An off-track ascent of Little Dromedary (Najanuga)

Little Dromedary (or Najanuga) – looks higher and more imposing than it really is from the town of Tilba Tilba on the south coast, although it’s only 186m above sea level. Climbing this “mini-peak” is very appealing. A good family walk during our one week holiday on the south coast. (It’s a much shorter walk than Mount Dromedary, or Gulaga, – but more challenging as we are soon to find out!). In local Aboriginal Dreaming, Najanuga (and Barranguba) are the two sons of Gulaga.

We discover that there is no marked trail. And Little Dromedary (Najanuga) is on private land. We’re directed to Norm Hoyer, who’s been living and farming in the area for over 60 years. Norm is quite a character (he’s the co-author of Tilba Times, a book on the area’s history) and tells us a few stories about growing up in Tilba. He also gives us his blessing to climb Little Dromedary and a few hints as to the best route.

We come back a couple of days later, armed with enthusiasm and the expectation of an easy climb, and set off up the “mountain” from Norm’s farm on Sherringham Lane. It’s an easy and pleasant start through open farmland, with just a multitude of bush flies intent on joining us.

After about half an hour, we reach the forest and the fun starts… Sometimes there are ribbons suggesting where a track might have been – a long time ago. Most of the time there is little sign of a path, and we try and maintain a steady course up the ridge in the direction of the rock summit. It’s fairly cool under a solid canopy of trees and there’s not too much undergrowth, but some scrambling and diversions around thick scrub is required.

While it’s not quite rain forest, there are some impressive ferns, stag horns and rock orchids.

After about two hours, we reach a sloping slab of granite that looks promising… we clamber up, promising the kids this the final scramble (and hoping it was!). We emerge onto a small rock platform with views towards Tilba Tilba and Mt Dromedary in the west and the Wallaga Lake and the ocean to the south.

Another 50m or so further on and we reach the summit: an outcrop of large granite boulders with 270 degrees over Tilba & Narooma.

Thanks Norm! It’s been a really fun walk, and while Little Dromedary is much less high than Mount Dromedary, the views are much better.

Accommodation

The nearest towns are Tilba and Tilba Tilba – Tilba is a charming village which is definitely worth a visit if you’re visiting the South Coas. Make sure you visit the cheese factory and the Tilba Sweet Shop! We normally stay closer to the coast arond Narooma or Mystery Bay, which is about a 15-20min drive (our last stay was at Mystery Bay Cottages).

Booking.com

More information on Little Dromedary (Najanuga)

• There are a few potential access points, but they are all private land – try the Tourist Info office for detail on seeking approval
• Living Knowledge – Cheryl tells the story of Gulaga