For those planning a visit to the Shoalhaven Region, on the South Coast of NSW, you will be blown away by it’s natural beauty. While the Shoalhaven is renowned for it’s beautiful coastal areas, the huge declared wilderness areas are it’s hidden gems. And wilderness is exactly what you will see from the summit of the Pigeon House Mountain Walking Track.
The Pigeon House Mountain Didthul Walking Track is a very popular choice for visitors to the Milton, Ulladulla and Mollymook areas of the Shoalhaven. We have been visiting this area for decades, but we had never walked this track. This is despite both of us being keen bush walkers.
Many years ago, with a car load of young children, we drove out to the Pigeon House Mountain car park. We were all back in the car as soon as we realised it was a long steep walk. So, after many years, we returned to walk the Pigeon House Mountain Didthul Walking Track. But this time we were in our sixties!
Here are some facts about the Pigeon House Mountain Didthul:
1. Where Is Pigeon House Mountain Didthul
The Pigeon House Mountain Didthul is in the southern section of the Moreton National Park. It is 31km from the closest village of Milton and the drive will take about 30 minutes.
2. It’s an iconic landmark
The Pigeon House Mountain Didthul is an iconic landmark as it towers over the landscape. With it’s unusual shape it can be easily identified. You can see it from just about everywhere in the local area.
3. It’s a Grade 4 walking track
A Grade 4 walking Track means the walk is considered medium to hard. The walk is 5km and the suggested time is 3 – 4 hours.
4. Allow plenty of time
The recommendation is you allow 3 -4 hours to complete the return walk. We said to ourselves “They always tell us to allow more time than we need”. But on this occasion we took longer than recommended. We took 4 hours and 20 minutes! This time included a 15 minute stop midway to the summit, and a 1/2 hr lunch stop at the summit.
5. It’s a steep climb
For the vast majority of the walk you are climbing, either up or down. The track flattens out for about 1 km, about half way up. The ascent to the summit is 490m. Going up we had to continually stop and catch our breathe. Young people were skipping by us! But we knew we had to take our time and not push ourselves.
6. There is a great view half way
We really enjoyed a rest at the half way point! The views were a great excuse to sit a little longer. The views out towards the coastline are simply magic. There are also views across the Moreton National Park.
7. There are stairs and ladders
Be aware there are multiple stairs and ladders to climb. These stairs and ladders are up rock faces. They are located towards the summit. After continually climbing up the uneven steps along the walking track, we found the stairs and ladders were a breeze!
8. Panoramic views from the summit
At the summit we enjoyed panoramic views of the Budawang Ranges in the Moreton National Park. This is a declared wilderness area.
The Pigeon House Mountain Didthul is the highest point along the Budawang Ranges. Also from the summit are majestic views of the coastline of Ulladulla, Mollymook, Narrawallee, and beyond. On a clear day, it is said, you can see as far as Bermagui to the South, and Jervis Bay to the North.
9. You will get hot.
With the continual climb you will get hot. We recommend you start your walk early in the day. In the morning we found the walking track well shaded. On our return, around midday, the walking track had little shade.
10. You will get thirsty
Take plenty of water. You will need it.
11. You will burn energy on this steep walk.
Continually walking uphill takes plenty of energy. Take fruit and sandwiches. They will help prevent your blood sugar dropping too low.
12. Patchy iPhone and Internet
Ok, remember… you are in the wilderness! Generally we had no access, and when we did find some, it was unreliable.
13. School age children do the walk easily.
Many families were walking the track. Most children walked the track easily. We observed a few children who didn’t want to do the walk. They caused a lot of frustration for their parents.
Be prepared to carry babies and preschoolers all the way. And we saw a number of parents do exactly that.
14. Older people may find the walk a challenge.
This is no exaggeration. We observed older people stopping more often, to catch their breathe; us included! The walk is very doable if you take your time.
The challenge is in the continual climb. Think twice before doing this walk if you have dodgy knees, your health is compromised in any way, or you are unfit. The other thing was our legs ached for days after!
15. Check road conditions to Pigeon House Mountain Didthul
The majority of the road out is dirt. We found the road rather rough in some spots, but we did not need 4WD. Check road conditions before travelling.
16. Where does the mountain’s name come from?
Didthul was the name originally given by the local aboriginal people. The meaning of Didthul is reported to mean a woman’s breast. In 1770, Captain Cook named the mountain Pigeon House, as he thought it resembled a dove or pigeon house back in England.
17. Slow down and enjoy the magic of the nature.
Remember, you are not in a race. The suggested time to complete the walk is merely a guide. Go at your pace! Enjoy the magnificent natural beauty surrounding you.
In conclusion
In our opinion, the Pigeon House Mountain Didthul walking track is a hard walk. Yet, it is also a greatly rewarding walk. Spending time in the wilderness of the Australian bush is awesome. The views are spectacular! At the completion of the walk there is a great sense of relief. And there is a great sense of achievement!
If you are visiting the Shoalhaven Region, and you are interested in bush walking, we certainly recommend you put the Pigeon House Mountain Didthul walking track on your list of things to do.
What do you think?
Do you enjoy bush walking / hiking? If you could, would you climb up to the Pigeon House Mountain Didthul summit? Have you completed a similar walk? What are your thoughts about doing such a walk?
Please leave a comment. We would love to hear your thoughts.
Wishing you safe and happy travels ~ Retirees Enjoying Travel.
“Young people were skipping by us!”
Whenever that happens to us while we’re hiking, I want to call out to them… just you wait, your day will come when someone younger will skip by you! Ha! Ha!
This does look like a fabulous hiking trail. The photos are so pretty! Fun that the trail has stairs and ladders, breaks up the routine of just hiking. Super tips to those who want to take it on.
We were in Australia (Melbourne & Sydney) in 2004. We’d love to return one day and stay for at least 1 month. It’s a bit of long haul though for us to get there.
Thanks Patti for dropping in and leaving a comment. I’m glad we are not the only ones having young people skipping by as we hike up a steep track. I appreciate your feedback about the photos. In our opinion it is a really pretty hiking trail, and it’s nice to hear you found the photos pretty. Yes, it is a huge haul between Australia & the USA – we did this flight earlier this year. Maybe one day you will return to Australia, & we may return to the US… and if we do it will be for more than a month.
Well it looks like you have relocated to Paradise on Earth.
Feel inspired for another road trip. In fact, the coast from Batemans Bay area to the Gold Coast is one of our favourite drives.
Thank you Oli for dropping by. After travelling full time for 2 years we decided to have a home base again – and continue travelling. We were uncertain where to live for a while. But, the South Coast of NSW is certainly a section of Paradise on Earth (there are so many). And we too love road trippin’ up to Qld – as there are so many pretty places along the way.