Mt Kaputar & Abercrombie Caves

Camping - October/November 2011

We took a few weeks off to go camping and to do some bush walking. The first week we went to Mt Kaputar National Park (near Narrabri, NSW), then drove south to Murramarang National Park (Bateman's Bay, NSW) and finally stopped at Abercrombie Karst Conservation Reserve (about 70km south of Bathurst, NSW).

Note: Since we visited there, these areas have been burned out and I'm unaware of the current status of the these parks. Ensure you check with National Parks before travelling there.

Mount Kaputar

Mount Kaputar National Park.

Tuesday 25 October 2011

We departed the Central Coast during the morning, heading north through the Hunter Valley. Between Singleton and Muswellbrook we hit a big thunderstorm that forced us to find a spot of the highway to pull over until it passed. It was so heavy that visibility was zero. Once it had passed we continued our drive through Gunnedah and on to Narrabri, were we stopped to get some supplies and also to purchase a new gas bottle that we got it filled as a spare.

We then continued up the mountain into Mt. Kaputar National Park to camp at Dawsons Spring Campground (at around 4,500ft ASL). We found a nice site and settled in, with the local wildlife soon coming to greet us.

Dawsons Spring Campsite - locals welcoming us.

Dawsons Spring Campsite - nice BBQ area

Dawsons Spring Campsite - great facilities.

Wednesday 26 October 2011

It was quite a pleasant morning, so we took a walk along the nature trail and then up to the summit lookout.

The nature walk starts at the camping ground and is quite a short loop, but it has been set up so that anyone can do it and is kinda suitable for wheelchairs, with boardwalks along a lot of it. It has been really nicely done.

Nature Trail - boardwalks make it easier for all people.

Nature Trail - switchback boardwalk.

Where the nature trail meets the Summit Trail we turned off and climbed up to the lookout and then we returned to the nature trail and completed the loop back to the camp ground.

Kaputar Summit Lookout

Kaputar Summit Lookout - views to the north.

During the afternoon several of our neighbours dropped by for a chat.

Thursday 27 October 2011

In the afternoon we did the Bundabulla Link Track (3.5km) that joins four lookouts (Horsearm, Bundabulla, Eckford and Lindsay). We did this in an anticlockwise direction, and due to time constraints we did not include the Lindsay Rock Tops walk, which a bit of a shame.

The walk leaves the campground where we turned left (turning right was on to the nature trail), passing the transmission mast before arriving at the turnoff to the Horsearm Creek Lookout, that gives nice views to the South and West.

Bundabulla Trail - heading to Horsearm Creek Lookout

Bundabulla Trail - Horsearm Creek Lookout

Bundabulla Trail - view from Horsearm Creek lookout

Returning to the track we walked for a kilometre to arrive at Eckfords Lookout after following the very narrow metal boardwalk. Again great views for West to the South and round to the East. You can also look down into the Scutt's Valley where there is a great walk down to the hut.

Eckfords Lookout - narrow boardwalk

Eckfords Lookout - looking west

Eckfords Lookout - looking south

Another kilometre on we turned off to the Bundabulla Lookout. This is a much more informal lookout at the cliff's edge. More great views down to the Liverpool Plains.

Bundabulla Lookout - cliff edge (no fence)

Bundabulla Lookout - looking east towards Tamworth

Bundabulla Walk - heading home

Friday 28 October 2011

Today we took a drive around to the Sawn Rocks. Although it is not far from the campsite, it is a long drive as you have to head back into Narrabri and then back out.

The Sawn Rocks are a geological formation, not unlike a small version of the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland. From the car park it is a short walk to them.

Saturday 29 October 2011

We decided to have a lay day and simply sit and watch the world go by. Given how far away from a major city this area is, the campsite was surprisingly busy. There was a great range of camping set-ups, from a small two-man tent and singleburner hiking stove, up to a camper van with all luxuries. I guess our camping set-up is somewhere in the middle, and a bit different to my overnight hiking set-up!

Sunday 30 October 2011

The weather had turned bad, so we didn't venture far from the tent.

Monday 31 October 2011

Weather improved, but another quiet day.

Tuesday 1 November 2011

Today we tackled the long walk of our stay. This is the Kaputar summit walk (shown in purple on the map below).

The walk heads off the road and on to a fire trail to the Rangers Lookout and then continues down to Laird Lookout and then returns via Scutts Hut Track to the main road. Following the road back to the campsite we pass Doug Sky lookout, Governor Lookout and then half way to the campsite the West Kaputar Rocks.

Leaving the road we head along Rocky Plateau Fire trail. Pretty obvious how it got its name!

Mount Kaputar - Rocky Plateau Fire Trail

Along this section we get a great view across to the transmission station and then at the Rangers Lookout there are great views across the cliffs along the edge of the Bungabilla Walk we did a few days ago.

Mount Kaputar - the transmission station nominates the view

Mount Kaputar (Rangers Lookout) - view of Bundabilla Walk cliffs

From the Rangers Lookout the track continues dropping down to the Laird Lookout.

