Take the road less travelled and discover the hidden treasures of northern Queanbeyan-Palerang on this road trip through small local villages and grand national parks.
If you’re coming from Sydney, flip the script and just head on to Braidwood Road and start your road trip with a visit to Tianjara Falls, heading south through Nerriga and Budawang National Park until you reach Braidwood. Then, take the Kings Highway to end your road trip in the charming village of Bungendore.
PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE IMPACT OF 19/20 BUSHFIRES, COVID-19, AND RECENT WEATHER CONDITIONS, YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CHECK THE NSW NATIONAL PARKS WEBSITE FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON CAMPGROUND AND TRACK CLOSURES.
Bungendore
Starting off in Bungendore, take a moment to stroll through the village and explore what’s on offer, from art galleries to homewares and more, and stop by for a bite to eat at one of the town’s many fantastic eateries ranging from Greek to Thai and Modern Australian. Keep in mind that Bungendore will be your last port of call before heading out to the national parks of the region, so depending on whether you’ll be staying the night at the national park, make sure you stock up while in the village to make sure you have enough water and snacks to last until you get to Braidwood.
Nerriga
From Bungendore, head north-east until you reach Tarago. Then turn right towards Nerriga, which lies at the edge of Morton National Park. Pay a visit to the friendly folks at Nerriga Hotel where you can grab some lunch or a coffee from Wednesdays to Sundays. The area is home to some fantastic local produce, including great cool climate wines, which you can learn more about at local vineyard, Corang Estate. If you’d like to visit their cellar door, stop by in Tarago to visit the Corang Estate Cellar Door & Pantry.
Tianjara Falls Lookout
If you have some extra time to travel further afield, continue along Braidwood Road to reach the Tianjara Falls in Morton National Park. After about a 30-minute drive, you get to marvel at the beautiful Tianjara Falls and the valley that lies beneath from the accessible viewing platform just off Braidwood Road.
Wog Wog Campground
Head back towards Nerriga, then continuing south along Nerriga Road and Charleys Forest Road until you reach the Wog Wog campground. Spend the night under the starry sky at the Morton National Park campground before heading out on foot for a bushwalk in the Budawangs the next day.
Mt Budawang Trail
For those keen for a bit of a physical challenge, pull on your hiking boots and drive down Charleys Forest Road for about half an hour before turning onto Budawang Road to access the trailhead and get in touch with nature on the challenging 8km return hike to the summit of Mt Budawang.
Braidwood
After your adventures in the great outdoors, head south to Braidwood to explore the heritage-listed town’s renowned colonial buildings brimming with antiques, cafes, specialty shops and more. Braidwood is filled with unique boutiques to peruse from jewellery and fashion to antiques and homewares, and everything in between, so reserve a generous amount of time for exploring the town – and if you’re looking for a bite to eat, you can’t go past the varied selection on offer along Braidwood’s main street. For more information on the area and a range of maps and brochures, visit the locally run Braidwood Visitor Information Centre.
Warri Reserve
The final destination of your road trip lies along the Shoalhaven River, about a 15-minute drive from Braidwood. Head west on the Kings Highway and take the left turn towards Warri Reserve before the bridge to get to the relaxing spot on the banks of Shoalhaven River before setting up camp or heading back home.
