Bendethera Valley

Bendethera Valley is in the Deua National Park, approximately 320km southwest of Sydney and 100km southeast of Canberra. There's a number of popular camp grounds within the region - some with picnic tables, fireplaces, and even long-drop toilets. Popular spots include Bendethera Valley campground, Wyanbene Cave and Berlang campgrounds to the north, and Dry Creek campground to the east.

Hiking, nature spotting, cave exploring, and simply enjoying the spectacular views from the highlands are some of the popular activities within Bendethera and Deua NP - so pack your hiking boots. Highlights include The Big Hole (just north of Gundillion), Marble Arch, Bendethera and Wyanbene Caves, Dampier Trig and Bendethera Mountain. The region is rich in culture and history. The remains of the old Bendethera homestead and the surrounding area provide a variety of artefacts, structures and features relating to gold and silver mining, grazing and tourism.

Due to the nature of most of the park’s roads and tracks, touring in a conventional car is limited to only a few attractions such as The Big Hole and Wyanbene Cave. Therefore, to make the most of the sights, a 4WD with low range and dedicated ‘off road’ tyres are ideal. There are some challenging 4WD sections throughout the park, including river crossings and considerably steep and rocky sections. The tracks into Bendethera are quite established and reasonably well formed, but being clay based - they do get slippery during wet conditions. As rugged as this region is, being well prepared, having competent 4WDriving skills, and going in with at least one other vehicle - will help pave way for an enjoyable and safe trip.

Environment

Geology - Deua National Park lies over a basement of granite that rises from the coastal plain westwards to the Monaro Tablelands. Metamorphic rocks lie over the granite where the topography dips to the northeast. The fast flowing Deua River has cut deep V-shaped valleys through the park.

Both underground and surface features are associated with the limestone (karst) areas within Deua National Park. Each of the areas includes a number of cave systems and sinkholes Bendethera and Wyanbene caves were discovered late last century and have since had continual use, however Deua cave was only discovered in 1980 and is in relatively pristine condition. All the karst areas contain features of high conservation or scientific importance, which are sensitive to any human activity. The karst environments in the park provide a significant geomorphological resource, in addition to providing habitats for a diversity of fauna, including important roosting sites for bats.

History

Bendethera was once a pastoral lease, dating back to about 1861, and remnants of the homestead and farm are visible. A lot of the ‘historical sights’ have well-presented signage explaining the history and operations of the area. In the last part of the 19th Century, the Bendethera Valley was cleared to provide a resting-place for cattle driven from the Monaro Plains near Canberra to Bega, from where they'd be shipped to either Sydney or Melbourne. Settlement of the valley was especially difficult given its remoteness from both the coast and the tablelands. The area however was a favourite destination for early tourists, and in 1896 a portion was reserved for public recreation. The main Bendethera Cave has signatures dating from the 1890s including many old names in the district.

The idea for a national park for the Deua River was probably first discussed in 1920 when Myles Dunphy and Roy Davies walked through the region. But it was not until the 1960s that the National Parks Association's 'Deua–Tuross National Park Proposal' was put together. The momentum for a national park was developed during the 1970s, culminating in its dedication in 1979. In 1994, two sections of Deua National Park were declared wilderness - the Burra–Oulla and Woila–Deua wilderness areas. Take the time to read the NPWS advisory signs at the entry to the park, explaining the Flora, Fauna, Environment and History of the area.

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As Bendethera is relatively close to Braidwood (or Moruya), no extra fuel or water is required, although ensure you have enough to cover your intended destinations. Consider the food required for the number of days you plan to stay within the park. Bring good hiking boots, adequate clothing for the time of year - especially warm clothes for the colder months. Carrying all the necessary safety equipment is advisable. First Aid kits, recovery gear, navigation and communication gear. It is wise to take a GPS and relevant maps to navigate confidently through the maze of forestry roads and tracks. Communications gear such as a UHF radio, satellite phone, and PLB is also beneficial.

Most standard 4WD’s should be able to cope with the conditions OK, however there are some track sections, which are rocky and steep, and therefore - should be driven with caution. This is where: low range, dedicated ‘off road’ tyres, good ground clearance, and sump guards are highly recommended. Extreme caution and common sense should be exercised during wet conditions, as rain can make rocks very slippery and rivers too deep and strong for crossing. Going into the park with two or more 4WDs is advisable. During the dry conditions, it has been said that the tracks in and around Bendethera should not pose any problems, and some travellers have even taken camper trailers into the park.

Before embarking, please check the weather conditions and track conditions with a local National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) office such as the one in Narooma. They should also be able to advice you on: Park Closures and Fire Bans.

Permits

There are no entry or camping fees for Bendethera Valley, however fees apply at some camping grounds. For more information, click: Camping in Deua National Park.

Please note that no bookings are taken for any campgrounds in Deua National Park. as it works on a first come basis. For more information on camping, track conditions, and bushfire alerts contact please contact the NPWS Narooma Office.


The centre has information on southern NSW National Parks, and walking and driving tour opportunities. The office is open 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. For more information on the DECC website click: Deua National Park.

Fuel Usage

Diesel	ULP	LPG
4cyl 32 litres	4cyl 37 litres	4cyl 45 litres
6cyl 35 litres	6cyl 41 litres	6cyl 40 litres
8cyl 35 litres	8cyl 38 litres

Best Time To Visit

Generally, all year round. Good between October and April as it can get cold in winter. Rain can make river crossings difficult and tracks slippery. Also be aware of bushfires during summer.

Where to Stay

Services & Supplies

No Services & Supplies available for this trek

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