Kanangra-Boyd Wilderness Area

Kanangra Walls Plateau down to Kowmung River via Coals Seam Cave, Gingra Trail and Roots Ridge.

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We tracked down to Kowmung via Roots Ridge. Hard going. 8 hours each way, but started early so had plenty of time. The sunrise over the Walls is spectacular, arrive to the trail head at least 30 minutes before sunrise. Getting down to Coal Seam Cave is easy. Gingra Trail has a few overgrown shrubs in large sections making it a hard to see the ridge at times for their thickness, navigating gets tricky at times. Dropping down to Roots is easy going in parts (upper sections) and incredibly thick and tall weeds in others (we spent over an hour cutting through weeds double our height at one point, very hard work). The general gradient is long but manageable, nothing too technical besides the crazy overgrowth. Ribbons are visible for first part but stop half way down Roots when the overgrowth kicks in. The river is incredible, clean, fast flowing (it was after rain) and so refreshing. Even though overgrown in most parts we managed to landscape a spot and enjoyed our swims in the super refreshing water. The route cannot be done without right gear for tackling overgrowth, but we loved it nonetheless. I wouldn’t recommend it to the inexperienced (in fact very dangerous) but for experienced ppl up for a gruelling challenge (and punishment). 

  • 4am start to catch the sunrise
  • Cloudy with a chance of meatballs
  • Partner
  • Clearing clouds
  • hello!
  • The Walls
  • Walking the Plateau
  • Fire damage
  • Some scrambling but not too much
  • Coal Seam Cave
  • Zombie hunter 🙂
  • Walking on Gingra
  • Thick and tall weeds on Roots Ridge
  • View from Roots Ridge
  • Goofing around in the Kowmung
  • Pose
  • Unwinding after 8hr track
  • Ad-hoc campsite
  • Starry night
  • Glow in dark tent
  • River in the morning
  • Coffee time
  • The Eastern Suburbs Bush Bashers
  • Forest above Kowmung
  • Hard track up
  • Thick bush on Roots
  • Reaching the cave
  • The Plateau
  • Pink Flannies …. very rare
  • Back at the Walls
  • One final detour to Kalang Falls
  • Bliss

Blue Mountains, Acacia Flat

Lockleys Pylon to Pierces Pass via Acacia Flat and Blue Gum forest

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I did this one with my bro. This walk can be broken into 3 parts. The first is the walk to Lockley’s Pylon and the dirt road leading to the start of that track. It’s a long dirt road but fine for a 2wd if you take it slow. The track to Lockley’s Pylon is flat and not too long (1 hour-ish) – apparently it’s a popular day trip. The second part is the steep decent from Lockley’s down into the Blue Bum Forest and Acacia Flat campsite. The walk down is fairly steep, but nothing too technical besides a small jump down a wall (no ropes needed). You pass a sort of magical mini tropical forest half way down which is pretty amazing given the landscape. Once on the valley floor the walk to Acacia Flat can take another 2 hours – it’s an amazing walk as the density of Blue Gum trees increases … it reminds me of New York and looking up all the time at the skyscrapers! Acacia Flat campground (bookings are required) is serene, a great place to camp for the night (we were alone there, so a bit eerie). The final part of the hike is from Acacia Flat to (and up a very steep) Pierces Pass. There is an amazing pool as you approach Pierces Pass, just great for a swim before the gruelling climb up Pierces Pass. This is a moderate hike with very rewarding views, I will definitely do it again.

