4WD Adventure to Yerranderie – Exploring NSW's Forgotten Silver Mining Ghost Town

We begin this trek at Kanangra Walls, following the rugged Kowmung River Fire Trail before joining the historic Colong Stock Route—the same pathway once used by early silver miners, drovers, and supply teams bound for remote Yerranderie. The weather turned questionable more than once, but every kilometre proved worth it as we closed in on the remarkable ghost silver mining town of Yerranderie, preserved like a time capsule deep in the wilderness. The Kowmung River Fire Trail is no longer the wild, remote challenge it once was; in dry conditions, the road surface is generally suitable even for many soft-roaders, although conditions can change quickly with weather and traffic. Be aware that this route can close after rain, as the Kowmung River rises fast and crossings can become unsafe, so always check the NSW National Parks website for up-to-date closure information before heading off. Along the way, we stop in at Mt Werong Campground for lunch and take a look at the beautiful historic stone house before continuing on and making a short detour to explore the atmospheric Ruby Creek Mine ruins and hut, adding a dose of extra history to an already iconic journey toward Yerranderie. Yerranderie was once a booming outpost in the early 1900s, home to more than 2,000 people driven by rich silver-lead deposits. The town thrived with shops, a post office, a courthouse, churches, and a tightly knit community—until the construction of Warragamba Dam isolated the region and access disappeared beneath the newly formed lake in the Burragorang Valley. Cut off from the world, the town emptied suddenly and became the remarkable time capsule we can visit today. When you arrive, you have two camping options depending on your style and budget. Private Town offers a premium experience with restored accommodation, facilities, and the rare opportunity to stay among the original buildings themselves. For those wanting something more affordable, the Government Town campground sits just nearby and costs far less while still giving great access to the historic precinct and walking tracks. We had the campground almost entirely to ourselves—except for about a zillion mozzies, which made sunset very lively. While exploring Yerranderie, we visit the historic cemetery, reflecting on the lives and stories of the people buried here. It’s a sobering place, with many children among the headstones, and it offers a powerful insight into the hardships faced by families living in this remote mining settlement more than a century ago. The next morning, we pack up and make our way to a hidden wild swimming spot not far from Government Town—an incredible little oasis where we cool off in the early morning heat before starting the journey back to Oberon. It’s a perfect way to end a trek that blends rugged 4WD adventure, remote bush solitude, and some of the most fascinating pioneer history in New South Wales. In total, our trek from the Kanangra Walls carpark to Yerranderie was roughly 110 kilometres, taking us through changing terrain, creek valleys, historic sites and long stretches of peaceful bushland. Keep in mind there are no supplies of any kind available along this route or in Yerranderie itself—so make sure you bring everything you need, including fuel, food, water and recovery gear, before setting out. If you enjoy remote treks, historic exploration, ghost towns, or off-grid escapes, Yerranderie is absolutely one to add to your list. And remember: you attempt any of the treks we show in our videos entirely at your own risk — so prepare well, drive smart, and enjoy the adventure safely. *Obviously the video thumbnails are an AI generation and not real. A map showing where we start this trek: https://maps.app.goo.gl/V7ytYC1AFsci7... A map showing where the "hidden" Wild swimming location is: https://maps.app.goo.gl/EK4bv2BpiS65B... If you would like to read more about this weekend 4WD escape, see the route map, you can click here: https://bit.ly/491o91B Don’t forget to like, subscribe and hit the bell to follow more of our adventures! Link to our website: https://www.roaming-oz.com Want to support the channel? Buy US a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/roaming.oz.a... INDEX 00:00 Introduction 02:14 Airing down and starting Kowmung River Fire Trail 05:21 Kowmung River 07:44 Arriving Dingo Dell Campground 10:58 Turn left onto Mt Werong Road 12:08 Arriving Mt Werong Campground and stone house 14:52 Ruby Creek Mine 18:58 Arriving Yerranderie 19:20 Government Town Campground 20:01 Exploring Private Town and Silver Peak Mine 22:03 Dinner time - Chicken Tender Burgers 23:54 After dinner chat 25:56 Morning coffee and breakfast - Loaded scrambled eggs 28:40 More exploring & the cemetery 30:28 Black Snake & Wild Swimming 30:46 The end of the weekend