Considered by many adventurers as one of Australia’s iconic four-wheel-drive routes, a major rock slide in early August blocked the road. Since then heavy machinery has been brought in to clear the blockage, but the integrity of that section of road – Monaghan’s Bluff – is now under a cloud.

Specialist geological testing has been carried out to determine the extent of the damage to the track, but Bathurst Regional Council doesn’t know when traffic may again complete the full journey from Bathurst to Hill End.

It’s a blow for local four wheel drive operator Greg Simpson who runs Simmo’s Offroad Tours. He said The Bridle Track is very popular with four wheel drive enthusiasts, and was recently listed by 4WD Action publications as being in the Top 20 “Must Do” 4WD destinations in Australia.

“There are numerous great camping spots along the Bridle Track, adjacent to the Macquarie and Turon Rivers, and the area is very popular with four wheel drivers, campers, kayakers, fishermen and families,” he said.

“I have contacted the Bathurst council on a regular basis to find out when the track will be reopened, only to be informed that the track is still closed and will be closed indefinitely due to general instability.

“It’s such a pity as this is an important asset to the Bathurst region, both historically and financially. This is not just a rough bit of road going nowhere. It is a piece of history which passes through some truly rugged but beautiful country which has been enjoyed by Australians (and tourists) for generations.”

Mr Simpson said that although gold mining is still carried out at Hill End, the little town relies heavily on tourism for survival, and the Bridle Track is a major tourism drawcard for the area, particularly among the four wheel drive community.

“Every week I get phone calls, or emails from people intending to travel to the Bathurst region, inquiring about the condition of the Bridle Track,” he said. “For two months now I have had to explain that it is currently closed, and it is now getting embarrassing.”

Bathurst Regional Council’s director of engineering services Doug Patterson said the initial rock fall was cleared, but was subsequently followed by another fall around the same location on the bluff. He said geologists have analysed the rock area through that particular cutting and were preparing another report following the second rock fall.

“Following our initial inspections we had a section of the roadway itself collapse,” Mr Patterson said.

“Consequently the track remains closed until further analysis so we can establish whether or not it is feasible to repair the road and that’s an ongoing issue.

“We really do not have a time frame as to when it may be reopened, but given the current conditions out there it would not be responsible to keep the road open.”