This walk was organised and led by Peter W as an ad-hoc FBI Tuesday walk:
FBI Tuesday Ad-hoc Walk 27 January 2009: Goodradigbee River Gorge 13km Hard. The objective of next Tuesday’s walk is to explore the gorge of the Goodradigbee River and the lower 1km of Peppercorn Creek. These are 2km south of the ‘Koorabri’ property in the Kosciusko National Park. The riverside scrub is thick, so 6km of the walking is in the riverbed, with us either in the river water, or rock scrambling. At least one compulsory swim. The river water is clear. There are numerous rapids marked on the map. You need either boots or volleys, and to waterproof your pack. The forecast for Canberra next Tuesday is currently ‘fine 15-31°C’. Map: Brindabella. Cars: 126km ($13). Meet at: John Evans’ at 8am. If you want to ‘walk’ then phone the leader, Peter W (he probably has no email).
5 of us met and drove via the Brindabella Road and Picadilly Circus down to Brindabella. Turning south along the Brindabella Valley Road, we entered private property which connected us to the McLeods fire trail and so to the 'Koorabri' property, owned by a friend of Peter's. Around 1hr30mins drive.
Thanks to Chris L who provided: "If you were to go a little bit further up Peppercorn Creek you will come to a magnificent waterfall, quite a tall one. Peter may be aware of it as well. It came as a surprise to me one day when wandering up Peppercorn Creek to round a bend and then bingo, it's there. The extra distance may be out of scope for the Tuesday walk, but it is worthy to be aware of it."
With my dislike of water and heights, I knew this walk was going to extend me. I was not too proud, particularly when it's a matter of self-preservation for me, to borrow and wear a lifejacket all day! I have new respect for Chris L and his 'wandering' - I don't think we reached any magnificent waterfall in the 0.5km up Peppercorn Creek that time allowed, just little ones that scared me witless.
Leaving the car at the boundary of the property (which is a wildlife refuge), we walked in our Volleys along the McLeods fire trail, across the beautifully clear Goodradigbee River ford, past the shacks available for rent (used mainly by fisher folk - $15 per person per day) and up to the 'Koorabri' property. Interestingly, I'd recently been reading about it in a book on trips Beyond the Cotter written in 1979, which I'd borrowed from the Heritage Library at Woden. A classic property, with original homestead in wattle and daub (see here), a wonderful shed (see pic 1), orchard and more recently constructed homestead. We were greeted by the property owner and handed over our entrance fee (today's Australian newspaper!). (BTW, I reckon it's important to gain a property owner's permission to enter their land - how would you like someone frigging about in your backyard?) The whole valley, drive in and this property, look a picture. Interesting to realise that we were around 4km due west of Mt Aggie (and 800m below it).
After that 0.8km stroll through cleared country, we continued along the McLeods fire trail into the bush. A little up, another ford (where we left some unnecessary kit, like watches), then to the ford just upstream on the Goodradigbee from where Peppercorn Creek enters. 4.1km and at this point we were due west of the Mt Franklin car park, 3km to the east but 750m above us. Morning tea was called whilst I had a nervous widdle, strapped on my lifejacket and wrapped my #2 camera and GPS inside a dry bag, inside a larger dry bag inside my pack.
250m downstream we came to Peppercorn Creek and turned west. Benign at first, allowing us to walk on the bank and in shallow water, my heart rate soon rose as we reached the first pool deeper than I was tall. The options were to wimp out or to dog-paddle (in lifejacket and with floaty pack so, good reader, you see I really am a wimp), so take-my-life-in-my-hands-I-did. The others enjoyed it immensely (see pic 2). 500m, 50min and 3 swims later (see here and here) our time ran out (thank God and Peter W) at the bottom of some gentle cascades. I thought I'd complete my embarrassment by showing you a picture of them (see pic 3). Of course the return down Peppercorn Creek involved another 3 swims. Lunch was taken on the Goodradigbee just after we reached the confluence.
Again, the Goodradigbee River lulled me into a false sense of security as we set off. But we soon entered the gorge and I realised that Peppercorn Creek was merely a preparation. Several more swims. At one point clambering round waterfalls/over boulders we were committed to the unknown - to continue swimming the pools down-river (or to chance a return exercising the leader's rope to extricate ourselves). A wonderful experience, once my heart-rate got back towards 100 (see here). But at last we reached the end of the gorge (see pic 4). Interesting conglomerate of granite with igneous inserts in places.
A more sedate creek walk followed, to take us back to the ford to pick up our kit. All in all, 2.7km in 2hrs20mins from lunch. Several fish seen in the river.
A quick tromp back to the car, dry off and a change of clothes and a real pleasure to be driven home.
I'm afraid that the photos don't do justice to much of the walk. I've never swum with pack before, so used my old camera (3.2Mpixels) which, for all the good (=terrifying) parts, was hopefully dry in my pack.
An absolute cracker of a walk which extended me into the 'peak adventure' zone (along with a bit of the 'fear' zone). The others coped admirably. Thanks heaps Peter (and also for driving), and to Grahame, Madeleine and Max.
Distance: 11.5km Climb: 200m. Time: 9.30am - 4.00pm (6hrs30mins), with 40mins of stops.
Grading: M/R,WX; H,W
KMZ file for Google Earth/Maps: Goodradigbee River Gorge
