Bendethera, Deua National Park

Riverside campsites in the Deua National Park

Upon purchasing our camper, we decided its maiden trip would be into the Bendethera Valley for a two night stay.

The Bendethera Valley is surrounded by the Deua National Park just 50km South West of Moruya on the South Coast of New South Wales. It was once a working cattle farm established in the 1860's and remnants remain at the campgrounds from its working life up until 1980 when it was incorporated into the Deua National Park. You can still see the bread oven, horse yards, a gravesite and cultivation channels around the area.

Along with historical aspects you can enjoy the natural aspects including bushwalking to the Bendethera Caves (an 8km round trip, medium grade) , a swim in the creeks, wildlife including wombats, kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas and a range of birdlife and reptiles.

Within the Deua National Park itself you can see the Big Hole and Marble Arch (Better accessed from the West of the National Park), Hanging Mountain Lookout and Diamond Creek Waterfalls.

Bendethera can be accessed from several directions, however, if you are taking a trailer access will be gained via Moruya and Little Sugarloaf Road. If you are trailer free and enjoy a more challenging 4wd, take the Merricumbene Track via the Araluen Road or Dampier Mountain Firetrail from the West of the Ranges.

Due to having the soft floor camper we came in via Little Sugarloaf Road which can be very rough and dusty. Sections have exposed rocks which offered us a bone jarring ride due to the 18 inch alloys and road tyres that we were still sporting at the time, the rocks also enjoyed the odd bite of rubber for breakfast leaving tyres a little worse looking then when we started. Since having the smaller wheels and mud terrain tyres and reducing tyre pressures the trip is much better. National Parks have also graded a large section of it making the journey out much more enjoyable.

On the way out we passed scenic views of the mountains including Wamban Mountain and views back toward the coast. The route will see you travelling through sections of dry wooded ridgelines and damp fern lined sections of forest. Keep your wits about you though to avoid colliding with wallabies and lyrebirds darting across the road like a drunk unclothed bogan at a cricket match.

The trip is simple and easily accessible to sedans and low crearance AWDs but will get funner as you reach Bendethera Firetrail for the descent into the valley. National Parks recommend 4wd only beyond that point due to steep sections, rough loose surface and steep drainage humpty dos whoop de doos or whatever your children call them. The road is generally pretty good in terms of erosion and wear and you do not need a serious setup to get there.

So we made our way down the ridgelines toward the valley making calls over the UHF of our descent into the narrow steep sections just before the Deua River crossing. Little did I know that the cord had come out of the back of the UHF and we were at most making these calls warning noone but those present in our vehicle. Annnnnd it cost us, meeting a group of 4wds exiting the valley on what had to have been one of the worst spots. After a quick chat to the lead driver I squeezed past him in what felt like I was hanging wheels off the 200m drop and into the slightest of spots to allow the remaining vehicles to pass us.

Finally making it down to the Deau River I stopped the car for 20 minutes to allow the brakes and drivetrain to cool a bit. I'm sure they were still hot but allowing the vehicles parts to cool a bit will reduce the stress caused by placing hot metal into cold water. The water crossing was not deep at the time but after rain the levels can jump quickly and have left campers stranded out in the valley before. Having been out before I knew the line to take but still walked it first to check for large rocks that may get me hung up.

We proceeded through to start the age old task of picking our perfect camp spot. We had a big choice as we were the only ones there amongst three large flats that could accomodate hundreds of campers if necessary. We finally chose our spot after crossing a couple more creeks, it included a nice shaded area to combat the hot sun.

Now for the task of setting up our camper trailer. Unzipping the dust cover before grabbing the frame and walking it out, the canvas opened up forming the tent section as the frame basically erected itself. That was easy.

Now the annex/awning.

Pulling the annex out we worked out it needed to be attached by velcro to the top of the roofline. Thankfully our circus training* came in handy, Sarah jumped on my shoulders and we stuck the two pieces together. *Disclaimer: We have no training in circus craft.

Well it wasn't like clockwork and the end result left some to be desired but we got the annex up in the end.

If we have learnt anything about setting up a campsite with small children it is to keep them occupied either with helping, food, an activity or game otherwise watch your patience wear thin before exploding like a bratty tennis player.

The area has large open areas of green grass which is a wonderful change from camping amongst the usual dusty sites. Grassy or not it certainly didn't keep our boys from becoming covered in dirt and looking like Oliver pleading for more supper.

The regular dips in the water helped this situation though as well as cooling our tempers.

One aspect I love of camping is the camp food. Billy teas, damper, camp oven roasts and stews and the list goes on. One that we have found works for an easy lunch though is hotdogs. Boil the water, heat the frankfurts up, flop them on a bun with some shredded cheese, tomato sauce and mustard and you have a meal with next to no cleanup.

Come evening time we were greeted with wildlife coming out to graze on the flats. Wombats were our favourites, watching them clean out their burrows and waddle around the area. The evening was calm, quiet and the temperature made for the most relaxing setting and gave you that wonderful feeling of being out camping.

It only gets better as you get that campfire started and start watching the flames dance and flicker as they consume the wood. I find it mesmerising and relaxing watching the fire just as I do watching the waves roll in at the beach. I think our little Leo does as well as we often caught him sitting in his little campchair just staring at the fire. Marshamllows and tea in the billy before getting the boys in bed and more billy tea around the fire for us. (We love billy tea). The night sky in the Bendethera Valley is magnificent, walking out away from the fire and gazing up at a star speckled sky lets you know that you couldnt be further from the lights and noise of the cities and towns.

Morning brings a fresh cool start to what will be another hot sunny day. I decided during the boys rest time today that I would make a solo hike up the nearby mountain. It was a tough hot climb for only a limited view through the trees and probably wasn't worth the exertion, well you win some and lose some. Back for a relaxed swim to cool down.

After two nights and a couple of days pack up time came around, a few photos of the rig and we made the trek back home the way we came. The maiden trip of the camper went perfectly and the camping bug had lodged itself in our brain and hearts.

Bendethera can get very hot in the warmer months and freezing in the cooler months so make sure you are prepared for extremes with your clothing and bedding. There is a couple of toilets and some sites have fireplaces with hardware but certainly not enough to service such a huge area.

The mountain I climbed - need to get nearer to those rocks for a better view next time.

Tip: Make a meal plan that includes the utensils and items you need to make it. No point planning a great meal without the means to prepare or cook it.

The breakdown:

Where: Deau National Park - South West of Moruya NSW

How: 4WD access with water crossings - unsealed roads and firetrails

Cost: Free camping

Pests: Flies during warmer months - We saw a wild dog/dingo

Campsites: Large range, waterfront, grassy, flat.

Facilities: Toilets, fireplaces.

Activities: Bushwalk to caves, 4wding and swimming

Our Score: 90/100