Posts Tagged ‘Bummeroo Camping Ground’

Day 5. 43km. Bummaroo Camping Ground – Wombeyan Caves

Posted: January 10, 2026 in Australia, Cycling, NSW
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Caves, gorge swimming, corrugated roads, kangaroo guests for dinner, heat and steep climbs/drops out of and into valleys. All in the bright sun (except for the caves and gorge swimming).

Gorge swimming

From Bummaroo (love the name), it was a long slog out of the valley in the already hot sun. At the top, a kind gentleman stopped his car and gave me a cold bottle of water. He was impressed.. 🙂

The road undulated through the farmland countryside before turning off to the Wombeyan Caves.

The turnoff

I started getting worried about the brakes when the road turned into a corrugated gravel track (knowing there was a massive descent just before the caves).

It was avoid the corrugations game today

Luckily, the road reverted to bitumen before the final descent, and the brakes made it (with only one mild squeak).

I came to Wombeyan Caves in 2019, but only for a short stay as I had to get back to Mittagong the same day (a very long ride on a road that is now closed). This time I had time to check out some of the caves – the Fig Tree Cave.

Fig tree cave

Then, time for a swim in the Limestone Gorge. I had memories of crystal clear water and only me there. This time, I shared the gorge with lots of people and a pink flamingo floatie. It was refreshing, though, after the walk there in the hot sun.

Limestone Gorge

I had to be very firm with a kangaroo this evening who was adamant he wanted to share my dinner. He let me pat him (which was nice), but it all became too intimate once he started pawing at and slobbering over my panniers. Even a light kick away from me didn’t deter him. I had to shout and run after him with arms waving. He left.

The friendly kangaroo

Became the annoying kangaroo

Day 4. 107km. Oberon – Bummaroo Camping Ground

Posted: January 9, 2026 in Australia, Cycling, NSW
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Well, this is not where I thought I’d be when I left Oberon this morning. Rather than Yerrenderie, I’m in a camping ground on the Abercrombie River. Let me explain.

The road to Yerrenderie

I left at 6am with a fully loaded bike with gallons of water. The road was beautiful through the plantation forest, undulating up to 1300m.

Early morning mist at Oberon
Shooters Hill Road

Then, the dirt track started. A big sign warned people – 60km, 4WD only, take spare tyres, take water etc etc. The first 9km was moderately harmless to the Mt Werrong camping ground. I thought this would be a piece of cake. After a snack and filling my water bottles from the tank that I wasn’t expecting, I continued.

The road started to get steep, dusty and rocky. Often I pushed my bike up, and rode the brakes down, only to repeat around the corner.

The road to Yerrenderie

While it was hard, I was enjoying it. Until the brakes started to squeak. The first sign of them wearing out. I was exactly half way between Mt Werrong and Yerrenderie -25km in both directions. Looking at the map, the road just got steeper. The brakes would not survive getting there, let alone getting back.

I couldn’t afford to be without brakes in the most remote part of this trip. I reluctantly turned around. I could walk up and down the steepest bits and make it back to Mt Werrong by sunset. From there, I could make it to the bitumen road tomorrow. I was confident the brakes would be fine on bitumen.

Then a car passed. And I caught a lift.

Thanks Mick and Amanda for the ride

They dropped me off at a place I’d passed earlier, not far from the main bitumen road.

Once I hit the tar, the brakes were fine. I hardly used them as I flew down the descents with confidence.

Still 30km from Taralga and 44km from Wombeyan Caves, I decided to call it a day at a camping ground just off the road where it crossed the Abercrombie River.

Kangaroos galore, I had a swim to freshen up, had dinner, and went to bed. I’m exhausted.

Lots of kangaroos