Welcome to GlenReef's Property on Tuglow Hole Creek

GlenReef purchased the rural property "Tuglow Hole" of 187.4ha in May 2005. Tuglow Hole is located on the western boundary of the Kanagra-Boyd World Heritage Wilderness area west of Sydney. This property was settled in the 1870's by the Wilcox family. The remains of the Wilcox house site and plum orchard can still be found in the Tuglow Hole Creek valley. While the property has been used to graze sheep and cattle into the last decade of the twentieth century most of the area remains heavily timbered and environmentally intact. The eastern boundary of the the property boarders the Kanangra-Boyd Wilderness Area. Native fauna like Lyrebirds and Kangaroo are abundant.

1. To manage access to an area that adjoins another property owned by the directors since 1981.
2. To preserve the outstanding natural values of this property.
3. As a means controlling an area of degradation caused by some visitors to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Dingo Dell camping area. The problem here being that many campers mistake the unfenced private property as a part of the National Park camping area. These campers have damaged the property in the following ways: -
4. 1. By compacting and even eliminating the existing native pasture by driving vehicles over it.
   2. By creating new roads over the property around Dingo Dell, many on unaceptably steep slopes which are consequentially eroding.
   3. By introducing feral weeds like nodding thistle and blackberry to the Tuglow Hole Creek flats.
5. The development of a profit making operation.
6. 1. Primary production would include the grazing of livestock on some areas of the property.
   2. Bush Tourism would be centred on a purpose built camper-trailer friendly camping area on the flat in Dingo Dell. (Dingo Dell is a small side valley of the Tuglow Hole creek valley).

Natural Heritage

This property adjoins the Kanangra Boyd National Park, and possesses many of the heritage values of the park. The Kanangra Boyd World Heritage Wilderness Area adjoins the properties eastern boundary. Three species of Kangaroo are prolific while a number of bird species like White Cockatoos, rosellas and Lyrebirds are found in abundance.

The streams on the property drain into the Kowmung River, one of the few wild rivers in NSW. The property is also within a kilometre of the entrance to Tuglow Cave. There are a number of Karst landforms; these include sinkholes, limestone outcroppings, Pushhi Cave and the disappearance of Horse Gully Creek into the Gravel of its bed before it eventually forms the river in Tuglow Cave.

The property encompasses a number of valley and stream systems descending from the summit of Tuglow Mountain at 1245 metres in altitude to Tuglow Hole Creek at 920 metres. This drop in elevation occurs over little more than 1 kilometre. The lower slopes and valley floors are much gentler than those nearing the summit of Tuglow Mountain.

The region around Tuglow Hole is dominated by the Kanangra, Boyd and Oberon Plateaus. These plateaus are essentially of a similar elevation and are dissected by the Kowmung River and its two main tributaries, the Tuglow and Hollanders rivers. The source of the Kowmung is the junction of the Tuglow and Hollanders rivers. The Hollanders River flows out into the junction from Chardon canyon, while the Tuglow falls a spectacular 30 metres over Tuglow Falls into the junction.

Wilcox Ridge tending generally to the northeast separates the Tuglow and Kowmung rivers. It dominates the west of Tuglow Hole, with the land falling away to the Kowmung River in the east. Wilcox Ridge ends at the source of the Kowmung: - Tuglow Falls. Two significant waterfalls lie to the east of the Kowmung River, falling into it via Box and Morong Creeks respectively. Box Creek Falls can be viewed while descending Wilcox ridge to Tuglow Falls, while Morong Falls is visible from Tuglow Mountain and the Southern Ridge of Horse Gully. The valleys of Horse Gully, Saddle Gully and Tuglow Hole lie on the eastern side of Wilcox ridge, with the ridge and its eastern slopes representing the catchment of these streams. The name Tuglow Hole becomes self-evident when the valley is viewed from Tuglow Mountain. The elevation difference between the summit and the valley floor is around 300 metres.

While Horse Gully and Saddle Gulley creeks flow intermittently, Tuglow Hole Creek continues to flow throughout the year; even in severe drought. A tributary of Tuglow Hole Creek is a limestone spring. There is conjecture that this spring represents a resurgence of water from Tuglow Hole Creek further up its bed in Tuglow Hole Valley.

