I always thought trip reports were boring.  After all, if you were that interested you would have gone on the trip, right?  And if you couldn’t make it, you don’t want someone rubbing in how good it was!  So why do I find myself here writing a trip report anyway!?  Because Pindar Cave is a brilliant spot, so easy to get to and just waiting for you to pay it a visit so this might inspire you to go.

After work last Saturday week, Ian and I got the train to Wondabyne Station, just north of the Hawkesbury River.  Did you know Wondabyne Station is the only station in Australia with no road access?  And you can only get on or off the last door of the last carriage because the station isn’t even long enough for one whole carriage!?

It was black night as we began the walk at 6pm.  All the more adventure!  We were expecting a 3hr hike so hot footed it up the hill (and heated ourselves up too with the steep start).  The track opens up into a firetrail for a km or 2 of leisurely walking then heads off into the scrub on a narrow track.  It’s well marked so the compass and topo map went back in the pack.  We settled into the walk and took in the deep breaths of peace and quiet, nature and eucalypts.  We imagined the beautiful surroundings even though we couldn’t see them.  The stars and the dew settling on the leaves in our torchlight were magical.

The walk ended up being only 90mins at a solid pace.  We arrived to see the boys around a roaring fire with full bellies and the foresight to have brought some warming whisky.  What a welcome!  The cave is massive – it’s a big overhang with enough space for a few decent sized groups, though we were lucky enough to be the only group that night.  It’s completely undercover so there’s no need to carry a tent – a nice bonus.  Winter kept the mozzies away, but there’s a fair bit of water around so a mozzie net would be worthwhile in summer.

There’s a pretty waterfall a short way down the track and a small swimming hole perfect for a hot summer’s day (though decidedly un-enticing for a mid winter trip!).

We awoke to an amazing scene of gum trees shrouded in morning mist.  We felt so far from the traffic, leaf blowers and garbage trucks of Sydney.  The sounds of the birds there could have been the soundtrack to a meditation CD.

After a cruisy breakfast and some exploring, we wandered back to the train, this time taking in the scenery – there’s a spectacular lookout over the Hawkesbury at the top of Mt Pindar (a mountain in the Aussie sense, aka a knoll, so don’t let the thought of climbing scare you off!).  We chowed our sandwiches overlooking the water from Wondabyne station – it might also be the most scenic station in Australia.  The train whisked us back to civilization just in time for Sunday lunch.

At around one hour from Central plus a 2hr walk each way, it’s the perfect weekend getaway needing little prep or equipment and can be a short overnighter.  Check it out at http://www.wildwalks.com/bushwalking-and-hiking-in-nsw/brisbane-water-national-park/pindar-cave.html