Abercrombie River NP

StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesOberon
FinishOberon
DifficultyDifficulty 2.5/5
Suitable For4WD Motorbike 
Distance172.36 km
Minimum Days2
Average Speed40.78 km/hr
Travel Time4 hrs 13 mins
Page Updated: 10 Nov 2021

Description

The Abercrombie River National Park preserves the largest remaining intact patch of low open forest in the south-west tableland area of New South Wales. Visitors may be lucky enough to spot platypuses and eastern water rats in the Abercrombie and Retreat Rivers, both of which are important habitats for the animals.

When not in drought conditions the park offers the opportunity to swim, fish, and canoes.

The park is suitable to visit all year around, although be well prepared in winter and ensure you take plenty of warm clothing.

How to Use this Trek Note

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TIP

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Environment

The park varies widely in altitude and geology. In the north-east, the landscape reaches 1128m above sea level, and you'll find rich volcanic soils. The southern end of the park is much lower - only 500m at the Abercrombie River - and has much poorer soils from sedimentary rock. This landscape diversity has led to a wide variety of plant communities.

In the high-altitude areas in the eastern section of the park, you'll find mountain gums and peppermint, which is typical of the Southern Tablelands. This type of plant community has been much reduced elsewhere, due to land clearing for pine plantations and forestry.

At lower altitudes, there are open forests of inland scribbly gum and red stringy bark. Along the rivers and creeks, there are tall river oaks, tea trees and bottlebrushes.

Argyle apple grows in this park. This is close to the northern limit of its distribution.

Wallaroos, red-necked wallabies, swamp wallabies and eastern grey kangaroos are often seen in the park's eucalypt forests. Wombats and echidnas live on the slopes and river flats.

Up in the trees, there are greater gliders, sugar gliders, brush-tailed possums and ring-tailed possums. Over 60 species of birds are also found in the park - including the peregrine falcon.

Down by the park's rivers, you might be lucky enough to see a platypus. If not, you might spot a Gippsland water dragon, sunning itself on a rock during the warmer months. You'll also hear the calls of a variety of frog species.

The rivers and creeks are home to trout cod and Macquarie perch, both of which are protected by law. River blackfish, silver perch and Murray Cray are also found here - all of these species are rare in the region. If you catch a trout cod, Macquarie perch or silver perch, you must carefully return it to the water.

History

The rivers and creeks throughout the park offered food and shelter for local Aboriginal tribes, possibly the Wiradjuri or Gundungarra people. These tribes probably used the Abercrombie River as a trading route for stone tools and even shells from the coast.

The land and waterways, and the plants and animals that live in them, feature in all facets of Aboriginal culture – including recreational, ceremonial, and spiritual and as a main source of food and medicine. They are associated with dreaming stories and cultural learning that is still passed on today. We work with local Aboriginal communities to protect this rich heritage.

To find out more about Aboriginal heritage in the park, you can get in touch with the local Aboriginal community. Contact the park office for more details.

The area that now forms the national park was prospected during the 19th century gold-rushes, and there are still some diggings, water races and sluice boxes left behind by the miners. There's also an early 20th century wattle-and-daub hut in the park.

TrekID: 140

Preparation

MUST READ: You are strongly encouraged to read the following articles prepared by the knowledge experts at ExplorOz for your safety and preparation before undertaking any published ExplorOz Trek - Outback Safety, Outback Driving Tips, Outback Communications, and Vehicle Setup for the Outback.

TIP

Please refer to Road Reports published by the local shire and/or main roads for the area you intend to visit. Road/Track conditions can change significantly after weather events. Travellers must be responsible for their own research on current conditions and track suitability.
This is a moderate trek with some step sections suitable to vehicles with low-range. High clearance vehicles would be an advantage and is suitable to camper trailers with care.

Visitors to the park should ensure they take sufficient water as the waterways will dry up at times of drought. Supplies and fuel are available from Oberon (40klm), Black Springs (20klm).

At the time of writing entry and exit to the park is via Arkstone road only. The Brass Walls entrance is closed due to extremely slippery conditions along the Link Road and Little Bald Hill fire trail.

Permits

No permits are required for this trek

Fuel Usage

DieselULPLPG
4cyl 24 litres4cyl 28 litres4cyl 34 litres
6cyl 26 litres6cyl 31 litres6cyl 30 litres
8cyl 26 litres8cyl 29 litres
Usage is averaged from recorded data (* specific to this trek) and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

This trek can be undertaken all year round. However, it would be best to avoid during wet weather and be prepared for cold conditions in winter.

