Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve: Nil Desperandum

General Information

Distance:  10.2 kilometers
Total climb:  500 meters
Time taken:  3 hours 40 minutes
Map:  Tidbinbilla 8627-2S 1:25 000
Guide:  link
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  45 kilometers
Start point map grid reference:  55H FA 74866 76263
Destination map grid reference:  55H FA 74483 78216
End point:  same as start

Route

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

Description

There are various options for where to start this walk, but we chose the parking area at Greens picnic area. From Greens we followed the marked trail along management roads hiking steadily upwards to an elevation of around 830 meters (the start point at Greens being around 680 meters). From here the trail heads down again to Nil Desperandum homestead, a bit under 5 kilometers from the start point.





This homestead is hired out for overnight stays, but the toilet and rainwater tank are available to hikers. Since the homestead was unoccupied at the time of our hike, we were able to have a look around and pause there for lunch. The northern part of the Tidbinbilla Range looms over the homestead to the west, with Camels Hump particularly prominent. After our break we followed the trail a little further to the northwest to do some sightseeing. With the help of signs and information boards we found the remnants of the camellia garden, some still in flower.



We also found the ruins of the old family swimming pool which was constructed on Hurdle Creek, and the rusted remnants of a commercial eucalyptus oil distiller.



Instead of following the same trail back to our car, we decided to backtrack only as far as the management road (Boundary Fire Trail) up the very steep hill that starts at map reference FA741782. This was a climb of about 100 meters elevation over a distance of only 800 meters. There are some good views once the peak has been reached.



Having descended to bottom of their peak, there was another substantial hill which we also had to climb. It gave us a great view towards the sun coming down over the Tidbinbilla Range.



From there we followed the trail back to Greens and our waiting car.

This is a reasonably good walk through what used to be pine forest, but following the 2003 bushfires is now going back to a natural state. The route we took to get there, which is what the guide recommends, is circuitous but is much easier than the more direct Boundary Fire Trail which we followed on the way back. In fact, I suspect it took us longer to walk back along the more direct route given the steepness of the terrain. Nil Desperandum homestead is well worth a look if you happen to find it vacant. It is also a great place to stay for a few nights - I did this in October 2016 as a result of taking this hike.

Murrumbidgee Corridor: Red Rocks

General Information

Distance:  11.25 kilometers
Total climb:  308 meters
Time taken:  3 hours 40 minutes
Map:  Tuggeranong 8727-3S 1:25 000
Guide:  link
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  20 kilometers
Start point map grid reference:  56H FA 84908 81249
Destination map grid reference:  55H FA 86545 79167
End point map grid reference:  55H FA 87308 80314

Route

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

Description

We started this hike in Winser Crescent Kambah, walking from there through to the Bicentennial National Trail which we followed to the northwest to Kambah Pool Road. We then followed Kambah Pool Road to the left until we passed into the Murrumbidgee Corridor Nature Reserve about 2 kilometers into the hike and turned south towards the river. At the river we joined the Murrumbidgee Discovery Track and followed it southeast. Our initial plan was to cross the river around map reference FA838801 and walk up Bullen Range via the Bullen Powerline Fire Trail, but after much looking around we could find no suitable crossing point, the river being quite high. Slightly dejected, we continued along the Track until we found a nice spot for a break.



From there we pressed on to our destination Red Rocks Gorge.





Having taken in the sights at Red Rocks, we left the Murrumbidgee Discovery Track  and headed northeast to link up once again with the Bicentennial Trail, which had some good views back towards the Bullen Range.



Eventually we reached the eastern side of Kambah, where we picked up a second car to return us to our starting point.

This hike was, for us, about 3 kilometers longer than it needed to be due to a lot of looking around for a suitable crossing point. It was surprisingly scenic and the trail was clear and easy to walk on. It has encouraged me to one day attempt the 27 kilometer Murrumbidgee Discovery Track from Casuarina Sands to Point Hut.

