26-27 January 2010 Talbingo Reservoir Paddle and Walk

Maps: Ravine 1:25 000, Yarrangobilly 1:25 000 or Yarrangobilly 1:100000

Getting There

This walk was organised by Max S and led by Mike B as an ad-hoc FBI 'Tuesday' 'walk', although there were only 3 starters:

Tuesday-Wednesday 26-27 January - Talbingo Reservoir Paddle and Walk. Mike B has paddled this area and will guide. Paddle 4km from O'Hares Rest Area (Sue City) in KNP to a lovely campsite (accessible only by water) by lunchtime on Tuesday. The plan for Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning is for a couple of short but steep (up to 500m climb) walks through open forest from the shoreline to gain views over the reservoir. The area is also good for swimming or further paddling. Return home Wednesday afternoon. Return drive 500km. Maps: Ravine 1:25 000, Yarrangobilly 1:25 000 or Yarrangobilly 1:100000.

3 of us met, loaded up Mike's single and double, and drove via Cooma, Adaminaby (a stop at the bakery for coffee and pies), through Kiandra and turning off on the Kiandra to Cabramurra Link Road, which becomes the Elliot Way. We launched at Sue City - O'Hares Rest Area.

Further Information

33-34°C forecast for Tumbarumba and days of total fire ban.

Photographs

Access all primary pics here. All thumbnails in the walk report are active - click for a larger picture.

Walk

track a	track b	track c

Plenty of traps for young players like me. Whilst we were launching, the water level began to rise and the current flow swiftly. One could image one's boat quickly travelling downstream on auto if attention waned. Same deal on pulling in anywhere - make sure your kayak is well above the current water level. Reason - into the top of the dam flows not only the Tumut River, but the outlet from the Tumut 2 power station. They were obviously generating.

A 4km paddle down to the Coonara Point Rest Area. Sighted a sea eagle on the way. The area is the only waterfront picnic area up this end of Talbingo Reservoir and signage says that it's maintained by the Tumbarumba Boat & Ski Club. Two powerful and noisy (but entertaining) ski boats and 20-30 people were enjoying the area. We set up camp and had lunch.

		We set of around 12.45pm across to the other side. Changing into boots/walking shoes/volleys plus gaiters, we strolled up to Sheep Station Ridge, only 1.2km but a climb of 400m. Some views through the trees at the top to the Yarrangobilly River arm and views back down to our camp site and companions as we neared the bottom of the return leg. Picked up some water from out in the middle on the paddle back over and applied a couple of Mike's puritabs, as my iced water I'd brought was disappearing fast - a warm day. Had a little look up into Yorkers Creek just S of the camp site.
You are here on Tues pm walk to Sheep Station Ridge	1 View to camp site at Coonara Point Rest Area on descent from Sheep Station Ridge

More lessons for this newbie at boat camping on return. Out came my companions' books. Not being suitably equipped, I had a doze. Around 5pm the water skiers packed up. We watched in amazement, after the first boat roared away down the reservoir, as all the gear and 4 adults and 6 kids loaded into the big V8 on a platform. It was fun watching them during the day, but peaceful bliss after they left.

	A beautiful evening. We enjoyed the last sunlight on Pinbeyan trig to the N and the tranquil waters. Great conversation over a glass (make that metal or plastic mug) of NPA Gudgenby White. Tea and finally to bed - just a few mossies.  The crash of a large tree falling up the ridge behind us during the afternoon and another early in the night - glad we were where we were.
Sunset on Pinbeyan from camp site

					Up at 6am and paddling 4.4km N by 6.30am, through Lobs Hole and landing on a point on the E side of the reservoir. The morning walk of 1.7km took us up 520m to an excellent viewing spot very near to SH1061. Wonderful views N down Talbingo Reservoir and S over Lobs Hole and up to Sheep Station Ridge (where we were yesterday). An orchid spied on descent, along with a bower bird nest. The 1.7km return leg caused me less puffing, a water dragon greeting us. We paddled back to the camp site. Thanks for the photo, Mike - my camera spent all its water time wrapped in a dry bag.
View to Talbingo Reservoir from climb to beside SH1061	2 Yarrangobilly River Reach, Sheep Station Ridge, Lobs Hole (behind tree) and Tumut River forming Talbingo Reservoir from near SH1061	Orchid on descent from near SH1061	3 Water dragon at Talbingo Reservoir	4 Paddling Talbingo (photo courtesy of Mike B)

Lunch, the lads had a swim (I don't like water), pack up and fill the kayak compartments full and strap the remaining gear in dry bags on the top (that's Max and me - Mike is super efficient and contained internally!) The morning paddle was in still conditions, but now a breeze had sprung up. At least it was a northerly, so blew us back to Sue City. (The area was a large Snowy Mountains Scheme workers camp in its time.)

		On the trip back we stopped at the entrance to the Tumut 2 power station, the signage on the road above it with the view to the surge tank spillway, the ski trail signage at the turnoff to Three Mile Dam and at Kiandra.
Signage on road above Tumut 2 power station	Kiandra

Great fun, thanks Mike and Max.

Distance: 25km paddle+walk Climb: 925m no paddling involved. Time: 2 days
Grading: L/R; M(11) ?

KMZ file for Google Earth/Maps: Talbingo Reservoir Paddle and Walk

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This page last updated 11Aug22