Pack Tracks and Bridle Tracks

We are currently gathering information - photographs, maps and anecdotal evidence - on various Pack and Bridle Tracks throughout the south east area. They were the original line of communication in the pioneering days, but over time and due to the vast improvement in transport and communication, these tracks have fallen into disrepair.

It is our aim to resurrect these important items of our heritage and hope to publish a series of small booklets on their history.

Research is a long, slow process. Research on the Shoebridge Track is coming along, gradually.

The need for such a Pack Track came about due to the discovery of gold in the Araluen Creek by Henry Hicken and Alexander Waddell in 1851.

As all supplies came from Sydney by sea to Broulee on the coast, goods needed to be transported up the Deua River to Araluen. There were some 10 river crossings to be negotiated and this was a very difficult during times of high flow.

Thomas Shoebridge was born in Kent, England and arrived in New South Wales in February in 1850.

The goldfields of Araluen attracted Thomas to the area. At Mudmelong (now Lower Araluen). Thomas owned the Pack Saddle Store. He supplied goods to the quickly growing population.

In July 1857 Thomas married Catherine McPherson in Araluen. Catherine came from Glasgow, Scotland.

The constant flooding of all the access routes made it almost impossible to keep supplies up to the Pack Saddle Store. The floods caused great loss of life, huts and possessions.

Thomas decided that something must be done about “all weather access” to Araluen from the coast.

To cut a long story short for this brief report, the Pack Track went through in 1860, reaching from Araluen Valley to the Buckenbowra Valley, there to link up with established tracks right to the coast. NW 18.4.05

Completed tracks:

Tracks under investigation:

• Gilberts Gap, Con's Gap, Grigg' Gap, Tilly Anne's Gap .... these are on tracks in the Sassafras to Limton area.
• The Shoebridge Track, Wyambene and Araluen/Moruya pack track.
• W.D. tarlington track, George Rankin pack, Yowrie to Belowra via The Junctions, SW Bate track
• Bendethra to Pidggeon Gully, the Zig Zag. Belowra to Bendethra, Oulla Creek to Woolla Creek, Cudgee to Moodong Creek, Fairfiled to Alpine, The Jump Up.
• Wog Wog track, Miners track Budawang to Brimbamella, Coorang to Sally's creek, Charley's Forest to Clyde River via Currockbilly.