Nattai National Park

[Chief]

Hi all, sort of a last minute decision to go for a walk a few weeks ago.
I live not too far from Thirlmere lakes, so off for an afternoon walk i went.
Quite a hot day but the water was flowing in Little river, i know you should treat water for drinking but it was just so lovely and cold i had to drink. Did me no harm, maybe i've just got an iron stomach
Anyone else been down this way? I like the look of tackling some of those hills, no tracks that i know of, definetly bush bashing but i'm sure the views would be worth it.
Got a few photos to post, its all from the management trail i went as far as the gate that said to keep out "Catchment area".

Little River

"Keep out"

[johnw]

G'day Chief. We did the same walk back in Oct 2004. Thanks for reminding me of this spot, have done quite a few walks around the Nattai and Wollondilly regions over the years, although I prefer to leave them for cooler weather. I also remember the lovely patch of blue gum forest in the early part of this walk and the number of waratahs in bloom at the time. I have walked out along one of the ridge tops overlooking this area from the Bargo area (from memory). All on fire/management trail, no off track, leads to spectacular views as you suggest. It may be possible to climb up there from the bottom; I haven't tried it but did contemplate it at the time. A number of small guide books by Robert Sloss includes quite a lot of walks in this and adjacent regions. I'll try and post some photos when I get a chance.

[michael_p]

Hi Chief,

Been a few years since I did that walk. I must say I am not a fan of fire trail plods so I don't think I will do it again. Years ago you could ride your bike out along this track but even that is not allowed any more. I was advised by an NP Ranger that you aren't allowed past were the trail crosses Little River, so we didn't. I have to agree with johnw the Blue Gums at the start of this walk are superb. Brave man to drink the water, I have always been under the impression that Little River is too polluted to drink untreated.

As to the other trails around there. I am pretty sure the trail that johnw mentioned is the Buxton Plateau walk. Have no idea where it starts but it runs along the top of the hills on your left as you head out on the trail. Occasionally Southern Highlands Bushwalkers (SHB) do this walk so it may be worth watching their website for when they do it again. The are happy to have visitors on their walks. I know that SHB have done walks on the plateaus to the right hand side (as you head out on the trail) of Blue Gum creek (Mt Rice/Couridjah Mountain area) but where they start is a mystery as well. I've been told by someone who was on those walks that it was mostly on fire trails and the views were good.

Personally I think the walks starting at the end of Wattle Ridge Road in Hilltop are better bushwalks. Chasm Lookout, Rocky Waterholes Creek, Starlights Trail and my personal favourite Ahearn Lookout are all worth the effort. There is another track that runs off Ahearn down into Rocky Waterholes Creek but I haven't tried it yet. Also Mermaids Pool and the Tahmoor Canyon walks are good as well. As johnw mentioned the books by Robert Sloss are handy (I've also heard a rumour that these books may be updated soon).

Cheers,
Michael.

P.S. My avatar is a photo of Mt Jellore taken from Ahearn Lookout.

[johnw]

I am pretty sure the trail that johnw mentioned is the Buxton Plateau walk. Have no idea where it starts but it runs along the top of the hills on your left as you head out on the trail.

Hi Michael, yes that's the one. It actually starts at the end of Buxton Rd at Buxton (not Bargo as I suggested originally). Walked it in 2005 according to my photos. Nearly 17km so was a bit of a grind, although you may be able to cycle that trail. The sketch map in the Sloss book does show a negotiable route down to Little River near the end.

I know that SHB have done walks on the plateaus to the right hand side (as you head out on the trail) of Blue Gum creek (Mt Rice/Couridjah Mountain area) but where they start is a mystery as well. I've been told by someone who was on those walks that it was mostly on fire trails and the views were good.

Looks like there is a trail finishing at "Blue Gum Mt", I'm guessing it starts somewhere west of Thirlmere. Unsure about the peak names or those of other features. R Sloss often uses his own unofficial names that don't exist on relevant topo maps.

Personally I think the walks starting at the end of Wattle Ridge Road in Hilltop are better bushwalks. Chasm Lookout, Rocky Waterholes Creek, Starlights Trail and my personal favourite Ahearn Lookout are all worth the effort. There is another track that runs off Ahearn down into Rocky Waterholes Creek but I haven't tried it yet. Also Mermaids Pool and the Tahmoor Canyon walks are good as well. As johnw mentioned the books by Robert Sloss are handy (I've also heard a rumour that these books may be updated soon).

I've done several of those walks and a few others. Favourite is possibly Starlights, including overnighting down there. A good circuit is to return via the old Troys Creek track although it makes a fairly long fire trail bash to finish. Think I've seen an updated edition of one of his books, might have been mid or lower Blue Mountains, not sure.