  • Start of the track 10km down a trail road
  • Views over the mountains
  • Easy start to the track
  • Hiking with bro
  • View from Lockley’s Pylon
  • Bro up high
  • Great views from Lockley’s
  • Overlooking the valley
  • Waterfalls
  • Lockly’s Pylon
  • Starting the decent down to the valley
  • Long way down
  • The valley
  • We hiked from all the way up there
  • Tired but happy
  • Entrance to the Blue Gum Forest
  • Massive trees
  • Towering over us
  • Entrance to Acacia Flat
  • Setting up camp
  • Warm
  • Creepy forest camping
  • Off we go
  • Long walk to Pierces Pass
  • Swim time
  • Super clear pool
  • Fresh to drink
  • We go there!
  • Long climb up, nearly done
  • Finished

Bungonia National Park (II)

Bungonia National Park Red and White tracks via Shoalhaven river

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Ok, this is a walk so good I had to do it again with the kids after doing it a few weeks ago with my missus. The hike starts in the Bungonia National Park car park (don’t forget to pay for parking!) where there are a number of trails and caves to explore. For this overnight adventure, we took the Red Route down – it’s considered a Grade 5, (hard going), but I found it just steep and a bit slippy (as it had been raining). Besides the climb down being steep in places, the most technical part (and most fun!) is navigating the boulder field down in Slot Canyon (which can flood after rain so check the National Park website for the latest). It is epic fun and so wide / long that it’s unlikely you’ll take the same path twice. I used a rope to assist with bag lowering first time I was here, but this time found a slightly easier route which was easy enough to navigate without. The kids loved it (note, not suitable for young kids due to risk of slipping off). The walk then continues until you get to the Colo river and a very pleasant camping area with some makeshift logs to sit at around the fire. The water is good for swimming too. The next day you take the White route up, which besides just being bloody steep and long, is very manageable. There’s even a bench at the end overlooking the river and campsite. This is one of my favourites.

  • This ones with the Dads & kids
  • Starting Red Track on a hazy day
  • Steep…
  • … and slippy
  • Mountain goats
  • Happy hikers
  • Rest break
  • Climbing down into the canyon
  • Arrived (can get flooded after rain)
  • Slot Canyon
  • Kids happy
  • Rock hopping
  • Slot Canyon
  • Boulder dash
  • Boulders
  • More boulders!
  • Even more boulders!!
  • Don’t get wet (she did!)
  • Swim spots
  • Rest spots
  • The Colo River
  • Makeshift campsite
  • Drying shoes
  • Hungry kids
  • Keeping warm
  • Day 2. Ready to go!
  • Leaving the campsite
  • Views walking up White Track
  • Trailing on the trail
  • Steep way up
  • Happy hikers done it!
  • Yay!!
  • Happy to be done
  • Cool as a cucumber

Lower Blue Mountains

Jellybean Pool to Valley Heights via Perch Pond campsite

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Ok, this is one walk that didn’t go as planned! The original plan was to do a circuit, starting and ending at Jellybean Pool, because I’ve been wanting to start and end a walk at a swim spot for a while. The originally planned route would take from Jellybean Pool, along Glenbrook Creek and Kanuka Brook (apparently some great swim spots), then onto Campfire Creek and back around. The problem was, I didn’t plan well, hoping we we’d just find a good camp spot along the way. However, with dark thunderclouds looming over us the whole way, I became concerned about finding a good spot, so we ended up changing the plan half way through and head towards Perch Ponds … there is a great campsite just south of it which I’ve stayed at before and is awesome. On the first day we crossed two amazing spots – Duck Hole (an awesome campsite on sand / swim spot but too close to our start to stay the night) and the magnificent Bunyan Lookout too (if you have energy you can visit Lost World Lookout too, which I did in a separate hike and is also amazing). On the second day we continued along Glenbrook and Magdala Creek, passing a lovely swim spots at Martins and Magdala Falls, finally exiting the bush a Valley Heights. This was a very manageable trip with great swim spots along the way.

