Lady Carrington Drive

Lady Carrington Drive is a 10 km one-way walk from Audley to the southern gate on Sir Bertram Stevens Drive, along a broad, unsealed carriage road beside the Hacking River. It’s an easy-grade route and takes about three hours on foot. Arrange a pickup at the far end, or turn around and plan for roughly 20 km. The appeal is the long, mellow river walk and the steady change from creek to creek, rather than one big summit or waterfall payoff.

Start in Audley and follow the drive south. NPWS directs drivers across Audley Weir toward Fig Tree Flat, and also lists parking at the southern end off Sir Bertram Stevens Drive. Weekend parking can be limited, so a one-way walk works best with a car shuffle. Toilets and the Audley Dance Hall Café are at the northern end, with three picnic areas along the route. Park entry fees apply. Pets aren’t allowed, except certified assistance animals.

The track runs upstream from Audley, with blue gums, turpentines and patches of rainforest beside it. NPWS counts more than 15 creek crossings, each identified by an Aboriginal name. The route is shared with cyclists; they’re asked to give way to walkers. After rain, the unsealed surface can turn boggy.

The road opened in 1886 as Lady Carrington Road and took its current name in 1916. About 3 km from Audley, Jersey Springs has two stone basins with a surviving “Jersey Springs 1892” inscription. At Palona Brook, a short side trail leads to Palona Cave; that’s a detour off the 10 km through-route.

NPWS suggests listening for the superb lyrebird’s imitations and watching for lace monitors and echidnas. Those are possibilities, not guaranteed sightings; give yourself time to notice the birds and creek edges as you go.