Ettrema Gorge – Morton National Park

Ettrema Gorge – Morton National Park


Info

walking distance: 30 km
duration: ? h
walking: 0:00 h
elevation diff: m
location: morton national park
driving distance: 250 km
driving time: 3:20 h
water available: yep
parking: -34.9821,150.1559


Video


Track notes

parking at:
-34.980502, 150.156024

Time: 3 days
Distance: 29km
Fitness: M
Skill: MH
Ascent: 550m
Maps: LPI Touga 8928-III-S 1:25000

 

http://bushwalkingnsw.com/walk.php?nid=203

 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA The climb up Myall Creek - Ettrema Gorge Bushwalk web-23-ettrema

 

Introduction

The last cascade … an alternative route!

The Ettrema region is a Wilderness area. There are very few formed tracks, and significant amounts of scrambling and route finding can be expected. As a result, specific track notes will not be given on this web site. Some general information on routes will be presented and one three day route suggested. This should be sufficient for experienced walkers to plan trips of various lengths. Ettrema is not a place for inexperienced walkers to learn skills.

Access

To get to the Ettrema area you have a couple of options. Via Goulburn is probably easier unless you are coming from southern Sydney or Wollongong.

From Goulburn, take the turnoff to Bungonia State Conservation Area, just past the big petrol stations at Marulan. Continue through Bungonia, and follow signs first to Oallen, across the bridge there, then on to Nerriga. Continue through Nerriga to cross the Endrick River. The Tolwong Rd turnoff is on the left at the top of the next major hill.

The rock formations in the Ettrema Gorge walls are spectacular

Alternatively, take the HMAS Albatross turn-off from Nowra, veer left at the roundabout, and follow this for about 5km. Turn on to the Nowra-Braidwood Rd on the right just before the Nowra airport. If you are driving in the night before, there is a very good car campsite (Nerriga 466144) on the left about 3km before Greta’s Rd.

Either way, take the Tolwong Rd turnoff (Nerriga 400143) to the north (not signposted). The Jumps is reached about 7km down the road. To get to Quiera Clearing, continue on 3km to a junction and take the right fork Quiera Clearing is 4km past the junction. This is private property, and you should park off the track before the clearing.

Track notes

From 01 Jan 2000, last checked 13 Feb 2005

One of the first scrambling sections in Myall Creek

Map references are to the Nerriga and Touga sheets.

Most access to the Ettrema area is via the Tolwong Rd. There are a number of more commonly used routes on this, the western side of the wilderness.

Bullfrog Creek is a reasonably straightforward, although scrubby way to Ettrema Creek. The usual starting point is near The Jumps. It is very slow at the top, but opens out nicely near the bottom. The spur and side creek at AMG403197 can avoid some of the scrub at the top, although some good route finding and scrambling may be necessary.

Ettrema Creek is quite open near its junction with Jones Creek

Myall Creek is probably the most commonly used entry. Skirt the southern edge of Quiera Clearing and get into the side creek that joins at AMG421253. Like Bullfrog, the top is scrubby, but there is a track for much of this. The creek then becomes bouldery, before the main cascades are reached at around AMG422246. Scrambling is required, and a rope for pack lowering may be needed. There is one final drop of 10m at about AMG433242, which requires exposed sidling on a narrow ledge to the left to bypass.

Transportation Spur is a common exit. It is quite straightforward, although steep at the bottom. The pass at the top starts on the right side of Pardon Point, and passes through a gap to the left side where it is easy to scramble out. Follow the ridge back to the road. The green areas involve heavy scrub, and can be very slow going.

Walkers take a break on Barron’s Crown

Howards Pass is another reasonably straightforward route, although the pass is incorrectly marked on the second edition map. Climb Barrons Crown, and continue up the ridge. At the top keep to the right of the ridge line (north) and you will be in a steep creek bed. The pass is just on the south side of the creek bed (not north, as indicated on the map), with a small scramble through the top line of cliffs. The tops are very scrubby, and a compass bearing of 280 degrees will get you to Tullyangela Creek. Follow the creek to the clearing (private property).

In Ettrema Creek itself, there are good campsites on the two sets of bends in Ettrema Creek downstream of the Bullfrog junction. There was a good campsite at the Myall Creek junction, though it has been somewhat taken over by nettles in recent times. There is a campsite at the Jones Creek junction, at a sandy bend at around AMG454264, and at the Tullyangela Creek junction.

Heading up Tullyangelo Creek

Ettrema Creek is excellent walking between Bullfrog Creek and Myall Creek. It is mainly rocky open slabs with rock-hopping on boulders. Just before Myall Creek you start running into weeds in Ettrema Creek, mostly from the grazing on the tops at Quiera Clearing. Downstream from Myall Creek it is similar, although the weeds ease off a little. Past Jones Creek, Ettrema Creek widens, the rocks for rock hopping get further apart, and some wading is almost inevitable. The last few kilometres to Tullyangela Creek are relatively easy going.

Jones Creek is well worth a visit. The walking is excellent, there are some beautiful waterfalls, and the mines are worth a look if you remember a torch. The waterfalls need a bit of scrambling to bypass. Tinga Falls are the biggest set of falls in the creek, at around 40m high. This is about as far as most parties would come.

A sea of ferns at the top of Tullyangelo Creek

Water quality cannot be guaranteed, particularly in and below Myall Creek due to grazing on the tops. Best is to take it from the smaller side creeks. Ettrema Creek above Myall Creek is probably OK, as is Jones Creek, but you can treat it if you want to be safe.

A good three day walk starts by descending Myall Creek from Quiera Clearing and camping at the junction with Ettrema Creek. On the following day, make your way downstream to the Tullyangela Creek junction and camp. Side trips to Sentry Box Canyon or Jones Creek can be done. On the final day, exit via Howards Pass and make your way to Tullyangela Clearing from where you can can walk back to Quiera Clearing if you have not arranged a car shuffle.