The Laird Lookout is on a rocky knob, with quite a good little climb up to it, but the view to Euglah Rock makes it worth the effort.

Summit Walk - the track drops down to the Laird Lookout

Laird Lookout - the approach is good little climb

Laird Lookout - Euglah Rock, an old volcano core

Back on the track we reach the intersection with the Scutts Hut Track, and there are plenty of other great walks in the area.

Scutts Hut Track - plenty of walks

Scutts Hut Track - heading back to the main road

Back on the main road we stop at Doug Sky Lookout and then continue on the the Governor Lookout.

The Governor is another volcano core and the walk up to the lookout is sealed.

Doug Sky Lookout - nice views

Governor Lookout

The Governor - from the lookout

Finally we pass the West Kaputar Rocks. Worth stopping here to sit and watch the birds flying around.

West Kaputar Rocks Lookout

West Kaputar Lookout - great cliffs

Wednesday 2 November 2011

Unfortunately we had to pack up today and head home as I had some work to do in the evening and the next day. We will definately be back to explore here again!

Friday 4 November 2011

Today we left home and headed for the south coast of NSW to camp in Murramarang National Park at Pretty Beach. The National Park is halfway between Ulladulla and Bateman's Bay.

The camping ground and the amenities are well managed by the National Parks Service, and we got a really nice site where we turned the front door of the tent to face the bush (rather than face the camping ground). Perhaps we are a bit anti-social!

Murramarang NP - Pretty Beach Campsite

Saturday 5 November 2011

Today was an easy day, exporing the local area in the park and a short walk out to Snapper Point. The view down the coast to Pebbly Beach along the length of the national park was rather pleasant.

Murramarang NP - view south from Snapper Point

Sunday 6 November 2011

We decided to take the walk up to the top of Durras Mountain and if time permitted to visit Pebbly Beach (We took a look at the camping ground there, but it was very busy, so we drove back up to Pretty Beach.)

The track up to Durras Mountain was in good order, but the vegetation growth meant that the expected great views just weren't there. A nice walk none the less.

Murramarang NP - Durras Mountain walk

Murramarang NP - looking north from Durras Mountain

Murramarang NP - looking south east from Durras Mountain

Monday 7 November 2011

Today we were heading to Abercrombie Karst Conservation Reserve , 70 km south of Bathurst, NSW. This was a 300km drive, via Braidwood, Goulburn and Crookwell. Abercrombie Karst Conservation Reserve is managed by the NSW National Parks and during the week it was surprisingly quiet. The last few kilometres into to site was along a sealed, but very narrow and twisty road.

Tuesday 8 November 2011

After an easy morning we walked to the Office and picked up a token to allow us to enter the cave. We didn't take any photographs while inside the cave, but it really is worth visiting. More details and photographs are available on the National Parks website here.

Later in the day it started to rain and this continued off and on for the next couple of days.

Wednesday 9 November 2011

It was a very wet day and I put up the large tarp that we carry with us (20ft x 12ft) that kept us protected and also kept most of our stuff dry. I actually rather enjoy the occasional wet day while camping as it's a great excuse to do nothing - without feeling guilty! All of the other campers disappeared!

In the late afternoon the rain stopped and sun even tried to come out, so to get some exercise we decided to follow the path right around the cave area (Arch).

We also walked around to the Stable Arch to have a look.

Abercrombie Caves - Track down by the creek

Abercrombie Caves - Suspension Bridge

Abercrombie Caves - Upstream Entrance (gate in lower right)

Abercrombie Caves - Upstream Entrance to the Arch

Abercrombie Caves - Stables Arch

Abercrombie Caves - Downstream Entrance to the Arch. This is big enough for events to be held inside!

Thursday 10 November 2011

Today we walked to the site of the old gold mining town of Mount Gray. This is only a couple of kilometres from our campsite and still within the National Park. The walk itself is around 7km, but we are going to continue on to the Grove Creek Falls (also another campground) and then retrace our steps as the valley track (Grove Creek Track) is closed.

Mount Gray Walk - climbing the hill from where we leave the Arch loop Track. It's a nice walk. At the top we join the old road and followed that for about a kilometre.

Mount Gray Walk - after a kilometre along the old road we turned off in to the old town site. There is not too much left to see. I think there may have been a fire through the area in the late 1980s.

Mount Gray Walk - the first real relic of the gold mining times is a gold lease corner mark emblazened in a tree.

Mount Gray Walk - the open cut mine wasn't that big, but there was a 30 head stamper.

Mount Gray Walk - remains of an old hut

Mount Gray Walk - Tailings from the underground mine

Mount Gray Walk - old vertical shaft. Looks like they tried all ways of finding gold here. I don't think they were overly successful

Mount Gray Walk - Grove Creek Falls lookout

Mount Gray Walk - Grove Creek Falls top section. This was quite an impressive falls

Mount Gray Walk - Grove Creek Falls bottom section. It was a loong way down.

Friday 11 November 2011

We had to pack up this morning and head for home as I had to work over the weekend. We really want to return here in the future.

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