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The Watagan Mountains With more than 4 million people living a stone's throw from the Watagans, these mountains make the perfect escape from the ratrace. Sydney, the Central Coast, and Newcastle are all nearby, but its worth a look even if you're from other parts… We enter the Watagans through the state forest near Kulnura… and the first thing we see are a few "homemade" trails up the side of an embankment, breaking the basic offroad rule of sticking to existing tracks… People complain that they can't access the areas they would like in National Parks and State forests, but when you see damage like this caused by irresponsible trailbike riders you can see why… With the stabilising ground cover ripped up, and the soil loosened, one good rainfall will wash the side of this hill right away… That's disappointing when State Forest is going to great lengths to open up these fabulous areas to the public… They're making forests like the Watagans more user friendly for visitors by providing access and camping areas free of charge. And they're keeping the local residents happy too… The fluoro spray paint isn't graffiti, its to help manage these sensitive forest areas… This H stands for habitat… someone lives here, so it'll be excluded from logging… I take a stroll to check out an area called The Pines… a beautiful rainforest walk, with plenty of wildlife … Then we continue north to areas where logging is banned.. and the region is now National Park. And what a great spot to finish - the Hunter Valley, where you can stop off to sample a few fine wines… Our Watagan trek began at Kulnura, heading north through The Pines to Heaton Lookout near Cessnock. You can contact Tourism New
South Wales for more details on the Watagans and other 4WD tracks
in the Hunter region. |
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Watagan 4WD Tourism NSW |
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