Over the long weekend I attended the Sydney University Bushwalkers President’s Bludge Trip. By club tradition this walk goes to the Kowmung River on the long weekend in October.
It normally attracts a reasonable number of people and the camaraderie means a good time is had by all. The Kowmung River is a beautiful place to visit, and its often at its best in Spring before the weather becomes too hot. This years trip was led by club president, Stella, with organisational help from Ashley. Thanks to both of them.
We were a bit worried this year that the drought may mean the river would be dry. I have seen the river dry at times – the drought in the early 80’s was particularly severe – there was no flow in the river and it was a series of pools. But in the past few weeks there has been some rain in the catchment – so things may not be too bad.
After camping on the Boyd Plateau on the Friday night, we reassembled at the Kanangra Walls Carpark and set off. The plan this year was to repeat the same route as last year’s trip – down Gingra Range, then a turn off down Hughes Ridge, camp at Ferny Flat, then the second day move upstream to Orange Bluff and return on Monday via Brumby Ridge. We decided to shorten this slightly – by going down Roots Ridge and camping on a large grassy flat at the bottom. I was in favour of this – as I cannot recall a previous PBT party camping at that particular campsite – and it would be nice to try it.
So, on the Saturday, we walked across the Kanangra Plateau, adoring the views, then down to the Coal Seam Cave and along Gingra Range.
We then turned off down Roots Ridge. It was a windy day – so we found a relatively sheltered place to have lunch lower down the ridge.
Further down, there is fine lookout that offers views of the Kowmung River upstream in the Bulga-Denis Canyon.
From there it was a short way down to the river. It was nice to see that the flow, although low, was not too bad. As we crossed the river and walked upstream, we could smell a few dead animals – victims of the drought.
The campsite, a place we have often had lunch on previous trips was excellent. A long grassy flat – punctuated by a few wombat burrows. A large Goanna was on patrol.
In the afternoon, some of the walkers played volley-ball while others explored the river. It was a beautiful place to relax.
This flat also proved ideal for getting the early sun the next morning. After a slow breakfast and a slow pickup – we started walking up the river. We only had a few kilometres of walking to get to Orange Bluff – and the river is beautiful along this section. Grassy flats, long crystal clear pools, sparkling rapids, small rocky bluffs, a few quartzite rifts to cross.
The wind and died down, and it was warm in the sun. We expected to see a few snakes out – but I don’t think anyone in our party saw any. Unusual!
We stopped for lunch at a nice swimming hole, and from there it was only a short walk to the Orange Bluff Campsite – perhaps the best large campsite on the whole river?
Once there, we had plenty of time to set up camp. Then we could use the rest of the afternoon to relax, swim or explore.
I wandered upstream, on the way I had a nice encounter with a wombat. I was near it – and it froze. I slowly moved a bit closer for some photos and it stayed rigidly still. When I fished getting some photos and started slowly walking away, it then bolted for its hole. Typical wombat behaviour.
Monday was again fine weather. After breakfast and packing up – we started on the climb up Brumby Ridge. We regrouped on Brumby Mountain and then again further up at First Top, where the ridge merges with the Gingra Range. Lunch was had in a small saddle just before Cottage Rock. A nice shady place.
The last part of the walk, across the Kanangra Plateau, was very pleasant – with more photo stops.
At one point, I saw a lizard sunning itself on the track. It looks like a She-Oak Skink.
At the Kanangra Walls Carpark – we spotted one of the usual residents – a wallaby. And it had a joey!
On the way back to Sydney, the whole group met up at the Hampton Half Way House (pub). It has recently changed hands, and while it no longer has their famous “Willie Burgers” on the menu, the burgers it did have were excellent. As was their refreshing beer. A good way to end a long weekend in the bush.