Gingra Range - Bushwalking NSW

The Gingra Range separates Gingra Creek from the Kowmung River. The track out along the Gingra Range is the most gentle descent to the Kowmung, although a longish walk as a result.

The walk starts at Kanangra Walls car park. For directions on how to get to Kanangra Walls, see the information on the Kanangra Walls region to the right.

From the car park at Kanangra Walls, follow signs to the Plateau Track. Avoid a turn off to the right to Dance Floor Cave and ascend a set of steps on to the plateau proper.

The track out along the plateau crosses a number of rocky clearings, and often splits and rejoins itself. However, you should be heading in a generally easterly direction. There are numerous places to detour off the track to the cliff edge to the north for fantastic views of the Kanangra Creek gorge, Thurat Spires, and Kanangra Falls.

At a large rocky clearing about 1km on to the tops, the trail divides. Neither branch is obvious as the clearing is large. The clearing is just after a short climb from a saddle, and has excellent views from the edge to the north. One branch of the track heads south east towards Maxwell Top, and the other continues east along the main part of the plateau. Take the south east branch, which climbs up to the top of the ridge and then heads south. Avoid a turn off to the left after another kilometre, and continue along the eroded track which drops into a saddle and then climbs to Murrarang Top. Down the other side, keep left at a track junction, and shortly descend through a break in the cliffline.

Make a note of the descent spot for the return trip.

Continue along to shortly reach the Coal Seam Cave. This is a large overhang which is often used by parties on the Friday night of a weekend walk. At the end of the cave, the track drops steeply down to a saddle, where it forks. The right fork leads up to Cottage Rock, so take the left fork, which contours below Cottage Rock. xxm further on take the left fork again - the right fork leads out towards Bullhead Mountain. Descend into a saddle for about 1km and then climb steeply up to First Top Mountain.

The hill after First Top Mountain is unnamed. As the track goes up the hill, there is a branch veering off to the right. Take this branch, as the other one peters out over the top of the knoll. Just past here another track heads off to the right from a small clearing. This leads down Roots Ridge.

Continue on north east to the small prominence of Second Top, where the track swings east. After 500m, the track swings north east again at another knoll, and you may spot another track branching off to the right down Hughes Ridge. Third Top is a fairly prominent rise a further kilometre along the track. About 800m beyond Third Top the track swings back to the east, descends into a saddle, then rises, keeping to the right of Fourth Top. For the next kilometre or so, the track can be difficult to spot in places, so keep a close watch.

After that, the route to the Kowmung is fairly straightforward. The track is relatively clear, and other than the track dropping on to the lesser ridge around GDA428378 (AGD427376), there are no navigational difficulties.

Once at the junction, look for a spot to camp. There are small campsites on both banks of the river, suitable for a couple of tents. Water can be obtained from Gingra Creek.

The following day, retrace your steps from the previous day back to Kanangra Walls.