What? The Big Hole

Where? Deua National Park, NSW

How do I get there? From Braidwood drive down the Cooma/Krawaree Road (across the Ballalaba Bridge over the Shoalhaven River); past the Captains Flat turn off until you see the Berlang Camping Area sign on the left – this is your entry point. A short walk from this well equipped site (there's toilets, BBQs and camping spots) and you arrive at The Big Hole.


Backgrounder? The Big Hole is a steep, 96-metre pit, thought to have been formed when sedimentary rocks caused underlying limestone caves to collapse. Along with Big Badja, Marble Arch and Wyanbene Caves, this is one of the main attractions along the western boundary of the Deua National Park which adjoins the Wadbilliga Park to the south. Together this expanse covers 156 000 hectares, one of the largest areas of natural land left in the eastern part of the state.

This is what author John Blay said about the Big Hole in his book Trek Through The Back Country (1987): "I walked round the hole, marvelling and trying to work out how to photograph it; it was about 50 metres across. The sides fell in a sheer drop of some hundred metres. Ferns clung to the sides in places and tree-ferns grew in a sloping band of earth at the bottom. Swallows flittered in clear arcs."


What? Marble Arch

Where? Deua National Park, NSW.

How do I get there? This natural gem can be reached by extending your walk beyond the Big Hole. In total it is a 13km, return walk that starts from the Berlang Camping Area. If you require further information: both the Big Hole and Marble Arch are located on the western side of the Deua National Park, for a detailed map of this area try topographic map - Kain 8026-4S.


Backgrounder? The Marble Arch is a striking, narrow-roofed canyon, approx. four metres wide, 25 metres deep and over a kilometre in length. Wide bands of 'marble' (variegated limestone) can be seen in the walls of the canyon and the roof of the cave. Make sure you pack plenty of food and water for this trip!


What? Bendethera Caves

Where? Deua National Park, NSW

How do I get there? This near-pristine area is only accessible via 4 wheel drive from Moruya (around a three to four hour drive in good conditions) or from Braidwood, along the Cooma/Krawaree Rd. From here access the park from Middle Mountain Rd (around two hours). Once at the Bendethera camping area the caves are around a 2.5 hour walk by foot. A huge effort, by anyone's standards, but well worth it! 

Please note: This wilderness area is one of the largest - and most rugged - National Parks in Australia. For detailed maps try topographic maps -Snowball 8826-3S and Bendethera 8826-2S for access off Cooma/Krawaree Rd (western side) and for visitors coming in from Moruya, try the following: Moruya 8926-3S combined with the Bendethera map. Google Maps for this area aren't recommended.


Backgrounder? The Main Cave at Bendethera is a short and steep climb up the range from the walking track. You'll know which one it is due to its size: its the large limestone cave that contrasts with the many smaller caves and sinkholes that dot the landscape. The surrounding vegetation varies and is equally as interesting. It includes swamp-bogs and Shoalhaven River ferns combined with areas of Ironbark rainforest, open forest (with lots of Snow Gums) and Ash along the ridge tops. Fauna, too, is abundant with swamp and red-necked wallabies, grey kangaroos, echidnas, possums, bandicoots, a rare tiger quoll and around 90 bird species.


Please be aware that the Bendethera Caves are really for the more 'dedicated' camper or nature lover. It takes a huge effort to travel here and shouldn't be something you do on a whim! If you do decide to go, ensure you are fully prepared for any changhes in weather, with ample supplies of food and water.

If you want to experience nature in the raw, there’s arguably nowhere better to pitch your tent for a weekend – or longer. This is a place where you can really get away from it all. Camp on the grassy area of the old farm by the fast-flowing Deua River – and explore!

What? Water Wheel

Where? Tallaganda State Forest, NSW

How do I get there? Lowden Park is in the middle of the Tallaganda State Forest, if you'd like to explore the state forest further, look at topographic map Bendoura-8826-4N. Directions For Tallaganda State Forest


Backgrounder? Lowden Forest Park in the Tallaganda State Forest is one of this area's best kept secrets. It's an old, little known logging camp from the late 1930s that's hidden in a gorgeous, green fern gully. It features some striking remnants of the past, such as this water wheel (below) that was used to generate electricity and charge batteries for the loggers and their logging trucks. This intruiging and extremely useful contraption, that was built in 1952 by Queanbeyan based William Hopkins and Spencer Hush, still works today.

Other historic relics, such as this historic train (below) are scattered throughout the park add to the appeal of this living time capsule and make it a firm favourite for bushwalking and mountain bike riding enthusiasts.


However, there's more to Lowden Park than these old pieces of machinery. The area around it features pockets of untouched rainforest and majestic stands of old trees, which explains - in part - why the loggers selected this site. In close proximity to the park, recently constructed walking trails mean visitors can explore the forest that also includes an understorey of shrubs, ferns, wattles, banksias, hakeas and geebungs, and a number of native grasses.

Lowden Forest Park is a wonderful spot for a picnic with a number of good facilities available. If this neck of the woods tickles your fancy, you can always camp overnight


Monga National Park, NSW

What? Monga National Park, NSW: Bushwalk. Drive. Horseride. Picnic. Take your pick. These are just some of the many activities available to visitors of the beautiful Monga National Park, NSW. Please note: camping is not permitted in this park. 

