Dunns Swamp Trip Report
14th - 15th May 2005

Pre amble.
About seven years ago I first discovered Dunn's Swamp; then an unspoiled delight. Not a windy loo in sight, just a few friendly wallabies, wombats and the occasional red belly.

About five years ago, I revisited and foolishly wrote a report for the Range Rover Club Magazine, on the delights of Dunn's Swamp. On my next visit a few weeks later, I ran into a number of RRC members who were equally delighted with the place.

About a year later, I had a phone call from a friend, to whom I had also extolled the delights of the 'Swamp', to tell me that it was currently being featured on 'Getaway'.
How things can change with a little advertising.

Now the 'Swamp' has windy loos, fire wood provided, a canoe hire facility and day and evening 'Swamp' tours in a covered, power driven 10 seater boat; and people, lots of people.
But for all that, the 'Swamp' still has an ambience all its own.

Actual Report

The rabble met Glen, Katrina, Ian, Karen and the boys at Lithgow Macca's at 9.00am on Saturday morning.

It was packed. In fact I have never been to that little gold mine when it has not been packed. We waited and waited and eventually received and consumed our Macca's fix, then headed off to meet Mervyn at Glen Davis.

On the way we stopped at a lookout to view the Capertee Valley and although the weather was bit dull, the view is always magnificent.

Mervyn had spent the night at the camping area at Glen Davis and for those of you who have not been there it is a very pleasant place indeed. Not crowded, hot showers and flushing loos. Also clean, a credit to whoever looks after it.

After meeting up with Mervyn, we travelled off to the 'Swamp' to set up camp before the hordes arrived.

We were almost too late, but did manage to get the spots that I had looked at the week before. We had to share with another family or two, who were not as well behaved in camping procedures as we, but tolerable; just.
I must be getting old!

The weather took a surprising and welcome turn for the better, just as well because I had promised Karen sunshine and dutifully the sun shone and shone.

Ian discovered that his Disco was leaking fuel and needed some running repairs. Matt, Tracey and young Marcus had just joined us for lunch and Matt volunteered to get the appropriate fuel hose from Rylstone and bring it back the next day, as they would not be staying overnight.We then saddled up the canoes and most ventured off for a delightful excursion around the 'Swamp'.

The kids (all of them) had a ball. Both Mervyn and Bob had electric motors on their canoes and eventually towed Glen and Katrina around.

While THEY were out enjoying themselves, Dave (me) the poor old bugger, collected the fire wood and set the fire for the evening. But did he (I) get a word of thanks? NO, just "That's not enough for us, lets get some real wood".
And would you believe, I had to drag this enormous tree Ian and Bob found as well.
That's gratitude!

Apart from that, the nibbles and pre dinner stuff went off well, and dinner was consumed with gusto, as was the evenings talk and general getting to know you activities.
Karen beat Bob up and he is forever her slave. But we won't go into THAT.

	Next morning dawned bright and cheerful and it was decided that a good walk would do us all good. So Karen, her slave Bob, Katrina, Dave and the three boys headed off to see the sights, while Mervyn decided to do a bit of fishing and Ian stayed behind to mind the leaking Disco and wait for Matt to arrive with the hose.

The walk was great, Mervyn came back with a wet bum and no fish, Matt arrived and four grown men eventually fitted the hose to the leaking machine. Whew, and I thought I was there to enjoy myself.

Lunch was served and we packed up to head off home via Mt Airley. But not before we had a discussion with 'Chris' one of the Rangers from NPWS.
Great bloke who told us where NOT to find the recently discovered Wollemi Pine(s).
When asked how the 'Swamp' was during the Christmas Holidays, his answer was very succinct - "Forget it".

We had an uneventful trip to Mt Airley, and a somewhat disappointing climb. The track has not only been graded, but rearranged, The very interesting twists and steps have gone!
It is still quite steep, but nowhere near the place it used to be.

We said our goodbyes to Ian, Karen and the boys before the climb and later the rest of us travelled back to Lithgow for a final Macca's fix before heading home. Yeah you guessed it, Macca's was jumping.

As I said earlier, Dunn's Swamp ain't what it used to be, but still worth a visit. Just choose your times carefully if you want real peace and quiet.
But even during the week there are a number of schools who visit, and the Ranger told us that there is often up to a hundred school kids at a time.

Dave.