Gungarlin River Campground, KNP – 30 April – 2 May 2021
Participants:
Margo and David Wade, Defender (leaders)
Kaylene and Paul Koppe, Mazda BT50
Ann and David Darke, Prado
Peter Colvin, Discovery Sport
Day 1: Friday, 30 April (by Paul and Kaylene Koppe)
The trip was full, but unfortunately there were two last minute dropouts. All remaining trip participants arrived safely at the Club’s often-used meeting place at Williamsdale. Setting out in the lead, in their Defender with Ultimate camper in tow, were David and Margo Wade followed by Peter Colvin who was testing out his newly purchased Discovery Sport. Next were Paul and Kaylene Koppe in their Mazda BT50 towing a Cub Frontier camper, and ensuring no one went missing were the ever reliable Charlies, aka David and Ann Darke, in their Prado with their Emu camper in tow.
First stop was Kuma Pies and Pastries in Cooma for some filling morning tea/early lunch (and takeaways for later). The convoy exited Cooma following the Snowy Mountains Highway onto Kosciuszko Road. Next turn was onto Rocky Plain Road followed by Eucumbene Road and then Nimmo Road where we stopped to air down. After airing down, we continued on Nimmo Road where the road became a little more challenging after crossing the Eucumbene River. We then joined the Island Bend Fire Trail which was the point that we had the last reliable mobile reception. After a short stop we continued along the fire trail through a few open and closed gates and on into the Gungarlin River Campground.
What a spectacular campground, with basic but clean, well-maintained amenities. Thank you to our trip leaders, David and Margo, for sharing such a magical spot with us.
Everyone got to it and in no time had their respective living modes all set up. Everyone enjoyed the remainder of the afternoon undertaking various activities, such as fish spotting, brumby watching, photography, fire building, cooking, etc (you get the idea). Fire building was an extremely important activity for the group due to the significant drop in temperature once the sun went down (now I know why no one went swimming, K).
In the evening, while enjoying the starry sky above our camp fire, we spotted a constant light that crossed the sky above us. First thought: a satellite. But it seemed to be too low and bright to be a satellite. However, without blinking, coloured lights, it didn’t seem to be a plane, either – even one that had left its landing lights on! It was only later, after returning to Canberra, that we learned about the Chinese rocket that had gone AWOL. We suspect this is what we saw.
Day 2: Saturday, 1 May (by Peter Colvin)
When we all emerged from our warm cocoons after a very cold night we were greeted by a white frost. Estimated minimum temperature overnight was minus 6! Ouch! Items left outside were frozen, as were some camper water lines. Water in containers was partially solid. Those with butane gas found their early morning cuppa was not possible because the gas was liquified. The brumbies didn’t mind the cold and kept grazing.
However, the sun came out and the day warmed up and it turned into a beautiful day.
After breakfast David and Margo, David and Ann, and Peter decided to go on a bush walk to CesJack’s Hut on the Main Range. The idea was to drive to the Park gate on the main range and then do an easy walk along the top of the range to the hut.
It was about an hour’s drive to the Park gate. So off we set. It was a pleasant drive initially backtracking up to Nimmo Hill then NW across the Snowy Plain. The roads were not too rough but we had three water crossings. Two crossings were 40m wide and about 400mm deep with fairly solid rocky bottoms. All three cars managed the crossings without issue.
We were within a few kms of the Park gate when we found a locked gate and a “no vehicle access” sign. Rumour had it that the land owner has a liability issue as the actual road doesn’t match the gazetted road so he had locked the gate. Since it was a steep and too long a walk, we abandoned the idea of going to CesJack’s Hut and decided to go to the closer and easier walk to Wallace’s Hut for lunch.
Wallace’s Hut is on private land (Snowy Vale) but walkers are welcome. From the Snowy Vale gate to Wallace’s was about a 10 minute walk.
Wallace’s Hut is set up with basic equipment in case you need to shelter there in bad weather. There’s a visitor book which Margo signed, listing our party.
After morning tea, the two Davids and Peter went for a five km walk in the Snowy Vale area, heading up the hill. Snowy Vale is a beautiful spot and the weather was fantastic.
We all regrouped after about an hour and decided to head back to the Gungarlin Camping Ground, backtracking our way back. We got back to the camping ground around 3:30pm and found Paul and Kaylene had the fire started so a few early drinks were called for and snacks followed.
One amusing thing placed on table was this little pyramid thingie ……. It whirled around but didn’t stop us demolishing the snacks 😊.
After that we all sat around the fire as the sun went down. Welcomed another cold night. Early dinner followed by an early night to bed.
Day 3 Sunday, 2 May (by David and Ann Darke)
Another sub- zero (-3) night was experienced, but warmer than the previous, although we were better prepared. A leisurely morning was planned with a lazy breakfast, perhaps a walk and then a pack up with dry canvas. With a forecast of a sunny day and 6% chance of rain all looked promising for an early afternoon departure.
With a breeze came increasing levels of clouds making rain more likely than not. The trail into camp had had a recent grading and fill added for a much smoother drive in (compared to the recce). This however left a loose surface that may present a traction issue towing on the steeper grades. Thoughts of wet canvas to dry out also a concern.
Margo’s concern led to discussion and a rethink. Plan B was actioned, i.e. pack and leave by 11:30, no rush required. So away went morning tea and on with the job. Departure was right on time.
We worked our way up the hilly trail roughly following the HV power lines; two of the five gates were closed and were left as is on departure. The track rises from 1313 metres to 1486 at the top of Nimmo Hill over a 10 km distance. A brief pause at the top to reconnect to communication, check messages etc. then off again down the other side toward Nimmo & Rocky Plains. We paused at a “T” junction to allow a stock semi to pass, not wishing to halt its progress.
At the 1920 curved, wooden Nimmo bridge (not Vic), now at 1035 m, we waited for the semi to bypass the bridge via the rutted side-track and water crossing. While it was negotiating the ford, we took the opportunity to pass and proceed to the end of the dirt where we pulled over to air up tyres. The semi passed us again while we were airing up, courteously slowing down so we weren’t too bothered by its dust. We then followed the tar road through rural scenery past the Eucumbene trout farm and across Rocky Plain, emerging again on the Kosciuszko Rd about 27 km from Cooma.
Thoughts of pies, cakes, coffees etc. in Cooma at the Kuma pie shop were dashed (closed Sun). Ooops – another plan B required. An RV parking area near the Cooma Hotel and a sign saying bistro open (plan B achieved). Fish & chips & Parme burgers seemed popular, so a relaxing lunch, trip debrief was had.
Due to differing priorities of shopping, looking around & travelling etc. amongst the group, the trip concluded here, thank yous and goodbyes made and we headed for home. We were back about 15:30 from memory.
A great trip and many thanks to Margo & David for their efforts.