NSW

2014 Upper Colo Reserve

Members are invited to attend the group get together at Upper Colo Reserve NSW

the reserve is now booked out

YOUR HOST for the weekend will be Rob & Carol Sanderson.

WHERE. Upper Colo Reserve, Hulbert Road, Upper Colo, NSW.  Google Earth - 33°25'12.52"S  150°43'50.26"E

WHEN. On the weekend of Saturday 15th to Sunday 16th of March 2014. 

THE ROAD. The Hawkesbury City Council requests because the road from the last turn to the reserve is a narrow winding gravel road, it is not suitable for caravans. If you meet oncoming traffic with a caravan in tow, there is nowhere to let traffic past. Please drive slowly & be aware of possible oncoming traffic.

CAMPING. The Upper Colo Reserve covers 13.8 hectares with two-thirds native bushland surrounded by the Wollemi National Park. We will be bush camping in the informal campsites beside the Colo River. Follow the road into the reserve & veer right at a fork in the road 100 metres inside the gate.  We plan to camp as a group along the flat on either side of the road from the fork.

CARAVANS. The reserve is camping only, no caravans are permitted. Campervans are permitted subject to approval. Please ensure your camping accommodation meets the Hawkesbury Council's 'Camping at Upper Colo Reserve Conditions of Camping code when making payment.

ON ARRIVAL. Please drop in & say hi to your hosts before setting up camp.

CAMPING FEES. Per night: Adults $7.00, kids 5 -12 years $4.50, under 5 years no charge & families with two adults & two children $18.50 a night, plus $4.50 per child for each additional child.

MAKING ARRANGEMENTS.  Please book your site via the Hawkesbury Council using the individuals/groups of 24 or less online form, then add you name to the poll.

PAYMENT. Please download the Hawkesbury Council's registration form & save it onto your computer. In the Club/Group line please write Australian CamperTrailers Group. After filling in the form, hit save & send as an attachment to the Hawkesbury Council at council@hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au A customer service officer will contact you to confirm your booking & receipt your payment. 

PLEASE NOTE. There is a strict 150 persons limit allowed on the reserve at any one time.  The council will let me know when the 150 person limit is reached (which also includes others camping there for the weekend) & I will then close the poll.

THE GATE to the reserve is locked between 8.00pm & 7.00am by the on site caretaker. If leaving after work on Friday evening make sure you have plenty of time to arrive before 8.00pm.

NAME TAGS. If you have a name tag please bring it along.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS. There are special requirements in attending this meet.
◊ Please pay via the Hawkesbury Council spreadsheet & then add your name to the poll
◊ No caravans allowed on the reserve. The gravel road is narrow & winding & therefore not suitable for large caravans. Reversing could be a problem if two caravans meet along that section of the road.
◊ The gate to the reserve is locked between 8.00pm & 7.00am.
◊ You will need to bring your own drinking water.
◊ Please bring some firewood along.

GETTING THERE. From Windsor go over the Windsor Bridge heading to Wilberforce Road which becomes the Putty Road, sometimes known as Singleton Road at Wilberforce - do not turn right onto King Road.  Stay on the Putty Road for approx 15km & then turn left into Upper Colo Road just before the Colo River bridge.  33°26'3.65"S  150°49'41.35"E

Travel another 13.8km along Upper Colo Road & turn into Colo Heights Road & cross over the wooden bridge. Turn left at the Telstra Tower into Hulbert Road, then veer left at the "Y" intersection to enter the Upper Colo Reserve. Google Earth - 33°25'12.52"S  150°43'50.26"E

Alternatively if you are heading south along the Putty Road, you can turn right into Colo Heights Road 2km past the Colo Heights Service Station. Colo Heights Road is approximately 12km north of the Upper Colo Road exit & Colo Bridge on the Putty Road. This road is partly tarred, but mostly dirt & 6km long,  bringing you to Hulbert Road and the Upper Colo Reserve Camp Ground.

CAMPSITES. Numbers camping on the reserve are restricted to 150 people.

POWER. There are no powered sites.

WATER. Please bring your own drinking water. There is a large rainwater tank.

CAMPFIRES. Small campfires are allowed in the fire pits provided.

FIREWOOD. Please bring some firewood along. No firewood is to be collected from the reserve.

COOKING. Camp oven cooking requires plenty of coals, so may I suggest the use of heat beads as a heat source for cooking. This will prolong the limited wood resource for the evenings campfire.

BBQ. Free electric BBQ available for use.

CHAINSAWS. No generators or chainsaws permitted in the reserve.

TOILETS. There are flushing toilets.

SHOWERS. Cold bore water showers only.

DOGS are welcome & must be kept on a leash at all times.

RUBBISH. There are rubbish bins provided.

INFORMATION. The Colo Wilderness has been identified as one of the 20 real wilderness areas remaining in South East Australia. It is well known for its rugged escarpments, variety of flora and fauna, and pristine waterways. This stunningly beautiful area is surrounded by the vast 490,000 hectare Wollemi National Park where the recent discovery of the 100 million year old species of Wollemi Pine demonstrates how remote and untouched this area is. Upper Colo Reserve is quite isolated but easily accessible by private vehicle and is popular due to its natural beauty, peaceful isolation and low cost.

Communal happy hour 4.00pm Bring your table, chairs, nibbles & drinks along to the center of the camping area for a combined happy hour, meeting those you have not chatted with so far over the weekend. 

ADDITIONAL INFO.
overview http://www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/environmental-services/natural-environment/parks-and-recreation/upper-colo-camping
map http://www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/7199/UpperColoReserve.pdf
camping.http://www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/environmental-services/natural-environment/parks-and-recreation/upper-colo-camping/conditions-of-camping 

Come sit & relax with a bunch of like minded people. Check the modifications others have done to their camper trailers to make camping life all that more enjoyable. You might meet as complete strangers on the Friday evening, but will part old friends such is the camaraderie.

You do not need a camper trailer to attend. Members without a camper are more than welcome to come along & get a first hand unbiased opinion of a particular camper trailer from their owners. Come along & meet the faces behind the typing. You are also very welcome to drop in for the day.

Please keep in mind that the group owners will not accept any responsibility for members & non-members actions during the weekend get together. If you decide to attend, it is solely at your own responsibility, including any side trips or outings during the weekend meet.

Australian CamperTrailers Group co-owners

Rob, Kevin & Jason