McCallums flat track

[jeffyffej]

Hi all,

Just after some local knowledge for this walk if anyone could help out -

Would like to know the state of the trail, time it takes to walk down and back up, points of interest , camping sites or just your experience as a whole - eg. what you enjoyed / disliked about it, where u camped etc..

Cheers
Jeff

[johnw]

Hi all,

Just after some local knowledge for this walk if anyone could help out -

Would like to know the state of the trail, time it takes to walk down and back up, points of interest , camping sites or just your experience as a whole - eg. what you enjoyed / disliked about it, where u camped etc..

Cheers
Jeff

I've only walked it once, as a day walk, and quite a few years ago now. Nothing unpleasant that I recall. We walked upriver to Bungonia Creek. I think camping typically would be at McCallums Flat itself at the base of the initial descent although you could likely find other spots along the river. Highlights for me (from memory) were the outstanding view from Long Point lookout, traversing the extremely narrow razorback ridge approaching Kingpin Mountain with near vertical dropoffs at the side, a seemingly endless series of switchbacks on the descent to the river (which undoubtedly lessened the gradient), walking the she-oak lined riverbank to Bungonia Creeek, and the spectacular gorge country of that area in general.

Track was in good condition back then - someone else might have more up-to-date info. I do remember having to climb over the odd fallen tree. Walking along the river there was no track as such that I remember, more of a negotiable route. Timewise I think it took us about 5 or 6 hours to do the approx. 12km return trip with daypacks inlcuding a short lunch break and a bit of exploring. If you are carrying full packs allow a bit longer of course. I would guess a couple of hours each way if only going to McCallums Flat. John Evans site has some good info here of a similar trip that may be worth a look:

http://www.johnevans.id.au/Pages/Walk%20Descriptions/2009_08_18.htm

[michael_p]

Here is a report from August 2012 that may be of some use to you: http://sonsofthedesert-abushwalkingblog.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/the-shoalhaven-gorge.html.

Cheers,
Michael.

[jeffyffej]

Thanks for your help John & Michael!

Sounds like a good walk i plan on doing very soon.
I like to familiarise myself with an area as much as i can, with as much info as possible, like most people i guess..

One more thing -
As there is mining in the area and a few farms nearby, do you know what the quality of the water is? Is it affected by these or can it be treated ok?

Cheers
Jefd

[michael_p]

As there is mining in the area and a few farms nearby, do you know what the quality of the water is? Is it affected by these or can it be treated ok?

Sorry, can't help you there. As there are farms upstream on the Shoalhaven I would filter and treat any water I took out of the river.

Try a site search for the term "shoalhaven". There have been a number of threads about that area and they may have some useful information.

Michael.

[jackhinde]

Been down there quite a few times, slog back up earns you a beer. Never been poisoned drinking the water nor eating fish caught there. Plenty of camping spots. Most interesting thing I recall is the opium poppies that grow along the river at that flat, I guess a relict of gold mining era?

[odnuas]

Hi Jefd

The track down from Long Point is wide and easy to follow but steep in parts with some loose shale.

I recommend camping just below McCallums Flat on the Shoalhaven - possibly 100 metres down stream there is an outstanding campsite. Any of the open spots under the casuarinas make great campsites down there.

If you walk a few kms upstream and keep to the right (ie follow Bungonia Creek not the Shoalhaven after the fork) you will come to Bungonia Gorge which is absolutely outstanding. There are impressive canyon walls and also a boulder choke which is fun to climb through.

Jackhinde: never seen any poppies down there but will be on the lookout! Been stung by a few nettles though...

[jackhinde]

i agree with camping in the casuarinas below the flat. probably 15 or more years since i saw the poppies, but if you timed it for flowering i'd imagine they'd be still there, massive flowers so a bit hard to miss.

[jeffyffej]

Thanks for your info everyone.

Jackhinde, What fish did you catch and eat down there? Bass, carp?

Regards
Jeff

[jackhinde]

Bass. Flick lures around fallen trees in deeper holes. Eel, baited set lines whilst sitting around a campfire.

if carp is your thing there'd be plenty, during the drought when the river was just ponds there were certainly schools of the horrid things trapped in abundance. My memories are disheartening and most disgusting.