  • Ready to go!
  • Starting at Jellybean Pool
  • Heading to the trail head
  • Upstream from Jellybean
  • Upstream from Jellybean
  • Starting the walk
  • Good with pasta?
  • Down to Duck Pool
  • Duck Pool
  • Duck Pool
  • Duck Pool
  • Duck pool – refreshing swim
  • Duck Pool – great camp spot too
  • Walking the firetrail
  • A whiskey before the rain
  • A lot of steps!
  • Campsite on the Glenbrook Creek
  • Swimming by campsite
  • Swimming by campsite
  • Getting set for day 2
  • Magdala Falls
  • Martins Pool
  • Some of the valley flora
  • Resting after the climb out

Bungonia National Park (I)

Bungonia National Park Red and White tracks via Shoalhaven river

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I was really looking forward to this overnighter, having seen some amazing photos of the boulders and Slot Canyon. This hike didn’t disappoint (so much so I went back a few weeks later for a ‘Dads & kids’ hike). The hike starts in the Bungonia National Park car park (don’t forget to pay for parking!) where there are a number of trails and caves to explore. For this overnight adventure, we took the Red Route down – it’s considered a Grade 5, (hard going). It’s steep in places and can get a bit slippy after rain. Besides the climb down being steep in places, the most technical part (and most fun!) is navigating the boulder field down in Slot Canyon (which can flood after rain so check the National Park website for the latest). It is epic fun and so wide / long that it’s unlikely you’ll take the same path twice. I used a rope to assist with bag lowering first time I was here, but this time found a slightly easier route which was easy enough to navigate without. The kids loved it (note, not suitable for young kids due to risk of slipping off). The walk then continues until you get to the Colo river and a very pleasant camping area with some makeshift logs to sit at around the fire. The water is good for swimming too. The next day you take the White route up, which besides just being bloody steep and long, is manageable. There’s even a bench at the end overlooking the river and campsite. This is one of my favourites.

  • Start of the Red Track
  • A fixed rope to descend
  • Not really needed but fun
  • Intertwine vine
  • First view of the valley after a couple of hours
  • The canyon
  • Happy hikers
  • Boulder dash
  • Slot canyon
  • Boulders
  • More boulders
  • Rocks after the boulders!
  • Danger from quarry blasts
  • Some of the pools you come across
  • Walk walk walk
  • Slip slip slip
  • Reaching the Colo river
  • Pitching up for the night
  • Staying warm
  • Morning swim
  • Starting the hike out via White Trail
  • Happy
  • Climbing the slope
  • A few hours later
  • What a view!

Starlight Trail

Starlight Trail in the Nattai National Park

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I chose this walk because I cam across some amazing photos of Russel’s Needle – climbing to it’s amazing summit and camping on the Nattai River was the original objective of this delightful walk. We started the walk at the end of Nattai Road along a relatively easy trail. The trail shortly connects with the Ahearn Lookout Trail at the junction and signpost for the Starlight Trail (which is what we did on Day 2 to return from the river). The track down to the Nattai river is relatively easy (400m decent) with nothing overly technical or difficult. We did it with 3 complaining teenage kids, which was more technical than the route itself 😉 Once at the river, we cooled down and made the decision to scrap the Needle, because we mis-timed things. We only started the walk at midday, arrived at the river at around 14:30 so getting to the Needle and back to the campsite would not work – so we pressed on to the campsite at the very sandy and picturesque Emmetts Flat. This was a lovely place to spend the night, albeit we were camped alongside other visitors, I think this place gets busy. The next day we walked up the Starlight Trail, all in all (much to the dismay of our whinging teenagers) about 3 to 4 hours of ascent back to the car park. I’ll be back here to do the Needle … and a much earlier start (and no teenagers!).

  • Junction with the Starlight Trail
  • View over the Nattai River
  • Lunch break
  • Teenagers
  • Grumpy ones 😉
  • Some steep parts (not many)
  • Looks worse than it is
  • Arriving at the river
  • Daring river crossing needed
  • Walk along the river bank
  • Resting those teenage whinges
  • Campsite view
  • Good spot to setup
  • Lots of space
  • Getting the fire going
  • Happy (finally!)
  • Room with a view
  • Good spot
  • The blokes
  • Ready to leave on day 2
  • Track up, hard going
  • Amazing views
  • Still moody!!!!
  • Hole in th rock
  • Done and dusted!

