Kangaroo Valley Region : Recreation : Walking Tracks
Kangaroo Valley and Adjacent National Parks: If it's bushwalking you want; you've come to the right place. Kangaroo Valley and its surrounds encompass some of the finest walking tracks in the state; exploring just about every imaginable kind of terrain from coastal dunes to wet rainforest, to narrow, winding canyons and high mountain lookouts to wetlands and marsh. In an area reaching out approximately 50 kms from the valley: a circle bounded by Robertson, Moss Vale, Bundanoon, Nowra and Berry, one will find 25 well-marked tracks, ranging in length and difficulty, and reaching the region's great diversity of natural wonderments, including lookouts, waterfalls, lakes and rivers, canyons and caves, historic monuments, bridges, and much more. In the future this site will endeavor to present some or all of these walks in detail. In the meantime, an excellent publication does the very same, and is available (at a nominal fee) from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service: 43 Bridge Street, Hurstville, NSW 2220.
Kangaroo Valley Region : Recreation : Boating TOP
Paddle Adventures from Mild to Wild Outdoor Adventures, NSW:
Mild2Wild offers a range of boating adventures sure to please both beginners and experienced boaters. All tours are noted for the beautiful destinations, high comfort camping and great food. Some examples: Moon River - a moonlit, guided canoe trip down the Shoalhaven gorge paddling past sheer sandstone cliffs reflecting off the silvery lakes and through drowned forests. Rapid Relief - our sure-fire cure for city stress. 2 days braving the rapids of the Shoalhaven river rapids; high energy excitement in a wild and beautiful setting. There's no better cure for stress or the blues! Black Rock & Roll - We venture beyond the surf out onto the ocean swells for a full day of guided sea-kayaking along the Shoalhaven's black rocky coastline and protected coves. Training provided for beginners. Berry to Jervis Bay - A full weekend exploring the amazing waterways of the shoalhaven from the tidal estuaries below Berry to the magnificent sea cliffs and caves of Jervis Bay. Includes dinner and lodging.
Mild to Wild ~ 84 Queen Street, Berry, NSW 2535 ~ phone: 02 4464 2211 ~ email: info@m2w.com.au ~ web: www.m2w.com.au
Kangaroo Valley Region : Recreation : Lookouts TOP
Kangaroo Valley Lookouts:
(from the NPWS Walks Guide) Few places in Australia offer so many great scenics per kilometer! Here are a few notables. Canbewarra Pass Lookout: Take Moss Vale Road approximately 12 kms East toward Nowra. At the top of the pass look for the entrance leading up to the left just as you enter a sharp switchback turn. Follow this for about half a km to the entrance. You'll find ample parking, facilities, a good cafe, and a spectacular view of the coast line. On a clear day you can see well beyond the city of Nowra, the Shoalhaven river and headwaters, and Nowra hill far out into the Tasman sea.
Pipeline Lookout: Follow Moss Vale road (west) toward Fitzroy Falls up Barrangary Mountain. At the top of the pass you'll find a locked gate on your left. Climb the fence and follow a gravel road West then Southwest keeping the canal on your right. The canal becomes a pipeline which you follow along on the right side, for about 1.5 kms. Pass a 4wd trail and continue to the surge tank. Continue another 1.5 kms and begin following safety fencing on your right away from the road. At the Danger High Voltage sign turn and follow a poor quality walking trail, then a disused 4wd track to the cliffs. Bear left and keep following the "danger" signs up to the lookout and some really great views of Kangaroo Valley.
Warris Chair / Missingham Lookout: Take the Jamberoo Pass road East from Robertson for about 8 kms to the signposted turnoff for Carrington Falls. The road soon forks where you bear right to the lookouts and Nellie's Glen. You'll also find picnic grounds and facilities in this area. Park and take the signposted service track about 100M up to a junction, then continue 400M along the rim to Warris Chair, a fenced lookout far above the Kangaroo Valley. Enjoy several good views (and pics) here then retrace your way back to the junction and turn left, back on the service trail. Follow it for a few minutes, bearing left at the "Y" it becomes a 4wd trail leading down to a creek, then uphill now following a fence. Stay with the fence until the track swings left away towards a "T" junction. Turn right, continue to 2nd junction, turn left and follow the trail a few metres to Missingham Lookout. You see the Valley from a completely new perspective here. (Retracing your steps back will be much easier then it may sound here)
Manning Lookout: Take Moss Vale Road West toward Fitzroy Falls. Turn right at the signposted turnoff. (Approximately 15 kms from the Kangaroo Valley Post Office, and about 1 km before the Myra Vale turnoff) Drive a short distance and park. From the carpark follow the single walking track to 3 posted lookouts with fine clifftop views of Kangaroo Valley. An easy walk with great rewards.
