Thursday 12th March, 2026
Nichols Gorge, Cooleman Cave and Murray Cave, Kosciuszko NP

After a lovely quiet night without the road noise of the previous camp, we got ready for what we thought was a short hike to the Cooleman and Murray Caves with a little exploration of a couple of small caves. We were very wrong. This ended up an over 4 hour activity. Oh well! The usual story for a Broady Adventure but the lead tour guide was missing this time. I must have learnt a few of his tricks. Oopssss!

We started off about 9am, walking the grassy Nichols trail along the dry creek bed, with some furry company along the way. We arrived at Cooleman Cavea short time later and only 500m along the trail. After reading the cave information and ensuring that by taking a left continuously, we wouldn’t get lost, we put on our head torches and explored the most amazing cave. It was formed by water creating the tubular formation. We enjoyed exploring this cave for about an hour. Wow, it was amazing. Much more than we were expecting.

We then headed further along the trail to Murray Cave, another spectacular sight. This was another amazing exploration with many of the usual spectacular features – stalactites and stagmites, curtains and many low formations requiring a little muddy crawling. I had brought the bright camp light as well which showed the splendour of this amazing cave. Once again we spent about an hour exploring this cave, not worrying about the extra time as it was such an amazing cave.

After we finished in Murray Cave we decided to continue the loop trail of Nichols Gorge. We still had about 4km to go but decided it was worth the extra time, rather than heading back along the 2.6km return trail. It was a lovely walk, firstly up a steep incline at the side of Murray Cave and we then meandered through the beautiful plains. We saw some lovely colourful flowers as well as the carcass and skull of a brumby. Unfortunately, this was the only brumby we saw. We walked into Magpie Flat campground which was also a nice space, chatted with a mother and daughter, and then continued back to Blue Waterhole Camp.

Time for a quick cup of soup and lunch, pack up our dry tents and get on our way, as it is far later than the 12pm departure we had planned. But not before a quick dip in the waterhole to refresh ourselves for the long drive home.

We were on our way at 2pm. Oops! Now I get to experience the drive home that DB normally does on his own, as I sleep at the end of an exhausting few days of adventures. Our first stop was to see the Cooleman Huts but this was thwarted by an emergency from our mother and daughter who we had met earlier. Her husband had had a crash on his motorbike, broke his shoulder and we weren’t sure if emergency services had arrived. We followed her along the 20km dirt trail just in case she needed any help. Luckily for her husband, the abulance were there by the time we reached him which was at the start of Long Plain Road. As we weren’t needed, we kept moving. Dear me, it was a worrying sight as we drove passed.

Now for the long drive home. A quick stop and cuppa at Black Perry lookout on the way out, we were then on our way again. It was a very long drive. What should have been about 6 hours, ended up about 8, as there was a continuous roadwork along most of the M7, which had me driving at 40kmh for what felt like forever. Then when we were almost off the F3 there was more roadworks near the weighing station. 40kmh again. Oh no! I am done.

We finally arrived home at about 10.45pm. What an amazing trip. Although we didn’t fit in everything that was planned, we enjoyed our time to the fullest. Yeehah! My big girl pants are tried and tested now. Bring on the next adventure!

“The 7km Nichols Gorge walking track, suitable for experienced hikers, follows Cave Creek and passes some karst features before rejoining Blue Waterholes trail.
You won’t be very far into this challenging 7km walk – just 500 metres or so – before you’ll come across the opening of Cooleman Cave. Make sure you’ve got a torch with you so that you can explore inside. Back out in the sunshine, follow the often dry Cave Creek. Don’t move too quickly across the surface because you can find ancient fossilised shells of brachipods and sea lilies on its bed.
There are some unique longer views of the limestone gorge and on to the snow grass plains surrounded by the wooded slopes of Gurrangorambla Range and Tom O’Rourkes Peak. For photographers, it’s an absolute gem of an amble. Birdwatchers, too, will be well-rewarded with sightings of magpies, flame robins, and soaring wedge-tail eagles.”