Cox’s River

Dunphy’s Campground to Cox’s River via Carlons Creek return via Ironmongers Track

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We did this trip with our eldest and his bestie to celebrate their school graduations … little did I know these young adults would put us to shame on the fitness front!!! The plan was to start at Dunphy’s Campsite and hike to the Cox’s River junction with Breakfast Creek via Bellbird Track and back via Ironmonger Track. Unfortunately, after an hour of hiking on day 1, we found the Bellbird track too steep a descent (down a cliff). It’s possible we missed an easier way down, but we decided to u-turn and head down via Carlon’s Creek track, which was a lot fairer a gradient, actually very pleasant going with lots of nice flowers along the way. Once on Carlon’s Creek, which leads into Breakfast Creek, the valley is fairly dry and rocky, though water is flowing in parts. In an interesting turn of events, my sons lost his sole!! Literally, the sole of his shoe just fell off mid walking – but he’s a beast and pressed on the whole hike without. Walking along Breakfast Creek is serene. It passes along Frying Pan Flat, which would be an awesome campsite, but we pressed on to the junction with Cox’s River, which is a lovely spot to camp, if a little wild and overgrown which added to the good vibes. Cox’s River was flowing nicely but only thigh high so not great for a big swim, but fine to dip. I think the river would be better swimming a bit further up, but we were too tired to explore! On day 2 we looped back to Dunphy’s Campsite but taking Ironmonger Track back. This is one steep mumma, with beautiful rest stops which have amazing views as you climb.

  • Lunch sorted
  • The lads
  • Lets make love
  • End of the wrong track
  • Walking down Carlon’s Creek Track
  • Arriving at the valley
  • Refreshments
  • Don’t eat, just look
  • Happy hikers
  • Water fill needed
  • Water along Breakfast Creek
  • You’ve got no sole mate!
  • Going strong even with no sole
  • Arriving to the campsite
  • Quick dip before dinner
  • Beers?
  • Catch!
  • Getting warm
  • Cosy night caps and… 😉
  • Getting going on day 2
  • Hiking up Ironmonger
  • Tired
  • View break
  • Tired but happy
  • NO ENERGY TO JUMP THIS!!!!!
  • Getting close to Dunphy’s
  • Mission successful

Burra Korain

Pieces Pass to Victoria Falls via Burra Korain

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We did this walk with Ricardo and Isa, Robyn’s bestie and her cool Dad. This is a magnificent track and Burra Korain campsite is wonderful secluded spot to spend the night right alongside the Grose River (which was too shallow for a swim but flowing nicely when we went). The track can be started either at Victoria Falls or Pierces Pass picnic area, the latter which we did taking longer to reach Burra Korain campsite. The cliff views on the way down from Pierces Pass are beautiful as is the Grose River once you descend into the valley. Once down there you can take a left to Blue Bum Forest and Acacia Flat campsite (which I did in a different day), or take a right to Burra Korain and Vitoria Falls. Walking along the Grose River is a pleasant and not too difficult track albeit we did get a bit lost at one point, veering onto Crayfish Creek instead of continuing along the Grose River requiring us to track back a bit. The Burra Korain campsite is big enough for around 5 tents with a nice large fire spot too. The river is a few meters away so plenty of fresh water. I have to mention here Ricardo’s amazing cooking … pancakes, french toast, eggs to name a few, what a legend. The next day we continued towards Victoria Falls, seeing a few swimmable water spots along the way, especially at the base of Victoria Falls. The walk ends with a gruelling climb up to Victoria Falls Lookout. This was a very enjoyable and not too arduous hike overall.

