Wollangambe Canyon – The Tourist Section

The day before we had visited Bowens Creek. On the Sunday, another warm day, we went down a section of Wollangambe Canyon. When its a hot day in Sydney, its hard to imagine a better or more delightful place to be in that in the Wollangambe.

The “Tourist Section” is the second main section of canyon in the Wollangambe. The first section is not as commonly visited (although it is very fine). It lies upstream of the Du Faurs Creek Junction. It can be accessed from Wollangambe Crater – and the constriction starts about half way down from the Crater (to the junction). The third section of canyon, immediately downstream of the “Tourist Section” is referred to as the “Greg Section” by SUBW canyoners. And there are more sections of canyon even further downstream.

Wendy and myself had lilos. Rob swam. Rik had his new Alpacka pack raft to try out. These light weight, but surprisingly tough, rafts are designed for white water. So they are overkill for Wollangambe Canyon. But Rik found it not too hard to manhandle down the bouldery sections and it was certainly much faster that lilos for the long pools.

Some other parties were in the canyon. Part way through the first pool we were entertained by a party of kids doing some high water jumps.

Recent wind storms have brought down some trees and there are new logs and branches to climb over in the canyon. One beautiful section, that I have photographed for many years has now been smashed and is littered with debris from fallen trees.

On a hot sunny day, photography is hard. The light is too contrasty. In some canyons you can make do with reflected light. There is not too much of this in the Wollangambe.

It was nice to wander up Water Dragon Canyon, one of many side canyons to the Wollangambe. This one is very accessible and is a “must do” side trip.

The longest pool in the “Tourist Section” is the very last pool – between the Water Dragon junction and the usual exit. This is a very fine section of the creek with the canyon walls being exquisitely sculpted.

There are a lot of delightful things to see as you paddle down on a lilo. The amazing rock -with its formations, carved out by swirling water over the eons. The river gums in the creek bed, twisted, gnarled and tortured by powerful floods.

On one trip, many years ago, a platypus, was in the canyon and paddled up to us on our lilos and remained in close view for about ten minutes. It was clearly visible in the clear water.

All of Wollangambe Canyon lies in a very special part of the Greater Blue Mountains known as the “Wollangambe Wilderness”. It is part of Blue Mountains National Park and also part of the greater Colo-Hunter Wilderness. Being wilderness, people who visit the canyons, even the very popular, easy and accessible ones like Wollangambe Canyon should ensure that they do not compromise the wilderness. Leave no trace of your visit. Build no cairns. Leave no markers. Don’t expect exit signs or marked tracks. Please respect this amazing place.