Nightcap National Park: Minyon Falls (1)

General Information

Distance:  4 kilometers
Total climb:  approximately 150 meters
Time taken:  1.5 hours
Map:  Huonbrook  9540-1N 1:25 000
Guide: link
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  1,120 kilometers
Start point map grid reference:  56J NP 38937 34069
Destination map grid reference:  56J NP 38182 34813
End Point:  same as start

Route

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

Description

The hike commenced at Minyon Grass picnic area, which is about 3.25 kilometers along Minyon Falls Road from Repentance Creek Road. There is a lookout there with a view of the distant falls.



I followed the Minyon Falls walking track down into the valley. At first the track was dry and airy, but as it descended into the valley it became darker and wetter.

After descending for 1.4 kilometers, the track starts to run parallel to Repentance Creek.

Not far from the end of the track it is necessary to scramble over some large boulders to get through to the base of the falls. The otherwise perfect scene under the falls is a little bit marred by some graffiti on the rock face. A real shame. 

In any case, the falls are spectacular, the noise is oddly soothing and the rock formations are cathedral-like.

Normally I would have continued the hike on the other side of the creek and around the escarpment to the top of the falls, but the upper part of Minyon Falls was closed due to roadworks on Minyon Falls Road past Minyon Grass. This left me no alternative than to retrace my steps back to Minyon Grass.

This was a very satisfying short walk, although I must admit that the drive from Ocean Shores to Minyon Grass took me only slightly less time than the walk. The trail, though busy with other walkers even on a weekday, was very well maintained and easy to negotiate (except for the boulders at the end, which may be too challenging for some).

Namadgi National Park: Mount Tennent (1)

General Information

Distance:  15.7 kilometers return
Total climb:  899 meters
Time taken:  4 hours 10 minutes
Map:  Williamsdale 8726-4N, 1:25 000
Guide:   link
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  36 kilometers
Start point map grid reference:  55H FA 87286 66083
Destination map grid reference:  55H FA 85340 64040
End point:  same as start

Refer to blog for the identical walk I completed on 7 August 2016.

Googong Foreshores: Shoreline and Western Foreshores Walks

General Information

Distance:  13 kilometers
Total climb:  300 meters
Time taken:  4 hours
Map:  Hoskinstown 8727-2S, 1:25 000
Guide:  link
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  30 kilometers
Start point map grid reference:  55H GA 04863 77024
Destination map grid reference:  55H GA 04776 67918
End point:  same as destination

Route

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

Description

This walk required two cars, one of which we placed at the London Bridge carpark at the southern end of Googong and the other at the Foreshores carpark near Googong Dam.  From the Foreshores carpark we could have started directly along the Western Foreshores Walk, which is along a management trail, but we decided it would be more scenic to do the 2.6 kilometer Shoreline Walk first and meet up with the Western Foreshores Walk at Shannons Inlet. As it turned out, the Western Foreshores Walk was not particularly scenic, through not particularly inspiring bushland and with only occasional views of Googong Reservoir.



We probably should have left our first car at the Tin Hut rather than London Bridge carpark, since that would have made the walk slightly shorter and this last section was along a hot and dusty road. This was not a particularly inspiring walk, although it did cover almost the entire length of Googong Reservoir. I suspect it would be better to do this by kayak.

Kosciusko National Park: Tabletop Mountain and Four Mile Trails

General Information

Distance:  23.7 kilometers (day 1 - 13.1 kilometers; day 2 - 10.6 kilometers)
Total climb:  630 meters (day 1 - 366 meters; day 2 - 264 meters)
Time taken:  7 hours 45 minutes (day 1 - 4 hours 25 minutes; day 2 - 3 hours 20 minutes)
Maps:  Cabramurra 8526-2S 1:25 000; Denison 8626-3S 1:25 000
Guide:  Derrick Stone Walks, Tracks & Trails of New South Wales (2012), pp. 182-183.
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  206 kilometers
Start point map grid reference:  55H FA 34798 28358 [Cabramurra]
Destination map grid reference:  55H FA 33565 19421 [Cabramurra] - campsite
End Point map grid reference:  55H FA 39033 23931 [Denison]

Route

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

Description

This hike required two cars and a large backpack for overnight camping. The first car we placed at our planned end point, a carpark on the Eucumbene River - note that this track to this carpark requires 4WD or AWD. Having placed the first car, we drove on in the second car to a carpark just off the Snowy Mountains Highway at the southern edge of Kiandra which is the northern end of the Tabletop Mountain Trail. We started the hike in a generally southerly direction along the Tabletop Mountain Trail (part of the Australian Alps Walking Track) through grassland with the occasional stand of trees. Many trees in the area were dead, possibly as a result of the 2003 bushfires. We were also plagued by swarms of flies and had to wear fly nets over our heads to stay sane. About 6.5 kilometers into the hike we deviated east of the trail to visit Four Mile Hut.