Where? Monga National Park, NSW

How do I get there? The Monga National Park is located 20km south-east of Braidwood and 40km west of Batemans Bay along the Kings Highway.


Backgrounder? The Monga National Park is an ancient region of near pristine, cool and warm temperate, rainforests set on 26,000 plus hectares. In a world of ever shrinking rainforests and rapidly increasing climate change, this is without question a place that everyone should experience, especially the kids.

Choose from the easy and accessible (you don’t even have to get out of your car!) to the more arduous and remote (the 18km trek down the mountain range on The Corn Trail is a cracker!). For more details on these activities go to the bushwalking or driving section of this website.


The Mongarlowe and Buckenbowra Rivers that flow through the park really add to its magic and appeal. Along their banks, there are a number of places to swin, picnic and experience rare flora and fauna in their natural environment. The best things in life really are free.
 

Some of the highlights of the Monga National Park:

• Penance Grove – If you’d just stepped out of the 'Tardis' you might think you’d travelled back into the very distant past when Australia was part of the super, southern continent of Gondwana. You’ll be standing under a tall canopy of plumwood trees surrounded by ferns, mosses and lichen. In the right light the Grove can look positively luminous. The easily walked boardwalk that meanders through the area provides a great viewing platform… and there’s a 'surprise' for children when they meet the Grove’s unusual host.
  
• Mongarlowe Picnic Area – This is an easy 10 minute walk from Penance Grove. This sheltered and well-equipped picnic area (with toilets) is an ideal base from which to further explore the surrounding eucalyptus forests or the slow flowing Mongarlowe River (with the distinctive Monga Waratah dotted along its banks).
  
• Dasyurus Picnic Area – This is the first picnic area off the Kings Highway. It’s (again) on the banks of the Mongarlowe and is a great spot from which to start exploring the Corn Trail.
  
• The Corn Trail – This is an old, old route used to travel between the Tablelands down to the lower valleys of the South Coast. From the 1820s this Aboriginal 'highway' was used by settlers. Now you can explore it on foot with a walk – or on horse.
  
• The Loop – This is a 27 km car drive that winds its way through the old growth forests, tree fern valleys and lush, wet areas. It passes most of the favourite attractions in The Monga National Park and is a good way to first experience the area before deciding on where you’d like to return to for a longer visit.

The Budawang Ranges, Morton National Park & Budawang National Park NSW

What? A rugged mountain range straddling two national parks, the beauty and grandeur of the Budawangs is difficult to surpass; sculpted rock faces, mountain plateaus, and sweeping rainforest gullies. Its distinctive, long winding cliff line is crowned with the peaks of Pigeon House Mountain,  The Castle, and Corang Peak. The range has been declared a wilderness area and is popular with experienced and well-prepared bushwalkers.

Where? Morton National Park & Budawang National Park, NSW.

How do I get there? There are a number of entry points to the Budawang Ranges from the Kings Highway between Braidwood and Nelligen, or from the Princes Highway north of Batemans Bay. The roads are all unsealed and often not well marked, so its not recommended to venture in without a map for the specific area you are visiting. See below for a list of maps.

Backgrounder? Aboriginal Australians - the Wandandians and the Walbanjas - have been traversing the beautiful Budawangs for at least 20,000 years; archeologists have found evidence of campsites, rock shelters, axe-grinding grooves in rocks by the sides of creeks, and some rock art. In 1770 while sailing up the east coast English explorer Captain James Cook spotted the landmark peak of the Budawangs from the ocean and, as was the custom of the day, gave it a very English name; “A remarkable peaked hill which resembled a square dove house with a dome on the top and for that reason I called it Pigeon House Hill”.

Today Pigeon House Mountain is also known by its Aboriginal name, Didthul, and remains a landmark. Nearly everywhere you trek in this remarkable wilderness area you can spot Pigeon House/Didthul Mountain. The climb up the mountain is a challenge, but well worth the spectacular views across the Budawang Ranges.

Some of the other features include The Castle, Seven Gods Pinnacles, the Monolith Valley, the Nibelungs, and the pristine, ever-flowing Clyde River.  

…

The Budawangs offer a unique wilderness experience, but visitors need to be experienced bushwalkers as there are no facilities and very few tracks and signs. For keen bushwalkers we recommend the following publications; Bushwalking in the Budawangs by Ron Doughton, and Pigeon House and Beyond published by the Budawang Committee. The Budawang Committee has also published a book of sketches of available walks. These books should be available at camping shops.

Topographic maps are advised for the entry into the area. For the north-west of the park we recommend Endrick 8927-4S and Tianjara 8927-1S, for the south-west Corang 8927-3N, Brooman 8927-3S and Tabourie 8927-2S, and for the  east Milton 8927 -2N.

It's also a good idea to contact the Ulladulla office of the National Parks & Wildlife Service on 02 44 54 9500 for up to date information. You can also download from the Department of Environment and Climate Change "Requirements and Guidelines For Walking and Camping In the Budawang Wilderness, Morton National Park".

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