Great coastal views are on offer from the Saddle Track to the top of Mount Dromedary.
The NSW far south cast is best known for fabulous beaches, great fishing and towns like Eden, Narooma and Bermagui. For many the attraction of Bermagui lies offshore, where its closeness to the Continental Shelf attracts big game fishing. Onshore, attractive to hikers is the imposing Mount Dromedary (806m) that overlooks Bermagui and the coastline.
For thousands of years, the mountain has had an important association with the indigenous Yuin people, and its European history goes right back to Captain Cook's 1770 voyage where he named it as he sailed past. At its foothills is the National Heritage-listed town of Tilba Tilba and a few kays on again is the National Trust-listed Central Tilba.
The general store known as Pam's Store is the starting point for the walk and a free visitor’s guide, Walking Gulaga, is available from the store – also make sure you have adequate water! Beginning at the store, follow the sign that directs you along a narrow country road to the base of the mountain. While it could be tempting to drive to the base, there is definitely no parking along this track. At the base a gate indicates the start of the park and what now will be a continuous climb.
In the late 1800s, the Tilba area experienced a gold rush and within a couple of kays a large cairn indicates the grave of a Chinese miner. Debate remains whether he's actually buried here or was retrieved and his remains returned to his homeland.
The path is wide and well formed and it’s excusable as you ascend to just concentrate on looking down at your footwork, but it will pay to look back through gaps between the trees to the land and coastline below. Finally, more level ground is reached at The Saddle.
Here there is a picnic table and a pit toilet. It’s not marked on the map but a must-do is to head up to the right behind the pit toilet to an area of significance to the Yuin people. From here it’s only 100 to 150m to the amazing granite outcrops and the best views of the walk.
From The Saddle, follow the signs to the summit via the Rainforest Track. There's a steep path to the right which is a shortcut to the top but you'd miss the beautiful rainforest and create an overly lactic acid burning experience for your legs. Certain species of trees and plants are signposted in the rainforest area. Thankfully, this diversity of plant and animal life was recognised despite mining and logging and led to the creation of a forestry flora reserve in the 1960s, and then a national park in 2001.
Arrival at the summit is signified with a cairn. The views are limited but the relief at reaching the top is not. Return via the same track or take the short cut to the left straight down where it rejoins the main track back to The Saddle. Click here for more info.
Words_David Hung. Photos_Marina Hung