Returning to my old walking ground, 3 days in the Budawangs, Morton National Park.
Access is via Nerriga on the west of the Morton park and follow the tracks around Quiltys Mountain clockwise.
Walking is quite flat - about 12km on the first day to a flat campground, daytrip of 12-15km on day 2 without packs. This will take us to Hidden Valley and Dark Bros Cave, an old bushranger campsite. We might extend the first day (depending on fitness, interest, and weather), and see more on day 2, by walking to the southernmost point of Quiltys Mtn, with a view south to the central Budawangs.
Day 3 we will walk back out on the same path as in - from painful experience, the route further around the West of Quiltys is overgrown.
The Northern and Central Budawangs is principally conglomerate cliffs, flat topped hills, and mostly open valleys in between. Water is plentiful and clean, there may be Hakea (thorny bushes), and in June it can be quite cold. Frost is likely. Much has probably changed there since the 2019 fires, the smaller tracks could now be overgrown - my last trip there was earlier in 2019.
If you have not been to the Budawangs, this is a great opportunity to see it first hand. I spent a lot of time there when I was younger, it is my favourite place to walk. The Endrick map sheet is the topographic map for the area, I usually use the CMW hand drawn map, I'll have copies for your interest.
You should have walked and camped overnight at least once before. I highly recommend sharing a tent with someone - make a new friend, and it's warmer. About 10 people is probably good for this trip, sharing tents makes that easier too.
2025 Tony Butt Trip Report
- The trip was a qualified success
- We were a group of 4 moderate to well experienced bushwalkers
- I had not met any of the party before.
- Despite that, they placed their trust in me for the weekend - thanks!
- The views and scenery on Day 2 around 'The Vines' were agreed to be worth the trip.
- Access through the pass at 'The Vines' was more challenging than anticipated, due to 2019/20 fire regrowth and large fallen trees
- The weather was as anticipated for the 3 days, probably a little wetter on the last day. Anticipating this is important when hiking at this time of the year, for both safety and enjoyment.
- Reliable tents and warm food are essential in these conditions.
- Everyone was sufficiently well prepared for both the consistent cold (1-11 deg each day), and rain.
- A photocopy of the CMW sketch map was provided to all participants for awareness and interest.
- In the event that the trip leader 'falls off a cliff', a paper map and a simple route means the party can self rescue.
- Some basic map and compass practice was undertaken, more on the next trip.
- A combination of more difficult progress on Day 2, shorter days due to the mid-winter timing, damp weather, and an overgrown track meant we abandoned our attempt to reach Hidden Valley around 2pm on Day 2
- hence 'qualified' success
- Day 1 we walked 12km in about 4.5 hours, including 2 shallow river crossings.
- A simple pack towel makes the river crossings more pleasant.
- An earlier start would have allowed a short afternoon day trip.
- I slipped on a mossy rock cascade, landing in shallow water, and bruising both my hip and dignity.
- A change of pants kept me warm and dry.
- Day 2 we walked 16km return without packs mostly on moderate slopes and heavy scrub. FAllen timber was challenging, more so if we had full packs. The shorter day and concern for weather meant we could not reach Hidden Valley.
- Had we known the state of the track, we could have started earlier and probably reached Hidden Valley
- Day 3 we were able to have breakfast before the clouds and rain set in.
- Rain started before we packed up, and continued until we reached the car.
- Walking in cold, damp, and overcast conditions requires a particular mental fortitude.
- The 2 river crossings were NOT welcome additions to the walk out.
- The walk out was took about 3.5 hours - for some reason it is always quicker.
- This trip was inadvertently scheduled for the end of the ANU exam period, which did not help the participation.
- There were a surprising number of people in the area for the weekend, including a lone, and apparently under equipped cycle tourer.
- We took the opportunity to gain some first hand knowledge of the Wog Wog entrance.
- Approaching the last river crossing on Day 3, we met an extended family also walking out.
- 4 adults, one older, and one in a wheelchair (!). 2 Trolleys.
- 2 younger children, 6-8 years old. The kids were cheerfully acting as 'chair huskies' to assist pulling the wheelchair up the hills
- a baby (!)
- They had camped overnight, and were all cheerful.
- Many things are possible, even in adversity.
- A planned stop at the Tarago pub for hot chips and drinks provided extra motivation.
- I'm used to walking with people I know well. Walking with a group of strangers provides extra challenges in terms of team cohesion, motivation. This means trust must be earned, plus expectations set early, and I need to allow for anyone who has overestimated their ability.
- My walking partners made all of the above easy - I would happily walk with that party anytime :-)
Two more Budawangs trips are planned for later this year, a 1 day trip from the Wog Wog entrance to confirm the track, and a later 3 day trip to visit Mt Tarn.