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Camping Areas and Other Areas of InterestLast modified: September 9, 2004 - 12:25 AM
Budds Mare A forested picnic and camping spot in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park with extensive views into the "tremendous ravine" below. Where: When heading towards Uralla from Walcha you will see a brown sign to ?Oxley Wild Rivers National Park' to the right just beyond the showground. It is also sign posted "Emu Creek, Winterbourne, Moona Plains". Take this road until you see a road approximately 7 km out of town to the right, which is the Moona Plains Road. You will again see here the "Oxley Wild Rivers National Park" sign. Follow this road for 27 km to Bakeiro Rd, which veers left to the "Argyll" grid. Turn right after the grid onto gravel road and keep following this road through four gates (making sure that every gate is left how it was found) until you see signs to Budds Mare. This road should be negotiated by four-wheel drives and can be slippery in the wet, with some water crossings. Activities: Scenic Views, photography, bush walking, picnics and camping. Features: "This tremendous ravine runs North and South?the separation of the outer edges is from two to three miles. I am certain that in perpendicular depth it exceeds three thousand feet?from either side of this abyss, smaller ravines of similar character diverged?down then trickled small rills of water, derived from the range on which we were" ? John Oxley Journals, National Parks and Wildlife Service sign, Budds Mare Lookout It was hereabouts that the explorer John Oxley viewed the gorge of the Apsley on his journey to the coast after a long hard trip, which included negotiating the Macquarie Marshes. This view must have made his heart sink but he still wrote of his impressions of the "wild magnificence of the scenery". There is a short walk to the Budds Mare lookout, which over looks the Apsley River. To the North and east the succession of ridges and gorges is spectacular. Across the first gorge is the obvious feature of Paradise Rocks and to the north it is possible to see Round Mountain and Point Lookout. Heading to the right from the shelter shed is a track to a vantage point that overlooks Rusden Creek Gorge. Facilities: Shelter shed with tank water, interpretive displays, picnic tables, wood BBQ's, toilets, constructed walking tracks, lookout platform and camping areas. Walking: There is a good walk from here but only for the well prepared, fit bushwalkers with a sound knowledge of steep country walking. Riverside Walk: An 8 km walk down a spur to the Apsley River below, some 720 metres drop in altitude. Take a dip in the Apsley or carry a rod to see if you can catch some Bass at Riverside. Remember it is always a lot warmer as you drop in elevation. Return up the same path or follow the road from riverside up to the top. Both are very steep and ample provisions should be carried. You must allow plenty of time and it is suggested that you camp at "Riverside" and return the following day. Charges may apply for camping so check with NPWS. A pamphlet is also available for this walk from the National Parks and Wildlife Service in Walcha (ph 0267771400) Riverside, Apsley River Riverside is a great picnic and camping area, which gives the visitor the full experience of recreation in Macleay Gorges Wilderness. It is accessible only by 4WD and is a steep and winding road from Budds Mare to the river so care must be taken whilst negotiating this access. Where: Follow the directions to Budds Mare and continue past the turn to the Budds Mare Rest Area. There is a locked gate and a key for this gate is available at the National Parks and Wildlife Service or the Caltex Service Station in Walcha. You must Book for access and restrictions on the numbers of campers and day visitors applies ? phone 0267772755 or 0267771400 Activities: River based recreation including picnicking, camping, swimming, fishing, and riverbank walking; canoeing is also possible when the river is reasonably full. It is possible to canoe from Riverside to Georges Creek (about 2-3 days) or right through to the Pacific Ocean at South West Rocks for the more adventurous (this would have to be well organised). Photography and bird watching are also favourites at Riverside. There is a bluff on the northern edge of the camping area (which is a one km walk return) where you can get to look down on a bend in the river and across to Paradise Rocks. Features: The road down to the river shows the diversity of flora as you drop in elevation and visitors can experience groves of Native Hibiscus and get to see river bank terraces shaded with large, Fuzzy Box Eucalyptus. Cotton-Bimbang National Park Cotton-Bimbang National Park has some majestic old growth wet eucalypt forest and rainforests. For an impressive visitors experience, drive along the Myrtle Scrub road. Where: Travel east from Walcha along the Oxley Highway towards Port Macquarie past the village of Yarrowitch. Cotton-Bimbang National Park is situated just past the Kangaroo Flat road (aprox 65 km from Walcha). Look for the Myrtle Scrub Road on the right of the highway. This road is a loop that will bring you back on to the Oxley Highway (aprox 15 km). Activities: Bird