many fond memories of those type of rides. I used to leave from Dudley, ride through the awabakal national park through a tiny sand ST and pop out at redhead bluff. Of course if there were any bird watchers through there you copped a right royal stink eye but usually it was just me plodding along.
If I had a group with me I’d take ém straight to redrock and punt our way on the now fernleigh down to blackies. Couldn’t avoid some time on the tar through to Caves Beach though.
Personally I think you really need to ride with caution in that area. There is a reasonable chance of encountering a bush walker or MTB’r. With the development at Murrays beach there seemed to be a few more people kicking around the bush in there.
The furthest south I went was to continue on over to Moonee..lifted our bikes over the gate then rode up the hill into Lake Munmorah NP and down to the Elizabeth Bay takeaway….was amazed to see it all boarded up a few years back.
Ah newy….so many options….Suggy, Awaba, Watties, Catho, Necknock, Cedar Creek and then Bula/Stroud not that far away 
[attachment=4720]CathoRideAugust08.jpg[/attachment]