Morton National Park: Budawang Wilderness Area, Corang Peak & Corang Arch

General Information

Distance:  25 kilometers
Total climb:  698 meters
Time taken:  6 hours 50 minutes
Map:  Corang 8927-3N 1:25 000
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  126 kilometers
Start point map grid reference:  56H KF 30328 93194
Destination map grid reference:  Corang Peak - 56H KF 36521 91419
                                                    Corang Arch - 56H KF 37215 92298
End point:  same as start

Route

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

Description

This walk begins at the Wog Wog Campground and follows the Scenic Rim Walking Track. The track first descends first to Wog Wog Creek, a few hundred meters from the Campground. This was the only water source we found along our route, so walkers would be advised to bring plenty of water with them unless continuing on to Canowrie Brook. The track then climbs away from the creek and through forest in a broad semi-circle to the north east before heading south. At around the 4 kilometer mark (map reference 56H KF 32995 93126) the track divides, with one fork heading east towards Goodsell Creek and the other south towards the Corang Plateau. We continued towards the plateau (about one kilometer further on) where some views opened up to the south and southwest.



Once on the plateau the track becomes quite hard and rocky and the vegetation more scrubby. Corang peak can be seen in the distance.



About 8.5 kilometers into the walk (map reference 56H KF 34852 90728) there is a faint track to the right - the Wog Wog Trail which goes down to the Yadboro River via Snedden Pass - which we passed, continuing along the trail to the north of Korra Hill. After passing Korra Hill some views opened up towards Pigeon House and the ocean.



A few hundred meters later (map reference 56H KF 36387 90906) the track divides with the left-hand fork heading straight up to Corang Peak and the right-hand track passing it to the east. We went up the left fork and made the steeply stepped climb up to the Peak where there were extensive and spectacular views in all directions. Corang Arch could also be seen nearby to the north.






We descended via the northern side of Corang Peak (where the two branches of the track come together again) and continued to the edge of the plateau where we could see the Canowrie Creek valley and Profile Rock.



From here we backtracked for a short distance to see Corang Arch up close.



Following the track below Corang Peak we started our return trip.

Morton National Park: Budawang Wilderness Area, Redgrounds Track

General information

Distance:  28 kilometers
Total climb:  378 meters
Time taken:  6 hours 42 minutes (5 hours 30 minutes moving time)
Map:  Endrick 8927-4S 1:25 000
Guide: none
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  129 kilometers
Start point map grid reference:  56H KG 38115 06920

Destination map grid reference: 56H KG 45030 04485 (but we went further than this)

End point:  same as start

Route

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

Description

This was originally planned as a walk along the Redgrounds Track from the Morton National Park Endrick River entrance (near Nerriga) to where the Track crosses the Endrick River near Quiltys Pass. Since it was a beautiful day and we made the outward hike in better than expected time we went a bit further, following the Endrick River Trail west near Quiltys Pass before heading back the same way. We could have followed the Endrick River Trail all the way back to our car, which would have saved some distance, but this route  leads through a large section of private land. It is possible to navigate through this area without trespassing (see link), but this route does not follow the formed roads and some serious navigation skills and equipment would be required.

The first section of the walk was outside the National Park boundary along a hard and rocky track, all the time trying to keep to the formal route and avoid trespassing on private land. The route is not at all well signposted, however, so it is best to refer to the map. After about 1.8 kilometers we reached our first crossing of the Endrick River: an ankle deep ford which we were able to negotiate without getting too wet. From here the trail heads generally northeast climbing through medium-thick forest until a creek is reached at map reference 56H KG 42066 08324. The trail heads south and then southeast from here, eventually reaching flat and open country that starts to give some views of the surrounding escarpments.




We continued along the Track, crossing Piercy Creek with the forest becoming denser once more. As we approached Quiltys Clearing the Track became more difficult to follow, but with a bit of attention we navigated through without going off-trail. Soon after we arrived at the Endrick River once again, which we were able to easily cross thanks to some rock-hopping.



