Smugglers Ridge - Marramarra NP

[GPSGuided]

Curious if anyone has done this loop track recently. Reading Chapman's book and looking around, I get the impression that it's a track that's getting a bit rough in places. Any pointers and special POI? Thinking of exploring this track during the school holidays.

[kanangra]

It's pretty clear all the way down. Nice camp spot with toilet and picnic table at the end. Orange trees should be still bearing.

K.

[GPSGuided]

Thanks K! Surprised to hear there's picnic tables down there.

[lorrainey100]

I camped there 3 weeks ago at Marramarra Creek campground, 1 picnic table and 2 or 3 fire pits with logs ready to use. Watch out for the very 'friendly' kookaburra who will be nice at first then swoop down to steal your sausages. Nice walk. Smugglers Ridge track is not overgrown in the least. Warren Irish, a national park volunteer, really knowledgeable guy regarding the plants, geology and history of the area regularly conducts group walks in this national park does some clean ups and weed control. He told me yesterday they did some weed control at Gentleman's Halt campground last week.

[GPSGuided]

Sounds great Lorrainey100! In comparing Chapman's book, OSM and GoogleEarth, I could not clearly identify the loop Chapman talked about. Only one arm of the loop is clear. Did you do the loop route or just used the fire/service trail there and back? I get the impression the other arm of the loop (on the west side of the fire trail) has sections 'off-track' and used the ridge to climb back from the creek. Is this interpretation correct? Which route did you take?

[lorrainey100]

I did the loop. I parked the car at the second car park with the signs to Smugglers Ridge. From there, I followed the road outside the car park, a fairly flat fire trail and walked 2-3km to the locked gate and went down the steep fire trail to Marramarra camp. The next day I walked back up Smugglers Ridge back to where I had parked my car.

If you do the loop either way you will reach a 3 way junction next to a creek. Facing the creek, if you turn right and follow the track with the creek on your left hand side you will reach Marramarra camp site about 2km. If you take the road left with the creek on your right hand side you will reach a small sign posted turn off to Smugglers Ridge about 1-2km in and just after a small creek crossing. The middle fire trail back up the ridge leads to the locked gate, it is steep and not very scenic or interesting. I went down this fire trail since you can get to Marramarra campsite quickly if you start late in the day and are pressed for time. If you plan to camp take water since there is none at the campsite.

It is fairly easy to navigate. I suggest you take a map or gps navigation software.

[lorrainey100]

It's pretty clear all the way down. Nice camp spot with toilet and picnic table at the end. Orange trees should be still bearing.

K.

I don't recall any toilets on the loop track or the Marramarra Creek campsite. No fruits on the trees when I was there three weeks ago.

[GPSGuided]

Thanks for the great info. School holidays starting soon.

[kanangra]

Big fancy composting toilet on the upstream end.

Steve

[Ndevr]

Just did this walk in a large group last weekend. Had the campsite to ourselves.
Yes it has a bench, firepit, and toilet.
There are currently no mossies or flies!
Whilst currently cold, Marramarra is a good tidal creek for swimming/wading, and there's a 3m high boulder to jump off which is fun for young and old.
There is a small creek 200m East of the campsite where water could be sourced, though it is only just above the tidal line, with a hint of salt.

We had 7 first time overnight hikers, so it's also a good beginners walk.
We went clockwise down Smugglers Ridge and up Marramarra Ridge (Smugglers is a more interesting track).
We took it slowly, and including long breaks it still only took 3 hours each way.
The track is easy to follow; 10 of the 13km is fire trail, only 3km bush track.
No GPS required, just a basic map photocopy.

Ndevr

[GPSGuided]

Thanks for the info. Ummm... Not keen on the fire trail bit in general.