Duration: 4½ hours
Category: Medium
Height: 1138 metres
Length: 7 km
HOW TO GET THERE:
From Braidwood, take the Little River Road to Mongarlowe, some
13 km east of Braidwood. After crossing the bridge, turn right
and follow this road variously known as Clyde Road or
Northangera Road for half a kilometre until a road junction is
reached. Take the left branch on to the Budawang Road and after
a further 1.8 km, a second junction is reached. Here, continue
on the right branch.
Following this road for a further 2.6 km will bring you to the Mt
Budawang road which turns off to the left at a National Parks sign.
Follow the Mt Budawang road for 3.2 km which will bring you to
the NPWS locked gate at the foot of Mt Budawang.
Note: The Mt Budawang road can be slippery and boggy after rain,
and contains some short steep sections, so if there has been recent
rain, or rain is imminent, take care.
WALK DIRECTIONS:
Leave your vehicle at the carpark just before the locked gate. The
track follows a fire trail to the summit and, although not
particularly steep, it can be unrelenting in its continuing ascent,
climbing some 430 metres in altitude in 3.5 km.
TIME ESTIMATE:
4½ hours total which includes a 40-45 minute drive each way and a
3-hour walk (2 hours ascent and 1 hour descent).
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY:
Easy to medium, depending on fitness
NOTES:
Take food and water, and dress appropriately as weather conditions
can change rapidly at this altitude. This walk is especially
suitable for spring and autumn, but a fine clear day in winter can
make for pleasant walking, provided precautions are taken for
possible weather changes.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
The beginning of the track is dominated by stands of silver top
ash. As we parallel Feagans Creek, the vegetation is more lush with
tree ferns lining the creek, and, if fortunate, you may be treated
to the myriad calls of the lyrebird.
As we climb, the vegetation changes with bracken fern and
herringbone ferns featuring in the under-storey. Nearer the summit,
we reach a saddle where tree cover is limited and heath
predominates. The last hundred metres of altitude sees a brief
return to forest cover before emerging on to the tea-tree dominated
summit.
Bird life is abundant on the mountain where crimson rosellas are
frequently seen and lyrebirds abound in the gullies.
On the summit is a Forestry Commission fire tower, which is
staffed during the fire season. From the vicinity of the fire tower,
a 360° panorama unfolds with views of Mt Currockbilly to the north,
Budawang Range features such as Mt Cole, the Castle and Pigeon House
to the north-east, Durras Mountain to the east, Clyde Mountain to
the south, Currowan Creek below to the south-west, and Mt
Gillamatong above Braidwood to the immediate west.
Further west can be seen the Great Dividing Range and the
magnificent Tallaganda State Forest.
WARNING:
Mt Budawang road may be slippery and boggy after rain. Take
appropriate clothing for possible changes in the weather.
Disclaimer:
The bushwalk detailed here is neither controlled nor managed by
Palerang Shire Council. The Council makes no representation that the
bushwalk is in a suitable condition for use at any time. Persons
wishing to use the walk should satisfy themselves as to the
condition of the walk intended to be taken by inquiry to the
National Parks and Wildlife Service's office at Ulladulla (Ph: 4454
9500) before setting out on the walk. The Council will accept no
responsibility for any injury however caused resulting from the use
by any person of any of the bushwalks.
