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Free camping at Blackheath?


Rich

24-Mar-2004
2:43:27 PM

Anyone know of any? A few of us are heading over there at Easter for a couple of weeks (first time in 7years won't be at araps!) so any help would be appreciated. Have camped for free at zigzag car park in mt victoria, which was kinda cool.


mousey

24-Mar-2004
3:12:57 PM

yeh if you go down the long way to the glen (the short way to shipley and porters) then you can stay in the carpark there- though if you're up there for a couple of weeks someone might become offended. staying there for that long i just camp in katoomba and catch the train or hitchhike between crags. if you donn't mind the cost you could negotiate with the guys at katoomba backpackers (they let you pitch a tent out the back and use kitchen/hotwatershowers/bathrooms/tv/heated hanging out room with broken guitars etc.) i think it goes at $13 a night for the tents but staying there for a couple weeks im sure you could work something out with the guy (like do the dishes and clean the carpets)


Rich

24-Mar-2004
4:07:08 PM

On 24/03/2004 Edward Frillypants wrote:
>Probably not as bad time to climb on the mountains. Great weather and everyone
>will be at Araps!

Yeah thats what I thought.
I just a look at the rates at the blackheath caravanpark, http://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/index.cfm?L2=557&L3=926 which works out surprisingly well.. especially if you share a van between a four or six ppl.

joemor

24-Mar-2004
4:16:44 PM

ive slept a few nights at the piddo shelter... not bad.... toilets and all...

Onsight

24-Mar-2004
4:47:35 PM

On 24/03/2004 Mighty Mouse wrote:
>yeh if you go down the long way to the glen (the short way to shipley and
>porters) then you can stay in the carpark there- though if you're up there
>for a couple of weeks someone might become offended.

Someone almost certainly WILL become offended. Please don't even think about this option; we've got some access issues raising their head up here, and the last think we need is to annoy any of the local residents any further than we already have. Some have issues with just so many climbers parking around there.

Megalong Valley Road campground (in the guide) = good option.
Big Top (informal) campground = good option.
Mt York - I'm not aware of the problems mentioned there (as far as I'm aware the problems are in the past, and if that's the caes then very good option).
Zig Zag - not good option


mousey

24-Mar-2004
5:24:06 PM

ok sorry bout that...
i will vouch for mt york though- the campsites free and green and the tin dunnies make life a little easier. as far as i know there hasnt been any problems with camping there for some time....and all the residents ive met have been climbers themselves so that won't be issue.


nmonteith

24-Mar-2004
6:48:18 PM

I have used the mega excellent Sundeck Cave at Mt Piddinglton for stays of up to 3 weeks. It is dry, big, super views and gear is modertaly safe. The only bummer is the 5-10min walk in down a small sometimes wet track. The cave also fetaures execellent short solos and boulder problems.


rodw

24-Mar-2004
7:31:27 PM

You could also try bungleboorie (? spelling) on newnes plateau. It is about 30 minutes from Blackheath, turn off at Zig Zag railway and head towards glow worm cave, but does put you in the middle of Cosmic county, dams cliff, the freezer, Bowens creek, Sahara point and gardens of stone to name a few.

Lithgow is easy 5 - 10 minutes down the road for supplies and on your way back raid the old state mine (now closed) for some coal for ya fire, plus heaps of wood around.


anthonyk

25-Mar-2004
12:04:38 AM

yeah, although i don't think there's water there (bungleboorie) and expect to be woken up early by hoards of dirt bikers and 4wds. i thought it was way further from lithgow than that, although last time i went there i managed to go right past the campground (too busy watching a burn-off just next to the road) and ended up in Gardens of Stone before it clicked, so my judgement on this one is way off i'm sure.

a bit further away from most crags but still worth considering (close to bowens) is Cathedral Reserve at Mt Wilson. A very nice campground. common wildlife in the area includes striped-thermal toting canyoners, but just bring a pair of volleys and you'll fit right in.

and don't forget to buy some apples if you head up bells road past bilpin (and the peaches are awesome).


rodw

25-Mar-2004
9:29:17 AM

>yeah, although i don't think there's water there (bungleboorie) and expect
>to be woken up early by hoards of dirt bikers and 4wds. i thought it was
>way further from lithgow than that,

There is the dirt bikers but Im guesing you would be at the crag before they drag themselves up there, also it is easter so everywhere will be crowded.. Water can be found at a creek 10 minutes down the sunnyside road, off a road to the left at a creek. To be honest ive never camped there, always camp at sahara point but you need a 4wd for that. Dirt bikes never get out that far (dont know why), but you do get the occasional 4wd convoy going out there for lunch.


climbau

25-Mar-2004
10:36:45 AM

On 25/03/2004 rodw wrote:
To be honest ive never camped there,
>always camp at sahara point but you need a 4wd for that. Dirt bikes never
>get out that far (dont know why), but you do get the occasional 4wd convoy
>going out there for lunch.

Yeah, I always used to camp out there too. But used to take a little Hyundai and would enjoy the looks of amazement from the "Hardcore" 4wders. I assume the road is a bit worse than it was in the early-mid nineties? Also you used to be able to camp off to the right before the steepest downhill bit on the Sahara Point road, About 1km from the point itself. This was also the parking spot for those without hardcore Hyundai's!

Steve M

25-Mar-2004
12:40:46 PM

My friend and I went out in his Barina to Sahara. 1st Trip no worries, a few bumps but it was okay. next time he went out with some friends and cracked his sump. He limped down to lithgow (luckily mostly downhill) without totally trashing his engine. Probably need to be careful doing 4wd tracks if you want to avoid a very expensive day out..


rodw

25-Mar-2004
2:27:00 PM

>Also youused to be able to camp off to the right before the steepest downhill bit
>on the Sahara Point road, About 1km from the point itself. This was also
>the parking spot for those without hardcore Hyundai's!
>

Yeah you still can but the camping spot isnt as spectacular.


HM33

25-Mar-2004
3:47:10 PM

id stay at Big Top or The blackheath caravan park. Sun deck cave is pretty cool location though!

Duncan

26-Mar-2004
2:15:23 PM

There's also some pretty sweet camping near the Dam Cliffs. No toilets or fresh water, but you can go for a swim in the dam.


rodw

26-Mar-2004
2:33:34 PM

Isnt the dams fresh water?

Duncan

26-Mar-2004
4:12:58 PM

But would you want to drink it?


rodw

26-Mar-2004
4:26:02 PM

I would thinks its pretty fresh, the catchment area has no major industries around does it...could be wrong though.


Rich

26-Mar-2004
4:32:23 PM

thanks heaps for all the suggestions guys/girls. too many to look at now, have to come back some more! as there may be now like about 8 of us staying for 2 weeks and we're even contemplating renting a house in katoomba to mt victoria and sharing it that way, which should work out really cheap. has anyone done this before or know of anyone to ask or suggest an area to look? any ideas would be great :)


climbau

27-Mar-2004
7:47:04 PM

On 25/03/2004 rodw wrote:
>Yeah you still can but the camping spot isnt as spectacular.
But at least it is suitable if you are forced to take your landcruiser out there:)

There are 22 messages in this topic.