27 November 2012 Nadgigomar - (Shoalhaven River) left and right banks

Shoalhaven River

Map: Durran Durra 1:25000

Getting There

This walk was organised and led by Linda G as an irregular CBC Tuesday walk:

Tuesday 27 November - Nadgigomar left and right banks - M/M. A circuit with some fire trail, open ridges, and sandy river wades or possibly short swims, to admire the dryish country with graceful white gums, casuarinas, rocky outcrops and the Shoalhaven, which runs clear here through extensive sandbanks and small rapids. This walk will follow a similar route to the walk of 7 September, but with some time on the true left bank of the river. Recommended for the difference of its scenery to the usual Canberra-based walks. An easier standard than most Tuesday walks. 1 hr 20 minute drive from Queanbeyan, requires Foresters or above. Map: Durran Durra Leader: Linda G. Transport: ~$50 per car.

9 of us met in Queanbeyan and drove in 3 4WD vehicles via (nearly to) Braidwood, Dawsons Lane, Euradux Rd and the worst fire trail I've driven on, Euradux Fire Trail, to park at the fire trail intersection at GR 57492-90451 (MGA94) on the 2nd edn Durran Durra map.

Further Information

My dry bags passed Peter's suck test! With my morbid fear of water, will I be able to swim the Shoalhaven?

With the fear of Linda and water gripping my chest and making breathing difficult, and loaded with a thousand dry bags, we set off. Our fearless leader had demonstrated her drowning rescue services on me (adding that it would be easier to drag me to safety if I had a pony-tail) and Peter was equipped with yards of rope to drag me across the torrent. A few hundred metres along a fire trail, we headed into the lovely open forest. Heaps of beautiful fringe lilies (Thysanotus tuberosus) about. Down into a drainage line and up the other side, then a lovely open spur leading down to the Shoalhaven River. Many small grass trees near SH642. Sighted the first herd of goats.

Being a righteous man, my prayers where answered. Even more importantly, our considerate leader found a lovely sandy wade to cross the river. Warm, with just a little precipitation from above, but body heat kept our clothes dry. A big fresh water mussel where we crossed. Morning tea called at 10.15am on the far side of the river. 3.1km in 1hr 5mins to here.

A very pleasant stroll on the true left bank of the river as it flowed downstream. A mixture of sand banks, a little tight scrub in places where we crossed feeder creeks and the lovely open forest. Came across a couple of old water races. Another very large herd of goats, perhaps 12. Back down to the river for a second prayer answered/considerate leader wade crossing. Lunch on the same side of the river as our cars. 12.15pm and this leg 3.4km in 1hr 30mins. A few showers necessitating a shell at lunch, whilst others swam.

Away at 12.55pm and blow us down if the sun didn't come out and it got warm as we returned, in places high above the true right bank. Not much scrub this side, but a few more downs and ups through the feeder drainage lines. A pleasant knoll gave us a stop for a water break and our last view of the Shoalhaven. Up the spur through SH648 and SH678, then a couple of km back along the Euradux FT. The return journey from lunch was 6.5km in 2hrs 30mins.

Thanks Linda. Another great walk East of Canberra. And thanks to Jenny A, Peter C, Janet E, Eric G, Eric and Pat P, and Max S.

Distance: 13.4km Climb: 250m. Time: 9.10am - 3.25pm (6hrs 15mins), with 1hr 10mins of breaks.
Grading: M/M; M(9)