Wollangambe Canyon - Lower Tourist Section - track notes

• 06/01/2013 - photos
• 22/03/2003 - report - photos

The Wollangambe River passes through numerous sections of canyon on its way to the Colo River. The two most popular sections lie below Mt Wilson, and are excellent lilo trips on a summer day. The notes below describe the lower tourist section, often called Wollangambe 2. There are several side canyons in this section which are well worth investigating from the bottom.

Note that despite the grade of "Easy", getting to and from the canyon still requires a descent and ascent of over 300m on a track that is steep and rocky in places. The entry requires an exposed climb down tree roots. The canyon itself involves many long, cold swims, for which lilos and wetsuits are recommended, and there is a significant amount of climbing up, down and around house-sized boulders. Make sure you are fit and have appropriate gear before you go. There is no phone coverage.

Also, the time estimate of 5 to 8 hours is for a "moderately fit and experienced party of around 4-5 canyoners, including a couple of experienced leaders". Many groups will have inexperienced members, and will likely take longer - times of up to 10 or more hours are not uncommon.

Drive to Cathedral Reserve at Mt Wilson (117 Mount Irvine Rd) and park.

From the NW corner of Cathedral Reserve at Mt Wilson, head along the Northern Fire Trail, that leaves to the west, and passes through private property. After about 1.2km, this forks, and you veer right down a hill on the major branch. Part way up the hill, there is a large signboard to the right to Wollangambe Canyon (MGA562904). Turn on to this track.

Follow the well-constructed track (the Wollangambe Exit Track) roughly north for 1.5km down to the river at MGA560916 (Wollangambe map). Avoid taking a minor right fork to Why Don't We Do It In The Road? Canyon (Serendipity Canyon) after about 400m. There is a small signpost and a large anthill. The constructed track ends at the top of a cliff, and there is an exposed scramble down tree roots. This is shortly before you get to the river.

The canyon is pleasant and high walled, although never particularly narrow. Most of the canyon involves swimming or liloing, with generally short walks in between. There are only a couple of long swimming sections.

Not far from the start is a tricky 2m scramble down, or jump. Be careful if you jump, as there are only a couple of safe spots to land.

After another 200m or so, you pass Why Don't We Do It In The Road? Canyon at MGA565916. This is worth having a look up if you have time. If not, another 700m further on you pass Whungee Wheengee Canyon at MGA568919. This is well worth a visit from the bottom. It is possible to scramble quite some way up, but even the bottom 100m or so is superb.

You also pass Waterfall of Moss at MGA570925, but as the last abseil is close to the end, you can't see much of the canyon.

The exit - the Lambs Hill Exit Track - is at the big bend on the map at MGA572925. Watch for Waterfall of Moss Canyon coming in on the left. About 200m past this, and just past a big bouldery block up, you will see a small beach on the right, and two gullies on opposite sides of the river. There is also a yellow and black arrow glued to the rock on the right. Head up the right hand gully (to the south), and up to the ridge. There are several short scrambling sections to get to the ridge.

Once on the ridge, the track is a bit rough in places but largely follows the ridge to GR572910, just before the park boundary. The track used to continue up the ridge, but now contours around private property. It heads south and south east, marked with orange arrows on trees, and occasional pink tape. It joins the Lambs Hill Fire Trail at GR574905. Turn left, and follow the fire trail for 130m, and then veer off to another foot track on the right, again marked with arrows/tape. This crosses an old fire trail and then emerges out on the Mt Irvine Rd just opposite Cathedral Reserve.