Contents


Section S  click on thumbnail to see larger photo.  Bark

S1 Kero Spur junct WMACLCCOM1 0400574/6592725 ASL 240 down Macleay to MACLBOTTGU 0402200/6591580 ASL230 4.0 km

60 minutes

S2 MACLBOTTGU 0402200/6591580 to OVENCAMP 0403200/6590750 ASL220 2.5 km

35 minutes

.

No profiles needed- total descent 10 m in each case
 

1: 25000 Map

Projection

(AGD 66)

Waypoint Name Zone Eastings Northings

HASL

(metres)

Winterbourne UTM MACLCCOMB1 56J 0400574 6592725

240

Winterbourne UTM MACLBOTTGU 56J 0402200 6591580

230

Winterbourne UTM OVENCAMP 56J 403200 6590750

220


 

 

 

 

 

 


 

All measurements are from Kerosene Spur (MACLCCOMB1). Summer Camp, the handiest good campsite above MACLCCOMB1 is about 20 minutes upstream. (See 010 in Section R Photoguide). From here down the Macleay is developing wide banks, and the walking is very easy. However, unless it is very dry, yoy will get your feet wet.  There are at least four crossings to Bottom Gully camp, and another two to Oven Camp. All S1 and S2 are included in the photos below, and there is really no need for a track on the map, as it will vary from year to year- just follow the river, and cross where you can. Similarly, as the river only drops at about 3 m per km, with no waterfalls or steep section, a profile is not included

The Wollomombi Wattle (Acacia blakei subsp. diphylla) is a tree to 11 m. with adult phyllodes curved, green>glaucous, 5-13 x 0.5-1.8 mm and flowers in cylindrical heads in spring to early summer, often seen in the gorges. Deep Yellow Wood, or Yellow Cedar (Rhodosphaera rhodanthema) is a tree to 20 m with scaly grey-brown bark, alternate compound leaves with 3-11 leaflets 3-10 Xx1-2.5 cm, pinkish-red flowers in spring, and a brown 8-11 mm fleshy fruit in persistent thick clusters. A comfortable camp, level, near a good pool. This is beside waypoint MACLBOTTGU , the start of the climb SW onto Oven Camp Ridge to rejoin Tabletop Trail a little S of Tabletop Mountain . That is one of the hardest exits from the Macleay. A very steep climb onto a roller-coaster ridge. See Section T for the horrific details.

Striding out across the Macleay, about halfway between Bottom Gully and Oven Camp. The river was at an average height, and quite easy to cross all the way down to East Kunderang on this trip. You can easily maintain a pace of about 5 km an hour under these conditions in the lower Macleay.

When you start to see the long low cliffs, you know you are getting near Oven Camp.

  The Gorge Wattle (Acacia ingramii) in the rockface clefts is very commonly found as a very beautiful bonsai growing very well in similar positions. When Don grew one in his garden, it shot up into a straggly, ugly thing about 8 m high. Almost completely confined to the Macleay gorges. (Photo Don Hitchcock).  
On the Long Point N side of the Macleay, opposite Oven Camp, and looking  up Kunderang Yard Creek. There is a good campsite on this side as well. There is a track up and along Long Point Ridge. To meet the road to the Waterfall Way. The red sedimentary cliffs that mark Oven Camp. Dingoes often howl from their bases, and it seems to be magnified to carry well up the Macleay. The tents are up, the washing’s done- now to get a bit of firewood before it gets too dark, and relax over dinner to the Dingo Symphony.