Bendethera & the Geehi Huts
Date & Time: November 3:00 pm,1st November to 2:00 pm, 8th November
Trip Standard: Medium in dry conditions. Wet weather will make this trip more difficult and likely necessitate a route change. There will be a mix of bitumen roads, good gravel and low-range 4WDing on some reasonably steep tracks. There will also be a number of water crossings.
Description: A touring trip across the Murray River to the Geehi region of the Kosciuszko National Park and then on to Bendethera in the Deua National Park in NSW.
There will be a mix of bitumen, gravel roads and low range 4WDing. We will camp for two nights at Old Geehi Hut and two nights at Bendethera. All other stops will be single-night camping. All the campgrounds will have limited facilities, likely only long-drop toilets. We will need to carry firewood and while almost every campground will be near a river, best to be self sufficient with water.
Omeo, at the start of the trip, and Cooma will be our refuelling stops for both cars and people.
Proposed Schedule:
Nov 1: 3.00pm - depart Omeo (with full tank of fuel & other provisions). 4.30pm - Arrive at Native Dog Flat and set up camp
Nov 2: Travel from Native Dog Flat to Old Geehi Hut. The route will depend on track conditions and whether camper trailers are on the trip.
Nov 3: Touring around the Geehi region looking at the local huts and scenery.
Nov 4: Travel from Geehi through Jindabyne and Cooma to The Cascades for an overnight camp. This will mostly be on bitumen roads with a stop in Cooma for fuel and supplies.
Nov 5: Travel from The Cascades to Bendethera. This will all be on gravel roads through very scenic countryside, including a steep descent into Bendethera to camp alongside the Deua River for a couple of nights.
Nov 6: Drive the Bendethera and Merricumbene Fire Trails to two properties, Alpine & Canoolie, north of Bendethera. Hopefully an early lunch around midday at Canoolie. After lunch, head west on the Minuma Fire Trail and Dampier Mountain Trail back to Bendethera.
Nov 7: Travel from Bendethera through Cooma and Jindabyne, then down the Barry Way along the Snowy River to an overnight stop at the Pinch River campground.
Nov 8: Finish driving the Barry Way to Bairnsdale where the trip will end.
Weather: Be prepared for cold, alpine weather. If warm, we will be camping near rivers most nights so also bring along swimming gear as well. Please check the forecast before departure and come prepared with suitable clothing and footwear. Bring water, sunscreen and a hat.
This is a largely dry weather trip and if it rains the route will need to be modified.
Equipment: Below are the recommended vehicle requirements. If you are not sure if your vehicle is suitable for this trip, please have a chat with the trip leader.
A well-maintained 4WD vehicle with All Terrain tyres, UHF radio (or one borrowed from the club). Bring your standard recovery gear including rated snatch strap, shackles, recovery boards and a shovel. These are medium treks, but after rain roads can be wet, slippery and with some puddles.
Drivers must have completed the RRCV club training or equivalent.
Camper trailers are welcome. Please let the trip leader know when signing-up as there is only one camper trailer approved route into Bendethera.
No caravans or pets.
Accommodation: Every night of the trip will be camping in National Park campgrounds. In NSW that will involve park and camping fees. Campgrounds will be reasonably primitive with long-drop toilets the only services. We will need to carry firewood.
Meals: You will need to be self-sufficient for all meals. After leaving Omeo, Cooma will be the resupply stop both times we pass through.
Duration: 8 days
Convoy limit: 8 vehicles
Meeting Arrangements: We will depart from Omeo at 3pm on November 1 and aim to finish the trip around 2pm in Bairnsdale on November 8.
Trip Leader: Gavan Swift Mobile 0412 199 544 Email gavan@swift.net.au
Club Guest Registration policy: It is club policy in regard to insurance cover that if a member brings any non-members on the trip they must be registered and have paid the required fee as Temporary Members BEFORE the event.
i.e. non- members can no longer register on the day with the trip leader.
Temporary Membership information and ways to register can be found at:
Temporary (Guest) Membership
Also if a non-member wishes to bring their own vehicle, the member inviting the non-member must contact the trip leader for approval to bring the vehicle. Such approval will take into account skills of the driver, suitability of the vehicle and whether or not a place within the convoy limit is available for a non-member's vehicle.
