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STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Bendethera Valley is a great drive and has relative easy close access and great selection of campsites stretching along the banks of the Deua River. Some camp areas have drop toilets, picnic tables and fireplaces.

There is a lot to see and do including a walk to the caves. Remember to pack your walking boots and torches. Vehicle access is restricted to the Fire Trails, which offer some challenging driving and spectacular views, especially from the Minuma FT.

 Interactive Route Map

No permits are required

Good camp sites, Caving, 4WDing, Fauna.

Fuel Supplies & Usage

	Braidwood, Moruya	Diesel	4cyl 33 litres	ULP	4cyl 38 litres	LPG	4cyl 47 litres
			6cyl 36 litres		6cyl 43 litres		6cyl 42 litres
			8cyl 40 litres		8cyl 39 litres

Braidwood

Best Time To Visit

All year – rain can make river crossings difficult and track slippery – cold in winter & hot in summer

Services & Supplies

The following locations have various services and supplies: Braidwood, Moruya
Braidwood – or Moruya if approaching from East

Geology - Deua lies over a basement of granite that rises from the coastal plain westwards to the Monaro Tablelands. Metamorphic rocks lie over the granite where the topography dips to the northeast. The fast flowing Deua River has cut deep V-shaped valleys through the park. Both underground and surface features are associated with the limestone (karst) areas within Deua National Park. Each of the areas includes a number of cave systems and sinkholes

Bendethera and Wyanbene caves were discovered late last century and have since had continual use, however Deua cave was only discovered in 1980 and is in relatively pristine condition. All the karst areas contain features of high conservation or scientific importance, which are sensitive to any human activity.
The karst environments in the park provide a significant geomorphological resource, in addition to providing habitats for a diversity of fauna, including important roosting sites for bats.

Fauna - 90 species of birds have been recorded in the park together with swamp wallabies, red-necked wallabies, grey kangaroos, echidnas, possums and bandicoots as well as the rare tiger quoll.

Flora - Vegetation in the park changes markedly with altitude. A complex system of swamps, bogs and fens is associated with the watersheds of the Deua and Shoalhaven rivers providing clean and reliable water during times of drought. The well drained slopes surrounding areas of rainforest support ironbark (Eucalyptus paniculata), with yellow and white stringybarks (E. muellerana and E. globoidea). On the ridge tops the vegetation changes to stands of silvertop ash (E. sieberi) in open forests, and snow gums (E. pauciflora) at higher altitudes.

Bendethera was once a pastoral lease, dating back to about 1861, and remnants of the homestead and farm are visible. A lot of the ‘historical sights’ have well presented signage explaining the history and operations of the area.

The remains of the old homestead and the surrounding area have a variety of artefacts, structures and features which relate to gold and silver mining, grazing and tourism.
Settlement of the valley was especially difficult given its remoteness from both the coast and the tablelands, however the area was a destination for early tourists and in 1896 part was reserved for public recreation. The main Bendethera cave has signatures dating from the 1890s including many old names in the district.
An extensive arrangement of water races was constructed by Chinese labour in the wake of the Araluen gold rush. These are still in good condition.

The idea for a national park for the Deua River was probably first discussed in 1920 when Myles Dunphy and Roy Davies walked through the region. But it was not until the 1960s that the National Parks Association's 'Deua–Tuross National Park Proposal' was put together.
The momentum for a national park developed during the 1970s, culminating in its dedication in 1979. In 1994, two sections of Deua National Park were declared wilderness - the Burra–Oulla and Woila–Deua wilderness areas.

Take the time to read the NPWS advisory signs at the entry to the park, explaining the Flora, Fauna, Environment and History of the area. You may also wish to visit the NPWS Web Site|