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Tuggeranong and Majura 4WD adventure

by Pamela Gesling | 28 Jul 2014

The Queanbeyan West Rotary Club has hosted yet another successful four wheel drive (4WD) day trip into the bush areas around Canberra with the Probus clubs of Tuggeranong and Majura.

These outings are becoming a regular part of the Probus and Rotary Club calendars (this is the second trip of this nature to take place this year), allowing members to enjoy a day in the bush in very capable hands. The trips are fully catered for and transport uses top-of-the-line 4WD or all-wheel drive vehicles, depending on the difficulty of the terrain. This particular tour raised money for the Cystic Fibrosis Association of ACT.

This July weekend was very different from the previous trips we've had, as it was the first overnighter for the group. It had a theme of “old mines”, and there was an organised tour, featuring the history surrounding the geography, formation and demise of the bushlands.

The weekend started at 8am in Tuggeranong where the Rotarians and their cars were assembled to start the day. Between the clubs, 48 people were transported in 11 vehicles, plus a lead vehicle that went ahead to set up each meal or tea stop.

First up was Bredbo, and it was absolutely freezing. However, the kettle was hot, the cakes and slices delicious, and the company was great, so the wind didn’t matter as much. Warm cars were waiting and we were soon back on the road, headed toward the hills for our first history stop at Cowra Creek gold fields.

The fields were in operation from the late 1880s until World War I, during which period the town grew to about 200 inhabitants before finally fading away during the war. We learned of the convict settlers who tried so hard to make a living in those harsh conditions, and that the old site stretches for several kilometres.

At Numeralla, we had a hot barbeque lunch waiting for us, and although the 6°C temperature and 40km/h winds was not to our liking, our bellies were full and our comforts were addressed. We set off for the Wadbillga Track and the Tuross River crossing, travelling down pathways completely covered with huge mountain tree ferns. They engulfed the car in front, so the convoy appeared as a segmented serpent winding through the beautiful greenery.

The destination for the night was the Ocean Lake Caravan Park at Wallaga Lake. The lovely cabins were well appointed – so warm and cosy. Most members went for a walk along the waterfront and enjoyed the setting sun over the lake, before meeting at the common eating area for wood fired pizzas, drinks and nibbles.

In the morning, bacon, eggs, juice, tea and coffee were served up in the common area, which needed to be walked off. It was followed by a tour given by the local historical society members around the Montreal Goldfields. These sites ran between 1880-1883 and had 2000 diggers at its peak. We learned how they lived and that the alluvial gold discovered there is one of the few places in the world where mining took place on the beach.

Returning to the park, we were indulged with hot pancakes and various toppings, with hot tea or coffee, just in case we needed fuel for the journey home. The convoy headed up the coast with a photo stop at beautiful Mystery Bay, then through south Moruya to the Araluen road. Along the way, we saw Clarkes Lookout, where one of the gang members of bushranger Ben Hall used to rob gold convoys as they came up the hill.

A barbeque lunch was again waiting for us in a lovely green park by the river on this mountain road. The journey home passed through a copper mining town at Captains Flat. We all returned home safely having caught up with old friends and making new ones.

The only question left is: when is the next trip and where are we going?