Mendooran to Ballimore via Punks Trail 59 km Leave Mendooran and travel south along the Castlereagh Highway for a short distance, passing a cemetery and then onto Forest Road (700 m). Forest Road is a sealed road. Cycle along Forest Road for approx. 8.2 km until you reach Punks Trail on your right. It is clearly marked with a National Parks sign.
Turn left onto the PunksTrail and cycle into the lightly forested Goonoo State Conservation Area of Eucalyptus, Cypress and Casuarinas. You should see plenty of birds, and if you are lucky a Mallee Fowl and Glossy Black Cockatoos. But the Goonoo has patches of loose sand and stony outcrops. It can also be very muddy after rain. A mountain bike would be ideal, or a hybrid with wider tyres.
Cycle straight along this unsealed road past a road on your left at 17.2 km – do not turn here. At 17.3 km you will meet the edge of the forest continue cycling along the fenceline and cross a creek at 17.7 km, this is Dead Man’s Creek. Heading south along the fenceline at 18.3 Three Corners Trail (18.3 km) will exit left – do not take this turn. Continue along fenceline, at 19.4 km there will be forest on both sides. Continue south, at 20.8 km Breelong Trail will be on the right – do not take this turn. Veering slightly to your left you will now be following the Breelong Trail as it heads to Forest Rd at 22.0 km, and the Denmire Creek bridge can be seen to your right 100m along Forest Rd. Head right onto Forest Rd and cross Denmire Creek. At 22.3 km Denmire Trail will intersect Forest Rd, turn left onto Denmire Trail – the entrance point is a little rough. Follow the trail east, at the intersection with Mt Carl Trail (23.4 km) turn right onto Mt Carl Trail. Continue through intersections with Starkey’s (26.3 km), Withers and Garlings Trail (31.2 km) till you reach Frost Trail (34.5 km). Turn right onto Frost Trail and cycle 4 km until an intersection with Brennan’s Trail (38.5 km). Turn left here onto Brennan’s Trail and cycle south. At 42 km you will leave the forest behind and the road name changes to Goan Creek Road. Follow this road to Ballimore (58.9 km).
Finally turn left and cycle along Federation Street. You’ll soon reach the Ballimore Pub: ‘Hair of the Dog Inn’ which has refreshments, good food, accommodation and amenities. cyclists are warmly welcomed.
Mendooran to Ballimore via Forest Road 54km (the short route) Leave Mendooran and travel south along the Castlereagh Highway for a short distance, passing a cemetery and then onto Forest Road (700 m). Forest Road is a sealed road with light traffic but sometimes very fast general traffic and trucks: take care. Cycle along Forest Road for approx. 16.5 km until you reach Mount Carl Trail on your left. It is clearly marked with a National Parks sign.
Turn left onto the Mount Carl Trail and cycle into the lightly forested Goonoo State Conservation Area of Eucalyptus, Cypress and Casuarinas. You should see plenty of birds and possibly lizards such as dragon lizards. But the Goonoo has patches of loose sand and stony outcrops. It can also be very muddy after rain. A mountain bike would be ideal, or a hybrid with wider tyres.
Cycle straight on this unsealed road passed Starkeys, Withers and Garling Trail on your right, and past Spring Creek on your left, till you reach Frost Trail. This is a total of about 12 km from the beginning of the forest, and 28 km from Mendooran. Turn right onto Frost Trail and cycle 4 km until an intersection with Brennans Trail. Turn left here onto Brennans Trail and cycle south. After nearly 4 km you will leave the forest behind and the road name changes to Goan Creek Road. you are now 37 km from Mendooran. Follow this road for 17 km, all the way to Ballimore.
Finally turn left and cycle along Federation Street. You’ll soon reach the Ballimore Pub: ‘Hair of the Dog Inn’ which has refreshments, good food, accommodation and amenities. cyclists are warmly welcomed.
Mendooran to Ballimore via Dalmallee Road 63 km. Some like to get off the fast traffic Forest Road as soon as possible and into the bush. This route has a few challenging sections so watch for loose rocks on descents and sandy patches. Cycle out of Mendooran following Forest Road as suggested above, but at 4.8 km take Dalmallee Road veering to the left. Follow this road till it reaches the railway line – look for a sign with Goonoo State Conservation Area at 2 km from leaving Forest Road. A road to the right heads south from here moving away from the railway line. At 5.5 km from the sign board Goonoo State Conservation Area will be Dead Man’s Trail. Do not turn here, continue south for another 4km until you reach the railway line. Cross the railway and immediately turn right. You want to get to Starkey’s trail. Cycling beside the railway for about 4km turn right over the railway line following signs to Starkeys Trail. Once over the railway line turn right again, and follow the trail beside the railway north for 1.3km turning left into Starkeys Trail. Going 6.2km along Starkey’s trail, which at the end of this section has a steep rise, you will arrive at intersection turn left and head south to Garlings Trail a further 5km on. Turn right into Garlings Trail and after 3km you will meet Mt Carl Trail, turn left (south) into Mt Carl Trail you are now back on the main CWC route. Follow Mt Carl Trail for 3.3 km to Frost Trail, turn right into Frost Trail and cycle 4 km until an intersection with Brennans Trail. Turn left here onto Brennans Trail and cycle south. After nearly 4 km you will leave the forest behind and the road name changes to Goan Creek Road. Follow this road for 17 km, all the way to Ballimore.
Ballimore offers camping and hotel room accommodation at their only pub ‘The Hair of the Dog’.