Wednesday 22/02/2023 McKillops Bridge Campground
Snowy River National Park, VICTORIA
Bidawal, Gunaikurnai, Monaro Ngarigo, and Nindi-Ngudjam Ngarigu Monero Country
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies
It is a serious drive down to McKillops Bridge Campground from Little River Falls. Although this gravel road is not particularly steep it is hazardous due to the long unprotected drop-off that runs along its side and the fact it is very narrow. The signage at the top suggests you check for the presence of any other vehicles via UHF radio, which works only if both you and any other vehicle has one. We don’t, so our fingers were crossed as we proceeded along the road. Sue was on high alert for any sign on other vehicles, whilst I kept my eyes on the road ahead.
GPS Track of the drive from Little River Gorge Lookout to McKillops Bridge
Max elevation: 825 m
Total climbing: 913 m
Total descent: -1638 m
Average speed: 27.19 km/h
Total time: 01:56:07
There is no way our VW T6.1 van would allow room to pass almost any other vehicle along this section of road, so there are some “wider” points to give you a chance to do so. Any encounter with another vehicle would then require one of them to reverse far enough to reach a point wide enough for passing. We felt we were extremely lucky, as we passed no other vehicle along the road going in or coming back out.
The only flat spot at the McKillops Bridge Camping Area was occupied by a biker, so we returned to the much larger McKillops Bridge Camping Area on the western side of the Snowy River. As it was now late into the afternoon and there was no one else around we set up camp on the road in the campground, as it was the only flat spot around, and every campsite we saw had a good incline.
A quick swim in the Snowy River on a lovely sandy beach in the warmth of the late afternoon sun saw us cool off after some hot walking earlier in the day. Soon thereafter we were back in the van ready for dinner.
Snowy River at McKillops Bridge
Once it was dark we grabbed the excellent opportunity provided by having no one else in the campground to head off around the campground with headlamps for some wildlife spotting.
There were many small, flighty flying animals that seemed to be small bats but we never caught enough of them to confirm their identity. The dozen or so possums we sighted in the trees were much more straightforward to find, with a very bright reflection from a pair of eyes looking straight into the lights of our headlamps.
As we turned back towards our van I caught a glimpse of something small flying across the track not far in front of me. Thinking it had stopped, I headed in that direction. I was beyond happy when I sighted the most beautiful, tiny, white, fluffy owl sitting on a branch at eye level! We later found out this was called an Australian Owlet-Nightjar (Aegotheles cristatus). I estimated its body to be about 12cm long. Likely stunned by our lights I managed to take several close-up photos before we retreated to leave it in peace. Very soon after we had retreated, it was gone again. Our nighttime wildlife walk had paid off big time.
The local flora, fauna, geology, history and some other walks (ChatGPT)
McKillops Bridge, located in the eastern part of the state of Victoria in southeastern Australia, was a place of remarkable natural beauty and history. The region was situated within the traditional lands of several Aboriginal groups, including the Bidawal, the Gunaikurnai, the Monaro Ngarigo, and the Nindi-Ngudjam Ngarigu Monero.
The flora of McKillops Bridge was diverse and abundant, with towering eucalyptus trees, banksias, and acacias dominating the landscape. The undergrowth was filled with a variety of ferns, grasses, and wildflowers, providing a rich habitat for many species of insects, birds, and mammals.
The fauna of the area was equally impressive, with kangaroos, wallabies, and wombats grazing in the open meadows and dense forests. The rivers and streams were teeming with fish, including trout and native species such as the Murray cod and the Macquarie perch. The birdlife was also abundant, with a variety of parrots, kookaburras, and birds of prey soaring overhead.
The geology of McKillops Bridge was shaped by the rugged terrain of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The region was characterized by deep gorges, rocky outcrops, and steep cliffs, formed over millions of years by the powerful forces of erosion and geological activity.
The history of the area was equally fascinating, with evidence of Aboriginal occupation dating back thousands of years. The Aboriginal people had a deep spiritual connection to the land and its natural features, and their culture and traditions were interwoven with the landscape. European settlement in the area began in the mid-1800s, and the region became a center of activity for mining and forestry.
Visitors to McKillops Bridge could explore the region on a variety of walking trails, ranging from short walks to longer treks through the wilderness. The Silver Mine Track led visitors through a historic mining area, while the Little River Gorge Walk offered stunning views of the surrounding cliffs and valleys. The walks were an opportunity to experience the natural beauty and rich history of this remarkable region.
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