Buckenbowra Valley and Deau National Park
Monday 9th May to Thursday 12th May

Day 1
The trip started at Braidwood at a coffee shop for lattes and cake. I unfortunately arrived late because I had to pick up Bob at Albion Park and meet the Defenders on the King’s Highway at the start of the tracks to the Buckenbowra Valley.

I deliberately came late because Prados don’t wait on the side of roads for Defenders, Defenders wait for Prados, and also I wanted to do the trip report so you would get the truth about the trip and not some rubbish about how well the Defenders went.

Before we left on the tracks Dave sidled casually up to me and quietly asked me to be “Tail End Charley” so that I could pick up the Defender parts as they fell off on the track.

For most of the Buckenbowra Valley it is easy going, probably Freelander territory but very beautiful particularly the Burrawangs (Macrozamia communis). We had many water crossings to do at least 10 but the water depth was only shallow.

At the far end of the valley we stopped for firewood for the nights campfire. We loaded the wood on top of the Defenders, of course the Prado did not carry the wood because the Prado is more a thoroughbred not a workhorse, a plodding Clydesdale are the Defenders.

At the end of the valley there is a very steep descent to the Araluen Road which was the highlight of the day. Fred was impressed with the steepness because he went down in Low 1st but had to “feather” the brakes occasionally to slow him down.

The first night was beautiful and full of stars with a good fire, camped on the banks of the Deau River just off the Araluen Road with a good fire, good company, a beer and wine or two, what more would you want.

Day 2
The day starts right from the beginning with low range and diffs locked. We do a river crossing and immediately do a steep climb into the Deau on the Dry Creek Fire Trail. This track soon meets the Merricumbene Fire Trail which takes us right through to the Bendethra trig. The track is very beautiful and steep in many places but not difficult. The grass trees were the highlight Botanically for me. There are Grevilleas along this track but they are not in flower right now so difficult to spot.

What was sad was the rubbish that was left along the track on the flat sections where people stopped for lunch etc and the presence of pigs which were evident by the dug up ground.

We arrived at Bendethra with many hours of sunlight left which gave us plenty of time to set our camp for the next two nights. We collected more firewood on the track just before Bendethra.

That night it was very cold and very “starry” (many stars) and Bob who came unprepared for such a cold night felt the cold that night.

Day 3
The day started with ice all over the tents and vehicles, so a sub zero night it must have been.
We debated the virtues of a 4WD trip to Donald Creek in the Deau or a walk to the Bendethra Caves and explore the caves. The walk won out. So we set out after a lazy breakfast cooked over Fred & Roz’s grate over the fire.

The walk started out sedately but about halfway Bob pulled out and went back to camp but the rest of us carried on to the caves. The last 200 metres was very hard, particularly for the unfit like me.

Fred, Roz and Richard ended up going through the whole of the caves but the rest only saw the beginning and we stayed until the others returned from exploring the caves.

Cavers
Richard out of the cave

On the way back Fred and Dave walked over the top of a red bellied black snake without realising and myself and Roz walking about 20 metres behind had to deal with it. Luckily it slid away. Roz said this always happens, Fred walking ahead and not seeing the snakes and Roz then has to deal with the angry reptile. Mr Magoo might be a good name for him.

More wood was collected after the walk and we spotted a sow with a young pig and about 5 piglets in tow within the camping area of Bendethra, if only we had a rifle or two, (just an off the cuff comment, of course rifles are illegal in National parks).

The night was much milder because of the cloud cover and we were enticed with garlic bread and Richard’s Chinese nibblies, very scrumptious.

Day 4
The day started with a quicker breakfast over the grate and a decision needing to be made of going straight back along the Dampier Fire Trail or exploring some tracks on the way out. We decided to explore. But after reaching the first intersection we realised the exploring would take too long we decided to return to Braidwood the more direct way.

We had a morning tea break at Mt Dampier trig then headed off to Braidwood for lunch at the coffee shop.

The trip finished after lunch at Braidwood and we made our way back home independently at our own pace.

Bruce Wallace