The Massive Collapsed Karst 15th January 20121

Garry McCurley, Honda VFR 1200 Joe Muller, BMW R1200GS Peter Schriebe, Suzuki Burgman 650 Linda Blake, Honda CBR F1000 Peter Arday, Honda ST1300 Jennifer Buchanan, Yamaha Virago 250 Andrew & Catherine Campbell, Honda GL1800 Mike Kelly Suzuki, DL650 V-Strom Gary McDonald, BMW R1005 Garry Fisk, BMW K100RS Michael & Tracey Winters, Triumph Sprint 1050 Peter Thomas, BMW F800GS Terry Mills, Honda VT Shadow 750 Mark Walker, Honda NT 700V Trevor McLeod, Yamaha FJR 1300

In 1770, LIEUTENANT (not Captain!) James Cook dropped his hook in to what he initially called Stingray Bay in the future colony of N.S.W. He subsequently rechristened it Botany Bay at the urging of Joseph Banks who had a bit of pull back in England. A couple of days later he pulled it up again and sailed north straight past the greatest natural harbour on Earth without giving it a glance. Apologists have suggested that he didn’t see it because it was probably night but this has been countered by critics pointing out that there’s no way he could have missed the lights on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. All this is just a round about way of getting to the point that Australians have a knack for thoughtlessly naming things after the bleeding obvious. In this case, the Sydney Harbour Bridge because it’s a bridge over Sydney Harbour. Other prime examples are the Great Sandy Desert, the Snowy Mountains and the destination for our Sunday ride, the Big Hole.

Garry McCurley graciously stepped forward as our ride leader when seventeen of us gathered for a pre ride brief at the Watson Servo. Gary Mac volunteered to be tail-end Charlie and it was decided that corner markers wouldn’t be required until after Braidwood. It was a delightfully balmy 16° when we headed up the Federal Highway to the Macs Reef Road turnoff and on to Bungendore. The balminess continued as a light misty rain started to fall and consequently the temperature to 13°. Not much of a summer really.
However, warm beverages and assorted pastries were purchased at the Braidwood bakery for sustenance and revitalising. Unfortunately it was a bit too much sustenance and not enough revitalising as when we regrouped down the road the attrition rate was high. Nevertheless, thirteen of us enjoyed the lovely forty kilometre run to the Gundillion Cemetery behind which was the Berlang Section of Deau National Park and the start of the walk to the Big Hole. The seven hundred metre dirt road to the picnic area was negotiated safely and it was decided that lunch would be a priority. Linda and Terry teamed up their arson skills and had a cooking fire going in a remarkably short time without a hint of any accelerants. While the rest of us munched sandwiches and cake, Linda created a truly delicious looking sausage, onion and salad wrap. Unfortunately, it started collapsing when she started eating it but Mark gallantly offered the loan of a couple of cable ties to hold it together.

Meanwhile the more adventurous wandered off to check on the crossing across the Shoalhaven which is the first of only two challenges on the three and a half kilometre walk to the Big Hole. Several came back visibly shaken and tales of massive flood waters and other hazards to navigation and vowing never to attempt the treacherous crossing. “Consequences catastrophic. Risks unacceptable.” was muttered by one knowing soul. Gary Mac even christened part of the track leading to the river “The Boardwalk of Doom.”

In the end, only our intrepid leader Garry, Jennifer and I waded across the knee deep river and on up the track watched breathlessly and in awe of our courage by the rest of the ride. Actually, Garry didn’t even wade. He just rock hopped across the line of stepping stones.
It was still very overcast but the views were stunning looking out over the Shoalhaven valley and back to the Tinderry Ranges. As we strolled along, Garry regaled us with tales of his misspent youth when he and his compatriots had ridden trail bikes from Goulburn and right to the edge of the Big Hole. Half an hour’s walk had us on the viewing platform overlooking what is without a doubt a very big hole. An informative sign told us that limestone bedrock formed millions of years ago had been dissolved by subterranean rivers forming a huge cavern which had subsequently collapsed leaving a near circular hole ninety metres deep and about fifty metres in diameter. It also told of the tree ferns at the bottom being over two metres tall and of a lyre bird which lived there. Garry told us of some adventurous souls who abseiled in to the hole and, thinking the lyre bird was trapped, captured it and proceeded to liberate it by putting it in one of their packs and, after an exhausting climb back up their rope, releasing it. It, of course, jumped straight back in to the hole.

Another leisurely stroll had us back to the river and the second challenge of the walk; recrossing the river. This time I followed Garry’s lead and rock hopped across with barely a splash. We were soon back at the picnic area, on our bikes and back to Braidwood for refuelling. It was there that we all said our thanks and goodbyes before heading home. It was a really enjoyable ride, picnic and stroll. Our thanks to Ian and Andrew for organising it and to Garry for leading all the way.