Alerts

Morton National Park

Closed areas: Toorooroo campground closed due to damage
Toorooroo campground is closed due to fire and flood damage. Please check back for updates.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.

Other planned events: Notice of ongoing 1080 pest management baiting program
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting an ongoing ground baiting program from Monday 26 February 2024 to Friday 21 February 2025. The operation will use 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of Wild Dogs and foxes.
The program will take place in the following parks:

  • Bees Nest Nature Reserve
  • Conjola National Park
  • Murramarang National Park
  • Morton National Park
The Morton National park operation will take place south of Braidwood Road and affect the following areas:
  • Sasafrass area
  • Endrick River/Alum Creek/Redground area (Nerriga)
  • Little Forest/Tianjara area
  • 12 Mile Road area
  • Croobyar and Kingiman area (Milton)
The program is designed to minimise predator impacts on stock and wildlife, especially threatened species.
Signs will be placed at the entry to the baiting locations. Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW National Parks managed lands.
Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For further information call the NPWS Ulladulla area office on 02 44549500.

Other planned events: Notice of 1080 ground baiting program
A baiting program using ground baits containing 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of wild dogs and foxes will be conducted between August 14 2023 to August 14 2024 in the Kangaroo Valley, Budgong and Illaroo areas.
All baiting locations will be identifiable by signs.
Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW national parks and reserves. 1080 is lethal to cats and dogs. Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For further information, call the NPWS Shoalhaven area office on 02 4428 6300.

Other planned events: Road works on Tallowa Dam Road
Access to Tallowa Dam/Lake Yarrunga by Tallowa Dam Road will be affected from Monday 26 February for approximately six months. Roadworks managed by WaterNSW will be underway. Drive safely and follow the directions of roadwork signs and onsite workers. It is anticipated that the road will remain open during this time, but closures may be required at short notice to ensure public safety.
 
For further information view the media release, contact WaterNSW on 1300 662 077 or via email customer.helpdesk@waternsw.com.au.

Other planned events: Notice of 1080 ground baiting program
A baiting program using ground baits containing 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of wild dogs and foxes will be conducted between January 25 2024 to June 30 2024 within Caoura Ridge section of Morton National Park. All baiting locations will be identifiable by signs. Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW national parks and reserves. 1080 is lethal to cats and dogs. Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzle in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting locations. In the events of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local park office.

Closed areas: Gulp Road at Wingello closed
The Gulp Road section of Morton National Park is closed due to ongoing wet weather, it will be re-opened after it has been assessed as suitable for vehicle access.

Other planned events: Notice of 1080 bait disposal pit
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is disposing of used 1080 baits and baiting products in an approved disposal pit on NPWS National Parks land within the Fitzroy Falls area.
The burial of used baits and products will happen from Monday 8 January 2024 to Friday 14 June 2024. All bait material in the pit will be buried under at least 500mm of soil, and clear of waterways so as not to cause pollution of waterways. This is in accordance with the Pesticide Control Order (1080 bait products) 2019.
There will be 1080 baiting signs at the entrance to the disposal pit site.
1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) is lethal to pets (including domestic dogs and cats) and working dogs. In the event of accidental poisoning, seek immediate veterinary assistance. Domestic pets, including dogs and cats, are not permitted in national parks or reserves.
For more information, email or call the NPWS Fitzroy Falls area office on 02 4887 8244.

Closed areas: 12 Mile Road Closed
12 Mile road between George Boyd Lookout and Braidwood Road in Morton National Park is closed due to recent storm damage. Culverts have been washed out and the road is untrafficable.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.

Closed areas: Tianjara fire trail
Tianjara fire trail is closed. Please do not enter the closed area.
A review of access arrangements, the UXO area and permit system is being undertaken
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.

Closed areas: Access to the base of Erith Coal Mine closed
Access to the base of Erith Coal Mine is closed until further notice, due to a landslide.
Access is blocked at the creek crossing and from the creek down the metal staircase to the bottom of the falls is closed.
The Erith Coal Mine loop part of the walking track is open from the Camping Ground to the Erith Coal Mine carpark.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.

Closed areas: Nicholas Pass track partly closed
Nicholas Pass track is closed from its junction with the base of Fairy Bower Falls walking track to Ampitheatre Lookout until further notice due to a landslide and rock fall event.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information call the NPWS Illawarra area office on 02 4224 4188 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.

Safety alerts: Mount Tarn Navigational warning
Budawangs Wilderness Area walking tracks are heavily overgrown along Mount Tarn Walking Track between Mount Tarn and Hidden Valley track junction, including access to Styles Creek.
 
Before you enter the bush, Think Before You TREK

Closed areas: Camping closed due to flood and fire damage
Camping is closed at the following campgrounds due to fire damage and flooding. The closed campground include (open for day-use only): 
  • Pauls Point
  • Sundeck 
  • Sawyers 
  • Burrawang
Please not that the campgrounds will remain open for day use. Some campgrounds may be affected by flood debris following heavy rain, and there may be steep sand walls to access sites.
Please be cautious and move onto another campground if safety issues occur. There have been many changes to campgrounds along the river, including reduced campground capacity. Some sites also have extensive regrowth following fires.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the local office.

Closed areas: Access to base of Belmore Falls prohibited
All access to the base of Belmore Falls is permanently closed, including from Hindmarsh and Belmore Falls lookouts and picnic areas.
Access is also closed to the top of Belmore Falls, including from the Belmore Falls Road causeway. This closure is to protect visitor safety.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the NPWS Fitzroy Falls area office on 02 4887 8244 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.



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