Native Vegetation

The vegetation on the north facing valley walls is much drier than the lush forests found in the deeper valleys and the southern slopes. A survey of the eucalypts by Mr Daniel Connolly of the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation in 2005 found the following species.

1. Ribbon Gums: - (Eucalyptus viminalis) Medium sized to very tall tree. Can grow up to 90m tall. Bark is usually smooth shedding to ground level in long ribbons, smooth grey, yellowish or grey, rough bark to less than half the tree height. Long ribbons of partially shed bark often retained in tree crown. Found on the deeper soils and Gullies around the sinks.
2. Black Sally: - (Eucalyptus stellulata) Small to medium sized woodland tree. Bark rough over lower half of trunk. Found on the flats around Dingo Dell.
3. Silvertop Ash: - (Eucalyptus seeberi) Medium sized to tall forest tree. Bark on the saplings and young trees persistent on most of the trunk, thin, flaky, orange brown; in the mature tree, persistent over the whole trunk and base of the lower limbs, thick, compact, becoming hard and coarsely furrowed. Found on the steep rocky exposed slopes on the trail up from Horse Gully Sinks to the summit of Tuglow Mountain.
4. Broad Leaf Peppermint: - (Eucalyptus dives). Small to medium tree rough bark with fine longitudinal fissures grey or brown. Very scented white-grey leaves used for distilling eucalyptus oil. Found on sheltered slopes.
5. Narrow Leaf Peppermint: - (Eucalyptus radiata) Small to Medium Tree, rough bark with fine longitudinal fissures grey or brown. Found on both exposed and sheltered slopes.
6. Mountain Gum: - (Eucalyptus dalrympleana) Medium sized to very tall forest tree. Bark shedding to ground level, smooth, usually blotched white and grey, but often green and pink or red after recent decortication, especially colourful after rain. Found on the more sheltered slopes often with the broadleaf peppermint.
7. Brown Barrel: - (Eucalyptus fastigia) Medium sized to very tall forest tree. Bark rough over whole trunk and larger limbs, thick, fibrous, often coarsely furrowed and somewhat stingy, brown. It is good sawlog timber. (Looks like turpentine). Found on the sheltered (southern) slopes and gullies.
8. Snow Gums: - (Eucalyptus pauciflora) Small to Medium sized, rarely tall tree. Bark smooth, white, cream, grey or yellow. Found at heights > 1000m and prevalent over the Mt Tuglow summit plateau.

A more detailed description of the Native Vegetation of this property has been derived from “The Vegetation of the Western Blue Mountains” Volumes 1 and 2. The Project was funded by the Hawkesbury – Nepean Catchment Management Authority for the Department of Environment and Conservation. The data was published in July 2006. A PDF document containing this detail for Tuglow Hole is available for download: - Native Vegetation

Karst Landforms

A karst region is a limestone region with underground drainage. It may contain caves and decorative features such as stalagmites and stalactites.

Massive limestone underlies the eastern portions of Mt Tuglow. A number of caves and other karst features exist in the landscape. Of these features the most notable are:-

1. Tuglow Cave
2. The limestone bluff at Gridiron bends on the Kowmung River
3. The sinkholes (dolines) in Horse Gully.
4. The limestone spring on Tuglow Hole Creek.

Tuglow Cave has an active stream and waterfalls; the water for this stream is derived from Horse Gully, where it sinks into alluvial gravel upstream of the sinkholes.

The entrance of Tuglow Cave can be found to the east of the Sinkholes in Horse Gully Creek and behind the massive limestone bluff above Gridiron Bends on the Kowmung River. The entrance to Tuglow Cave can be accessed via either climbing up from the camping area on Gridiron Bends on the Kowmung below Boss Peak, or from the National Parks parking area on the Kowmung River Trail. The entrance to Tuglow is a vertical system, with drops of up to 40 metres; it should not be entered without a caving permit and an experienced guide.

