It had been a long time since I had been down in this neck of the woods. Back in the day it had been one of my favourite haunts particularly for caving trips. On one of those trips I took on a walk down the Deua Valley. As often happened in those days I got caught out with no gear or provisions. Next morning I wandered into Woolla the remote farm of Netta and Vern Davis pioneers of the valley. It was quite an eye opener to me to see this brother and sister still living in the horse and buggy age. They promptly prepared me a big breakfast which was cooked, as was all their meals, on an open fire in the kitchen. I never forgot their hospitality and struck up a correspondence with them for a while. Sadly both have since passed away. They are recognised as true legends of the Australian bush. (If you search on google you will pick up a couple of interesting articles) I decided that after more than 35 years it was time for me to return to this beautiful area.
I drove down from Sydney in the morning and parked at Wyanbene Caves. From here I set off up the hill past the caves. I had only taken a few steps when the largest red belly black snake I have ever seen slithered across the track right in front of me. (It was to be the only snake I was to see.)
- The entrance to Wyanbene Cave
Once on top of the ridge I walked over Wyanbene Trig and down to Mongamulla FT on the other side. Here there were views away off into the valley.
- The old property, "Alpine" on the Deua.
This trail led steeply down into the valley where one of the pioneers is buried.
- Grave of Deua Valley pioneer; Frederick Lester Blanchard died 1937 aged 71.
From here it is a short walk across long abandoned paddocks to the river.
- The beautiful Deua River
Once across the track leads to the home paddocks of Alpine, the Blanchard's property.
- Alpine on the Deua. (Constructed c 1900)
All those years ago I had turned left here and headed down stream. This time I would turn right and head up stream to Bendethera former pioneering home of the George family who raised 14 children in this remote valley in the 19th century.
TBC
K