Bendethera Valley Feedback

Roachie,

I have been trying to get SWMBO to go to Bendethera for years. One of the problems I have is that she has seen a report saying not to take campers in there because it is too difficult.

Can you tell me which way you went in and what the difficulties, if any were?

I tow a Trak Shak and have been doing so for many years.

Duncs

Duncs! I went in via Braidwood last Easter, it may have been the year before, it had rained the day before we got there. It is very steep with many hairpin bends coming in that way. We had our off road trailer, about 1000kg laden plus the gear in the Patrol fridge etc and was still very drivable on the damp dirt road, it comprises of rock and gravel so it is well drained in most sections. Coming back out on the Monday morning was not a lot different even though it had rained most of the Sunday night. I cant say that it was slippery to any noticeable degree. There is a river crossing at the entrance to the track when you leave the main road and it was about 600mm high coming in but due to the rain on the Sunday night, it was about 800mm high on my return. I was a little worried as i didn't have a snorkel at the time but crossed ok. On the other side there were two Landcruisers with the bonnets up so hopefully nothing serious for them. You climb up for a considerable time before a long descent into the valley and you will use all of the low range gears on that track into the valley with a camper. I haven't been in via Moruya, it may be not so steep and easier with a camper but i really found it no problem, though mildly challenging.
The valley is huge with 3 big camp areas with toilets, separated by small creek crossings and you will always find a camp spot there due to the size of the place. Obviously if a low range vehicle is necessary, it keeps the numbers down, such as cars, soft roaders and Suv's.
Although there was plenty of campers there, it is still quite and serene and just beautiful in the valley on a warm day. Plenty of clear/clean water for showering from the creeks but i carry our drinking and cooking water in. We took our own chem toilet luckily as the line up in the morning for the Park toilets was long.
Everyone was well behaved the weekend we were there..

Regards Michael

Thanks for the info Michael,

It is nice to get info from someone who tows a trailer.

I have heard people say they wouldn't go anywhere near the place with a trailer, it's too steep, it's too tight, it's too slippery. To know that you got in and out safely with a trailer obviously means it's not too anything.

Now all I have to do is get a weekend clear.

Duncs

G'day Duncs,
I agree with Michael, although I'd steer well clear of the place if it was wet (but that's just me).
I've been in and out both ways (from Braidwood and Moruya). I also went out on one occasion via the Merricumbene Track, which comes out on the Araluen road. That was the most difficult track in/out in my opinion.
The track in/out via Moruya is the easiest.
Cheers mate
Roachie

Duncs,
Pick a dry weekend and you can do your own assessment of how a wet road may be for your own circumstances. You will enjoy the climb in and out and the valley itself.. Michael

Duncs and Roachie, We actually left mid morning and with all the vehicles that left before us, i have to say i was a little worried about the condition of the road, but to my surprise it was ok. It looked slippery in some of the steep sections but we went straight up no problems... Roachie, i will try the Moruya way next on the way in and back out the other.. It really is a nice place to go that is only a few hundred K's from Sydney. regards Michael