Category: State Forests

An Orienteering event in the Ben Bullen State Forest on 20 & 21 Nov has been booked and will have a range of people running and walking in the forest over the weekend. Mostly from 12 noon on Sat in the northern part and in the earlier part of the day in the southern section on Sunday.  We’ll have a small group demobilising on Sunday afternoon.  There will be kids as young as 10 up to people in their 80’s in the forest. 

Contact for this event is John Fuller – 0419 629 212

The forest may be closed for this so avoid riding here if you can.

A recent meeting with the MCC of NSW representative, Local Land Services, Forestry Corp and the Lithgow Environment Group was conducted to work out a way to protect Long Swamp from further damage.

With the loss of the only viable access bridge across the Cox’s River headwaters during the 2020 fires meant 4×4’s and bike riders have been transiting the swamp to reach the southern side. Clearly the damage this is causing to a very historic and endangered swamp area is not ideal so the meeting was an opportunity for us to work out just where in the “plan” us riders fit.

The new bridge is a long-term project so an alternate route has been determined that will provided a much better route for both 4×4’s and bikes and the current crossing near what was once the bridge will be blocked. Currently the suggested site is covered by water to a depth of 20cm but it will be lifted and leveled.  This should eliminate any need to go off-trail.

FYI Ben Bullen SF is currently closed so be aware that you should not be riding in there in any case. While this project is rolling out there is expected to be increased ranger and police presences. The entry gate is sign-posted as no entry so please obey them.  The risk is a fine around $2000…

During the Summer 2020 fires one of the bridges over the Cox’s River at Ben Bullen State Forest was destroyed forcing forest users transit the swamp.

This particular swamp is a priority due to its size and importance to the local environment and anything we as riders can do to avoid it is much appreciated by the LLS and Forestry Corp. The plan is to have bridge repairs done as soon as possible so the swamp can be restored.  It will be nice because we would then not have to get our bikes covered in mud. Pensioner Express Trailriders (Facebook group) is playing an active part on behalf of riders to help identify areas that us riders can easily avoid so that areas at risk can be regenerated.