Sportman Creek Junction to Cobbannah.
| Track 96 Goldfields Sportman Creek Junction to Cobbannah. | |
| This northern end of Track 96 serviced the Lees Creek and Granite Creek
alluvial goldfields. The complete distance for this section of the Track is approximately 1 19km and would take in the vicinity of 6-7 hours walking time. The walking track, as well as being interesting historically, traverses some very scenic and beautiful hills and valleys. There are some excellent camp and picnic sites along the way. with access to a couple of places for vehicles*, to allow some varied walks to be done without needing to retrace your steps. The first section of this walk commences at the Freestone-Sportsman Creeks junction, 25kms north of Briagolong. About 7-8 kms long and reasonably easy walking, it follows the Freestone Creek to the Lees Creek junction. Here you'll find a camping site with 4WD access. This section of track has some very interesting parts to be seen. places where it has been cut into quite steep cliff faces. then onto creek flats that would be great for picnics or camping. some areas quite close to the creek with others right up on the hillsides offering some great views. The second section of the walk comprises 2-3kms up Lees Creek past the alluvial workings. A separate mud map is available for this area. The Track leaves the circuit walk at the dam site. It is well signposted. The final section of the walk is about 7-8kms also. and except for the haul up onto the Budgee Track it is easier walking. If You start the walk from the Dargo Road end, which is signposted, the main climb is only 1600ft. You now go beyond Lees Creek and head up the spur onto the main range, a reasonably stiff climb up to the top of approximately 2000ft. Most will find the breathing and heart rate increasing even to the point of needing a series of rest stops on the way. A number 'of zig-zags have been cut on this section to help ease the climb. Once you reach the top of the range the walk follows along the Budgee Track for a short distance, then diverts onto an old logging road down a spur into the Reedy Creek catchment, where you pick up the old trail again as it drops down the spur, to meet another old logging road passing close by the junction of Reedy and Cobbannah Creeks. Finally you walk along Reedy Creek Track out to where it meets the main Dargo Road just north of Cobbannah. The track finishes at the southern end of the Granite Creek goldfield. A further loop extending up through the Granite Creek area has been completed, for which a separate mud map is available. *Please Note: The main Dargo Road from Fernbank is bitumen.. the Freestone Creek Road is 2WD gravel but narrow and certainly not suitable for caravans; other tracks are best attempted with 4WD vehicles. |
