The Green Gully Track
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
A GETAWAY IN THE GORGE Visitor Guide Walcha Your Green Gully Track experience takes you on a CEDAR CREEK COTTAGE Kempsey unique journey deep into the Apsley-Macleay gorges, The start of the Green Gully Track y a w y one of the largest gorge systems in Australia. a h g W i s H t The Green l c i o f i b r c It is a challenging, self reliant, 65 kilometre journey e a d P n u that is best tackled over four days and five nights. h T Oxley H Port Macquarie Your group of up to six people will be completely ighway Gully Track Wauchope surrounded by the Macleay Gorges wilderness. Oxley Wild Rivers Uniquely, there is no need to carry a tent as restored Towns stockmans huts, fitted with some home comforts, Dirt Road National Park greet the weary walker at the end of each day. Sydney Major Roads 010 20 40 Kilometres Every day brings a different landscape to enjoy, from National Parks awe inspiring ridge top views and towering rock GETTING THERE outcrops bouncing with endangered Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies, to fern lined gullies and crystal clear The Green Gully Track starts and ends at Cedar Creek Cottage in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park. Your car will be left behind mountain streams. a locked gate while you walk on the Green Gully Track. Detailed Your adventure awaits... information on how to reach Cedar Creek Cottage is provided when you book. FOR BOOKINGS AND MORE INFORMATION You need to book to walk on the track, and when you book your group secures a place on the track for the period you have booked. You can find booking forms, frequently asked questions and more detailed information on the national parks website, www.nswnationalparks.com.au. The National Parks office in Walcha can take phone bookings and provide more information. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Walcha Area 188w North Street Walcha NSW 2354 T: 02 6777 4700 F: 02 6777 1198 Birds Nest Hut Published by the Office of Environment and Heritage. 43 Bridge Street Hurstville 2220. T: 1300 36 1967. F: 02 9585 6555 www.nswnationalparks.com.au OEH 2011/0313 © NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, May 2011. View of ‘The Rocks’ WHAT TO EXPECT WANT TO WATCH A WALLABY? YOUR GREEN GULLY TRACK ITINERARY Walking the Green Gully Track requires above average fitness. Green Gully and Oxley Wild Rivers National Park is home to one of the Day 1: Cedar Creek Cottage to Birds Nest Hut You will be walking into some spectacular and rarely visited parts largest remaining populations of Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies in the Distance: 17.4 kilometres, average walking time 6.5 hours of New South Wales, so careful planning is required. Group size world. It is estimated that there may be less than 30 000 Brush-tailed on the track is limited to six people maximum as the huts are Rock-wallabies left living in the wild in Australia, with about 75% of Your first day is spent walking along the long ridge that small. To make your adventure more enjoyable, each hut has the these living in northern New South separates the Green Gully Creek gorge from Kunderang Brook following features: Wales. valley. There are some spectacular views through tall timber in every direction. • rainwater tank Almost every rock outcrop that you • six stretcher beds and mattresses pass on the Green Gully Track will Day 2: Birds Nest Hut to Green Gully Hut • outdoor picnic table and six camp chairs have Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies Distance: 15 kilometres, average walking time 8 hours • basic cooking equipment - crockery, cutlery, twin gas burner on it, but they can be hard to spot. Walking up a sharp ridge from Birds Nest Hut brings you to ring, saucepan, frying pan, billies Their colours make them blend in • internal sink and solar lighting Birds Nest Trig at 1200 metres above sea level. Further on, a very well with the rocks in Green • pit toilet spectacular rock formation known simply as ‘The Rocks’ is a Gully, but if you take your time and great spot for lunch, before a steep descent to Green Gully Hut look very closely at all the little You have the option of either a four or five night stay on the track. in the afternoon. Keep your eye out for Brush-tailed Rock- caves and overhangs you might be The five night stay is recommended, as your first and last nights wallabies as you walk through the dramatic Brumby Pass, 500 able to spot some. are spent in Cedar Creek Cottage, a very comfortable three metres from Green Gully Hut. bedroom house. The four night option means that you will pack up and drive home after completing your walk. Day 3: Green Gully Hut to Colwells Hut Distance: 13.5 kilometres, average walking time 8 hours There are dozens of creek crossings today, ranging from ankle to thigh deep. Multiple rock outcrops tumble into the pristine waters of Green Gully Creek, with a beautiful swimming hole half way - a perfect place for lunch. Colwells Hut gives you a welcome camp to dry out your shoes and socks. Day 4: Colwells Hut to Cedar Creek Cottage Distance: 17.5 kilometres, average walking time 8 hours The last day is the most challenging, with a 600 metre climb in less than three kilometres, then retracing your steps back to Cedar Creek Cottage for a well earned rest. It is best to start your fourth day in the cool of the morning, and remember to take Being surrounded by lots of drinking water. wilderness creates memories you will never forget Interior of Colwells Hut Walking down the ridge to Green Gully Hut PHOTOGRAPHY: Shane Ruming, Piers Thomas, Roger Mills (OEH)..