TRIP NOTES:
Leave town by continuing to cycle west along Mayne Street. Very soon you turn right onto Medley Street, a quiet sealed road. Continue on this quiet sealed road and as you leave the town behind it becomes known as Barneys Reef Road, which is another name from the Gold mining days. Continue for15 km (from the PO) and then there is a choice of routes.
The moderate route is to carry straight on. Cycle towards Merotherie on this unsealed road. The road forks after 9km. Take the left turn towards Merotherie. Another 1.5 km on you will pass a motor cross park called Free Flight Moto. Cycle less than 2km and another T intersection- turn left onto Birriwa Bus Route South. The road is generally well graded with some excellent distance rural views, good shade and bird life such as groups of Galahs, Choughs and Magpies. Continue approx. 3 km till you reach a T intersection and turn left following Bus Route South. Stay on this road as it winds about until it reaches the small settlement of Birriwa. The road is sandy now and you will pass the large property of ‘Mayfield’. And after a total of 25 km on this alternative route you will reach the Castlereagh highway and the very small settlement known as Birriwa.
| Alternative route challenging : After 15 km from Gulgong you will reach a turn to the left. The sign says : ‘No Through Road’. This is a continuation of Barney’s Reef Road which follows Slap Dash Creek. If there have been heavy rainfalls, or if you are not too keen on sandy tracks and occasionally walking – please take the other route described above, to Birriwa via Bus Route South. If you are taking the Slap Dash Creek alternative turn left into the ‘No Through Road’. Veer right after a few hundred metres. For the next 14 km you will cross the creek several times and hopefully spot many birds, kangaroos, wallabies, stray sheep or even a goanna. Yucca Plants near the road are remnants of the old coaching days. The bushland is thick with cypress pines as you cross over the hill that was Barney’s Reef. You reach the end of the nature trail and a sealed road called Bus Route South. Turn left and cycle the short distance to the former Birriwa village. (31km) (Note there is a separate map for this segment of the CwC). |
From Birriwa: Take care as you cross over the highway. Turn back to the left and cycle south. Travel only half a kilometer till you reach Birriwa Road; turn right onto it.
Cycle about 6 km along Birriwa Road. A quiet road it winds with a couple of left-hand turns. The road is undulating with good long-distance rural views. When you reach a junction with Tuckland Road, turn right and follow it into the town of Dunedoo. It is an undulating road of about 13 kms with some stiffer climbs, light traffic and good rural views. Turn left into the main street of Dunedoo: Bolero Street and cycle along to the Post Office. (19km)
Dunedoo accommodation includes Hotel Dunedoo and there is a motel and a Caravan Park. Also there is a number of B&B’s including Sharon Nott’s Caddy Shack and farm stays in the district. Contact the Coonabarabran Visitors information centre on 1800 242881.
Refreshments on the way: If you would like a lovely break on a farm for morning or afternoon tea, lunch or just for fresh water and a farm tour, you can stop off at ‘Mayfield’ at 591 Bus Route South. Its just a few kilometers before Birriwa. Call Sue or Geoff to make arrangements on 63758291 !!