1. Tuglow Cave is not opened to the public like Jenolan Caves 25 kilometres to the north east.
2. The cleared area over the sinkholes is private property and should not be entered.
3. Likewise the limestone spring on Tuglow Hole Creek is on private property.
4. A caving permit is required to enter Tuglow Cave. These can be acquired from the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

European History

The european history of the land goes back to the mid 1800’s with the initial selection of 40 acres in Tuglow Hole Valley by John Wilcox. The remains of John Wilcox apple orchard persist near their original house site in Tuglow Hole Valley. There is also evidence of clearing on the ridges and valley floors, presumably as part of Mr Wilcox’ rural enterprise. Other Wilcox family members also held property in the area, with two of John's brothers acknowledged as the european discoverers of Tuglow cave.

The earliest land grant in the areas was in 1831 to Henry Hogan on the Tuglow River. A PDF document is available for download with links to details on the areas history: - European History

Dingo Dell Rectification Plan

The rectification plan for Dingo Dell is available for download as a PDF document: - Dingo Dell Erosion Repair Project

In the past 12 months the NSW 4WD association via the Land Rover Club have been assisting with the rectification works. The following PDF document describes the first rectification working bee: - Dingo Dell Erosion Repair Project Day 1

Only part of Tuglow Hole is affected. This part was originally Portion 19, with Portion 19 being subsumed into portion 74 (Tuglow Hole) in 1978. A grant of land for Portion 19 was issued to John Wilcox on October 1880 and the land subsequently surveyed in 1881. Portion 19 was a 40 acre block (See European History above).

Portion 19 is bisected by two ridges, one, Bouchiers ridge carries the Kowmung River Fire Trail and runs in a north easterly direction between Tuglow Hole and Dingo Dell Creeks. The other ridge carries the Banshee Hill Fire Trail and runs in a north south direction on the eastern side of Dingo Dell creek. Tuglow Hole creek returns south around the point of the Banshee ridge. The National Parks and Wildlife Service camping area called Dingo Dell is located on the flat at the point of this ridge and occupies several acres at the eastern end of the Tuglow Hole Creek flat.

Portion 19 overlays the junction of Tuglow Hole and Dingo Dell creeks, and has a significant wetland area south along Tuglow Hole creek from the point the Kowmung River Fire Trail leaves Bouchiers ridge. From aerial photographs and ground evidence it appears that the Dingo Dell valley was once similar wetland. Dingo Dell creek flows intermittently; its normally dry bed is incised over a metre into the surrounding flat. Tuglow Hole creek is a permanent stream, it flows very clear. Presumably the wetlands and springs feeding Tuglow Hole creek account for its pristine and perennial nature.

The valley floors of both Dingo Dell creek and Tuglow Hole creek are cleared, now being covered by grasses and tussock. Both ridges are sparsely treed. There is evidence that most the eastern flank of the ridge carrying Banshee Hill fire trail was fully cleared at some time in the past but has revegetated.

There are four distinct problems : -

1. Erosion and soil compaction cause by vehicles trafficking over the property in areas where they should not. In some cases these erosion gulies are now 30 meters or more long and several metres deep.
2. The introduction and spread of noxious weeds like Nodding thistle, Serrated Tussock and Blackberry as the result of soil disturbance by camping and vehicles.
3. Rubbish like broken glass and tin cans being left at unauthorised camping sites on Portion 19.
4. The killing of the native pasture by camping pressures.

The people pressures on the Kowmung River Fire Trail and Tuglow Hole valley including Dingo Dell have been increasing. It is our belief that this increase in pressure is due to a number of factors: -

1. The Closing of many alternative camping areas and fire trails by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service as a direct result of the declaration of the nearby Wilderness Area. This has led to a concentration of vehicle campers and day travellers onto the remaining open trails. The Kowmung River fire trail, leading through GlenReef’s property is particularly popular.
2. The setting aside of Dingo Dell as one of only a few advertised (and authorised) vehicle camping areas in the entire Kanangra Boyd National Park. Was the decision to place a camping area in the park right on its boundary and hard up against private property an appropriate one?
3. The increased popularity of four wheel drive vehicles and the consequent upswing in their use off road. Regrettably an element of four wheel drive users show a disregard for the environment, their damage can be clearly seen on both sides of the eastern ridge of Dingo Dell, with many roads being pushed up the steeper and steepest sections of the ridge. Presumably this action is to demonstrate their vehicle’s capabilities.
4. The publication of details of the Caves-to-Caves 4WD trip between Jenolan and Wombeyan caves by websites, 4WD magazines and 4WD Trip Books. Unfortunately none of these publishers did due dilligence on the legality of their advice in particular, the issue of trespassing over private property.

