Ride A08

Ride - A08
NOWRA - BUGONG - COOLENDEL LOOKOUT AND RETURN
Start Point: Apex Park, Illaroo Rd, North
Nowra
Map Ref: Nowra ND J8
Ride Finishes: Apex Park, Illaroo Rd,
North Nowra
Total Distance: 39 kms
Degree of Difficulty: Medium Hard
Bike Recommended: MTB
Cautions: Winding road, no shoulders,
gravel and shadows
Allow: 4 hours

A solid ride from the Shoalhaven River bridge west to a spectacular lookout deep in the bush. Following Illaroo Road firstly towards the late Arthur Boyd's property, "Bundanon", the route then continues to climb further west, along narrow gravel roads and fire trails, to finish at a remote rocky point with views far to the west along the Shoalhaven River, and overlooking "Coolendel", the camping resort on the river's southern
banks.

kms
0.0 Leave Apex Park (next to Shoalhaven R bridge) on Illaroo Rd off-road cycle-path.
1.5 Roundabout (Nth Nowra shops)- follow Illaroo Rd to RIGHT - Cyclepath ends.
3.0 Road narrows - no shoulder.
4.8 Cambewarra Estate Winery - open for wine tasting, cellar door sales.
9.0 Start long climb (1 km) - harder riding (steep hills) from here on.
11.8 Pass the turnoff to "Bundanon", following [KANGAROO VALLEY, BUGONG RD] sign.
12.4 End of long climb - gravel road starts. [BUGONG] sign.
14.2 Rough track on left - power pole sign [6/426] -200m to bush lookout over Kellett's Creek.
15.1 Turn LEFT - [LOWER BUGONG RD] - steady climb on rough gravel road.

16.7 Rough track on left - series of fire trails/dirt bike tracks - leads through to main fire trail.
17.0 Turn LEFT - no sign - straight through goes downhill to locked private property.
18.3 Top of climb - fire fighting dam
18.4 Rough sandy track on right - goes to lookout/bush camping area (no facilities).
19.6 COOLENDEL LOOKOUT on right. Road continues steeply down to back gate of Illaroo Farm (private
property) - group accommodation and camping.
Return to North Nowra by same route - easy mainly
downhill run.

Public Toilets: Apex Park, North Nowra only.
Shops/facilities/Water: North Nowra shops
Bike Shops, emergency spares: See shops for Bomaderry, Nowra, p 6.
Variations on this route/alternative activities:
1. With prior permission, return through Illaroo Farm. Very rough, steep track, with access to Shoalhaven R. Long
climb out - rejoin Illaroo Rd near Bundanon entrance.
2. Visit Bundanon - open 1st Sunday/month - enquires Tourist Information Centre.
3. Try wine tasting at Cambewarra Estate, or call in at the North Nowra Tavern on return journey.
4. For a full day, combine this trip with Ride A05 (to Kangaroo Valley)- hard 42 km.
5. Combine this ride with a water-based activity - Grady's House Boats, or Shoalhaven River Tours from the southern side of the Shoalhaven River bridge, Jet Boat Tours from the northern side.

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