Having arrived here earlier than expected we had the choice of following the Endrick River Trail south towards The Vines or west towards Round Mountain. We chose the latter, with the idea of reaching a cave in Quiltys Mountain near Blacket Creek. As we followed the Track and saw the terrain, however, we got a better idea of how difficult it would be to reach the cave and agreed that there was probably insufficient time if we were to return to our car before sunset. We discussed whether we could cut back to the Redgrounds Track through the scrub to the north of us, but decided that this would probably take more time than retracing our steps, although we could have knocked about three kilometers off the return journey. The return along the Redgrounds Track allowed us to see everything from the reverse angle and take advantage of the afternoon sun on our views of the escarpments.





While it is long, this is a great one-day walk along a very good trail. 

Morton National Park: Little Forest Plateau

General information

Distance:  14.5 kilometers
Total climb:  negligible
Time taken:  2.5 hours
Map:  Milton 8927-2N 1:25 000
Guide: Ron Doughton, Bushwalking in the Budawangs (1989), pp. 52-54.
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  223 kilometers
Start point map grid reference:  56H KF 57948 92633

Destination map grid references: Rusden Head 56H KF 54720 91655
                                                     Florance Head 56H KF 57108 90024

End point:  same as start

Route

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

Description

Little Forest Plateau is on the edge of the Budawang Wilderness Area on the eastern edge of Morton National Park near Milton, New South Wales. The bushwalk started at the Little Forest Track carpark, just off Porters Creek Dam Road about 22 kilometers from Milton. The first 500 meters is along a narrow walking track that starts at the carpark and emerges where the Rusden Head Trail meets the Florance Head Trail.



I took the Rusden Head track first. This track is wide and mostly grassy, although there are some boggy patches where it is best to use the decaying plank walkways around them.

There is not much to be seen from this first part of the trail, thanks to the high scrub on both sides, but there was plenty of birdsong compensating somewhat for the lack of a view. As I got closer to Rusden Head, however, the scrub became more shoulder-height and some glimpses of the surrounding area emerged, including a view over the scrub towards Florance Head.



After just a bit under 5 kilometers of walking I came to the edge of the escarpment on Rusden Head where the view opened up considerably: Pigeon House, Talaterang Mountain, Pigeon House Gorge and a glimpse of Pickering Point at the southeastern end of Byangee Mountain.





Resting here for lunch, I then returned up the Rusden Head Trail to the Florance Head Trail. In his 1989 book, Ron Doughton walked through the scrub along the escarpment from Rusden Head to Florance Head, but the density of scrub made this, in my view, inadvisable in 2017. The dangers of walking around escarpments and the fact that I was on my own also contributed to my decision to stay on the trails.

The Florance Head Trail is similar to the Rusden Head Trail, but the surrounding scrub is not as high and some views open up.



At Florance Head itself, there are views towards the ocean and Pigeon House, and The Castle can be glimpsed around the south of Talaterang Mountain.





The walk back to the carpark along the Florance Head Trail was made all the better thanks to some conversation with another lone walker whom I met at Florance Head.

This is an excellent walk with some really rewarding views and the trail is accessible after only a 30 minute drive from Milton. It is unique in my experience of the Budawangs as the hard climbing is all done in the car and the trails themselves are relatively flat.

Morton National Park: Budawang Wilderness Kalianna Ridge to Meakins Pass

General information

Distance:  9.6 kilometers
Total climb:  around 600 meters
Time taken:  6 hours
Map:  Corang 8927-3N 1:25 000
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  171 kilometers
Start point map grid reference:  56H KF 44614 87888

Destination map grid referencs: 56H KF 45292 91206

End point:  same as start

Route

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

Description

This hike started at The Castle walking track near the Long Gully campground. Crossing the Yadboro River we continued along the well-defined walking track through dense rainforest.



This section tended steadily uphill but was not too steep, and soon we had passed into more open forest. The trail became steeper as we approached the escarpment southwest of The Castle, with the last few hundred meters being very steep indeed. We were rewarded, however, with good view of Mount Owen to the northwest.



