NUCC has been coming here more often lately to help MSS with their book. It’s a wonderful place for a nice relaxed weekend of caving. If the creek is running, there’s even a good swimming hole.
Getting there
From Canberra, you can get to Abers via Yass, Gunning or Goulburn and a variety of back roads. From most of Canberra, you’re probably best off going via Gunning: drive to Mulligans Flat Road (north Canberra) or take Sutton Road off the Federal Highway (south Canberra), through Gundaroo and on to Gunning. Turn right through town, and take the turn to Crookwell about 1.5km outside town.
That road runs through Grabben Gullen to Crookwell — the IGA there is open until 7pm (6pm Sundays), and the Mobil towards Goulburn until 9:30pm on weekdays. From Crookwell, Binda Road takes you on towards Abers through Binda and Tuena. After Tuena, you drop down to the Abercrombie River and climb up the other side. Watch for the turnoff to your right just past Bald Ridge Road — a sealed road winding down to a flat on Grove Creek (watch for wombats and roos!), which is the Caves Reserve.
Facilities
Abers is very well set up: shady, grassy campgrounds with a creek running through the middle, three toilet blocks with flush toilets and showers, plenty of campfire spots, coin-operated BBQs, potable water taps, and a big covered shelter for wet weather. It’s also handy for pubs — Tuena (20 min) and Trunkey Creek (15 min), the latter recommended for its chicken schnitzel.
Caves
Abercrombie has both on-reserve and off-reserve caves. The off-reserve caves are on private property and mostly need a joint trip with a club (try MSS) that has the contacts. On-reserve caves are organised through the Wombeyan permit office — many are small, narrow and dusty, but Stable Cave is a bigger, worthwhile half-hour trip (longer if you check every lead). The Arch is the standout attraction: one of the most impressive karst arches in the southern hemisphere, complete with a dance floor and swing bridge.