Mid Week Trip Report

                                                       28th April to 3rd May, 2015

Participants:

• Tony Clarke – Trip Leader – Mitsubishi Challenger
• Bev Fort – “The Lady Wears Prado”
• Alan Bull – Nissan GQ
• Bob and Monica – FJ Cruiser

I was looking forward to this trip, having bagged a week of work at short notice, and always having been envious that Bob, being self employed, could give himself time off to go enjoy mid week jaunts, without the usual hordes generally encountered on the tracks and at campsites on the weekends.

We packed the car the day before and headed off bright and early.  We had a good run, and had plenty of time to fuel up and run a few errands on arrival at Braidwood. First stop, the butcher for a ‘leg o lamb’ as I was planning a camp oven roast one night.  Next stop, the bakery for coffee and a bun, and meet up with the rest of the crew.  Bev soon joined us, followed by TC, and then we headed off to join Al, and depart on our mid week jaunt.

Shortly after leaving Braidwood, en route to Buckenbowra State Forest, we spotted a sign for “The Old Cheese Factory”, and a short debate ensued – to visit, or not to visit?  Another sign for Cider Sales at the same location made that decision for us … these things have to be done!   After a short discussion on the difference between ‘old’ cheese and ‘mature’ cheese, we were disappointed on arrival to find the place locked up and not a sniff of cheese or a sip of cider to be had.  Never mind, we made use of the empty car-park to air down.

TC had the opportunity to play with his new toy – a Mighty McCulloch chainsaw, to clear a fallen tree off the track, and Bob proved that he and the FJ could squeeze through the narrower of the two chicken tracks around another fallen tree. Having watched the others easily negotiate the rocks on one of the side tracks, he determined to prove me wrong when I pointed out that the other track between two trees and a large rock was too narrow – and left a few scrapes of FJ hub cap and side step paint on said rock, just to prove he had been there and done it, so there!  Men, that’s all I have to say!

A brief lunch stop at Bolaro Mtn, we descended toward our camp at Dry Creek, where we spent the next two nights on the banks of the Deua River; had the place all to ourselves, bar a visit from the very friendly ranger, stopping for a chat both mornings.

After a relaxing evening around the campfire, day 2 commenced with TC taking his trip leader duties very seriously, as he waded through freezing water to check the depth of the river crossing on the Deua, whilst we carefully observed, and offered advice, to make sure he did a proper and thorough job!  

Having safely negotiated the water obstacle, we then followed a Lyre bird along Oulla Creek fire trail toward Moruya; well, the Lyre bird did not go all the way to Moruya, but certainly ran a fair distance along the track in front of us!  We had a leisurely lunch at Moruya; the farmers market was just setting up in the park as we left to head back to camp – 3pm on a Tuesday afternoon seems an odd time for a market – but apparently its always been that way and is very popular.  A quick stop to play with the chainsaw’s again, for firewood, and we were soon back in camp relaxing around a blazing fire.

With no sun reaching the valley bottom, Weds morning saw a damp and cold pack up, before we headed out, crossing the Deua again, following the Merricumbene fire trail to Bendethra.  Arriving nice and early in the Bendethra valley, we had the whole place to ourselves – the only other signs of occupation being lots of Roo’s, and a very large Wombat, contentedly munching away on the lush paddock grass, and quite happy to be photographed.

We camped up by the old homestead, which is normally always occupied by other campers, and made it our base for the next 2 nights.  It’s a lovely spot, and it was so nice to have it all to ourselves.  After lunch, we took advantage of the location and late afternoon sun, and gave our winches a workout in the paddock; TC and I was neck to neck in the slow winch, inch by inch, to see who could arrive at the finish line first …. Toyota, of course!

Day 4, Bev woke up feeling crook, so we made sure she was tucked up nice and warm with a hottie and plenty of fluids to keep hydrated.  TC and Al headed off to explore

Mongamulla track which circuits the Bendethra Valley, whilst Bob and I set of to walk to Bendethra Caves …

The sign said 4kms each way, 2.5 hrs return – Ha!  Neglected to mention 11 river crossings, 10 million leeches, and a blxxdy steep scrabble 350 mtrs up a barely discernable track over rocks, over and under tree branches, through ferns and shrubs, finally arriving at a small hole in the side of the escarpment, that descended into darkness, with a few stalactites and stalagmites just visible in the gloom … and then it started to rain!   But not for long, so we had a bite of lunch, took some pics, and then started the descent and return journey … arriving back in camp 4 hrs later, and in need to a hot shower – oh what a feeling.  Nothing gets any better than a hot shower to ease aching muscles, whilst taking in the amazing vista of the Bendethra escarpment in the background.

TC and Al had a ball on their recce of the circuit track, and Bev was feeling much better. Awesome lamb roast dinner that evening, cooked by my good self J. Yum.  So a good day had by all.

Last leg … packed up and headed out to Wadbilliga National Park to explore the beautiful Cascades and Tuross Falls, check out the Cascades campground for future reference, and then head to Lakes Creek campground for the night.   After visiting the Falls, Bob and I said our goodbyes, and headed to Cooma for a coffee, and then hit the Hume to be home for the weekend.

By all accounts, TC, Al and Bev had a lovely night at Lakes Creek, and a good day exploring Badja NP, and Little Sugar Loaf, finishing off at motel and dinner at the RSL in Moruya.

A thoroughly relaxing and enjoyable trip; watch out for this one in future, if you have not been to the area before.  Thanks TC …