Watching, picnicking and Bushwalking. Features: Picnicking and viewing the ancient forests is the highlight of this new visitor loop that will give travellers a great understanding of the diverse variation of flora and fauna that can be found in a short drive of the highway. Cotton-Bimbang is an aboriginal word for "walking stick palm" which is prevalent in the area. Stop at the massive timber bridge that can be found on the headwaters of the Cells River. The western entrance to Myrtle Scrub road is right at the headwaters of two different river systems; the Hastings and the Manning Rivers. Mummel Gulf National Park Mummel Gulf National Park protects several rare plant species along with a huge diversity of fauna such as Spotted-tail Quolls, Koalas, Yellow Bellied Gliders and sooty, Powerful and Masked Owls to name a few. Where: New Country Swamp is a camping and bushwalking area that can be enjoyed by all nature lovers. It is situated inside Mummel Gulf National Park along Enfield Road(13 km from the highway) approximately 60 km along the Oxley Highway towards Port Macquarie from Walcha. This road is accessible by all vehicles but would be advised to have a four-wheel drive in wet conditions. Activities: Camping, bushwalking, bird watching and four wheel driving. Features: The bicentennial Trail passes to the east of the park. This is a well-used trail for hardened horse and mule enthusiasts. The ancient old growth forests cling to the edge of an escarpment that drops in altitude 600 metres to the valleys of the gulf. Spectacular scenery, a magnitude of flora and fauna, crystal clear streams and huge trees are all part of a relaxing visit to the Mummel Gulf National Park. Werrikimbe National Park This National Park is registered with CERRA (Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves of Australia) and is a great World Heritage area in which to escape to wilderness. Where: Travel from Walcha 58 km to the Kangaroo Flat turnoff and then another 20 km and follow signs to Mooraback for camping. Further down the Mooraback Road there is access to the famous Youdales Hut (which is only accessible by 4WD and obtaining a key for the locked gate from either National Parks and Wildlife Service or Apsley Motors in Walcha). Racecourse Trail will take you to Brushy Mountain camping area or if you still want to see more wilderness, then venture into Plateau Beech camping area along Cockerawombeeba Road. Activities: Camping, bushwalking, bird watching, four wheel driving and kangaroo and Platypus viewing (Mooraback). Flora and Fauna with stands of old growth forest and a diversity of rainforests including warm temperate, cool temperate, sub tropical and dry rainforests. Features: Carabeen Walk, a 1.5 km walking trail, which leaves through tall stands of eucalyptus forests and ventures through warm temperate rainforest. Scattered Yellow Carabeen trees can be seen along with an abundance of bird life. The Mesa Trail also is a great walking track that will take you to Mesa Plateau. Youdales Hut
Where: From the Oxley Highway turn north onto the Kangaroo Flat road to Mooraback road and then to Racecourse Trail. Follow to the steep decent to the bottom of the gorge to the headwaters of Kunderang Brook. This road needs a key for entry from National Parks and Wildlife Service or you can pick them up from Apsley Motors in Walcha (phone 67772755). There is a charge per vehicle for entry. Visitor numbers are limited so bookings are essential. Activities: Bushwalking, fishing in Kunderang Brook, 4Wding, Historical sites, Gorge access. Features: Restored pioneering hut which cannot be used for accommodation. Camping sites are close to the hut and there are many areas to walk to take in the natural beauty of an area which is lively with Aboriginal, and European settlers history. It is now in the care of the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Facilities: There are six campsites, fireplaces, and toilets. Remember: BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL ? contact National Parks and Wildlife Service 67771400 or Apsley Motors 67772755 Cobrabald River The Cobrabald River is one of the best trout fishing rivers that NSW has to offer. The Walcha fishing club stocks this river annually and there are many access points to be able to try your luck to catch a trophy fish. Where: Take the Thunderbolts way out of Walcha towards Gloucester only 1.3 km out of town and turn right onto the Niangala road. Follow this road 19km to a reserve which is signposted "fossicking". Turn here and enter the stock reserve gate. Be sure to close gates behind you. Activities: Fishing, picnicking, fossicking and swimming. Features: Great fishing, meandering bushwalking, water based activities and viewing of Platypus. Fossicking is also a regular occurrence along the Cobrabald. Facilities: None; Please take all your rubbish with you. Contact details |
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© 2008 Walcha Council |
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This historic pioneering hut in the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park is accessible by 4WD to a remote visitor area and campground approximately 96 km east of Walcha. The Hut is a good destination for 4WD day trips or for extended camping.