There had been no other water on the trail before this, so we took the opportunity to refill in the nearby Four Mile Creek. There was also a pit toilet up the hill from the hut - a welcome sight to any hiker who doesn't relish the idea of digging and refilling their own in the hard ground. After a good break at the hut we retraced our steps to the Tabletop Mountain Trail and continued south to Nine Mile Creek. Having found here that the creek was clear and fast-flowing, we decided that this was a good spot to spend the night and pitched our tents around 3.30pm. This proved to be a good decision, as it was difficult to find water later in the hike.



Our campsite was in the middle of the old Nine Mile Diggings mining area, and there were mining earthworks all around us. There were also a lot of annoying small ants, but these disappeared after sundown. The next morning we continued along the Tabletop Mountain Trail south and then east. At one point we found what seemed to be the remains of an old mining race below the trail.



About 1.5 kilometers from our campsite we met the Four Mile Hill Fire Trail, which we followed north until we came to Broken Dam Hut. 



We had expected to find some more water in Broken Dam Creek, but it was dry. More positively, though, we found another pit toilet near the hut. After a brief stop at the hut we continued along the Four Mile Hill trail going up and down some significant slopes until we reached Four Mile Hill (1690 metres elevation). This had us quite exhausted, as the morning was already warm and the lack of opportunities to refresh our water along the track was requiring us to use what we had with care.



Fortunately the trail from Four Mile Hill to the Eucumbene River is all downhill - in fact, it drops over 400 meters in elevation in 3.2 kilometers. Eventually we came to the river and crossed a ford (still knee-deep water) to get back to the first car.

This is a walk I am not sure about. On the negative side, the flies and ants were annoying, the dead trees everywhere were depressing, and the lack of water sources (particularly along the Four Mile Hill trail) was disturbing. On the positive side, the mining history of the area is everywhere and the grasslands and summer wildflower remnants were very pretty. 

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.

Kosciuszko National Park: Kiandra Heritage Trail and Tabletop Track

General Information

Kiandra Heritage Trail
   Distance: 2 kilometers return
   Total climb: negligible
   Time taken: 30 minutes
   Map:  Ravine 8526-2N 1:25 000
   Guide:  Derrick Stone Walks, Tracks & Trails of New South Wales (2012), pp.180-181.
   Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  150 kilometers   
   Start point map grid reference:  55H FA 34892 28774
   Destination:  loop trail
   End point:  same as start

Tabletop Trail (part)
   Distance: 13 kilometers return
   Total climb: 232 meters
   Time taken: 2 hours 15 minutes
   Map:  Cabramurra 8526-2S 1:25 000
   Guide:  Derrick Stone Walks, Tracks & Trails of New South Wales (2012), pp.182-183.
   Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  206 kilometers
   Start point Map grid reference:  55H FA 34798 28358
   Destination:  none - walk was exploratory
   End point:  same as start

Route

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

Description

I have an ancestor who was mining gold at Kiandra during the brief gold rush of 1859-61, so I wanted to see the site. I started at the restored courthouse and followed the trail through a rather bleak and windswept valley.



Old mining remains can be seen, as well as the ruins of Yan's Store and the restored Matthew's Cottage.



 



Information boards are regularly placed around the trail, and it is well worth taking the time to read them.



With the trail only 2 kilometers in length, I had plenty of time and energy for some additional walking and decided to check out part of the Tabletop Trail to see if it was worth the two-day hike in Derrick Stone's book. Starting near Pollocks Gully, I walked up the side of Dunn's Hill and looked back towards Kiandra.



The track passes mostly through open grassland with occasional stands of trees and distant mountains.

 

I followed the trail south about 5.5 kilometers and decided that I should return to get back to Cooma in time. Unfortunately I took a wrong turning down the Mt Selwyn nordic ski trail, and while this added about 2 kilometers to the walk, it provided some nice views.



