It was supposed to be a 49 minute drive. In the midst of the busy peak of the morning. Packing lunches, towels. Getting the dog in the car. Deciding to take the dog out and leave at home. Wait did I remember hats? I quickly punched in the address on the maps app and little did I know. The pin drop fell on a random paddock on the other side of the valley.
The drive there was everything feel good. Abby hadn’t even bothered to brush her hair. Her lack of motivation to leave the house was on a high. It took a lot of sweet talking but I urged her we would have a good time. I increased the volume on the radio as we were winding up and down through Putty Road and we belted out some 90’s tunes. The Map app signalled for me to veer off from Putty before Cold river and we all silently observed a retiree group prepping for kayaking. The long skinny farm road seemed endless and as we approached our destination I realised there was nothing but endless paddocks ringed by the mountain range.
I sighed in frustration. How did I not notice this before? Staring at the service bars on my phone, now replaced with SOS. I couldn’t help but mutter the word F*** under my breathe. The intensity of eyeballs rolling and feet kicking the back seat was already raising my blood pressure. There was no room for patience driving all the way back down putty for service. I thought of the kayakers, started the car and headed back. As I inched the car into the car park by the river, Abby shrunk further and further in embarrassment. The Kayaking guide explained I had been taken to the wrong side of the Valley. The waterhole we were headed to had a main access on Bells Liner side. However if we kept along the quiet road we were on we would get there eventually.
I thought about it for a moment. I had two choices I could turn back and add another 30 minutes to our trip. Or keep on the road we were on with no phone service. I figured going back would be the longer route and surely it wouldn’t be that far??So I kept on driving and driving.. and driving. After winding around rock cliffs we came to another open field that were filled with Dandelions and butterflies. It was so thrilling that I immediately pulled over and push the kids out to go see. There was hundreds! Fast forward 10 minutes we were then suddenly traumatised by all the butterflies we were killing driving past these farms LOL eventually we came to a fork in the road. One said ‘no through - residential only’ The other had a sign and a dirt road leading to a quaint little Church.
“this has to be it’ I reassured the kids (and myself)
So we crawled up. the road ( respective the very large ‘DO NOT SPEED TOO MUCH DUST’ sign) past the Church and a driveway that led to an ‘education camp’. The hill became more steep as it started to climb the mountain. I rolled to a halt, this felt like trespassing and a very old not sure if its a road or fire trail kind of road. Abby nervously said this isn’t the way as if to read my mind. I wondered if there was anyone around I could ask to make sure we were on the correct path. I made an awkward 3 point turn on a hair pin corner - rolled back down the hill and stopped at the driveway below - “Education Camp’
I turned the wheel - ‘Im going to see if anyone is here’
‘You can’t do that! look! camera’s!’ Abbys voice was shrill. She was right, Surveillance signs.
“we need help Abby, Nothing wrong with that.’ I kept going and ignored her concerns.
I stood at the office peering through the windows. It was so quiet it felt everything wolf creek vibes. The place was empty. I was ready to call it. Say lets go back home and try again another day. I got back into the car before we became an inspiring story for a new Australian horror film and made our back down the little rural dirt road. Not far down the road a man in a SUV flew past us. Its not uncommon to see a person take advantage of isolated back roads and double the speed limit. This guy was wasting no time. Short hair and black sunglasses. I wondered where he was heading. With the purpose to tease. I leaned over to Abby and said curiously. I wonder if that was the camps security coming to check out who was on the property. Abby’s jaw dropped in horror. LOL. I reigned in any more jokes that could have come from that opportunity but I’m not a complete psycho.
We had driven about 20 minutes back, past the butterflies and noticed a man pulling into his property. Breaking abruptly along the side of road. Most likely murdering more butterflies in the process I buzzed down the window and tried my best to be heard ‘ excuse me do you know where Wheeny Creek is? I was relieved to hear a friendly tone back, the kind of authenticity that makes you feel at ease. The man had a black and white peppered unshaven look to him with eyes that were welcoming and genuine. He reassured me that Wheeley creek was indeed not too far away. I just needed to head back towards the church and over the ridge - the one with the little dodgy dirt road. I lowered my head pressing my forehead into the steering wheel. Laughing to myself how effing ridiculous this drive was and I should just quit before something terrible happened. I didn’t even tell anyone what I had planned today. What if I ran out of fuel? or got stuck somewhere?
The unnamed man said he wasn’t sure the length of time and could only go by the measurement of ‘ not far ‘ He raised his hand towards the car and grinned ‘ you have a 4wd drive’ The very Australian ‘she’ll be right - don’t worry about the troubles til you meet them’ kind of attitude. One that is both encouraging yet dismissive.I looked to the kids, sighed ‘ well we can either go back or keep going . They. did. not. want. to. go. f***. I looked to the mountain and though about the tiny rocky dirt road that was more of a path than a road with exceptionally tiny hair pin turns. One thing about me. I am not so great with heights. Particularly in moving vehicles. Particularly Mountain cliffside’s. Im the type that cannot look in valleys while driving. Or hate it when some rocks those ski zip line things. I don’t even know what they are called that’s how much I hate them. I would normally avoid driving up a track like this at all costs.
Today was different. I didn’t want to give up. It had become or ride or die persistence. So annoyed by the fact this place was so difficult to find it had become a mix of ego and need to accomplish finding it just so I could give it a ‘f*** you I did it’
I swallowed my fear and pressed on. It was everything I feared it to be. Hair pin after hair pin. We climbed and I gripped the steering wheel keeping my eyes ahead. Not daring to look out at the drop beside me. Abby made jokes. An inherited streak dark humour that took pleasure in the fear dripping from my forehead. I exhaled as we climaxed to the peak of the ridge and the road flattened out. Comforted by the space and wide road around me. It was not far until we saw the Wollemi National Park sign. I could still feel the adrenaline coursing through my limbs but gosh I was SO PROUD. I just 4wd’d up a freaking mountain on my own with two kids. I was either incredible brave, or reckless. At that moment I was not sure. The thought came across my mind again how NO-ONE knew where we were. So in hindsight. Probably reckless.
Another 20 minutes driving through the National Park. Doubt started to creep in. Gosh I have no idea where this swimming hole is and this park is so huge, What was I thinking? I should have gone back. We had descended deep down into another valley and came to a crossing with a river flowing over it. This thrilled the kids while I gave a nervous fake laugh. What the f*** else am I going to come across on this drive. I really wasn’t sure how much more my nervous system could endure.Just as we drive round a bend I came past a sign facing the other way and caught a glimpse of red. I look back to see red and black patterned sarong hanging on the sign ‘WHEENY CREEK’
‘THATS IT!!’ I shrieked. I laughed like a deranged lunatic and could have cried. We f***ing made it.
I cannot express that satisfying feeling of coming across such a exhilarating, joyful yet terrifying experience and working through those challenges. I was pushed out of my comfort zone that day. I trusted the process, surrendered to not knowing and being ok with the end result. Perserverance and letting go was got me through that throat tightening fear.
If I had of pinned the location correctly. That drive would have only taken 49 minutes. It took us a total 2.5 hours through Wilberforce, East Kurrajong and through Somerset to get to Wheeny Creek. While it is route you can go The quicker easier way is through North Richmond. As a campground, its perfect. There are toilets close by. The creek is stunning with a swinging rope from a tree. Limited spots for tents. Highly recommend. Just not the getting lost part. Or maybe, its good to get lost once in a while.
for more information about Wheeny Creek - you can look here - https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/campgrounds/wheeny-creek-campground