Duration: 3 - 3½ hours
Category: Short
Height: 820 metres
Length: 4 km
HOW TO GET THERE:
From Braidwood, take the Krawarree / Cooma Road. Continue on
this road for 42 km until you see the Gundillion Cemetery on
your left. The turn-off to the Deua National Park and Berlang
Camping Area, the stepping-off point for this walk, is
immediately after the cemetery. The signpost is easily missed,
so take care.
WALK DIRECTIONS:
From the rest area, the path is clearly marked. As you have to
ford the Shoalhaven River shortly after beginning the walk, it is
wise to come prepared for wading. After leaving the river, the path
follows a gentle upward slope for 2 km to the Big Hole.
TIME ESTIMATE:
3 - 3½ hours total, which includes a 40-45 minute drive each way
and a 1½ - 2 hour walk
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY:
Easy
NOTES:
This walk is suitable for any time of year. However, with the need
to ford the Shoalhaven River (knee-deep for a person of average
height), it is best to bring a towel to dry off. Should the river
level be higher than usual, the walk may not be accessible.
Camping is available, for a small fee, at the Berlang Camping
Area, fireplaces and toilets are available. Take food and water, and
dress appropriately for the time of year. Be prepared to take your
rubbish home as no facilities are available.
BROCHURES / MAPS:
Deua National Park brochure
Topographic Map KAIN 8826 - IV - S
SPECIAL FEATURES:
The remarkable Big Hole lies in the Berlang section of Deua
National Park. It is thought to have formed when the overlying
Devonian sandstone collapsed into a subterranean limestone cavern,
creating a chasm some 96 metres deep and 50 metres wide.
Early morning or late afternoon is the best time to see the
resident lyrebird that lives at the base of the hole, and comes out
to feed at those times. Other birds often seen in the area include
galahs, sulphur-crested cockatoos, white-winged choughs and
wedge-tailed eagles.
Red-necked wallabies, echidnas, wombats and tiger quolls can also
be seen in the vicinity.
Spectacular views of the Shoalhaven Valley can be seen from the
sub-alpine heathlands of dwarf casuarina on top of the ridge behind
the Big Hole. Take care returning to the track, as the hole is not
obvious from this angle.
WARNING:
The Shoalhaven River may become impassable after heavy rain.
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 Narooma (Ph: 4476
2888) 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.