The Kiandra Heritage Trail is worth taking some time over, though it is remote and has few facilities (there is a toilet at the Court House, however). The Tabletop Trail was sufficiently interesting to get me back there to do the Tabletop and Four Mile Trails as a two-day hike the following month. 

Namadgi National Park: Square Rock

General Information

Distance:  11.2 kilometers
Total climb:  305 meters
Time taken:  3 hours 37 minutes
Map:  Corin Dam 8626-1N 1:25 000
Guide:  link
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  52 kilometers
Start point map grid reference:  55H FA 73134 67548
Destination map grid reference:  55H FA 71122 65800
End Point:  same as start

This is the most recent time I have undertaken this walk. Previous walks were on 5 July 2015 and 13 May 2014.

Route

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

Description

The Square Rock walking track begins at the Square Rock carpark on Corin Road, about 1 kilometer past the Corin Forest recreation area. The start of the track is well marked and at first parallels the Corin Road for about 1 kilometer through fairly open forest. The climb up to Square Rock starts then, and by about the 3.5 kilometer mark about 200 meters in elevation has been gained. Just short of the 4 kilometer mark there is a side track off to the left that leads to a point near the 1444 meter peak at map reference FA713650 (this track is marked accurately on the map). It is well worth taking this side track, as it leads to a lookout with very good views down towards the Orroral Valley.



Returning to the main track, it is only about one kilometer to Square Rock, which is easily climbed via a short ladder.



From Square Rock there are good views to the west, north and east.





Return to the carpark is by the same track. This is a nice and easy walk of a moderate distance with some good views along the way. It is easily accessible on sealed roads.

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve: Billy Billy Rocks - North/South Route

General Information

Distance:  5.4 kilometers
Total climb:  347 meters
Time taken:  7 hours
Map:  Corin Dam 8626-1N; 1:25: 000
Guide:  Graeme Barrow, Namadgi & Tidbinbilla Classics: Tough Bushwalks in Canberra's 
                                        High Country (2000), pp. 25-27.
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  52 kilometers
Start point map grid reference: 55H FA 73102 67537
Destination map grid reference:  55H FA 71942 69153
End point:  same as start

Route

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

Description

Billy Billy Rocks is a rocky peak in the south of the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. There are two main routes off Corin Road to get to the Rocks, one approaching from the east and the other from the south. On this occasion we decided to do the north-south route. This starts at Square Rock carpark, which is just a bit after the Corin Forest recreation area. Crossing Corin Road from the carpark we initially headed north and then west, avoiding the boggy ground around Gibraltar Creek. The climb was only moderate in the early stages of the hike, but it became steeper as we veered northwest up the hill at map reference FA721686 where there is a Bogong cave. As well as the steepness of the climb, we were faced with thick scrub and lots of fallen trees, a legacy of the 2003 bushfires. Due to these factors, it took us over 2 hours to hike our first 2 kilometers. Arriving at the peak at FA721686 we searched for the Bogong cave but without success. There were some interesting rock formations here though.



We then hiked due north towards Billy Billy Rocks. This meant we had to descend through the continuing dense scrub and fallen trees down to Billy Billy Creek and then climb up the other side. This took us another hour or so. Perhaps we would have been better off following the contours around to the west and then veering east to approach the Rocks. We spent some time exploring the Rocks, but were unable to find the stone cairns that would lead us to the best views over Namadgi and Tidbinbilla. We did get a few glimpses through the rocks and trees though.



Running short on time we decided to head back - not a pleasant thought given the terrain we had walked through to get to the Rocks. For some crazy reason we walked back to the peak at FA721686, which we should have just walked around to the east, saving us another climb. We then headed roughly straight southeast to get back to the car. This took us through the boggy ground around Gibraltar Creek, where I managed to stand on a red-bellied black snake which thankfully slithered off away from me.

Graeme Barrow rated this walk as "Hard" back in 2000, but given the post-bushfire regrowth and fallen trees it has become even more difficult. Barrow said that the walk should take 4.5 hours, but we took 7 wearying hours. My co-hikers and I decided that next time we would use the west-east route, where we had heard that there is at least a track of some description.