Walk 19 A:- Wondabyne Station and Return via Pindar Cave At A Glance
Route Summary:- This unsignposted walk starts on constructed track behind Wondabyne Station and climbs steeply to afire trail, then for about 1.5 km. on fire trails to an unconstructed walking track for about another 4 km. to Pindar Cave and optional short extension to a waterfall. Return by the same route
RQI:- 88
Highlights:- Unique Wondabyne Station in pristine bush setting next to Brisbane Water; remote bush track; massive Pindar Cave overhang; small waterfall
Negatives :- track unmarked after fire trail turnoff; same route return.
Length:- 12.1 km. total with waterfall extension
Grade:- Easy to Medium
Weather:_all weather
Continuous walking time with a few 3-4 min. stops:- 3 hrs 25 min. total
Train Time from Central to Start :-. 1 hr. 9 min.
N.B. You must ask the train guard to have the train stop and sit in the last carriage, exit by rear door (very short platform)
Train Time from finish to Central:-. 1 hr. 9 min; train driver will see you on platform and stop.
Total Climb :- 400 meters
Total Descent :- 400 meters
Water:- Nil
Toilets:- Nil
Café/Kiosk :- Nil
Published 1:25,000 Map :- Gosford and Gunderman
Walk 19 A Track Notes Wondabyne Station to Pindar Cave and Return
With waterfall extension
22/06/14
Km./Hrs.min. Kilometers in bold are shown on map
0.00/0.00 Wondabyne Station; track starts behind the station platform and immediately goes up on steps
0.43/0.10 After almost continuous climb, track intersects turning circle for service road; continue up, now along service trail
0.47/0.11 Service trail T junction; ignore track on right, continue straight on up
1.44/0.23 Service trail junction at flat rock outcrop; go left here, leaving main service trail.
1.88/0.29 Service trail ends at small turning circle; walking track continues on left
1.95/0.31 Track goes down a low cliff, but take short detour track to the right for easier descent
4.33/1.12 Interesting tessellated sandstone outcrop on track and to the left of track
4.67/1.17 Track now on massive sandstone outcrop with views to the Hawkesbury River; track split to view point but track re-join at base of low cliff
4.80/1.20 Track again descends on low cliff; take easier short detour track on right for easier descent
4.92/1.22 Possibly confusing track junction on sandstone outcrop; track straight on sandstone is closed with two deliberately placed branches; go sharp left off sandstone ledge; note old bunting on tree.
4.99/1.24 Track crosses small water course
5.10/1.26 Track in or next to water course until it reaches a pool
5.32/1.30 Track at substantial pool; track veers left away from gully/pool
5.62 /1.34 At Pindar Cave; spectacular wide cave about 100 m long and 10 m deep; basically a massive sandstone overhang; some evidence of aboriginal habitation
Waterfall Extension:- After exploring Pindar Cave there is an option to extend the walk to a nearby waterfall:
5.62/1.34 After viewing the Cave, go to around the its middle and look for a walking track that leaves the cave almost at right angles; the track start is marked by blue tape on saplings; follow this
5.96/1.40 Track at same water course as followed in on the way to Pindar Cave; veer left for about 20 m to a track junction; ignore the track straight on along the same side of the water course (it leads to a dangerous cliff edge); cross the water course at right angles and follow the track .
6.07/1.42 Track at waterfall; creek bed defined by massive sandstone outcrop with small waterfall upstream and high waterfall about 20 m. downstream; take care here not to be too close to edge; there does not appear to be a goo vantage point to view the high waterfall
After viewing, retrace on track to Pindar Cave and onwards to Wondabyne Station
Route Quality Index
On locked service/fire trail:- 2.9 km/ 24%
On walking track:- 9.2 km/76 %
RQI= 76+12= 88
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