Note: indicated routes are approximate. Use official topographic maps for navigation.
Wog Wog to Cooyoyo Creek
Note: indicated routes are approximate. Use official topographic maps for navigation.
Wog Wog to Cooyoyo Creek and return 🔗
(Updated March 2021 to reflect changed conditions around Corang Lagoon)
Although this is an out-and-back walk, there are two sections where an alternate route is followed on the return leg, so it feels a bit more like a loop. It incorporates both the northern and southern routes through Monolith Valley, and the final two half-days follow the Corang River and tributaries instead of the main track to skirt around the Corang Peak area.
The trickiest part of the walk is following the southern east-west route through Monolith Valley from the east, but the rest of the walk is fairly easy, although boggy in parts, and follows reasonably well defined tracks.
- Day one follows the main track from Wog Wog to Burrumbeet Brook, passing Corang Peak and Corang Arch on the way.
- Day two involves climbing out of the Burrumbeet Brook valley, crossing the saddle to the north-west of Mt Cole, and following the northern route through Monolith Valley. Make sure you don't miss the right turn into Monolith Valley from the track around the base of Mt Cole. This track takes you through the "Green Room", past the natural arch, and ends at Cooyoyo Creek. Note that no fires are permitted at Cooyoyo Creek, despite any evidence you may see to the contrary. The campsite is pretty popular and there's not enough fallen timber to sustainably support campfires. Remember: leave no trace. If you've got time on the morning of day three and a head for heights you can do the Castle ascent.
- Day three follows the more southerly east-west route back through Monolith Valley. It's not as well used as the northern route marked on the 1:25000 topo map, and requires a bit of clambering up and down rock ledges and following the cairns on the flank of Mt Owen. Some parts of the track are not very distinct and may only be marked by faded tape attached to trees. The start is on the northern side of the little bridge in Monolith Valley at (roughly) 442923, and involves a short steep scramble up a break in the cliff to the west. The creek at the bridge continues south into a very pretty grotto that's worth exploring, but you'll need to retrace your steps back to the bridge in order to pick up the southern track out of Monolith valley. The exit from Monolith Valley on this route involves descending a steep rocky slope that might require some pack hauling.
- Day four retraces the route back past Burrumbeet Brook, over Canowie Brook, and just before the ascent back up the conglomerate slope, heads north along the plain beside Canowie Brook and then downstream beside the Corang River to the Corang River campsite.
- Day five is a short day back to Wog Wog, crossing over a few tributary creeks. You might need to skirt around the private property near Corang Lagoon. See the Corang Loop walk for details.
There are toilets at Burrumbeet Brook and Cooyoyo Creek, and no fires are permitted at any of the campsites.
Thanks to Glen for the GPS track on the map above. I've edited it a bit to reduce the point density and remove some of the (sometimes intentional…) side trips. As always, take printed copies of the official topographic maps and a compass, and make sure you know how to use both. Most of the images I've used to illustrate this route are from two walks I did in November 2017 and April 2018, but I've also linked in a few from previous trips.
From the Corang River campsite there are a couple of creeks to cross before you hit the main Corang→Wog Wog track. Goodsell Creek is probably the most significant, and well situated for a snack break.