Scenario

Pretty view of a rugged mountain stream. Very dry in summer so bring plenty of water. Should be exciting when the creek is flowing. Reminiscent of Spring Creek but the rock is not as loose. Nevertheless a hard hat is recommended. A 4wd is required for the road into the area. If a pick up at the bottom of the canyon is desired then 2 x 4wds are required.

Ref :- 1:25000 maps Cotter Dam, Umburra and Couragago (It is in the corner of the 3 maps)

or :-1:100000 Bridabella map

Drive to the Casuarina crossing of the Murrumbidgee river west of Canberra. After crossing the river turn right up a hill and follow Brindabella road to a "T" intersection. Turn left and follow Brindabella road to Piccadilly Circus. (17 Ks). Turn hard right onto Two Sticks road. As you follow Two Sticks road, You will pass Curries Road on the right after about 6 Ks, and the road to Mt Coree on the right after a further 2.2 Ks. The next land mark is the power line. Continue for about 2Ks, and turn left on Baldy Range road. Turn left (West), after 0.5 Ks on Dingi Ridge road, and follow that for about 6 Ks, past the steep section (at MR 62.5 : 95.8 ) which precludes cars getting in here. Turn left on Webbs Range road for about 200 metres and then right onto the Waterfall trail. Follow this for 2.5 Ks and find an old fire trail on the right (North -East), at Grid Ref. 98.3:59.9 (Brindabella map). Park the car. Follow the trail for approx. 200 metres to the creek. Walk downstream beside the creek (North west) for about Half a K.

Curries Road and The Mt Coree road both start from a right hand turn, (at MR 89.5 : 66.8), off Brindabella Rd to Blundells picnic area. The roads are not hard to find due to forest operations having been finished, but either of these roads is a significant short cut. It is currently 200 metres after the end of the tar, Curries road goes left just after the creek crossing.

Arrive at the head of the Canyon

1) Climb down 3 meters on the RHS of the falls.

2) Abseil 22 meters from a tape on the LHS

3) Climb down to the next abseil off a tape loop with shackle bolt (for easy pull down) RHS . This abseil is about 55 meters but the last bit is easy to downclimb.

4) Walk down to next abseil to a tape on a ledge on RHS and abseil 30 meters.

5) Abseil from a tape on a rock outcrop on the RHS 30 meters.

6) Last abseil 45 meters. Check the pull down. Use a shackle bolt to reduce friction.

Total drop about 230 meters from the start of the canyon.

  Return :-    Hard - Walk downstream about 100 meters and follow the gully on the LHS up to the ridge. cut to the right a bit at the top and intersect the road. (Waterfall Creek Fire Trail).                  

                       Easier- Walk downstream until you reach a bend to the right, with a low ridge in front. climb up the ridge and intersect the road. Follow the road to the left and return to the car. Else leave a 4WD for the exit on Folly Fire Trail at Map reference 98.8:58.4 Bridabella or Couragago map.
 

                       Another alternative- Follow the creek down for about a Kilometer and find a clear glade on a steep hillside on the left. Walk up the glade and then cut West and upwards to a saddle well above the road. Keep following the hill around to the left, eventually heading East straight up the hill. Intersect the road just before where you left the car.

                       Post Script We put in some tapes, and we fitted a shackle bolt on each belay. The tapes may need renewal and/or augmentation. The shackle bolts are there to make the pull down easier, and to save wear on the rope, and tape systems.