This was the fifth day of our canyoning trip – but by now we were in the Central Blue Mountains rather than the Northern Blue Mountains. Bob and myself decided to visit Magnifying Glass Canyon. My only previous visit to this canyon had been in 2005. It was time for another look.
The previous night we had camped at Mt Wilson. We were entertained by a pair of Satin Bowerbirds that morning.
Bob parked on the Bell Road near the Dalpura Ridge, and we soon set off along an old fire road.
Along the track, I looked out for orchids, and spotted a Horned Orchid (Orthoceras strictum)
it was easy walking and we were soon at great vantage point.
we were now following an exit track for Birrabang Brook, and we followed it down to a large pagoda.
Near there, we turned off and made our way into the creek.
We entered the creek high up and did an abseil to get down a short drop. It would have been better to enter the creek a little lower down.
The main abseils are in a short but nice canyon section. Here is the first –
At the bottom –
Then another short drop –
And a last short drop –
Here the creek opens up a bit as it meets another tributary.
Then the canyon ends with 2 more abseils. The first is large one –
Here, you can abseil down the slot, or do as we did – off a tree a bit further around on the true left. We were not sure how long the abseil would be and used two ropes. Once down, we found that a single 45m rope makes it down nicely.
This section of the canyon would be spectacular in high water.
The last drop has a tricky start, but is very short, if you climb off to the true right.
Bob thought in nicer to go all the way down –
looking back up –
After that, the canyon ends. We made our way down the creek for a bit then traversed along ledges on the true left towards Birrabang Brook. All the way along, we followed a rough track under the cliffs.
further long our traverse, we could get a great view of the Lost Pillar – a very spectacular detached pinnacle below Dalpura Head.
We walked a short way up Birrabang Brook and then climbed out a side gully following the track we were on earlier. At the top, we found shady place to have lunch. Then we had the short walk back to Bob’s car.
And one more orchid – Flying Duck Orchid (Caleana major) –
Magnifying Glass Canyon is not the greatest canyon, but it is a pleasant outing.