This reserve adjoins Bents Basin so, in most cases, you can do both on the one day. However, when I came to Bents Basin a few months ago I didn’t have enough time. So, I was pleased to have a chance to come back and get this one done.

The Nature reserve used be part of Bents Basin but they split it off because of concerns that the recreational uses of BB were compromising the conservancy status of the ridge above it. You now enter the reserve from a gate adjacent to the Durawi Carpark.

From there it’s a very steep climb up a rock-strewn fire trail to the top of the ridge. I walked about 1.3Km until I came to the turn-off which takes you down to the lookout over the nearby gorge. I setup the squid pole on a metal signpost and used my G5RV jr antenna with the KX2. Twenty seven contacts over about 90 mins before pulling up sticks and wandering down the hill again.

It was a lovely afternoon and I was completely alone, only meeting a few walkers coming up the other way as I returned.