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 Grafton - Buccarumbi - Dalmorton - Chaelundi State Forest -
Dundurrabin - Grafton
Distance: approx. 103kms (loop trip)
Grade: Medium
Map:
click
Facilities: Fuel available at Grafton, Dundurrabin &
Coutts Crossing
Food available at Grafton, Dundurrabin, Nymboida & Coutts Crossing
* Please be sure to get fuel, food and
check your tyres before departing.
Heading west out of Grafton finds you on the Gwydir
Highway. Travel about 7km along until you reach the top of the hill
and take the left hand turn onto the Old Glen Innes Road.
Follow this good quality sealed road for 40 km until it turns to
gravel at the locality of Buccurumbi. Cross the low level bridge
that sits beside the remains of its flood stricken predecessor at
the picturesque junction of Nymboida and Boyd Rivers.
The road is not wide so beware of oncoming cars and logging
trucks. 7km from the bridge on the right is the remains of an old
graveyard, worth a look for history buffs.
 Continue along the road a few kilometres to the old township of
Dalmorton, the heart of an abandoned gold mining area. In its
heyday, there were reportedly 5,000 inhabitants in this area and 13
pubs! Many of the surrounding hills are studded with abandoned gold
mine shafts dating back to the 1860's.
Turn left at Dalmorton onto the Chaelundi Forest Road. This takes
you into the State Forest that was the scene of heated protest over
logging in the early 90's. The road is well maintained and may be
suitable for conventional vehicles if you take it easy. Stay on the
main road as side roads are constructed regularly for logging
purposes and may have you bushwhacked or bogged.
The road continues its windy path for over 50km passing such
landmarks as Devil's Forehead and Hamburger Rock. Further on take a
left turn up a small track to the aptly named Vista Point and enjoy
uninterrupted views of the Clarence Valley all the way back to
Grafton and beyond.
The gravel road ends at the village of Dundurrabin where you can
rest and refresh at the general store and maybe take on fuel if
necessary.
 The
trip down the range from here into Grafton is straight-forward. Pass
through the village of Nymboida, site of
an old coal mine and the Coaching Station Inn where cold beer and
superb views are a specialty.
41km further along has you back in Grafton and at your starting
point.
Credit: John Warden of the
Clarence Valley Review |
