The Brindabellas - by Daphne McCann

This October 1998 trip to Namadgi National Park was organised by Denise and Stuart Davies, attracting 14 club members. We met at Namadgi visitors' centre Saturday morning and after browsing around the centre we enjoyed a quick morning tea and drove to Booroomba Rocks car park. A few drivers encountered problems with the steep gravel road, which we thought was a good start to the weekend. However all difficulties having been overcome, we proceeded to the trackhead and began our walk. This proved to be a gradual climb of about 200 metres, viewing lovely granite boulders and open forests. Steep sheer cliff faces at the top were impressive with views of Canberra to be seen. Lunch was had in a sheltered area before returning to the cars to drive further on to the Yerrabi Track. This was a short but steep walk to Boboyan Trig, where we had 360 degree views, the wind again encouraging us to return to the cars and move on to our camp site at Mt Clear camping ground.

After a cold night our Sunday walk was to be from the camp through Naas Valley to Horse Gully Hut, a distance of 16km return. This walk was of some historical significance as the valley had been settled around the 1830s. At one spot there was a lively discussion as to the nature of an old fruit orchard we had found in blossom, quince or almond were two possibilities, or maybe apple? The walk back along Naas Creek was different, especially the many Bull Frog habitants, their melodious singing assuring us that the frog population was alive and well.

On Monday we decided to walk the Yankee Hat walking track. This took us across open country past many kangaroos, across Bogong Creek and swamp to Yankee Hat Rock Shelter. This shelter is a granite boulder which has been rounded off and under-cut by weathering. Here is to be found an impressive site of aboriginal art. Figures of animals and humans in white clay and iron oxide are easily recognisable. It is thought that this site had been used by aboriginals as long as 3700 years ago.

There is a lot more to see in the Brindabella Ranges. Hopefully we will return in the near future to enjoy some more of this wonderful area.