I had been invited to spend Christmas Eve with my sister and her husband, who live at Woodford, and I thought it may be nice to do some of the short walks in the area.
Mabel Falls
The first walk we did was the Transit of Venus Walk which goes to three waterfalls – Mabel Falls, Edith Falls and Hazel Falls. These small waterfalls are to be found on the north side of Woodford. The walk is so named because a transit of Venus was observed using a 4.5 inch telescope at Woodford, not long after the town was established in the 1870’s.
It was a short and pleasant walk on a good track to the first waterfall – Mabel Falls. These are only a metre or two high and it was not very impressive with a low flow going over.
We then followed the track downstream to Edith Falls. Again a small waterfall with a very low flow.
Edith Falls
Next was Hazel Falls which lies short way up another tributary creek. These falls are higher with a good overhang under the waterfall – but again on our visit there was only a small flow.
Hazel Falls
We then walked up to a fire road which we followed back to near Edith Falls and then took the track back to the trail head.
This was a nice walk in attractive country. For good photographs of the waterfalls I would only visit after a prolonged spell of rain.
The Gypsy Pool
I next went on a walk to the Gypsy Pool and Cave. These lie to the south of the railway line. My sister showed me a way to the Gypsy Pool from near her house using a faint track. The Gypsy Pool is currently silted up with sand – and is consequently very shallow and no good for swimming. A short way upstream the creek is crossed by a fire road which I followed along to a track that went to the Gypsy Cave. Other tracks branched off from here which go to Woodford Station. The Gypsy Cave is a nice overhang complete with a picnic table inside and another outside.
The Gypsy Cave
I then headed back to my sister’s place.
These are two pleasant and easy walks in the mid mountains. More photos are on my website here.
Hi David,
Thank you for sharing your visit and photos. I was looking at the map of Woodford and was curious about the Gypsy Cave. We will have to have a look when in the vicinity.