3 hours from Sydney: A Dog Friendly Off-Road Adventure through The Turon River.
Welcome to Sofala!
Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/u0Iu1o2ph9k
If you've ever dreamt of an adventure where the road less traveled isn’t just a poetic river run but a literal river, then the Turon River, Sofala, is dog friendly and your playground.
Recently, I embarked on an off-road journey with two mates through this shallow rocky river we know as the Turon. Here's a breakdown of the experience, highlighting the landscapes, the challenges, and the sheer joy of camping.
The Journey to Sofala Begins out of Sydney
Sofala isn't just about a single campsite by the river; it's about endless potential sites along a river that weaves through the bush, between cliffs, and through a clearing towards the end. Our adventure began in the Blue Mountains - roughly an hour west of Sydney, where I meet up with Lewis for pre departure check-in & unexpectedly Nick. From there we quickly made our way down the western side of the mountains, through Lithgow and out the Cullen Bullen.- The Salami Man in Cullen Bullen: This was our original starting point, offering a huge selection of Salami, Cheeses and more. Shaun's (The Salami Man) taste pallet is arguably broader than the terrain I've travelled over the years. It was an awesome start to the trip with his humour, crazy tales and a Coffee to kick start Nick into a road tripping mood.
Off-Roading Essentials for Wallaby Rocks to Coles Bridge
Off-roading here isn't for the unprepared. Here’s what you need to Tackle Sofala:- Vehicle: A 4x4 vehicle is non-negotiable. I have a heavily modified Volkswagen Amarok. However most near-stock 4WD's shouldn't have an issue provided they drop a little pressure. While the Amarok is technically an AWD I wouldn't recommend this trip for a Forrester unless they have adequate clearance.
- Tyres: Good quality off-road tires are crucial. I run Yokohama Mud Terrain Geolander G003 M/T tyres. Any all terrain tyre will be fine, just be sure to drop some pressure as the rocks can be slippery, and you can end up digging yourself down in the smaller mossy pebbles.
- A Snorkel/Breathers: While they may not be required during the dryer months, the water can get quite deep after rain. The first crossing shown doesn't touch my diff, however I've been through this when it's close to a metre deep.
- Recovery Gear: We carried a winch, recovery boards, straps, and a shovel. You never know when you might need to pull yourself or a fellow adventurer out of a tight spot. With that said we didn't touch the recovery gear the whole trip. (oh wait, yes we did! We pulled the winch out to stop our inflatable doughnuts floating away)
- Navigation: GPS and offline maps are great as reception can be spotty. I run Gaia GPS for most trips. With a past trip logged this ensured we stayed on track schedule to our ideal campsite. Gaia is great as even the free version allows you to download sections of map.
The 4WD Trail
- Wallaby Rocks to Coles Bridge: It's a fairly easy track with a few lightly off camber sections. The rocks can be slippery when driving up the river so it's important to drop your tyres down. If not you're simply spinning wheels, digging out the track and causing unnecessary damage to the area.
Experiences That Stay With You
- The Starting point: After a several hours of driving, pulling up at Wallaby Rocks is a incredible. The water is warm and It's always tempting just to set up camp there with the 2WD's and the Camper vans.
- Crossing the First River: As soon as you've dropped your tyre pressures and crossed the first river you're driving through a mini pine forest and weaving in and out of tight corners, Even for a slightly wider Amarok it's easy when paying attention.
- Goats: As we weave our way down the trail, we notice hundreds of goats. Almost everywhere you look! They're a major problem through Sofala and Hill End however most of the property owners aren't too keen on letting hunters come through.
- Campsites: Every 100 metres we notice what would make an amazing campsite, however we're determined to push on and find that perfect one I drive past each time.
- The Terrain: When driving through you're going from what looks like lush forest, through Australian bush, to dry dirty clear patches and then across a beautiful clear river. Ducking in and out of the busy is quite something. It's a really nice drive.
Off-Roading Challenges and Triumphs
The video captures the essence of when the trail slows you down — mainly off camber sections where precision and patience are your best friends. There's a few a moments yet nothing particularly challenging where a quick inspection and tyre placement made it through and allowed us to overcome these minor obstacles.Tips for Future Adventurers
- Prepare for the Unexpected: There's phone reception, but it's patchy. You'll get a text through here and there.
- Respect the Environment: Stick to established trails to minimise impact on the ecosystem.
- Fishing: If you like catching carp, there's plenty of it in the Turon.
In Conclusion
Sofala isn’t just a destination; it's an experience that provides a sense of adventure. Whether it's the thrill of off-roading or the the chance to drive through one of the few pieces of crown land you can, this journey through the video and our exploration has left an indelible mark on my travel soul. If you’re considering a beginner's adventure that even an advanced off roader will enjoy, Sofala's dog friendly off-road trails might just be the spot you need.
Remember, the adventure It's a stunning area, keep it clean and drive responsibly. Pack your outdoor spirit, and Sofala will not disappoint.