[johnw]

A few photos from a past walk on the Blue Gum Creek to Little River trail:

Blue Gums on Little River Trail

Blue Gums on Little River Trail.jpg (321.75 KiB) Viewed 14231 times

Waratah bloom

Blue Gum Creek Waratah.jpg (64.63 KiB) Viewed 14231 times

The destination - Little River

Little River.jpg (115.57 KiB) Viewed 14231 times

A large lace monitor takes refuge from us

Lace Monitor.jpg (150.65 KiB) Viewed 14231 times

[Chief]

Thanks for all that info John and Michael, i'm also not a big fan of fire trail walks but with it being so close to home good to just get out sometimes.
Looks like a need to get my hands on some of these R Sloss books, looked them up on google and did find what you were reffering to, any idea where i'd be able to get these from, sold locally i'd assume??
Yes you are correct about not crossing Little river aswell, sign at the start of the trail mentions this..

They do get pretty big don't they!

[johnw]

Looks like a need to get my hands on some of these R Sloss books, looked them up on google and did find what you were reffering to, any idea where i'd be able to get these from, sold locally i'd assume?

I can't remember where I bought most of mine as I've had them for years. I did get one or two from Map World in the CBD (Pitt St).
Some other the outdoor shops in there might have some of them. Looks like you can order online from here:
http://www.mapshop.com.au/ess/shop.php?aisle=Bushwalking+Guides

He has a web site (seems incomplete) which implies you can order directly and gives a contact email address:
http://www.robertsloss.com.au/

From another link:
http://www.visitwollondilly.com.au/business_list.php?bcategory_id=1&bsubcategory_id=5
"Robert Sloss publishes a terrific bushwalk guide for Wollondilly which includes track notes, mud maps and local information only a professional could know. The Wollondilly Country edition features 21 walks in the area and also notes if the track is suitable for cycling and jogging. Cost is $9.90 and can be purchased over the phone by credit card from the Wollondilly Visitor Ct by phoning 4677 8313"

I know I've also seen some of the books at the visitor centre in Mittagong in the past, and other odd places like that.
Might be worth poking around in Narellan/Camden/Picton/Thirlmere. Any businesses connected to local tourism are probably worth investigating.

[michael_p]

Definitely try the Wollondilly visitors centre in Picton. I am sure I have seen them for sale there.

Cheers,
Michael.

[HitchHiking]

great pics. It is a lovely walk through those parts. We had a small plane come in above us as we walked across a open part by the catchment. Its wobbled its wings and we could see the passangers waving to us.

[Chief]

Got myself one of Roberts guides before xmas(Nattai/Mittagong Walks) and have been on a couple of walks since, both starting from Wattle Ridge.
Walked Starlights track to Mc Arthur flat return about a week an a half ago, also went to Emmetts flat and looked around the old homestead site but it was a very hot day so the Slot Way would would have to wait till next time.
Today i took the Slot Way down to the Nattai river then followed it to Mc Arthur flat and then returned back along Starlights.
I wouldn't say the Slot Way is a hard track, just difficult staying "on track" really, trying to follow the markers and watching out for the black snakes (of which there were plenty!)

Nattai river valley from Ahearns Track

Mc Arthurs flat

Mc Arthurs flat resident

Starlights Trail

[johnw]

Hi Chief. I remember plenty of red bellied blacks down there in warm weather. Can be hard to spot in the long grass and they're very lazy, so little movement. Slot Way? Without getting out the map or books that name isn't ringing a bell. Is the rusted old equipment still at Emmetts Flat?

[Chief]

Hi John, the Slot Way is a trail that runs off Ahearns lookout track down to the Nattai river(Ice Bottle Crossing), the trail kind of runs parrallel to Ahearns track for a while then heads more SW after Malcoms Pass till you get to river.
Small excerpt from Robert Sloss guide says "In 2004 SHBW found shorter way to Nattai river via unamed creek. When creek bed route became to dangerous due to moss covered logs and rocks they found another route that followed the cliff line bypassing the creek". Can see why another route was found, i went down the creek for a few hundred metres after not reading the map correctly and yes it was very steep and slippery.
Yeah there still alot of old iron laying around the camp sites down McArthurs and Emmetts, i'm going to go back for an overnight trip sometime for a bit more of a look around the place, probably leave till the cooler months when the reptiles are a bit less active!

Looking at Ahearns Lookout from Malcom Pass

Looking south from Malcoms Pass.

[michael_p]

Chief,

Thanks for the photos. Macarthur and Emmetts look like they are getting a bit overgrown.

Several years back a very keen bushwalker I know gave me a rudimentary map of the Slot Way that he got from another bushwalker (who was not from SHBW). If I remember correctly comparing it to the topo map showed the route as running down the creek. If SHBW have come up with a better route than down a slippery creek that's good for us all.

Every time I have been out to Ahearns in the last few years I walk past the Slot Way and say to myself I am going to do that walk one day. Must get myself organised and give it a try it sounds good.

If you haven't done the Ahearn walk you should, I can highly recommend it. I personally think it the pick of the walks in this area. Last time I did it was at night taking a mate out there to do some night photography. Great spot day or night.

Nattai River Valley from lookout approx 0.5km from Ahearns.

Looking south from Ahearn.

Looking at these photos again makes me want to grab my pack and just go.

Cheers,
Michael.