While we commend the National Parks and Wildlife service (, particularly those workers out in the park) for the work they have done along the Kowmung River Fire Trail, and in the Dingo Dell camping area to manage the mix of people and environmental concerns, there appear to have been insufficient resources to defend the private property in Tuglow Hole Valley from some of the National Park’s guests.

Dingo Dell is suffering from overuse and abuse by visitors to the Kanangra Boyd National Park. It has become severely degraded. Having talked to numerous members of the public several things are apparent: -

1. The public has not recognised the existence of any private property adjoining the NPWS camping area.
2. The NPWS failed in their duty of care to manage the area with due consideration to the proximity of private land adjoining their camping area. In fact Dingo Dell was made a formal camping area in order to remove overnight campers from the area around the Kowmung river ford.
3. By signage, its web site, road building and management the NPWS lead the public to believe that Dingo Dell was in fact part of the National Park and that public access to both the Kowmung River and Banshee Hill fire trails was a given. Regrettably some members of the public see this as an invitation to trash the ridge on both sides of the Banshee Hill fire trail. GlenReef wishes to thank the NP&WS for their new signs on both the Kowmung River and Banshee Hill fire trails that help inform the public, and the changes to their web site with respect to Dingo Dell.

At this point it should be noted that there are no gazetted roads, reserved roads or rights of way through Tuglow Hole. A reserved road does follow the southern and eastern boundaries of what was Portion 19 (Dingo Dell), and the Eastern boundary of Portion 74 as far north as the Horse Gully Sinks fire trail. As such it is within GlenReef’s ability to close both the Banshee Hill and Kowmung River fire trails to public access if it becomes impossible to rectify and manage Dingo Dell by other means.

GlenReef sees the rectification and remediation of this damage as it's first priority. The damage done and problems that have arisen are due in the main to the presence of the Dingo Dell camping area and the Banshee Hill Fire Trail. The previous management practices NSW National Parks and Wildlife service of this area allowed this problem to happen. Recent changes like the signs mentioned previously and the closure of the Banshee Hill Fire trail have helped to contain the erosion to natural causes, however sufficient damage has been done that some of this erosion is now accelerating naturally.

Rectification and Remediation

National Parks have asked if they may obtain a public right of carriageway over the Kowmung Fire Trail to allow continues public access through our property to and from Banshee Road. The Banshee Hill Fire Trail has been permanently closed to the public at the property boundaries. This will prevent further erosive and weed damage to Dingo Dell and Tuglow Hole by guests of the National Park.

While it does not have to do so GlenReef has tentativly agreed for there to be a public right of carriageway over the Kowmung River fire trail south of Dingo Dell through its property. In return we expect that the NPWS and public using the area contribute to its rectification in a signficant manner.

We believe that there are several issues involved here.

1. We need to prevent people accessing and further damaging the sensitive areas Portion 19.
2. We need to educate people so they cause no further harm.
3. We need to remediate the existing damage where possible, and manage it where not.

1. We have already placed Private Property Signage on the Banshee Hill fire trail and in Dingo Dell. This has not deterred anyone, people conmtinue to drive pass the signs.
2. We have fenced out Tuglow Hole Creek along the Western side of the Kowmung River fire trail. So far this fencing does seem to have worked.
3. We have fenced out the entrance to Dingo Dell (the Valley) from the Kowmung River fire trail.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service have helped with signange and information. Most of the visitors to the area are now using the Kowmung River Fire trail. We would still like to see the NP&WS: -

1. Gate and lock the Banshee Hill fire trail at the Morong Falls lookout.
2. Permanently close and remediate the road extended from the Banshee Hill Fire Trail directly into the Dingo Dell Camping Area.

