MAKIN' TRACKS Steep ascent from Dry Creek Trip Participants Easter trip to the South Coast April 3 - 10 Trip Participants Allan Kidd (group leader) - LC100 Malcolm and Cherese Chaseling - LC200 John and Jenny Malcolm - LC100 Ken Ribbons and Diana Morgan - LC100 Wadbilliga Trail Part 1 – Saturday (Cherese & Malcolm) All the trip attendees met at Cobargo in time for a coffee before driving off into the wilds of the Wadbilliga National Park. On the road by 11.05am and along the Wandella Road and then turned off on Brassnocker Road and then to the lookout at Peak The track follows the Wadbilliga River for some time and in places Alone (954 metres). Ken decided to follow the power lines to the tracks along the side of the ridges with a very steep drop down to top of the mountain while the rest went via the dirt road to the the river. top. Consequently ‘the rest’ got lost after speeding past the lookout There was a real chill in the air with Malcolm and Cherese reporting turn, then off back to the turn on the Peak Alone Fire Trail (another that they were getting a reading of only 13oC for the outside wrong turn but an interesting looking road) so consequently Kenny temperature, this was certainly cooler than the temperature at arrived before us. The view was not as good as expected as there the camping area when we left. This wasn’t surprising when you was low cloud and a misty haze so we had lunch. consider that we had climbed from around 240m to the 1000m After lunch we drove back down the Peak Alone Fire Trail collecting mark as we headed through the gap. wood for the camp fire, then on to Yowrie Road, through Yowrie and All through this section Ken was singing the praises of the pie then on to a pleasant bush camp site at Lake Creek which was next shop in Nimmitabel, we think he was attempting to influence Allan to Wadbilliga Creek We arrived at around 3.00pm where we had to make a diversion (quite a lengthy one at that) so we could all a great night around the camp fire being the only campers at the sample the pies. When Allan eventually turned and headed towards camp site. Numeralla you could almost hear the resignation in Ken’s voice – no Wadbilliga Trail Part 2 – Sunday (John & Jenny) pies today! After a very pleasant night at the Lake Creek camping area the plan After passing through Conways Gap we left the National Park and was to depart at 10:00am, however everyone was up early and passed through some private property where there were acres of packed up ready to leave just after 9:00am so we departed early turnip crops. It begged the question of who would eat all those with Malcolm and Cherese at the tail end of the group and headed turnips, surely not that many people like turnips. In the ensuing west along the Wadbilliga Road towards Conways Gap. conversations over the radio it was suggested that they were grown The drive through this area while very easy in 4WD terms was quite as feed for cattle, that made sense as turnips are probably just as spectacular in terms of the scenery. We passed through areas where appetising and appealing as grass! ferns grew very densely and were almost overgrowing the track, After crossing the Tuross River we headed north and followed the however photo opportunities were limited due to the very dense river for a short while along the Tuross Road before heading into growth in the forest. This part of the Wadbilliga National Park is a Numeralla where we stopped for the obligatory coffee break. If you real delight and the drive is one anyone would enjoy. The track in ever decide to take a break in Numeralla take your own coffee as parts while easy was quite rocky as we climbed up to Conways Gap. there is nothing in the town – no coffee shop, no pie shop (sorry TLCC NEWS JUNE 2010 49 MAKIN' TRACKS Jenny exiting river The Cascades Ken), no service station – nothing. The only option would have been on the radio to say it was private property and he skedaddles out a 60km round trip into Cooma so we enjoyed our own coffee and before they can produce any shotguns for trespassers. refreshments alongside the town’s sporting fields. When we return to our marked camp site we drive down the road to After leaving Numeralla we headed for the Cascades camping area the river and notice there is no prepared track across it. After driving on the Tuross River, this was a relatively short and easy trip that on our side for a short time, a small cleared section is found but it is had us reaching the campsite at around 1:00pm. There were other already taken. After speaking to the incumbents we are told that the campers at the site so we spent a few minutes selecting an area crossing has been washed out but there is a way across after driving where we could all camp together near one of the fire places. After down a short steep bank. Allan and Ken wade across and decide setting up camp everyone relaxed and had lunch. the crossing is fine for our 4WD convoy. Notice is taken of a steep Around mid afternoon we decided to take the walk to the Cascades drop off and also a potential tyre staking stump on the track. After and the Tuross Falls, the walk to the falls was signposted as a 2 hour making sure everybody is aware of the line the crossing is finally return walk but it turned out to be much quicker than 2 hours. Both made and a lovely open space is found close to the river. Camp is the Cascades and the Falls were well worth the walk with quite a bit set up, lunch is had and we all settle down to a quite afternoon of of flow in the river treating us to a nice spectacle. They would have chatting and reading till it is time to light the camp fire. been really spectacular back in February when the area experienced Tuross River Run Part 2 – Tuesday (Allan) some really heavy rainfall. On returning to the camp site it was time After a very pleasant night camped beside the sparkling clear for refreshments and to get the fire stoked up for the night. Tuross River we had breakfast and made ready for departure. Ken We settled in for a very relaxing and enjoyable evening around had marked the edge of the river with several sticks the previous what was an excellent campfire. As was the case on most nights night and we could see that the river was now a little lower than on the trip we had more wood than we really needed so keeping when we crossed yesterday. the fire raging was not a problem. Ken assumed the role of the I was a little concerned at getting the group back onto the main keeper of the fire and perched himself on a large rock near the fire. track as the exit from the river was steep, over soft soil with the It was suggested at one stage that Ken was like a guru sitting on added complication of a possible tyre staking from a low tree his rock tending the fire, it was also suggested a little later in the root located in the ideal driving line out of the river. As such I evening that a line from Priscilla Queen of the Desert might also be (surreptitiously) made sure all my recovery gear was easily to hand applicable – some people can be cruel! and ready to use. Since there was essentially two distinct parts to It had turned out to be another very relaxed and enjoyable day. the river crossing we took advantage of a photo opportunity by Tuross River Run Part 1 – Monday (Allan) getting all cars through the first section before tackling the second Another leisurely start sees us packed up and ready to depart at – so far so good. The second part in fact was not an issue as the 10am. Last night was the coolest so far with a minimum of 4.6oC. first three cars easily made it over the bank and then onto the We return from the Cascades track to the Badja Forest Road and track. The fourth car however almost caused heart attacks in the make our way into the Badja State Forest. After turning onto the watching group! Instead of driving straight towards the opposite Woila Creek Fire Trail, again firewood is plentiful so we stock up for bank beside the main river, which necessitated making a sharp left the night and have morning tea. We have in mind several potential turn, it started veering to the right to give a straighter climb out of stops for the night but the preferred one is beside the Tuross River. the river and over the bank – this was a move that almost ended There are a number of steepish descents but nothing very difficult in disaster as here there was a steep drop-off into the river. With for a well prepared 4WD vehicle. Around 12:30 we passed a sign to much yelling from the onshore spectators and with the ‘Cruiser at a Wandella Road where the GPS indicated a camp site – a hasty look side angle in excess of a 30 degree list, the driver suddenly realised (while driving) seems to indicate very little space so we continue.