They include slides down into Araluen Valley which were used as a means of getting mining equipment to the goldfields, the Corn Trail linking Braidwood to the coast via Belaro for getting stock feed to the table lands, the Shoebridge Track from Araluen to the port of Nelligen, an all-weather route to the goldfields, and WD Tarlinton Track, a stock route, which linked Braidwood with the far south coast.

A new publication Tracks in the Wilderness, by National Parks and Wildlife Service, recognizes the pioneering heritage and cultural identity of the horse tracks.

The publication had its origins when the state government declared wilderness areas within National Parks in south eastern NSW. Many local horse riders, historians and residents with heritage links were outraged, as horse riding is prohibited in wilderness areas and some of the historic tracks became off limits.

They formed a lobby group called Access For All and took their complaints to the government. NPWS listened, and as well as publishing the book they are amending their plans of management in affected areas to create corridors enabling the continued use of these heritage tracks.

One of the tracks cut off by the wilderness declarations was the WD Tarlinton Track.

The track is named after William Duggan Tarlinton, an early Braidwood pioneer. In 1829 he was guided by three local Aboriginals (names were not recorded).

The route took them to the headwaters of the Shoalhaven River, crossing the main range near Mt Euranbene and following first Woila Creek and then the Tuross River to the junction of the Wadbilliga River and then south into the valley of Cobargo. Most likely the route was an ancient Aboriginal path that had linked Aboriginal tribes for millennia.

Tarlinton had a strong sense of adventure and was motivated to find new grazing land. He soon led his stockmen and cattle over the route through the ranges he had earlier blazed and established several large runs in the Cobargo/Bega district.

The route he opened was followed by other large landowners from Braidwood, such as Bunn, Coghill/Maddrell, Gordon, Curlewis, Wilson, Badgery, Cowper, Wallace, Ryrie and Reid. In 1850 Tarlinton leased his Braidwood holding and settled permanently at Cobargo.

The WD Tarlinton Track remained in use well into the 20th century as a way of moving stock and as a route from the coast or using a side track that linked to the Monaro. It still exists. The blazes can still be seen on the trees but its not for the faint-hearted. It requires experienced horse riders, good horses and the right equipment.