AUSTRALIAN X-TRAIL FORUM :: Events & Meet Ups :: Newnes ruins and Wolgan river crossing

Australian X-Trail Forum Events & Meet Ups
Newnes ruins and Wolgan river crossing

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X-TRAIL FANATIC

Date Registered: 02-2008
Location: Sydney
TOTAL POSTS: 322

Newnes ruins and Wolgan river crossing

Hi Guys,

(Jalal, I hope this is the right place for this type of question).

I am heading up Newnes way next weekend with a friend who has never been off roading before. I'm looking forward to checking out the tracks that you guys tackled during the last forum trip.

I also want to head up to Newnes itself and check out the ruins. According to the Newnes info website, the Wolgan River crossing to the ruins has a steep lip at one side and "should only be tackled by 4WDs with high ground clearance". I don't think I'll bother slugging away up there if I can't get across the river. Has anyone made that crossing in an Exy recently? If so...what's it like?

Cheers,

---
Dave X-774(c)
2006 T30 STS Extreme 5 Speed Platinum. Yokohama G012 AT-S

24/Mar/2008, 12:31 pm

BRETT72 Profile
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X-TRAIL HOLIC

Date Registered: 10-2005
Location: Orange. NSW.
TOTAL POSTS: 1999

Re: Newnes ruins and Wolgan river crossing

Dave,

The trip into Newnes and the water crossing are easy. We are expecting some big rainfall this week, so I would give the Newnes Hotel a call on (02) 6355-1247 for the latest in track conditions.

It is a shame that I won't be in the area, as I would have joined you.

For a great day out and to really experience the best of this area, why not try this route:

Start at the ZigZag railway and head to the Bungleboori Camp area via the main track, then take the Blackfellows Track west to the cave paintings. Then take the Newnes Road north to Newnes. Lunch on the Hotel lawns and then take the river crossing to the relics, before retracing your steps back to Lidsdale and home via the Highway.

Last time we were there after rain, the river was about 1 metre over the crossing and flowing too fast to even consider making the trip across.

You shouldn't need any real detailed maps of the area as it is well signposted, but the Lithgow (8932-3S) and Cullen Bullen (8931-3N) 1:25,000 maps are ideal. You could get away with CMA Wollemi National Park map. Not as detailed, but covers this entire area.

Have a great day out and look forward to the photos.

Feel free to send me a pm or use this thread for further information or advise. Happy to help.

---
BRETT72 - X235

24/Mar/2008, 1:59 pm

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X-TRAIL FANATIC

Date Registered: 02-2008
Location: Sydney
TOTAL POSTS: 322

Re: Newnes ruins and Wolgan river crossing

Thanks Brett. I've been watching the weather bureau radar like a hawk and there are some heavy showers up that way today. Oh well, if it's too wet....there's always another day.

We'll be following your route exactly!!! Great minds must think alike!!! emoticon

Oh, by the way...where was the "big puddle"? was that on the Blackfellow Hand Track?

---
Dave X-774(c)
2006 T30 STS Extreme 5 Speed Platinum. Yokohama G012 AT-S

24/Mar/2008, 2:44 pm

BRETT72 Profile
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X-TRAIL HOLIC

Date Registered: 10-2005
Location: Orange. NSW.
TOTAL POSTS: 1999

Re: Newnes ruins and Wolgan river crossing

The 'xtrail puddle', as it is now know, is about 2/3 along Blackfellows Hand trail. You can't miss it. There is some really good rocky stuff just after this, but nothing to concern the xtrail. emoticon

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BRETT72 - X235

24/Mar/2008, 3:01 pm

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Date Registered: 02-2004
Location: SUTHERLAND, SYDNEY
TOTAL POSTS: 29100

Re: Newnes ruins and Wolgan river crossing

Dave,

Moved your thread here, as it is a planned trip and belongs to this section of the forum.

You can then create a trip report and tell us all about it....with pics! emoticon

---

24/Mar/2008, 3:05 pm

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X-TRAIL FANATIC

Date Registered: 02-2008
Location: Sydney
TOTAL POSTS: 322

Re: Newnes ruins and Wolgan river crossing

OK...yep...that makes sense...D'OH emoticon

Thanks Jalal.

By the way...Brett....just saw the forecast for up your way for the next 4 days; showers, rain and storms tomorrow before easing and then fine by Thursday. Perhaps the X-Trail puddle will be nice and wet again??? Saturday sounds like a fine and cool day.

---
Dave X-774(c)
2006 T30 STS Extreme 5 Speed Platinum. Yokohama G012 AT-S

24/Mar/2008, 3:21 pm

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X-TRAIL NEWBIE

Date Registered: 10-2007
Location: Mount Annan, NSW
TOTAL POSTS: 66

Re: Newnes ruins and Wolgan river crossing

Hey Brett,

Just for future reference, where abouts are the cave paintings?

Cheers,

Mark.

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Mark (X-667)
Now - 2013 White ST Auto T31 Series V (Work in progress) :)
Then - 2003 Black Ti manual, T30, Leather, nudge bar, driving & fog lights, roof racks, towbar, K&N air filter, window tint.

24/Mar/2008, 8:32 pm

BRETT72 Profile
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X-TRAIL HOLIC

Date Registered: 10-2005
Location: Orange. NSW.
TOTAL POSTS: 1999

Re: Newnes ruins and Wolgan river crossing

Mark,

The painting are just before we came out onto the bitumen, from Blackfellow Hand trail. I think I pointed out two massive puddles that other vehicles had become stuck in the last time we were up there. This is where the 'unofficial' carpark is.

I would have stopped here to show everyone, but I got the impression that the day was getting on and people had things to do.

It is only a 5 minute walk up the hill to the caves and certainly worth the effort.

At least you now have another excuse to come back.

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BRETT72 - X235

25/Mar/2008, 3:42 pm

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X-TRAIL FANATIC

Date Registered: 02-2008
Location: Sydney
TOTAL POSTS: 322

Re: Newnes ruins and Wolgan river crossing

Hey Guys,

Just this second walked in the door from this trek. Brett....great tips mate!!! Anyone in the forum who lives in the greater Sydney area and who hasn't done the route Brett suggests in this thread.... get up there one weekend soon. It is perfect XTrail country....challenging, fun, but not too much to handle!!! How many huge puddles are on that Blackfellow Hand Track!!!! Unreal.

The Wolgan River was only about a foot deep, but the recent rain has gouged a fairly sizable canyon out of the Newnes side of the bank. It took the Exy a couple of goes to get up there, but we made it.

Will do a full report soon in the Trips sections when I get my pics sorted.

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Dave X-774(c)
2006 T30 STS Extreme 5 Speed Platinum. Yokohama G012 AT-S

29/Mar/2008, 6:36 pm