Hunter Valley Branch Bondi State Forest Hunt

BONDI STATE FOREST BRANCH HUNT MAY 2025
BONDI FOREST LODGE.
Date: 3rd till the 10th  of May 2025
Address: Buldah Rd, Mila NSW 2632
Lodge Coordinates
-37.147477°
149.147914°
https://www.bondiforestlodge.com.au/

We're planning on doing an educational talk on the Saturday night for some of the newer hunters attending. 

We have booked one complete hut (12 rooms, 12 bodies) $40-00 a night, there are no eftpos facilities so cash payable to Brian when you catch up with him. If we have more than 12 there’s plenty of room in the other huts. At this point we are the only ones staying at the lodge.

The Kitchen is a new commercial kitchen with vertical fridges and freezers fully catered for, cutlery, cooking pots, gas stove. 

The rooms have a bed and mattress, you need blankets, sleeping bag etc.
Brian leaves the keys in the doors, so just grab a room when you get there. For those that haven’t been before, there’s no need to go looking for Brian, just grab a room.
The rooms have power, so you can charge phones etc., and plug your car fridge in.
There are separate shared bathrooms with hot showers and toilets
The rooms are $40-00 per night cash,  there is no eftpos. Brian wonders around so fix him up
When you see him. There is very limited mobile service.
If you chose to take a caravan etc down, there's room to park. Still $40-00 a night

DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES.
Firearms can be secured in your car or in your room. Make sure they are secure!!!! When you’re back at the lodge during the day, please remove all ammo from pockets and belt pouches. 
All members to be DPI compliant, make sure you have booked the forest. Given we are down during the weekdays we generally don’t encounter other hunters, Bondi has approx 50 hunters a day.
As for areas, if you have located a good area on a map or while out and plan to hunt it again the next day, make it known back at the lodge. Bit of a gentleman’s agreement. There are a couple of other forests around as you can book 2 forests at the same time. Make sure you have the latest map downloaded, and copies of your written permission. Blazed orange beanies, vests. We are only approx. 10k from the Victorian border, so having a GMA license to hunt in Victoria may be something to consider. Tell someone else where you intend to hunt.
The local compliance officer does generally drop in, so make sure all your paperwork is in order.

As for butchering animals, this can be done back at the Lodge; there's a tree with a gamble next to the car park. Brian has indicated about a kilometer away is what he calls the “boneyard”. You must then take the carcass and dump it there. There is plenty of fridge space to store meat.

GETTING THERE.
Heading south from Cooma on the Monaro Hwy, to Bombala approx 80kms. Leaving the southern side of Bombala turn left onto the Monaro Hwy. Stay on the Monaro Hwy for approx 10kms and turn right into Mila Rd. Approx 9kms the road veers to the left, (Little Plains Road straight ahead). Approx 3.5 kilometers turn left into Buldah Rd. Bondi Forest Lodge is approx 9 kilometers along Buldah Rd. You will see a large shed, the lodge is behind the shed.

 Bombala to the Mila Rd turn off approx 10 kms

Approx 9 kms from Monaro Hwy the road veers to the left Mila, (Little Plains Road straight ahead).
 

Approx 3.5 kilometers from Mila, turn left into Buldah Rd. Bondi Forest Lodge is approx 9 kilometers

NEW MEMBERS/HUNTERS.
If you’re a new or inexperienced hunter, if you’re looking for some guidance on preparation. What to pack, food, hunting gear etc. and some guidance down there. Don’t be shy in asking. There will be experienced hunters around that can show you around for a morning. 

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY, FIREARMS TRANSPORT
If you are travelling through ACT, check the firearms Act for transportation of firearms. 
 

PERSONAL GEAR.
All members are to be self-sufficient. (food, clothing, hunting gear, toiletries etc.)
First aid.
UHF handheld (if you have one). We can pick a station.
PLB (if you have one)
Give Brian's number to a family member in case you need to be contacted. 
Be safe.

FISHING.
There is a large dam next to the lodge, you can fish with poppers, plastics, fly rods etc. Brian stocks it with Trout. Catch and release.

So safe trip down and see you down there.

Any queries please give Geoff a call on 0422532895 .