River Siltation and Weed Dispersal
We belive that NP&WS and the Sydney Catchment authority need to investigate the problem of siltation of the folloiwng streams caused by their crossing by the Kowmung River Fire Trail: -

1. The Kowmung River
2. Horse Gulley Creek
3. Saddle Gully Creek (2 crossings)
4. Tuglow Hole Creek

1. A concrete bridge/ford like the one over the Wollondilly over the Kowmung including approach ramps. This ford should be above the average water level of the river.
2. A stormwater culvert and pipe under the Kowmung River Fire Trail where it Crosses Horse Gully Creek and Saddle Gully Creek.
3. A Bridge or Concrete ford over Tuglow Hole Creek including approach ramps.

Fire Hazard Reduction
We and our neighbours need to implementati a periodic hazard reduction burning plan. This area has not seen a wildfire since the 1977. The current fuel load on the ground will lead to an unacceptably large fire, if not controlled.

Bush Tourism Potential

Because of the lack of good un-crowded camping sites in the Kanangra-Boyd National Park, many 4WD tourists currently use both the Tuglow Hole and Dingo Dell valleys owned by GlenReef. Both valleys are in a very attractive setting, with open grassed floors and pristine bushland surrounding them. The current National Parks camping area at the point where Dingo Dell creek enters Tuglow Hole creek is less pleasant, hence the tendency for visitors to spead out onto private lands outside the park.

The Kanangra Boyd wilderness area adjoins Dingo Dell. Dingo Dell makes a good base for people who wish to visit the western side of the park. Forthe fit Dingo Dell offers good walking access to the Kowmung River with places like Morong Deep being just upstream of the junction of Tuglow Hole Creek and the Kowmung river, while downstream in the opposite direction is the spectacular Morong Falls. Walks to Tuglow Caves, Box falls and Tuglow falls are also available using Dingo Dell as a base camp. For the less fit spectacular views of Morong falls are available at the end of Banshee Road. It should be noted that as part of GlenReef's management strategy of Dingo Dell, the Banshee Hill fire trail will be permanently closed to the public where it crosses the property boundaries. The Kowmung river ford, with its tranquil pools is only a few kilometres in the opposite direction.

In investigating tourism it is apparent that several 4WD tour operators travel through Dingo Dell as part of their product range. GlenReef will investigate a potential partnership with such operators and the use of Dingo Dell or Tuglow Hole for private camping by their clients.

GlenReef has also started to form a relationship with the NSW 4WD Association. This relationship will see the opening of Dingo Dell as a camping area to the Association's member clubs that have comntributed to the remediation work.

Legislation Affecting the Property

This property is affected by a number of acts of parliament and other government legislation. The current impact of legislation is that GlenReef is tasked with funding and running a private national park at its own expense. Expenses include: -

1. Council Rates
2. Land Tax
3. Pastures Protection Board returns (althought there is no pasture).
4. Tax on fuel and other consumables required to maintain the property.
5. The obligation to prevent the spread of feral animals and plants from the property into the National Park. Interestingly there is no converse legistaltion to defend the property from ferals introduced from the National Park, yet this is the main direction of infiltration.
6. Unless it can be shown that profit is being derived from the property, these expenses are not tax deductible.

In addition to expenses, the property is impacted by legislation that prevents certain land use. While the property is classified as rural and rated by the local council as such, no land clearing can take place, no native species can be removed except where they were planetd in gardens, no hard hoofed animals can be grazed under the existing timber. No dead timber may be removed.

1. The Soil and Native vegetation conservation act of 2003 where it is regarded as Protected Land. This act requires that development consent be obtained for any clearing of land.
2. The Water Management Act of 2000 governing water access licenses.
3. The Rural Pastures Protection Board which governs noxious weeds and animals as well as animal and pasture health.
4. Because limestone underlies this property and because it is within 1 kilometre of Tuglow Cave: - 4) The National Parks and Wildlife (Karst Conservation) Amendment Bill 1991.
5. The Threatened Species Act (Native Vegetation)