Bungonia National Park: White Track to Shoalhaven River

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.

Brindabella National Park: Pig Hill

General Information

Grading:  medium

Distance: 11 kilometers return 

Total climb: about 400 meters 

Time taken: about 3 hours 

Maps: Cotter Dam 8627-2N 1:25 000; Umburra 8627-1S 1:25 000 

Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  38 kilometers 

Start point map grid reference:  56H FA 71303 97832 [Cotter Dam] 

Destination map grid reference:  56H FB 72652 00832 [Umburra] 

End point:  same as start

Route

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

Description

To get to the starting point we drove to Uriarra Crossing and turned right immediately after crossing the river into Fairlight Road. We followed Fairlight Road until it ends at Mountain Creek Road and turned left. About 3.7 kilometers south of the Fairlight/Mountain Creek Road intersection there is an unsignposted gravel road on the right. This is Two Sticks Road. We followed Two Sticks Road for about 4 kilometers until we found is a vehicular track obliquely to the right with a steep descent. You can either park near this intersection and walk down the side track, or if your vehicle is up to it, drive down this track until it meets Swamp Creek. This is the start point.

At the start point there is a trail that crosses over Swamp Creek - this is shown on the Umburra map as Pig Hill Trail. Following Pig Hill Trail, however, is not simple as there are many other tracks intersecting with it that are not marked on the map, and it is not always the clearest of these tracks. It is therefore essential to continually refer to the map and use a compass or GPS to ensure the correct track is followed. About 2.5 kilometers from the start point at Swamp Creek the Pig Hill Trail meets Doctors Flat Road. We followed this road to the east until we met a locked gate about 1 kilometre from where we joined the road. To the left of this gate is the start of the well-signposted Pig Hill Summit Trail. We followed this trail to the summit of Pig Hill (979 meters).

The summit is largely bare of trees and provides excellent views back towards Belconnen.

There are also views of surrounding farmland to the north and east, and less clear views of the mountains to the west.

After pausing at the summit we retraced our steps back to the car at Swamp Creek.

This is an excellent short walk with plenty of navigational challenges, despite being on formed tracks all the way. The views from Pig Hill are well worth the effort. Hikers should note that some tracks may go through private property.

Hill End Historic Site: Bald Hill Walking Track

General Information

Distance:  4 kilometers loop
Total climb:  negligible
Time taken:  1 hour
Map:  Hill End 8731-1N 1:25 000
Guide:  National Parks and Wildlife Service - link
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  354 kilometers
Start point map grid reference: 
Destination map grid reference:  loop trail
End Point:  same as start

Route

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

Description

This is a very short walking track through the old gold mining land in the Hill End Historic Site. The track begins outside the Post Office in Reef Street and winds its way past a number of mining remains (information boards are provided at various points of interest).







Just past the furthest point of the track, the Bald Hill Mine can be found. Guided tours of this mine are available, apparently.



The trails loops back to where it began through some pretty bushland.



This walk should be part of any visit to the Hill End Historic Site. When we did it we were the only people walking along it; nice for us, but a shame that all the other visitors seemed to be missing it. It can be done without any hiking equipment except for a bottle of water, a hat and some good walking shoes.

Brindabella National Park: Swamp Creek

General information

Distance:  12.1 kilometers return
Total climb:  375 meters
Time taken:  3 hours 40 minutes
Maps:  Cotter Dam 8627-2N 1:25 000; Umburra 8627-1S 1:25 000
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  38 kilometers
Start point map grid reference:  56H FA 71303 97832 [Cotter Dam]
Destination map grid reference:  56H FA 69193 99331 [Umburra]
End point:  same as start

Route

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

Description

This hike actually started out as an attempt to climb Pig Hill, but with a cavalier approach to navigation, we ended up finding this gem of a walk along Swamp Creek instead. The starting point for this hike is a point off Two Sticks Road at map reference FA717975 (Cotter Dam). To get there we drove to Uriarra Crossing and turned right into Fairlight Road, which we followed until Mountain Creek Road and turned left. About 3.7 kilometers south of the Fairlight/Mountain Creek Road intersection there is an unsignposted gravel road on the right - Two Sticks Road. We followed Two Sticks Road for about 4 kilometers until we found our start point, a side track to the right with a steep descent. We parked a little further down Two Sticks Road and backtracked to the side track to start the hike. We walked down the steep track off Two Sticks Road for about 1 kilometer until it met a T-intersection, which we followed to the left. It was at this point that we inadvertently passed the Pig Hill Trail and continued to follow the track we were on. A point of interest we found was a burnt out tractor in the undergrowth on the side of the road, possibly a victim of the 2003 bushfires.

The track climbed for some time until we came to an un-gated fence on the other side of which another track crossed the one we were on. We continued straight ahead, however, and about 3 kilometers from the start of our hike we met another T-intersection. After some discussion, we decided to turn right at this intersection and after about 500 meters we struck Swamp Creek. At this point the track we had been following ended, but there was a cut and ribbon-marked narrow walking trail that we were able to continue on. Keeping to the walking trail we followed Swamp Creek upstream for about 3 kilometers, having to cross the Creek 17 times to keep on the trail. Most crossings were easy, others required some ingenuity.

Eventually the trail ended at a locked gate with a "No Trespassing" sign - presumably the western edge of Brindabella National Park. This would have been only a few hundred meters from the Firebreak Trail, which we had some idea by this stage of the hike of following back to Two Sticks Road and our parked car. With the unequivocal sign on the gate, however, we decided to go back the way that we had come.

While this walk was a navigational nightmare of my own making in that we never got anywhere near Pig Hill, it was actually a great discovery that we would not otherwise have made.  

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.