A large group of headed down to Deep Pass Clearing for a party. The purpose was to celebrate three birthdays. And what a good place for such an occasion! A great campsite – a grassy clearing nestled between cliffs and pagodas.
Deep Pass Clearing is an official campsite in Wollemi National Park. The actual “Deep Pass” is a low saddle on the ridge a half kilometre to the south.
The saturday was a hot day, and after lunch in the shade of the clearing, most of the party headed up the nearby Deep Pass Canyon in the upper part of Nayook Creek. This was a good place to cool off (without needing to get wet).
Then back to the campsite for some eating and celebrating. Plenty of fine food was being shared.
On Sunday, some of us headed off to the nearby River Caves Canyon. This can be reached from a track that leaves near the clearing. We spent some time in the River Caves with photography.
Sunday afternoon – most people packed up and headed off.
Digi Dave and myself, with more time available spent an extra night at the clearing and left late on Monday morning.
A few very good days in a magical spot with great company. More photos can be viewed here.
Hi there,
Great Blog and amazing pictures!
Im planning a trip from camping at Deep Pass Campground and doing both Deep Pass Canyon and River Caves Canyon. the track that you’ve mentioned that heads to River Caves Canyon from the campground isn’t on the map. Do you have a Grid Reference for it or directions so It can easily be found?
Thanks! You’re help would be much appreciated!
Use this link – it shows the rough position of the track that goes to River Caves from Deep Pass Clearing. Its a little hard to follow on the open rocky tops at first – but is a lot easier to follow in the scrub. Make sure on the way back – you take the turn off on the road onto the track. Link –
http://goo.gl/Kyw4hR
Hi David,
Great pics and write up. I am currently doing my Cert III in Outdoor Rec at TAFE and our client assessment walk is going to the Deep Pass walk. Noticed the pic of the hand art and was wondering if you were willing to provide the approx. location of that as it would be a great piece to show and talk if able. Happy if you want to send a separate email.
Thanks again,
Clayton
Hello Clayton – The cave is well known, on the right hand side of Nayook Ck, about 100 metres downstream of the campsite. There is a faint track going to the art site – a long cave. There are further hand stencils on the left hand side, a bit lower down the creek – but they look to be fake.
Dave
Thanks Dave,
We had a really good time in Deep Pass, definintely found the “fake” prints, however I hadn’t read your comments prior to leaving so missed the fact that they were on the right hand side. I was over on the right hand side however again not sure that I was in the right place as the cliff seemed to go one way and the track the other (unless the long cave you are referring to is on the track out to the south gate). The “T” canyon was also very cool :). I am going back again on 1/2 November so time permitting I will have a look then. Is the River Caves canyon somewhere where you would take “novices” for a look? Sorry for so many questions, just really interested in the area.
Yes – the River Caves is very easy – as long as you can find the track down to them. The canyon, for the most part is really only a walk through. You do get wet feet and have to clamber over boulders in places. No swims. There are two tracks down – one to the top of the canyon and one from the bottom. I think the top track is currently the easiest one to follow – and is about a 20 minute walk from the road. Add another hour or more each way if walking over from Deep Pass.