Canberra's Mountain Biking community network
Canberra -> Talbingo?
Dear Friends
I am currently writing my master thesis at Roskilde University in
Denmark. In this relation I am going to visit the Snowy Mountains
Scheme (Hydropower Plant and Reservoir) in Talbingo (Bimberi Nature
Reserve?) in April. In stead of going by car I thought it would be
nice to mountainbike through the national park from Caberra. Do you
know if it is possible to do this, and do you have any experience from
doing so? Also do you know if there is lodging posibilities in the
park?
I am looking forward to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Lasse Jesper Pedersen
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Steve K on -
Hopefully someone else can add more information because I'm not very familiar with the route at all.
It is definitely possible, yes, but the question is how much "mountainbiking" and how much "road riding" you would have to do? There are some nature reserves in the area which you wouldn't be able to ride through.
If there is no accomodation at Talbingo, then Tumut is just up the road and there are plenty of options there. AFAIK there's no accomodation in the NP itself apart from camping (could be wrong!).
Enjoy your stay!
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Permalink Reply by Karl B aka Crasher on -
There are a few ways you can go Lasse, the northern route goes through the Cotter, Brindabella and Long Plain into Talbingo. You could go almost all the way on dirt this way.
There is a way through Bimberi but it is closed though the wilderness area (Bimberi is a long way from Talbingo).
You could head south to Adaminaby then over the range but this would be moslty tar with the exception of the Bobyan Road. There is a way up to Long Plain from Yaouk but it it pretty steep (eh Romano.... :) )
As Steve said thaere is not much in the way of accommodation in the park itself, there are basic motels at Adaminaby, Talbingo & Tumut. You can camp pretty much anywhere in the northern part of Koscuisko. There are also the old bushies huts to stay in. They usually have a bbq or something to cook on/keep you warm.
September to May are the best times although we can still get snow right up to Xmas.
As the crow flies it is about 100km but as there is no real direct route then it will be longer than that & you need ot be self sufficient with food. Water you will be OK as long as you take water purifying tabs.
Anyway, if you have any more questions, just ask.
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Permalink Reply by Canbaroo on -
Greetings over in Denmark
Here is a rough trace of the route you can take. It is mostly dirt apart from the fist 20k or so out of Canberra. There are some savage climbs, almost 3000m on the way over from Canberra but you can do it in a day if necessary. You can save a bit of time by riding up the eastern side of the Brindabella Valley [the road along the western side is on private property and they like to protect their rights] and cross the river at the top of the valley and get on to Long Plain Road. This is mostly in good condition and can be ridden at a good pace. Very pleasant accommodation at Yarrangobilly Caves House [self catering] and easy distance from Talbingo, Tumut Ponds and Cabramurra for day rides.
Take your own food and a sleeping bag. As Karl says there are plenty of mountain huts you can camp in along the way [maintained by the KHA and the National Park staff] if you want to take a more leisurely ride.
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Permalink Reply by Karl B aka Crasher on
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Ohhh, does the road on the eastern side go past the private property Canbaroo?
When I was riding dirt bikes it was always off limits & I thought to everybody. That makes in an attractive ride as to trip into Long Plain is only about 1/4 of the length.
Might have to post a ride...........
Mmm, I notice in that map you use Boundary road? Man it does/did have some snotty stuff in it.
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Permalink Reply by Canbaroo on
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Karl B
I think all these Brindi Valley landholders had enough of 4 x 4's and dirt bikes 20 odd years ago when they said enough, and closed their gates [to deny access to Long Plain Road]. I did get bailed up while riding down the western side by a landowner driving out who politely suggested the eastern side was a 'better option'. I obliged.
Yes the eastern side road does go through some private land but it has to give access to a couple of properties at the top of the valley [it could be a gazetted road?] and several fishing huts along the river. I managed to track down the bloke who is at the top of the valley to check if didn't mind us getting access to the McLeods FT through his place. He was quite OK, [slightly bemused] said another trio of riders had headed out there a few weeks before.
I rode McLeods FT with a couple of mates last summer, came back down Long Plain Rd. .... twelve hours, it was a very tough day..... come to think of it they're both always very busy when I suggest some other ride now... [?]
I hasten to add I wasn't aware at the time that Bimberi was closed to mountain bikes.... they must be saving it for something better.
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Permalink Reply by Karl B aka Crasher on
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Cool, I used to ride dirt bikes & there is a trail (gasetted mind you) trail that runs from Bindabella up to the road to Mt Gininni. Anyway the farmer (the Franklins I think) closed it off. Anyway one day the gate was open so I rather than burn up there we stopped to ask permission & he was quite hostile about it. We were just going to trundle through & up into the bush.
Anyway this has put a bit of a bad taste in my mouth but I also can understand their position too being so close to Canberra & the idiot factor.
Anyway, it would be good if they let cyclists through rather than having to go around Boundary or Barnetts roads. Time for a tour me thinks.
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Permalink Reply by ttrold on -
Thank you so much for your help guys! Extremely useful!
How does it work with the huts? Free for all, and how about firewood? Can you just use what you can find?
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Permalink Reply by Karl B aka Crasher on
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The huts are for "emergency use only" to try & keep the idiots out. They are actually not cared for by the national parks but by the KHA. If you are in them you would not be evected (I never have been) & they are relatively cosy especially if the wather does turn as you can crank the fire up & be nice & warm.
There is usually firewood in them, if not you wont have to stray far to get some. You are not supposed to collect firewood in the park but again, I have not been taken to task for doing so.
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