Monday 14/12/2020 Pigeon House Road – Pigeon House Mountain – Didthul
Morton National Park, NSW
Yuin country
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies
Having just completed four walks in Kosciuszko National Park, catching up with some High School friends and enjoying a parkrun in Canberra we proceeded to Bannisters Mollymook to celebrate our 33rd wedding anniversary in luxury. It seems that may not really be our style as on our free day we both quickly agreed to forgo the palatial setting and head out on another walk. Pigeon House Mountain had only recently reopened after last summer’s Currawan bushfire closure, so we settled on checking it out yet again.
Max elevation: 657 m
Total climbing: 780 m
Total descent: -803 m
Average speed: 3.83 km/h
Total time: 02:51:44
Arriving at the Pigeon House Carpark we were greeted with a cacophony of cicada song and overcast skies. Amongst our first observations once we were underway was the closure of the rough, eroded, original track which headed straight uphill from the carpark. “Track Closed” signs are now to be found at the bottom and top and a series of chainsawed logs have been dropped across the track. The newly created, smooth wide path now gently zig-zags it’s way up to the west of the original track, meeting it before the last of the climb onto the flat section above the first “cliff-line”. This is a great Improvement and far easier than the original route and should allow rehabilitation work to minimise further erosion.
Sue part the way up the first ascent
Bush recovery is well underway with plenty of epicormic growth sprouting from tree trunks and with recent rain and reduced shading from above, a multitude of new green growth was found on the ground.
Not much appeared to have changed along the flat section, where the track remains along its previous routing. There were no grand views as far as the eye could see today as the low hanging cloud was at times obscuring all but the closest hills.
It appeared that a few ladders had been replaced with upgrades and the viewing platform at the top is brand new. There was plenty of “atmosphere” about whilst we were on top keeping it pretty cool for mid-December. Barely a glimpse was caught today of the magnificent views usually visible from here, especially to the north-west with Byangee Mountain, The Castle and Folly Point hiding during our brief visit. If you try hard, you can make out Byangee Mountain through the mist in one photo.
There were a few groups out today, the carpark being about a quarter full. On a busy day you can expect a slow ascent and descent of the ladders as everyone will be going at the pace of the slowest person around and there is not room to pass until you reach one of the platforms. There was a plentitude of wildflowers out today and if you took your time and kept a good lookout you could find some beautiful miniature orchids.
Back at the car we were very pleased with our decision to get out for a bushwalk for a genuine experience rather than the artificial luxury of a resort.
Please note that the track map on the National Parks sign in the Pigeon House Mountain carpark still shows the routing of the old, now closed track.
Clickable icons on a world map which open the related trip report
A detailed, searchable trip list with links to reports, photo galleries and other content
NSW National Parks signage in Pigeon House Carpark states
Welcome to Pigeon House Mountain/Didthul
From the top of the mountain there are magnificent panoramic views of the Budawang Ranges. On a clear day, the coastline from Jervis Bay to Bermagui can also been seen.
The mountain has a dual name in recognition of its significance to Aboriginal people. ‘Didthul’ is the place name given to the mountain by the local Aboriginal people of the south coast. There are a number of understandings of the word, including references to cultural practices that are sacred to women. Didthul is an important landmark in an inter-connected Aboriginal landscape where steep geographical features have strong cultural links with each other. These links are traditionally conveyed through stories passed on by elders.
We hope you enjoy your visit to Pigeon House/Didthul you and respect its cultural significance to Aboriginal people.
Minimising Impact
As bushwalking in wilderness areas becomes more popular, impacts on fragile environments increase. With a little effort we can enjoy these amazing places without damaging them.
Taking care
When nature calls whilst in the bush, please dig a 15cm deep hole and bury faeces (including paper). Make sure you are at least 100m away from all creeks and rivers.
Try to avoid using soaps and detergents. If you must use them, ensure you are at least 50m away from any watercourses, even toothpaste pollutes.
Take all your rubbish out with you, do not bury or burn.
On track
Marking tracks with cairns (piles of rocks), tags or other materials is not permitted. Marking tracks can confuse other walkers.
Plan your walking times so you can set up camp before dark.
In the former artillery impact area, walkers should keep to fire trails and existing walking trails (Folly Point track, Mount Bushwalker track and Two Rivers walk). Unexploded ordnance still remain in the impact area.
Camping
Camp on sandy or hard surfaces rather than boggy or grassed areas and keep at least 30m away from watercourses and tracks.
Beware of falling limbs. Please avoid camping directly below hazardous trees.
To protect Aboriginal sites, camping in caves and overhangs is permitted only in: the Burrumbeet Brook group, Bibbenluke Camp Rock, Cooyoyo Creek, Corang Peak Group, Hoddle Creek, Mount Cole group, Mount Haughton group, Mount Tarn group, Nibbelung, Castle Saddle track, Watsons Pass and Styles Caves.
Camping is not permitted in any other caves except in an emergency. Digging or alteration of cave floors is not permitted. Camping is not permitted in Monolith Valley, Castle Saddle, Hidden Valley, The Vines rainforest and along the Two Rivers Track within wilderness (south of the Little Forest Walk car park). In the artillery impact area camping is only permitted at Sassafras and Link Road camping caves.
Campers are asked to observe limits on tent numbers at the main camp sites and to move to other locations if these camping areas are full. Bibbenluke group 12 tents; Cooyoyo Creek 12 tents; Styles Plain 12 tents; Burrumbeet 6 tents; Canowie Brook 6 tents.
Do not cut, clear or destroy any vegetation.
Fires must not be lit during total fire bans.
A cautionary tale
The Budawang Wilderness forms part of Morton National Park. Walking in this remote area is strictly for the experienced bushwalkel with a high level of fitness, experience and preparation.
Before you go
Walkers should be fit, have advanced outdoor knowledge and skills in bushwalking and navigation in remote locations and in all weather conditions. Tracks can be indistinct, difficult to follow or non-existent.
If you intend to negotiable routes, walkers will need high level navigation skills, follow survival techniques for remote areas and first aid skills.
Plan your walking times; do not underestimate walking times, particularly across trackless country.
Never walk alone. Keep group sizes to a minimum (4-8). An absolute maximum of 12 per overnight group is permitted in the Budawang Wilderness.
Before you leave give someone your itinerary. Also, fill in a journey intention survey form for overnight walkers available from NPWS offices or web site – www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
Ensure that your equipment is complete. Take topographic maps, compass, torches, first aid kit, warm clothes, wet weather gear, fuel stove and matches, trowel, and sufficient food and water.
Take tents, do not rely on caves.
If you use water from the area, sterilise it by boiling, filtering or using water purification tablets.
EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons) and GPS (Global Positioning Systems) are recommended.
WARNING Do not plan to walk off track in the former artillery impact area. Unexploded ordnance still remains in the impact area and may explode.
When walking in wilderness do not expect signs, track markers or surface modification.
No facilities are generally provided. Cliff edges or other features will not have safety barriers or warning signs.
Visitors should have skills such as navigation and map reading.
Walkers are expected to be self reliant and prepared for any first aid case or sudden weather changes.
Drainage bars and steps are used in some locations for environmental reasons; they may be slippery when wet or muddy.
When using negotiable routes walkers can expect:
Extended periods of solitude with few encounters with others.
No signs or other facilities.
Steep or unmodified route sections showing little or no previous use.
Natural dangers like cliff edges that do not have safety barriers or warning signs.
No modifications of the natural environment vegetation may be very thick.
To complete the route, navigation skills are required.
