Kangaroo Creek is one of the major streams within Royal National Park. It starts near Waterfall and flows to join the Hacking River at Audley. On this walk, I started at Waterfall and walked down the creek to the Karloo Pool, then walked out via the track to Heathcote.
At Waterfall, I walked a short way way along the Uloola Falls Track and then turned off on another track to the left. I winds around through dense bushland to eventually reach Kangaroo Creek, then it follows above the creekbed on the true right, often following ledges.
For most of the way, the track is quite easy to follow and is marked in places by tape and arrows painted on the rock platforms.
Soon, I arrived at Kangaroo Creek Falls. This is a waterfall of about 3 m into a large pool. On the day of my walk, the creek was very low. I will have to return after decent rain to see and photograph the falls in higher water.
At the falls, I crossed the creek and followed a fainter track on the left side which takes you to the bottom.
Kangaroo Creek Falls
The track downstream is mush fainter and seldom marked – except by the rare duck (cairn). But it largely goes along the true right bank, usually fairly close to the streambed. You do lose the track from time to time but it is easy to find again.
Most of the way between the falls and the Karloo Pool is fairly easy and quite interesting walking. In places there are long deep pools with scrubby banks – and here the track is handy. There are also long sections of long rock slabs.
There is the occasional small cascade and at one place a nice miniature gorge. Here the creekbed was completely dry – again I will have to return when the flow is higher.
In many places the bed seems to have very tilted rock strata. Interesting geomorphology.
Between the junctions of Cridland Brook and Goondera Brook the going is a bit slower as the track is harder to find. The creekbed is bouldery with lot of Watergums pointing downstream. In a few places I traversed on the true left, but the true right is usually the best way. The last part to the Karloo Pool is easier as the track is more distinct.
As it was a hot day, it was not surprising to find a lot of other walkers at the beautiful Karloo Pool. It was a good place for me to have a swim, then have lunch and relax with a few more swims before heading up the track to Heathcote Station.
On a future walk, I will have to continue down Kangaroo Creek from the Karloo Pool to Audley.
More photos from this walk are online here on my website.