Wednesday 11th March, 2026
Blue Waterholes, Clarke Gorge and Cooleman Falls, Kosciuszko NP

Once again, a slow start to the day. We enjoyed our coffee and breakfast waiting for our tents to dry off a little. We then packed up and headed on our short but long drive to Blue Waterholes campground along Long Plain Rd, a dirt road that goes about 25km through the beautiful plains of Kosciuszko National Park. We were hoping to see some brumbies along the way but their culling of them has been very successful as there were none to be seen.

On arrival at Blue QWaterholes Campground, we decided on a camp site, set up camp and enjoyed some lunch. It was then time to explore the area. First adventure was the Clarke Gorge walking trail along Cave Creek to the amazing Cooleman Falls. As we were about to start we recognised a fellow Avoca surf club buddy who was here on a 4 day loop hike around the area. We had a short chat and headed off on our way on our hike, we went down to the Blue Waterhole which was very pretty, and then started along the short 5km return trail, crossing the babbling creek 9 or 10 times. Water shoes were definitely on the agenda and muchly appreciated. The first creek crossing was a big shock as it was very, very cold, but by the time you were up to the next few, the cold wasn’t noticeable at all. We enjoyed the stroll through the magnificent towering limestone rocks in Clarke gorge. It was beautiful. The trees were also amazing as we continued to the end where we looked out from Cooleman Falls through the Wilkinson Gorge. It’s absolutely stunning and the pool at the base of the falls is big enough for a swim, if you don’t mind the cold water. It was very cold but worth the exhilarating dip. We enjoyed a very cold swim and then warmed up in the beautiful warm sunshine with a cuppa and cake for afternoon tea. What a delight!

After our break, we headed back along the trail to camp, wondering if the dark clouds would eventuate in some rain, which it did not. We then enjoyed the activity of the kangaroos and birdlife around our camp before cooking our dinner. After the beautiful sunset we then enjoyed some more stargazing and a game of cards before heading off to bed for our last night sleeping in the bush. Such peace and tranquility. I love it! Reminding me it is time for another adventure Mr Broadbent.

WHAT AN AMAZING DAY!

“Escape to Blue Waterholes campground, the perfect spot to enjoy the great outdoors, with hiking, caves and Kosciuszko National Park’s northern wilderness on its doorstep.
This beautifully positioned campground is the perfect place to stay if you’re planning to hike the Clarke Gorge and Nichols Gorge walking tracks, and explore the nature and historic huts in the Northern Plains and Wilderness area of Kosciuszko National Park.
From the campsite there are lovely views of the limestone cliffs and rock formations of Clarke Gorge and Cave Creek. Wander down the short track to the turquoise waterhole that gives the campground its name. It’s a great spot to paddle your feet and enjoy a picnic on a hot summer’s day, as kangaroos cast a curious eye and eagles soar overhead.
Nearby campgrounds at Cooleman Mountain, Cooinbil and Long Plain offer alternative places to stay in the popular summer months.”

“The 5km Clarke Gorge walking track follows Cave Creek downstream through limestone gorges and cave formations. Stop along the way to do some fishing and birdwatching.
As you hike through the narrow gorge cut by Cave Creek, spectacular limestone cliffs, and cave formations on either side, you’ll never imagine that Clarke Gorge walking track could get any better. But it does, finishing at the top of Cave Creek Falls . There’s a 15m drop of water as well as views down Wilkinsons Gorge. Unsurprisingly, this walk is very popular with photographers.
As well as the beauty of the rock features, some of which were formed more than 400 million years ago, the landscape is dotted with snow gums and black sallee (another high-altitude eucalypt with dark bark), rare discaria shrubs, and vibrant yellow billy buttons. You’ll likely see grey kangaroos bounding in the distance and wedge-tail eagles circling overhead. Fishermen might also want to bring their lines with them because there are a few waterholes along Cave Creek where they can try their luck catching trout, before returning to the walk’s starting point at Blue Waterholes campground.”

Tuesday 10th March, 2026
Yarrangobilly Village Camp, Visitors centre, Thermal Springs, South Glory and Jersey Caves, Bluff Lookout, Kosciuszko NP

We both slept really well, even with the howling dingoes (we think) in the distance. We got off to a slow start. breakfast, coffee and a little chatting.