Just before the escarpment is a steep and slippery rock face which can be climbed with the help of chains on posts set into the rock. Having reached the escarpment we followed it roughly north along a very difficult path: not easy to follow in some parts (a bit of experimentation and backtracking was required) and with much scrambling up and down required before reaching the northern end of the escarpment. Some excellent views from here to the north, west and southwest.

From here the path veers to the east towards Meakins Pass. This section is very steep, so steps are the dominant feature. When we attempted it it was also very wet and muddy. Only 350 meters from Meakins Pass, however, I became ill and we had to turn back, returning by the same route. Some different views and features were sighted on the return trip, including this one below The Castle.

This is a very demanding walk, but with many rewards along the way. Given my experience it's probably best to only attempt it when you are feeling in good physical condition at the start.

Morton National Park: Budawang Wilderness, Byangee Trail to Castle Gap

General information

Distance:  6.6 kilometers
Total climb:  around 400 meters
Time taken:  3 hours
Map:  Corang 8927-3N 1:25 000
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  171 kilometers
Start point map grid reference:  56H KF 44720 87727

Destination map grid referencs: 56H KF 46129 90004

End point:  same as start

Route

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

Description

This afternoon hike started at the Long Gully campground after three-hour trip from Canberra and setting up camp at Yadboro Flat (56H KF 47112 85623). Almost immediately we had to cross the Yadboro River. Since it was the start of a weekend of hiking I decided to keep my boots dry and take them off before crossing the knee-deep water on slippery rocks - hiking poles were very useful for maintaining balance. Having crossed the river we followed the Byangee Trail north. Initially the track was wide and not too steep, but it narrows and gets quite steep at about the 1 kilometer point. There were some good views along the trail to the west.



We continued along the trail until we reached the escarpment south of The Castle. At this point we turned to the east and followed the narrow path along the base of the escarpment. 



This path was slippery, with many ups and downs and sometimes quite difficult to pick out. Eventually we reached Castle Gap, where there were views of Pigeon House about 7.5 kilometers away.



It being fairly late in the day, we decided to head back by the same route. Although relatively short in distance, this is quite a challenging walk.

Budawang Wilderness: Pigeon House Mountain

General Information

Distance: 5.3 kilometers return
Total climb: 485 meters
Time taken: 2 hours 30 minutes
Map:  Milton 8927-2N 1:25 000
Guide:  link
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  202 kilometers
Start point map grid reference:  56H KF 50666 82793
Destination map grid reference:  56H KF 51467 84801
End point: same as start

Route

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

Description

Pigeon House Mountain is a distinctively-shaped peak visible from many parts of the South Coast around Ulladulla.



The starting point for the hike was the picnic area at the end of Pigeon House Road. To get there from Ulladulla we drove south on the Princes Highway to Wheelbarrow Road where we turned right. We followed Wheelbarrow road to Woodburn Road, where we turned left and continued to Clyde Ridge Road where we turned right. Clyde Ridge Road eventually meets Yadboro Road where we turned right. About 4.3 kilometers along Yadboro Road is Pigeon House Road. The Pigeon House walking track is very clear and well maintained, and on the day that we did the walk there were a large number of walkers along it, including young children. The first kilometer of the track is very steep though. Once this first climb has been made, however, there is a peak on the ridge at 454 meters elevation which gives the first good views of the surrounding area.





Continuing on from there we continued to climb more gradually up the track following the ridge. At about 2 kilometers into the walk the steep climb up the southeast ridge of Pigeon House commences, and after about 500 meters the track comes to the cliffs that surround the summit. Ladders provide a safe and simple way of getting to the summit, though there are also some narrow sections of track.

 



Finally we came to the safety-fenced lookout at the summit where the views over the coast and the Budawang Wilderness are exceptional.







After taking some time with the views we headed back to the picnic area the way we had come. This is a great short walk on a very good track.