Braidwood is loved for its rich history, heritage-listed buildings and eclectic shopping scene. But did you know that it is also a wonderful destination for nature enthusiasts, sports lovers and adventure seekers? Whether you stick to town with the Braidwood Servicemen’s Club, or venture further out to the nearby historic towns of Majors Creek and Captains Flat, or the picturesque Morton and Deua National Parks — there’s no shortage of fun.

The Braidwood Servicemen’s Club: golf, bowls and more

Since 1949, the Braidwood Servicemen’s Club has been a central part of the Braidwood community. It was originally created as a meeting place for returned servicemen and women; a space where they could connect, share stories and support one another. Over the years, the club has grown into a hub for locals and visitors alike with year-round social gatherings, events and recreational activities.

“It is, without any doubt, a Club for its community and its members. I’ve always believed I was community-focused, especially raising my family in Bungendore and owning a hotel there for 9 years. But I am blown away with the Club being the centre of the district, providing everything from the picnic races, the school formals and presentations, dance and PT groups, to meetings and events. The Club is not only a venue; with the help of its members, it is always there to help those who need it,” says Scott Preston, Secretary Manager.

For the avid sportsperson, the Club is a must-visit as it is the town’s hub for golf and bowls.

Scott Preston, Braidwood Servicemens Club

Golf

The Club features one of the most picturesque golf courses to be found in inland New South Wales. Though only 9 holes, it is a challenging layout that any keen golfer will love testing their skills out on. Social Games can be played every day of the week (though only before 10.30am or after 4.00pm on a Saturday). 

Bowls

With two first-class lawn bowling greens, the Club is a fantastic space for both seasoned bowlers and newcomers to enjoy the sport. Social Bowls are held Wednesdays and Sundays at 1pm with everyone welcome. Every February, the Club also holds a 6-week barefoot bowls competition. 

In addition to these core sports, you’ll also find others like squash, fishing, line dancing, darts and Tai Chi at the Club. Be sure to check their What’s On page to see what you can join in on when visiting. The wheelchair accessible club is now open every day with a courtesy bus and electric chargers also available. 

Beyond Braidwood on bikes

With endless gravel backroads around Braidwood, cycling enthusiasts of all levels will find plenty of routes to enjoy. Please note that the shoulder on certain roads is quite narrow and cyclists should be confident, aware, and dressed in appropriate, protective and visible gear.

For a big day out, take the gravel bike out to the nearby historic towns of Majors Creek and Captains Flat. The old gold mining town of Majors Creek is only 20km away. When gold was discovered in the area in 1851, the village quickly took shape. A worthy stop is Majors Creek Hotel – The Elrington, originally built in 1856 and still serving good old-fashioned pub food. 

Once refreshed, continue onto another mining town, Captains Flat. To get there, you can take Wallaces Gap Road to stay on gravel, followed by Cooma Road for a nice bit of sealed road — before reaching Captains Flat Road. As you approach Captains Flat, the road is surrounded by eucalypt forest. When the road does open up, there are some beautiful valley views. But be careful not to get too distracted by them as there are a couple tight corners!

In Captains Flat, you can refuel at the historic Captains Flat Hotel (that once boasted the longest bar in the Southern Hemisphere) before tackling the return trip back to Braidwood. The Hotel offers all the classic pub favourites as well as pizza and a spacious beer garden. If you need a longer break, walk the Captains Flat Heritage Trail to explore the past and present of the town (and to keep the legs from locking up!).

In the other direction from Braidwood is also another fantastic gravel bike ride to Bungendore. Travelling along Butmaroo Firetrail, this is roughly a 50km ride that takes you through Tallaganda State Conservation Area with some moderate hills. 

Cycling in the region

Morton National Park: hiking and camping

Continuing in the spirit of adventure, Morton National Park is about a 30-minute drive from Braidwood. This national park is vast and sprawling with many access points. But no matter which side you explore from, you can expect stunning landscapes, from lush rainforests to expansive plateaus.

The closest option to Braidwood is to set up camp at Wog Wog Campground for the perfect nature getaway — or a gateway into the remarkable Budawangs. You can pitch a tent and park right next to it, or come with a caravan or trailer. There are also toilets, barbecue facilities and fire pits (BYO firewood).

From the campground, the challenging Wog Wog Track that takes you to Corang Peak and Corang Arch; a huge sandstone bridge that rises up over the surrounding forest. In total, the hike is a 28km out-and-back journey and walkers should allow 6 hours for the hike. For those who love panoramic views, there is an alternate route that goes over Corang Peak, rather than skirting the base. Please note that water is not readily available on the track, and mobile reception is unreliable, so head out prepared. 

For those looking and equipped for an even longer adventure, you can camp near Canowie Brook Campsite or Burrumbeet Brook Campsite and turn this into an overnight hike. 

Deua and Morton National Parks

Deua National Park: hiking, swimming and camping

For something more family-friendly, a 35-minute drive from Braidwood gets you to another national park with a plethora of experiences, Deua National Park. 

Berlang Campground is accessible by 2WD vehicles, has wood barbecues, and is next to the Shoalhaven River. The campground is also the trailhead for The Big Hole walking track. This is generally an easy trail — but it does require you to cross the Shoalhaven River so be careful during and after periods of rain. The 4km return track takes you to a natural formation thought to be 400 million years old; a roofless limestone cave and vast chasm called The Big Hole that is over 100m deep and 50m wide. There is a viewing platform here where you can take a break before returning to the campground.

For a longer hike for more experienced hikers, carry on to Marble Arch; the entire walk is a 12km return journey. From The Big Hole, the walk is undulating and mostly downhill until the steep descent to the Arch and cave. Remember that what goes down must come up and the climb out of Marble Arch is certainly challenging! Back at the campground, you can cook up a well-deserved feast and go for a refreshing swim.

As with any outdoor activity, conditions may vary and we encourage visitors to consult the NPWS website and local weather forecasts before heading out.

Written by Thuc Do for Visit Queanbeyan-Palerang.