Port Macquarie Tracks

Submitted: Thursday, Nov 03, 2011 at 16:08

ThreadID: 89885 Views:8222 Replies:7 FollowUps:3

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Take a Walk National Park Sydney to Pt Macquarie

Around 1000kms of walking tracks and trails are provided, along with detailed notes on history, features, access facilities and contact details.

CraigB

Looking to get away on a 4 day long weekend trip (from Sydney) for 5-7 vehicles in the hinterlands of Port Macquarie and surrounding areas.

Grading medium to semi difficult ok. Not looking for extreme panel damaging tracks though.

Never been there before but have seen many a DVD on the area which has heightened our interest for the area.

All vehicles (LC 80's & 100's plus Patrols) are self sufficient and set up for touring with upgraded suspension etc. and have full recovery gear including most with winches etc. and all drivers are experienced.

Bush camping is preferred.

Can anyone suggest a route that will take 2-3 days exploring the area which will then leave enough time to travel to and from Sydney.

Cheers.

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Reply By: lostinwauchope - Thursday, Nov 03, 2011 at 17:34

Thursday, Nov 03, 2011 at 17:34

Hi Craig, this area is my backyard been here 20yrs still haven't seen it all , The tracks here range from 2wd to rock crawling, all are in state forests some must see views, north brother lookout at laurieton [tar road all the way ], mount jolly nose in queens lake s f , caincross fire tower in caincross s f [ this lookout is gated sometimes its open sometimes not if its locked you can still walk to the top but its rocky and steep you will know your alive when you reach the top . as for bush camping there are lots to choose from my pick would be cobrabald recreation area in bellangry s f its right on the willson river never see more than 1 or 2 other campers there. bellangry has some great tracks you could spend weeks here .
its about 65 ks west of wauchope , get hold of some topo maps and enjoy
make it soon thou it get warm in summer cheers Ron

AnswerID: 469135

Follow Up By: CraigB - Thursday, Nov 03, 2011 at 18:02

Thursday, Nov 03, 2011 at 18:02

Thanks Ron,

We have topo maps of the area and navigation is not a problem.
Just looking for recommendations of tracks and camping spots as you provided.

Or, if soemone has done a 2-3 day trip through the area that they couls also recommend.

Regards
Craig

FollowupID: 743476

Reply By: George_M - Thursday, Nov 03, 2011 at 18:56

Thursday, Nov 03, 2011 at 18:56

G'day Graig.

When I lived in Sydney one of my favourite trips in the country you mention was Dick's Hut fire trail. Head for Raymond Tce, turn up through Gloucester and have lunch at Nowendoc.

Access Dick's Hut fire trail just north of Nowendoc, and it takes you into a very secluded valley in the Mummel Gulf National Park. Great bush camping next to small creeks. No facilities. Take a fishing rod with some light spinning gear for trout.

From there you can cross the Oxley Hwy and head into the northern end of
the Werrikimbi National Park. Work your way down to Wauchope and then back on to the Pacific Hwy. Again, great bush camping, and some facilities in this area.

Check track conditions with the Ranger at Walca, as there was a proposal some time ago to block 4WD access to the bottom of Dick's Hut fire trail, but I'm not sure what happened.

George_M

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AnswerID: 469141

Follow Up By: Cruiser .- Thursday, Nov 03, 2011 at 20:02

Thursday, Nov 03, 2011 at 20:02

I will second the mention of Dick's Hut, but I am sure its now closed off. As mentioned, maybe check with the NPWS office at Walcha

Other places to consider are The Cells, Werrikimbe NP, Youdales Hut and Kookaburra and Mary's View up on the Carrai Plateau.

Camping spots are Bretti Reserve between Barrigton and Nowendoc, Youdales Hut, Moraback In the Werrikimbe NP, The Cells, Maxwell Flat, Brushy Mountain, Kookaburra, Wilson River and Daisy Plains.

Cheers,

Cruiser

FollowupID: 743485

Reply By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Thursday, Nov 03, 2011 at 20:51

Thursday, Nov 03, 2011 at 20:51

Craig, if you do go to Pt Macquarie the Comboyne Plateau and Ellenborough Falls are worth a look.
Kevin

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AnswerID: 469153

Reply By: workhorse - Thursday, Nov 03, 2011 at 22:01

Thursday, Nov 03, 2011 at 22:01

Have a look at Dingo Tops, Maxwells Flat (nice camp), on the sth west side of Comboyne. You can come up via Taree, Wingham or Gloucester, Nowendoc and then east via some good forestry trails. easy grade driving but nice country. Can cross the Oxley why heading north into Oxley Wild Rivers NP, Kangaroo Falt, Youdales Hut. I think there is some info on Treks or Places about Oxlel Wild Rivers. Again not much 4wd driving but nice country.
Slippery after rain.

AnswerID: 469160

Reply By: roger ramjet - Thursday, Nov 03, 2011 at 22:47

Thursday, Nov 03, 2011 at 22:47

hiho
I was hunting around and found this detailed advice:
Try this: http://www.overlander.com.au/destinations/index/full/165/Hidden-Gem

+ 1 for Ron
Ive got a mate who lives up that way and swears by the Wilson River area and surrounds. He goes there quite a bit and sez there is never anyone there, very peaceful.

enjoy!
R

AnswerID: 469167

Reply By: CraigB - Friday, Nov 04, 2011 at 10:10

Friday, Nov 04, 2011 at 10:10

Thanks everyone for your responses.

Now to try and plan a route incorporating the tracks & destinations.

Any further suggestions will be gratefully welcomed.

Regards
Craig

AnswerID: 469190

Follow Up By: Member - Tony Z (NSW) - Monday, Nov 07, 2011 at 03:29

Monday, Nov 07, 2011 at 03:29

Hi Craig, Im at Port at the moment and did a day trip out to Wauchope and surrounds on the wk/end tried to get to Taylors Arms and the pub with no beer. Went up to no1 fire look out then down to Wilsons River, came back up (watch out for logging trucks) and continued on via Brushy Mountain camp site (only 1 camper there) then tried to get through to Kookaburra but road through was closed off due to errosion (may have missed a turn ). Travelled back down to Wilson River day use area and crossed over and followed the track up (there were a lot of fallen trees over this track that had to be pulled off to get through but we had a great time) this road was not to bad, looked like it hasn't been used latlely. Ended up back at Wauchope and Port.
This was the 1st time in this area and certain to be back.
Goihg to do Cells track this week and up to Ellenbourough Fall

FollowupID: 743778