For a number of years now it has been illegal to tow a trailer or caravan into Bendethera from the western approach that goes via the Dampier Trig station.
As at July 2019, both the eastern approach from Moruya via Sugarloaf Road and the Bendethera Fire Trail and the western side of the Dampier Fire Trail have been graded. To the west of the Dampier Trig the trail has not been graded (July 2019).
The current surface is quite level but with the lack of rain there are some steeper sections which have a layer of fine (bull)dust. Also it is noticed that some of the steeper parts are starting to be chewed up - perhaps by vehicles travelling too fast and bouncing.
There is a new gate at the base of the Dampier Fire Trail (where the track enters the valley itself). The new gate is open but it is understood that this gate would be closed for safety reasons such as fire or flood. It is possible to go along from east (Moruya) to west (Cooma Road) which stays outside the gate.
July 28 I had the whole valley to myself and being a clear night I managed a few astro photos of the Horse Yards at the old Bendethera Homestead.