Closest Climatic Station

Oberon (Springbank)
Distance from Trek Mid Point 3.57km NW
 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C24.823.721.417.113.19.48.710.313.717.019.823.2
Mean Min. °C10.811.28.95.32.50.8-0.40.32.34.86.78.9
Mean Rain mm80.661.366.157.160.479.670.875.567.478.471.473.8
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Map

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Directions

Oberon to Norway
Driving: 10.58 km
Heading: 211°
Avg Speed: 70.05 km/hr
EST Time: 09:03
Norway to Black Springs
Driving: 12.53 km
Heading: 215°
Avg Speed: 78.45 km/hr
EST Time: 09:34
Black Springs to Abercrombie Rd & Arkstone Rd
Driving: 9.25 km
Heading: 173°
Avg Speed: 51.08 km/hr
EST Time: 10:51
Abercrombie Rd & Arkstone Rd to Arkstone Rd
Driving: 22.13 km
Heading: 222°
Avg Speed: 52.16 km/hr
EST Time: 25:27
Arkstone Rd to Western Boundary
Driving: 6.27 km
Heading: 184°
Avg Speed: 37.72 km/hr
EST Time: 09:58
Western Boundary to The Sink Campground
Driving: 5.33 km
Heading: 107°
Avg Speed: 24.36 km/hr
EST Time: 13:07
The Sink Campground to Paddle Wheel Generator
Driving: 0.98 km
Heading: 351°
Avg Speed: 16.52 km/hr
EST Time: 03:33
Paddle Wheel Generator to Black Hill Fire Trail
Driving: 7.67 km
Heading: 50°
Avg Speed: 22.73 km/hr
EST Time: 20:14
Black Hill Fire Trail to Licking Hole Campground
Driving: 2.12 km
Heading: 175°
Avg Speed: 16.22 km/hr
EST Time: 07:50
Licking Hole Campground to Silent Creek Camp Area
Driving: 19.49 km
Heading: 189°
Avg Speed: 19.34 km/hr
EST Time: 01:00:27
Silent Creek Camp Area to The Beach Camp Area
Driving: 6.89 km
Heading: 308°
Avg Speed: 17.02 km/hr
EST Time: 24:17
The Beach Camp Area to Retreat River Crossing
Driving: 2.02 km
Heading: 20°
Avg Speed: 14.75 km/hr
EST Time: 08:13
Retreat River Crossing to Western Boundary
Driving: 6.34 km
Heading: 332°
Avg Speed: 24.15 km/hr
EST Time: 15:45
Western Boundary to Arkstone Rd
Driving: 6.27 km
Heading:
Avg Speed: 37.72 km/hr
EST Time: 09:58
Arkstone Rd to Abercrombie Rd & Arkstone Rd
Driving: 22.13 km
Heading: 42°
Avg Speed: 52.16 km/hr
EST Time: 25:27
Abercrombie Rd & Arkstone Rd to Black Springs
Driving: 9.25 km
Heading: 353°
Avg Speed: 51.08 km/hr
EST Time: 10:51
Black Springs to Norway
Driving: 12.53 km
Heading: 36°
Avg Speed: 78.45 km/hr
EST Time: 09:34
Norway to Oberon
Driving: 10.58 km
Heading: 32°
Avg Speed: 70.05 km/hr
EST Time: 09:03
Distance is based on the travel mode shown (Driving, Straight, Cycling, Walking etc), Direction is straight line from start to end, Avg Speed & EST Time is calculated from GPS data.

What to See

The park has a number of four wheel driving tracks along formed fire trails and some may require low-range. Whilst there are no formed walking tracks in this park the visitor can explore along the rivers and creeks within its boundaries. The rivers and streams offer the opportunity to swim, fish, and canoe, although the rivers and streams can dry up or stop flowing if there has been a lack of rain in the area.

Trout can be caught in the water ways during the trout season which runs from the October long weekend to the June long weekend (don’t forget your fishing licence).

For a taste of what you can expect to see in the Abercrombie area please enjoy this 30 second film by Member - George Royter, made exclusively for ExplorOz.com


Facilities

Where to Stay

The Bummaaroo Ford camping area has 15 sites and can be accessed by conventional vehicles. The Silent Creek, The Sink, and the Beach camping areas will require four-wheel drive vehicles. Bush camping is also permitted throughout the park and the route notes detail various possibilities.

Services & Supplies

No Services & Supplies available for this trek

Wildflowers

Related Travel Journals

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