Bendethra (Deua NP) camp ground from Moyrua

Thanks Humvee.

We've been a few times but always from the Braidwood side and in a real 4wd.


I dont know if they brought a Forester or an Outback and I am aware of the probs if it rains.

Clearance no probs from the coast side?

Thanks

Mostly just the runoff berms, it is 2wd to the top of the mountain, just the drop into the valley that requires 4wd.

From the east/Moruya side would be the one I'd recommend.

The other side (from the west/Braidwood) has some rocky sections and is quite steep going down into the valley. There are also one or two tight turns on the descent that could be a little tricky depending on the turning-circle of the Pathfinder and the size of the trailer.

HI Timbo,

Tha Pathifnder has a pretty good turning circle, the trailer will be your standard 8 x 5 tandem. Will a non low range 4wd be ok being the Xtrail in your opinion.

Thanks

Bruce

Sorry Bruce, I really don't know. It's been a while since I was last there and I wasn't specifically looking at in terms of access for a non-lo-range vehicle. I don't even remember how much I used lo-range in my Jackaroo. You should have no problems in your Pathfinder though.

Since I'm really not sure, my advice would be to go IN from Moruya/east side - I'd hate to say "you'll be fine" only for you to have to turn around and make the long trip around to the other way and end up arriving late in the night with everyone tired and grumpy... There was a steep-ish rocky section just before Dampier Mtn trig (going toward Bendethera) and I think I used lo-range just so I could go up nice and slowly across the rocky bit - apart from that, you probably wouldn't need lo-range to go down the hill as you'd be under brakes anyway. If you really wanted to go in that way, you could take a day trip with just you and your mate in his X-Trail to see if it's okay (but I guess you're trying to avoid that!)

Hi Timbo,

Yeah i am trying to avoid that as it's going to and 8hr + drive from home to get there. And that is already 8 hrs too long for the kids :)

My real problem is I don't wont to go all that way and find the xtrail can't get in, and on the other hand don't want to go somewhere else and them not come ( which could happen) anyway.

Thanks

Bruce

Sorry Bruce, I think my reply wasn't very clear...

I don't really know about access from the west/Dampier/Braidwood side for non-lo-range vehicle, I'd hate to say "you'll be fine" only for you to go there and have to turn around - that would NOT be a good way to start your holiday. If you really want to go this way, I'd suggest a recce day-trip beforehand (just you & your mate ie. without your wives and kids etc.).

On the other hand, if you go in from the east/Moruya, your mate should be fine (obviously with all due care, etc.) - and in January, they probably won't be the only ones down there in an X-Trail either!

I'm not sure where you are based (yes, 8 hours is a long time in the car) or how small your kids are but from Canberra to Moruya is around 2½ to 3 hours (only an extra ~1½ hours from Braidwood which is the point where you'd have to decide whether you were going east or west) and I'd expect that from Moruya to Bendethera (via Sugarloaf Rd) would be quicker than Braidwood to Bendethera (via Dampier Mtn) so it would probably not be 1½ hours longer to go via the coast. Even from Sydney, I'd expect it would be quicker to go via Moruya/Sugarloaf anyway. About the only place I can think of from where it would be significantly quicker to go via Dampier Mtn would be Cooma.

In answer to your question: the best way in for you and your friends would be via Moruya and Sugarloaf Rd (ie. approaching from the east). Sorry if I confused you - I hope this clears it up.

Hi Timbo,

My kids are 5 & 2.5. We will be coming from Vic near the melb airport.

Whereis.com has shown the path in via dampier mountain fire trail and to go via sugarloaf will be approx 1.5hrs lnger.

NOt sure what to do might make sure the friends in the xtrail are def coming.

The whereis directions mention to go through Cooma via the dampier mtn fire trail

Thanks

Bruce

Hi again Bruce, please disregard my earlier suggestion of a recce day-trip - not really an option from Melbourne (I didn't know people came from so far away to camp at Bendethera!).

I assume you'd be going through Cann River in which case you'd go north via Cooma and Dampier Mtn or around east/north via Moruya and Sugarloaf. From what I've just read (WhereIs and ExplorOz Trek Notes), you're right: it would be about 1½ hours longer to go via Moruya/Sugarloaf.

Perhaps you could consider breaking up your trip into 2 days (ie. stop overnight somewhere on the way) or just send your friends around the long way while you go the shorter way! :-)

Hi Bruce and Sal, when you click on this word Bendethera the pic is taken through the window of my Pathy. All the pix with snow and slush along the Trek were taken on a trip in October. We did not use low range once but towing it would be good to have it in low for the benefit of engine braking.Despite the wet conditions 99% of the track had surprisingly good traction. The 1% dodgy bit has a pic but we just went down it at dot speed and didn't have to climb back up as we headed out to the west. There is one tight U turn heading west out of the valley but you should be able to take it wide and get around. If you get blue skies take some pix and post them into Places

Shane,
Another Shane here.
I use to drive in there from both sides about 20years ago, in a 1974LH Torana, with the 4cylinder motor. Young and stupid then. Now getting old.

Went in there about two years ago in my Patrol. Noticed a lot of closed roads that I use to use. Found it easy compared to years ago.

I lived in near Moruya (Tuross heads) in the '80s , and was in Benny mid
'07 and it was lot easier than it used to be, spent a bit of time in there, can't remember the names of track but, Merricumbene was one to remember, one you don't forget
Lots of closed roads now like you say, you used to be drive nearly right up to the caves, proberbly an icecream shop there now LOL.
Shane