  • Starting at Pierces Pass picnic area
  • Working way down Pierces Pass
  • Arriving at the Grose River
  • Happy hikers
  • Water top up
  • Off we go along the river
  • Friends
  • Views from the valley
  • Going strong
  • Ooops. Got a bit lost.
  • The valley
  • Walk walk walk
  • The river by the campsite
  • Minor damage from strapping tent to bag
  • Getting warm
  • Soup
  • She’s a firestarter
  • Tired legs
  • Morning!
  • Chef at work
  • Good morning!
  • Freshen up
  • And play
  • Setting off to Victoria Falls
  • Some minor scrambles over rocks
  • Arriving to Victoria Falls base
  • Freeeeezing
  • No swim for us
  • Climbing up Victoria Falls
  • Some visitors cheering us on
  • Views from the walk up
  • Happy to be nearing the end!
  • Stretch!
  • Well done 🙂

Dadder Cave

Jack Evans Track to Pisgah Rock via Dadder Cave

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First thing to note about this walk is don’t do it the wrong way around (clockwise). Most online notes about this walk suggest doing it counter clockwise which will make the walk much easier. This is due to the direction of the shrubs and bush resulting from the floods – we walked against the direction and got the cuts to prove it. Either way, this is a simply beautiful walk with loads of swim spots everywhere and one of the most enjoyable camp spots in Dadder Cave. On day 1 we walked from Pisgah Rock car park to the start of the Jack Evens trail and descended down to the Erskine Creek. The views walking down are really magnificent and we arrived almost immediately to a set of amazing swim spots. On a warm day these are irresistibly clear and cool waters. We continued the walk along the creek all the way to Dadder to cave, which is hard to locate. We used GPS to aid here. The cave does not disappoint with many useful and interesting artefacts left behind from other campers (including a bush table, fire pit, and log book dating back to the 80’s with notes from other campers. There is ample swimming by the cave to make this spot even more special. The second day involves a bit of backtracking to get back to the main route and then a crazy scramble up Pisgah Rock. I found it pretty dangerous and needing of ropes to assist with the heavy bags. Still, super rewarding and when completing the cliff scramble to reach the top, you are greeting by a “DANGER CLIFF” sign post. Funny not funny.

  • Start of the Jack Evans track
  • Planning
  • Views over the Erskine Creek
  • Good lunch spot
  • Crawl back to the path
  • Arriving to the valley – immediate swim spots!
  • Walking along the creek – gets HOT!
  • Lucky there are plenty of swim spots
  • Cooling off
  • Continuing along the creek
  • Long and fairly hard
  • After rains hard to cross
  • More walking to the cave
  • Cave hunting
  • Rocks mark the spot
  • Another swim spot on the way to the cave
  • Natures massage
  • Walking the creek
  • Walking the creek
  • Walking the creek
  • Walking the creek
  • Walking the creek
  • Walking the creek
  • Getting close!
  • Sooo tired
  • Getting near
  • Finally, looks like …
  • … the cave!!!!
  • Cave log entry
  • Fire starter
  • COsy in cave
  • Good food
  • Morning!
  • Freshen up
  • Brekkie
  • Let’s get going!
  • Walking back to find the climb out
  • Bush walkers
  • Creek crossing
  • Starting the climb up
  • Cliff climbing
  • Scramble!
  • Climb
  • Lift
  • Perch
  • More climbing
  • Done!

Hat Head

Crescent Head to Hat Head walk

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A group of us were staying in the lovely Goolawah Bush & Beach Retreat in Crescent Head for a week of R&R. Whilst we spent most of our days lazing, beaching and surfing, we did do a day hike from Crescent Head to Hat Head. We parked at the end of Kemps Corner Track and started to walk along a very picturesque unnamed track.

The track passes many vantage points to arrive at small secluded beach … the first of two beautiful (un-patrolled) beaches. Continuing along the same trail we arrived at O’Conners Beach which was a great beach and place to stop for lunch and a swim.

We took the same route back and in total the hike took about 5 hours. Very pleasant and kid friendly.

  • Getting ready
  • View hunting
  • Very kid friendly
  • Group shot over Hat Head
  • The view from trail head
  • Happy days
  • View from the walk
  • Trail flora
  • Wild beaches
  • First arrival
  • Pristine O’Conners beach
  • Heading back
  • 2 hours each way