I spent and enjoyable and fairly relaxing day canyoning in the Blue Mountains with Bob. We first headed to Dargan and followed the road along the railway line to the carpark above the old railway dam. We walk down to the dam, and then climbed down to the valley below the dam and followed Dargans Creek downstream.
It was easy going, and we soon arrived at the first swim which is a little way above the canyon. Around the corner, we arrived at the canyon – the start of which is a huge assemblage of logs and also the cliffs on the side of the creek get higher.
There are a couple of places where you have to scramble down a short distance and a short swim or two.
The canyon here is quite nice. Not that deep, but fairly dark. The canyon opens up a bit as it goes around a corner and then there is another nice section with a long swim. Then an amphitheatre and that is the end.
Its only a short way downstream to the exit – a climb up a small waterfall with a rope assist, and then a climb up spikes bashed many years ago into a tree. Once up those, it is easy and fast walking back to the carpark. We arrived back about noon, two hours after setting out. Not too bad considering I had spent a fair bit of time photo-pfaffing.
We then walked back down to the dam again, and this time enjoyed a long swim. The water temperature was very pleasant indeed! Then lunch and another swim before heading back to the car.
In the afternoon, we headed down to Blackheath and walked down into Centennial Glen and its short canyon. This is accessible from the tourist track that goes to Colliers Causeway and Porters Pass. At the head of the canyon is a small waterfall and a deep pool. There used to be a larger swimming pool here, and you can still see a cut out section where a dam used to be to hold back the water.
We returned via the Walls Ledge Track.
Both of the areas we visited are in the proposed additions to Gardens of Stone National Park.
More photos from the day can be seen on my website here.
Does this canyon require ropes or is fairly accessible for amateur bushwalkers?
Awesome post!
No ropes needed normally (canyons can change – e.g. logs can move). For the exit you have to climb up spikes in a tree – and some people may want to be belayed for this.
Is this location still accessible? I have heard that the gates have been locked and it is now a 2km walk in to the dam.
I have not visited since that trip – but have not heard of any access changes and would be surprised if there were. You can drive very close to the lower dam (with 2WD). The access road goes around locked railway roads.