12 - 22 February 1993

Quite straight forward from Lake Oberon to the ridge heading down to the plains past Pegasus South and Lake Titania, although there is a bit of a scramble near Pegasus South. The lower part of the ridge gradually increases in thickness of the buttongrass then thick rainforest takes over for the last steep section to the Crossing Plains. This last section is slow and very scrubby.

The Crossing River is small and only calf deep and is surrounded by damp old forest. There are camp sites if you spend time looking.

A thickly wooded ridge lies between here and the North River and the southernside is very tortuous and slow going. With no views and many slopes it is not easy to navigate. Aprox 7 hours is needed to reach the North plains. From here it is open going over low button grass.

It is a steady climb up on to the Norald Range and the high ridge tops are followed west to above Lake Eucryphia then south to Mt.Norold then south west to Mt.Wilson. Descent to the Old River is quite steep down button grass covered ridges.

The Old is sizable and crossing requires care. On the banks opposite the ridge off Mt.Wilson is a very nice camp site.397062.

Button grass banks and plains lead out to Bathurst Harbour with a beautiful camp site on the shore near Bathurst Creek.

The bay is followed then a climb over the western end of Kroanna Hill, down through baura to the beautiful Moulters Inlet which is followed to the plains (wading around the Ray River inlet) then on to Moulters Gap. The Gap is choked with thick scrub and it may be best to move onto the slopes of the Bathurst Range.

Melaleuca to Cox Bight is a good track with substantial areas on hard quartz. the climb to Red Point Hills is quite steep without any switchbacks. Section from Cox to base of Red Point is in poor condition. Good track follows down hill, but seems to have deteriorated since 1993 with many boggy widening spots especially on approach to Louisa Creek. Last section to Louisa River on boardwalk.

A few options exist for travelling to Louisa Bay, either take start of old track after the Louisa Creek or pick up plains when they are visible ahead. A track will be eventually be met leading to the bay itself. On return from the Bay it is shorter to keep to the track and turn off when reaching the old Sth Coast Track. This leaves about 1:15 to Louisa River.

Very steep haul up Ironbound Range then across top on boardwalk and down forest on east on a reasonable, but slow, track that has been improved with local timber off-cuts. Flat section to Deadmans Bay which was in poor condition and very muddy has been rerouted close to the coast and is an excellent track. There is also a bit of mud on leaving Deadmans.

After Turua Beach at Deadmans Bay the track passes through coastal forest with easy gradients and a good track. Prion is a long beach and becomes quite tiring to walk.

Track follows top of wooded dunes until Milford Creek which is crossed and the open dune then rejoins the track. This changes with the opening of the lagoon to the sea, but is usually able to be crossed where it enters the lagoon The plains that follow are usually reasonably not very muddy and the track then climbs steadily through forest, where a quite muddy section is soon reached through the forest after Rocky Plains then it is sharply upwards then easy through the hills on solid track. From Surprise Bay it is a steep climb over the ridge to Granite Beach and then a quite steep climb onto the South Cape Range. Across the top is very muddy with many bog holes, but the range is mantled in old growth with much climbing heath so is attractive. The track from Fletchers old camp 812717 gradually improves and by South Cape Rivulet is a good track.

The walk from South Cape Rivulet follows coast then on boards across the plains to Cockle Creek.

12-2-93 To Lake Oberon 6.15 Mixed day with some light showers warning of bushfires

13-2-93 very nice weather enjoyed Pegasus peaks before dropping off WAR 9.10-4.30

14-2-93 fairly warm day lots of scrub 8.05-6.15 camp on first plateau of Norold. A few soaks existed. Smoke from fires in Picton made evening hazy

15-2-93 Overcast day with afternoon rain 8.40-5.00

16-2-93 Drizzly day but turned out fine by afternoon then ended in lovely evening 9.20-4.00

17-2-93 Still warm day hot in Moulters Gap 8.15-7.00

18-2-93 conditions were warm and sunny 8.30-7.00

19-2-93 very warm day 7.40-3.30

20-2-93 pleasant day 8.00-11.20 to New River Lagoon

See the photos here