Bendeela Reserve to Tallowa Dam - Kangaroo Reach

Teacher, outdoor adventurer, birdwatcher and photographer celebrating the beauty of creation with family, friends and students :-)
After passing the Bendeela Power and Pumping Station the lake gradually widens and eventually proceeds to meander through gently slopping, meadow-like pastures with occasional weed islands. Private properties dot the sides of the waterway here and there and the lake here can be quite shallow. There are a number of camping areas 10km into the trip. The two major ones being Kimberely Park and Acaia Flat. These both have bush toilets and can take large groups. However a few other smaller campgrounds have been established wherever grassy spots are found along the river.At approximately 13 km the lake narrows and deepens. The scenery changes to low sandstone cliffs and eucalypt vegetation. The Morton National Park includes this area. Beehive Point near Yarrunga Creek is located at the 15 km mark on the northern shore. It has 4WD access and a small campsite, although entry from the water is difficult. On the opposite side of the Lake is a better campsite for paddlers but be warned it is small and first in first served.Allow some time for a paddle into the drowned forest of Yarrunga Creek (8 km return) and explore the sandstone original road into Kangaroo Valley. Beyond Yarrunga Creek the lake broadens slightly while the surrounding hills become steeper. After 19 km the wide Bundanoon Creek enters from the North West. This is also worth exploring. Bundanoon creek itself boasts sloped sides unsuitable for camping. However Sandy Creek , a tributary entering from the North East of Bundanoon Creek has a small campsite at the point where boulders limit further paddling. The campsite is on the Eastern side and caters for only a couple of tents. Sandy Creek boast stands of tall dead trees. The creek beyond the campsite is enjoyable to explore if you like scampering around boulders and swimming in water holes.The most suitable campsite for those exploring Bundanoon creek is at the Junction with Yarrunga Creek at the base of Sawyers Spur. This site while sloped has a few suitable tent sites, the largest flat area is a good 20m upslope along an old track. This site can be exposed to the wind.Complete your journey along Lake Yarrunga to Tallowa Dam.