BC OT T3/T5 F3/F5 Basket Swamp NP (NSW Tenterfield)

One of the features of Basket Swamp NP is that it is in fact a swamp.
That makes it relatively unique compared to most parks that we visit.
That doesn't mean we expect mud, toads and gators.
Let's go for reedy wetlands, slabby creeks, waterfalls and hopefully some remaining springtime flowers. 
And an abundance of bird life.  And frogs.  With the odd slithering critter also. What's on their menu?

We will base ourselves at the NSW Basket Swamp campground approx 30 km north east of Tenterfield just off the Mt Lindsay Highway. 

Suggested activities will include

**Friday**  5:00PM start time. Please note this is NSW and daylight savings time not QLD time. T3 F3 8km return walk from campsite.  Including sunset? golden hour, and more importantly "happy hour".
An exploration of that part of Basket Swamp Creek that lies above Basket Swamp Falls.
A relatively flat, enjoyable slabby creek area with a couple of small waterfalls to scramble up or manoeuvre around.
When the creek starts to become swampy rather than slabby, we shall pull up stumps on the slabs, pop the corks and take in the last rays of the setting sun.  After sunset it will approx 30 minutes walk up the road and back to our campsite.
** This activity is all the encouragement you need to ensure you arrive in camp by 4:00PM DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME on the Friday,

**Saturday** 8:00AM start time. T5 F5.  Basket Swamp Creek Circuit.
Approx 12 km of walking / hopping / scrambling with 500m of descent followed by 500 m of ascent.
For this one we drive our cars approx 15km to arrive at a ridge with a fire trail that takes us most of the way down (400m descent) to the junction of the Cataract River and Basket Swamp Creek. Here we visit "Cooper's Campsite Calamity" (a story in itself) before commencing our meandering ascent up Basket Swamp creek.
A plethora of rock slabs, swimming holes, waterfalls and scrambles await us on the journey up the creek.

**Sunday**  Option 1   Wellington Rock and Tingara Trig explorations.  
T3 F3 Approx 4km.  4WD required to access Wellington Rock. An easy morning only activity for those who may wish to head home around lunch time on Sunday.

**Sunday"" Option 2   Wellington Rock and the Cataract River.  4WD required to access Wellington Rock.
T4 F4 Approx 8-10 km.  A full day activity for this one.
After exploring Wellington Rock we descend a ridge from Wellington Rock down to the Cataract River.  Approx 400m descent.
We explore the Cataract River for a km or two inclusive of large rock slabs, cascades and a waterfall or two.
Turnaround time dependent on group enthusiasm and remaining daylight.
Yes.  We have to retrace our morning descent with an afternoon ascent.

** Optional - Anytime **  Mountain biking.
There are a number of fire trails and roads suitable for mountain biking. Directly from our campsite.

There is also a mountain bike adventure park under construction very near our campsite and walks.
Can we trial these runs?  Who knows?

Google https://www.angrybulltrails.com/the-trails 

Additional Information

**Note:  It is not necessary to make campsite bookings. First come first served... No charge. **

There is no phone reception at the campsite, but sometimes available at the carpark for the walks. 

Campfires are permitted in the pits, bring some good wood

Locating the Camp Site there is no reception at the camp so please take note or write down the route:

Coming from either North or South along Mount Lindesay Road 

Turn into Lindrook Road (dirt road) RHS if coming from Tenterfield LHS if coming from Head Road or Stanthorpe side 

The route is a bit over 9km to the camp from the turn off

Travel Lindrook Road for approx 4 km - turn right into Wooloolni Road 

Travel approx 2 km  - turn left into Basket Swamp Road 

Travel approx 2.5 km, keep left on Basket Swamp Road (do not take road to the Falls)

Travel approx 300 metres - camp is on RHS and is signed

Please note Google may suggest going from Bruxton Hwy to the camp via Boorook Road and Lindrook Road - this is an unknown route and may be a long rough dirt road