Murruin Ck, Bindook Highlands, Bullnigang, Trip Report.

[diggerkv]

I noticed the post July 2011 from Juxtaposer that mentions rabbit traps. I know how they got there! My grandfather owned the property that included Mt Oldbuck with Murruin Ck to the east. He had 6 kids, one of whom was my father. The family called their 'farm' the GULF. This term is currently used to identify this area by the locals at Taralga, which is the nearest town by road.

My grandfather was well known in the district as his occupation was Rabbiter and his territory went as far west as Crookwell. He used both large amounts of traps and he also poisoned the rabbits with strychnine. He knew this area extremely well and he would have been there in 1930 when the beer bottles were left on the track.

Later the family moved to Richlands and then Taralga.

We always wondered where he left the traps when he 'retired' after WWII to go trout fishing along the Abercrombie River.

The Taralga Historic Society has been doing some excellent work detailing the history of the GULF and they have recently rebuilt a school called Fernbank/Wombeyan at their site in Taralga with the original desks intact. The school originally opened in 1904.

Thank you for your details of your walks.

[puredingo]

Fascinating stuff!! Thanks for the info diggerkv, anymore stories you feel like sharing would be eagerly lapped up.

Love the area and all the history within.

[kanangra]

Now that is very interesting. I notice that the property out Old buck way has just been sold. There is an old hut up there and it runs all the way down to Murruin Ck. Over 1,000 acres. I took the opportunity to get the title maps of the different lots that make up the property. Wish I'd bought it. Oh well.

K.

[karalinga]

Bushy Mick, I've been up Millnigang Ck on three trips and visited the hut each time. Love to know the history of the place if you can tell me. Unfortunately the hut was burnt down by the Green Wattle Ck fire - probably in very late December 2019/early January 2020. Does your brother still own it? How did they get building materials in there?

[kanangra]

That is disappointing to hear. Gone before I had a chance to see it. I think Pure dingo got in there. does anyone have any photos?

K.

[puredingo]

Yeah, I do have pics which I’ll endeavour to post with success even if it kills me.

I’ve been there quite a few times due to it being located in some of my favourite walking country and was planning on a visit very soon to see how the place fared post fire. Guess now I know and I find that news sad.

I’d assume the hut situated under Mt Egan suffered the same fate?

[puredingo]

Barrallier Hilton.

[puredingo]

Walls lined with rabbit traps.

[puredingo]

This shot was taken as I sat on the ground on what would of been a 30 odd day...it was a least 10 degrees cooler inside so it was decided a long lunch was in order.

[kanangra]

So glad you have those shots. They maybe historically important now the hut has been destroyed. Sad I never got in there. Did you ever visit the falls on the creek?

K.

[puredingo]

Yeah mate, pretty well been all over that area these last years. The falls are unreal at the top with plenty of pools. Track down a short way and there is a pinnacle you can perch upon for a fantastic view...just mind your balance.

I’ve also followed the creek most of the way North it has plenty of camping, and then cut across country to link up with the OSR....

Magic, remote country.

[kanangra]

Wow! I'm envious. Not been into that creek at all.

K.

[karalinga]

Yep, it was sad to see it gone. I hoped it might've got through, and while the little valley it's in doesn't seem to have suffered catastrophic conditions, even fire just travelling through the dry grass would have got into the old timbers - didn't have much chance. Got some pre- and post-fire photos too, which I'll try and upload soon. Millnigang Ck has been scoured clean by the floods, with lots of debris piled up. Some slopes have no epicormic growth on the eucalypts, but most are slowly recovering from the fires. Weed infestation on the banks make it hard to see where you're putting your feet.

Didn't know about the hut under Mt Egan - had some friends do the trail just recently, but they didn't mention it. Can't tell you about that one.

[kanangra]

To be honest it was nothing to write home about. Nowhere near the character of the Baraillier Hilton. Of much more recent construction.

Agree about the weeds. I walked into the Totem Pole on the weekend and the Wolgan was absolutely over run with head high weeds. I only knew I was at Annie Rowan Ck when I walked off the edge of the bank and nearly fell into the drink. Couldn't see it coming for all the weeds. Really very disappointing actually.

K.

[puredingo]

Bushy mick, DiggerKv,

I was wondering if this grave sites means anything to you guys?

[Bushy Mick]

Hey Dingo long not on the forum been mega busy with work and building/renovating the house.

I know where that memorial site however i dont know much about it. If you go to the Taralga heratage centre they will be able to give you more info.

Such a shame about the Barralier hilton. we never got there to see it spent plenty of time looking for it from our end dont supose you cuold PM me the grid ref for it heading out this weeked to do a little work on the hut and might go for a wander.

cheers Mick,

Bushy mick, DiggerKv,

I was wondering if this grave sites means anything to you guys?

[puredingo]

G'day Mick, I'll get you the GR when I get in today. Have a look but this is what you'll see. I was there not long ago.

I couldn't even find the smallest remains of the Mt Egan hut. Gone for good.

[puredingo]

Barrallier remnants

[puredingo]

Barrallier remnant

[michael_p]

...I was wondering if this grave sites means anything...

Didn't really look at this when it was originally posted by Mr Dingo. You see the Chalker name in a few places around the Mittagong/Hill Top area. Maybe they are related to William Chalker: https://www.historicalencounters.org/he/mittagong/.

Also, there is a Facebook group called the Chalker/Charker Society or https://chalker-charker.com/. You may be able to contact them and get more info about the plaque.

Cheers,
Michael.

[Bushy Mick]

Barrallier remnant

Man what a shame!!!! i wish i had got to see it before she burnt.

We were out at our place and floating between bindook, Tomat Stn and Myanga during the fires doing our own hazard reductions clearing with a d6 and a d8 dozers it was very full on very intence. We were getting fuel and food flown in to bindook by helicopter luckly we had the use of 3 NPWS fire fighting appliances NPWS staff were all air lifted out and we were traped in there roads blocked in both directions. Ended up we came out through the W4 into jooriland crossed the wollondilly then up wanganderry pass into mittagong. The huts, main house and sheering shed all survived at jooriland. The train carrages out on bullnigang got torched and one of the locals lost his ute to fire other than that is was all good.

Thanks for the GR will venture out and have a look if i get the time over the weekend.

Cheers Mick,

[Paul+]

Just read the great reports covering Murruin CK and Bindook Highlands.I led a trip or Two through that country back in the 90s,trip1 up beside Tomat Falls then a circular route back to the Wollondilly by way of an old bridal track cut during WW2.(day trip))trip2 as part of an Easter walk,into Murruin CK, swimming &walking the Haunted Loops,excellent campsite below Mt.Shivering,great walking,great mates&great country,Paul