Australian Motorcycle News — January 30, 2018

82 amcn.com.au

Plenty of fuel options at

Mittagong and Marulan. RON

91 and 95 is available at

Taralga in business hours,

and weekends until midday.

The kiosk at Wombeyan

Caves Park has food and basic

supplies.

Fix It:

There are few options for

mechanical assistance along

this route. Directly across

the road from the Taralga

Hotel is a useful mechanical

workshop; ask for Col.

Sleep:

Basic bush camping is

available atWombeyan

Caves Camping Reserve,

west of the causeway.

Wollondilly River Station

is a private property with set

camping facilities and is well

situated on the river.

Ph: 02 4888 9207

Taralga Hotelat the

southern end of town has

reasonably priced clean

rooms and undercover

motorcycle parking out the

back – 24 Orchard St, Taralga

Ph: 02 4840 2007

Fuel Up:

Mittagong Mobil– 212 Old

HumeHwy, Mittagong

Ph: 02 4871 1964

Caltex– 10 George St,

MarulanPh: 02 8722 2100

Eat:

TheTangled Vine Caféis

onthe main street of Taralga

opposite theArgyle Innpub.

Owners Steve and Stefanie

offer excellent light snacks,

full meals and great coffee,

7 days a week.

Brewsters Coffee House

on the main drag at Mittagong

makes excellent coffee and

offers a range of snacks

and meals. 18 Bowral Rd,

Mittagong Ph: 02 4872 1466

amcnrides

Wollondilly Valley –

NSW Southern Highlands

Southern

Highlands fling

S

tretching west from Mittagong in the

Southern Highlands to Taralga, the

Wombeyan Caves Road is primarily

an access road to the Wollondilly

recreation area. As a through

road, it’s fairly slow going, w ith a number of

natural obstacles along the unsealed route,

including corrugations, frequent rock falls

from erosion, sharp bends and loose stones.

It is easily navigable, though, and any dual

sport motorcycle with a small amount of off-

road ability w ill be suitable for this route. It is

a worthwhile ride from end to end with great

views and some interesting terrain.

From Mittagong the road heads out through

High Range towards the Nattai National Park.

Before the road descends the first ridge into

the valley, you pass through the hand-formed

Bullio rock tunnel. From this point the road

becomes much tighter and caution is required

to avoid oncoming vehicles, not to mention

the often steep drop-offs on the side of the

road. River Island on the left is a popular

camping and recreation destination, with an

‘optional clothing’ policy.

The road passes over a causeway on the

Wollondilly River before climbing the other

side of the valley. Wollondilly River Station is

on the right before you reach the Wombeyan

Caves Camping Ground. This is a good

central point to base yourself if you plan to

hang around for a few days to enjoy the local

attractions. There are several good fire trails

in this area and it’s possible to navigate a

few nice routes if you want something a little

more challenging, although most are fine for a

competent rider on an adventure bike.

The road surface as you wind up the side

of the gorge is fairly easy riding, but there

are usually loose rocks scattered across

the track from ongoing erosion, with large

boulders occasionally rolling down onto the

side of the road. As you gain a bit of altitude,

the view across the valley f loor offers a great

perspective back towards the river. It’s best to

take your time and enjoy the scenery through

this part of the ride as there are a number of

blind corners with little room to take evasive

action should the need arise.

W hen you reach the top of the hill the

road eventually straightens out a little and

continues west to where it intersects the

Taralga Road. If you turn left here onto the

bitumen, it’s only a short hop into the historic

town of Taralga, which has several good

food and accommodation options. A right

turn would take you up to Black Springs and

Oberon, another good riding option.

While it’s less than 100km from Mittagong

to Taralga, you should allow a few leisurely

hours to cruise this route. It is a beautiful part

of the world and well worth your time.

ESSENTIALS

If you’re in Sydney and looking for

spectacular scenery and some adventure,

the advice is simple – go west!

STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY TIM MUNRO