We headed off on our way around 11am with our first stop being the Yarrangobilly Visitors Centre to organise our itinerary for the day. I am glad we waited until daylight as the trail down was very narrow with sheer drops on the left and many hairpin turns. A slow drive for me. Cave tour organised and paid for ($38 each for 2 caves). Then we were off on our way.

We drove down to the Thermal Springs carpark, setup the solar panel (new task for me) as the fridge was playing up. It had frozen our food and flattened the auxilliary battery. Once this was done, we headed down the steep road on foot to the thermal springs. No time for a swim at this stage as we are on a time constraint to get to the guided cave tour at 1.30pm. We enjoyed a pleasant walk along the Yarrangobilly River Walk trail and then headed up to the South Glory Cave. This was a self-guided cave which was quite magnificent with its stalactites, stalagmites and amazing caverns.

“Take a leisurely self-guided tour through the lofty chambers of South Glory Cave at Yarrangobilly, near Tumut. It never fails to astonish. Europeans first explored this underworld in 1834. Like them, you’ll be awestruck by the immense size of its limestone chambers, decorations and rock piles. The cave is accessed along a 500m gravel track, taking you from Glory Cave carpark to Glory Arch, with its impressive opening to the sky. This self-guided experience means you can explore the cave at your own pace, with information signs throughout and sensor lights that switch on as you approach. You’ll see the white formations of the Ice Age Chamber, others known as the ‘Lamb’s Fleece’ and ‘Judge’s Wig’, and even a daylight hole 55m above you.”

The South Glory Cave was a one way path through to another trail which we then followed up to the start of the Jersey Cave tour. Luckily, we had just enough time to have some lunch, a coffe and a chat with some fellow tourists before the start of the tour.

“The Jersey Cave boasts incredible cave formations 1.5 million years in the making. Cleopatra’s Needle – a 4 metre column that reaches the ceiling, rare displays of black and grey flowstones, and forests of stalactites and stalagmites, are just a few highlights of this 1.5 hour guided tour. One of the ancient limestone caves in northern Kosciuszko National Park, Jersey Cave’s magical interior and setting make it popular with photographers, families, and visitors throughout the year.”

We enjoyed an informative tour of the Jersey Cave with Chloe answering some of our questions about the cave formations. It was a great 1.5 hours and a joy to see some amazing sights within the cave. Woohoo, once again Australia has such magnificent sights to see.

After the Jersey Cave, we followed the trail up the the Bluff Lookout which has a view down to the Visitors Centre. Completing the loop trail we headed down to the picnic area, enjoyed an ice block at the visitors centre before heading back down the trail for our long awaited swim in the thermal springs.

Our first swim was in the waterhole of the Yarrangobilly River, then back over to the thermal springs pool to enjoy a pleasant 27°C swim. It was a lot quieter than when we were here with the kids at Christmas time in 2024. After a lovely relaxing hour, we then headed back up the steep trail for the slow return drive back to the Yarrangobilly Village Camp.

Another nice dinner, star gaze and off to bed for a little read (maybe 10 mins) before falling asleep to more dingo howling. A great day !

Monday 9th March, 2026
Davistown to Yarrangobilly Village Camp, Kosciuszko NP

Well, the day started with a few changes. Alice was unable to join Ange and I, so we had a change of vehicle and change of driver to enable us to continue with the aranged plan. Yay, me! I put on my big girl pants and did the driving. We headed home from the pool which was our original departure point, did some luggage reshuffling, checked the car, got some mechanical and electrical instructions from DB and set off on our way at about midday.

The drive was very straight forward but nonethless a bif day out for me. We had a couple of stops along the way, first at Partridge VC Roadstop, The Old Bookham Church and finally arriving at our destination – Yarrangobilly Village Camp at 6.15pm.

Time to decide on a camp, we drove in a little way and came back towards the entrance. We settled on a little spot on the creek where we set up camp. We thought about driving down to the Yarrangobilly Thermal Springs for a night time dip, but decided to leave that drive for daylight and just enjoy a quiet dinner and the magnificent stars. What a treat!