers and there is a rough track off to the side known as Carne Road (map reference 56HKG 24971 42119). Turn into Carne Road and follow it for about 1.7 kilometers where it becomes the Trestles Track - the map shows a locked gate here, but this must have been removed. About 1.1 kilometers past this point there is a locked gate and a parking area. This is the start of the walk.
We first followed the Trestles Track east for about 2 kilometers until the wide track ends at a walking trail down to the Shoalhaven River. At this point we saw the first relics of the flying fox that was used to transport materials over the Shoalhaven to the Tolwong Mine.
After pausing here for a break, we started down the walking track which is named on the map as "Blue Walking Track" in true Bungonia fashion. This is a very steep track, descending over 340 meters in 1.4 kilometers. Along the track we got our first glimpse of the distant chimneys across the river.
At the base of the walking track there is a marker post, and walkers are advised to take notice of its location as it can be hard to find for the return journey. Having reached the Shoalhaven we looked in vain for a suitable crossing place to the Mine site. Recent rain made it too deep to safely and comfortably cross. We were satisfied with the view of the Mine across the river, and enjoyed just sitting by the river.
Making our way back to the marker at the bottom of the walking track we started the long and exhausting climb back up to the Trestles Track. From there the going became easier again, even though it was mostly uphill back to the carpark.