Note: details on these walks and others can be found in the Kangaroo Valley Walks Guide published by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. This publication along with helpful maps and other brochures are available at nominal fees at NSW Park Visitor Centres and other locations. For more information contact NPWS at 43 Bridge Street, Hurstville, NSW 2220
Kangaroo Valley Region : Recreation : Caving in Bungonia TOP
Bungonia State Recreation Area:
With its steep cliffs, narrow canyons and deep gorges; Bungonia is home to some of deepest caves on the Australian continent. Not surprisingly, adventure cavers from around the world travel here for the thrill and challange of exploring them. And challanging they are: as deep and precipitious as the surrounding landscape, which is why we advise extreme caution in approaching them. Again,these caves have not been developed for general tourism due to foul air and other dangers. Only experienced and well equipped cavers should attempt their exploration. For those with an interest in Bungonia's caves we recommend the book: Under Bungonia.
Kangaroo Valley Region : Recreation : Swimming TOP
Kangaroo Village Swimming Pool: Bring the family and enjoy this large community swimming pool with diving boards and kiddie pool. Summers open daily til dusk. Adjacent soccer field and nearby tennis courts.
Kangaroo Valley Region : Sussex Inlet Fishing TOP
Sussex Inlet Fishing Carnival Fishing is big fun at Sussex Inlet - and during the week-long summer Fishing Carnival event, it's big money too! This year the catch was $27000 in cash and prizes, drawing thousands of people from all over Australia to come and try their luck - and skill - in the rich waters of St. Georges Basin.
For information on the next Carnival, contact the organizers at jrsussex@bigpond.com or contact the Sussex Marine Center.
Anytime of year the village of Sussex Inlet makes for a unique, fun-filled break, with excellent (and safe) swimming at Cudmirrah Beach, plus bushwalks, picnic areas, surfing, and boating. And of course, fishing; which just gets better and better with the cessation of commercial operations on the Bay.
Kangaroo Valley Region : Recreation : Wineries TOP
Crooked River Winery and Cafe
Wine Tasting at Crooked River will delight your eyes as well as your pallete. Nestled in the lovely green rolling hills of Willow Vale, Gerringong where the mountains reach out to the ocean, a superb climate prevails and the Crooked river runs completely through the Vineyard bearing it's mountain clear waters directly to the vines.
Originally a 125 acre dairy farm (for 100 years), Crooked River was transformed by the efforts of Narelle and Brian Jackson ("retired" here in 1998) with the help of several wine experts and specialists. Today, Crooked River Winery is a serious operation, with 250 tonne capacity, 108,000 litres of stainless steel Fermentation and storage tanks and the production of 6 reds and 5 white scheduled for 2003. New offerings will include Arneis (Italian white wine) and Petit Verdot (A French Red). Come and enjoy our Cafe any Sunday through Thursday from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM, for free tasting and cellar purchases. (Persons 18 years of age or above, please) We also accommodate Groups, Weddings, Birthdays and other special occassions. Call Catherine at 4234 0975. ~ Crooked River Winery ~ 11 Willowvale Road, Gerringong, NSW 2534 ~ email: crwines@bigpond.com web: www.crookedriverwines.com
Kangaroo Valley Region : Recreation : Bike Tour TOP
Kangaroo Valley Escapes - Hike & Bike: An adventure package with a view to match! A minibus transports you and your mountain bike to Woodhill Mountain Pass above the town of Berry, about 15 kms from Kangaroo Village. From there you take a scenic 45 minute hike up to the spectacular views of Drawing Room Rocks. Next you cycle down into Kangaroo Valley for a dip in pristine Broger's Creek, where the platypus are known to play! Bring sturdy shoes, a water bottle, hat, snacks and sunscreen. Kangaroo Valley Escapes will provide everything else, including quality mountain bike, helmet and equipment, maps, day packs and transport to Woodhill Mtn. All in all it's a great half day getway and rendevous with good health - attractively priced at $50 per person.Kangaroo Valley Escapes ~ phone: 02 4465 1310 email: kvescapes@tpg.com.au Web: www.kangaroovalleyescapes.com.au