Four club members (Sharon, Rob, Phil, Ian) enjoyed this short, but challenging, walk. The weather was favourable – cloudy and mild – and there was good water in the creek and over the waterfall.
From a steep drop off Waterfall Road into upper Lyons Creek we were soon creeping along the steep sidewalls downstream to find the top of the falls. This was slow as we had to avoid deep pools and overhangs in solid rock (best swum on a hot day?!). We were able to find a steep mossy scramble on the eastern side among the rock lilys and other orchids and we were soon on the narrow platform overlooking the waterfall’s main drop. It was worth the effort.
Lyons Creek falls initially drops left into a pothole which empties down a very steeply inclined rock face for perhaps 25 metres. It then forms a large solid rock pool (a perfect swimming hole?) before cascading another 10 metres to the bottom which, one day, will demand some further exploration. The main drop makes an excellent abseiling wall – flat, unobstructed, and just off vertical.
Retreating, we explored the creek upstream. Initially, it has steeply inclined sides and some solid rock small cascades which require a few high detours. But after a few hundred metres it opens up to a broader valley with a gravelly stream bed. It is open rainforest all the way with cool temperate species such as Coachwood reaching sizeable proportions in the broader valley. The flat gravelly sections were a joy to walk.
Because of freshwater crayfish holes in the finer gravels we kept an eagle eye on the water pools but saw none of the small, blue crustaceans normally living there.
We lunched at a junction with good flat ground on all sides, suitable for camping, and then took the nearest branch to the car on Wallaby Road. Still in rainforest we left it only a hundred metres from the road.
Rob’s “very reliable” GPS route measured 8km walked, about half of that in the creek.
It’s a pretty area and reasonably accessible. We certainly enjoyed it. Hopefully, Phil’s photos will do it justice.
Photos by Philip - click for larger **** This article first appeared on the Batemans Bay Bushwalking website
About the BATEMANS BAY BUSHWALKERS INC. First formed in 1985, we have about 200 members. We are not-for-profit and run by volunteers We are an Incorporated Association with a Constitution and a Committee to oversee administration Personal Accident, Public Liability and Associations Liability Insurance is funded by your annual subscriptions We publish 4 Walks Programs per year, with 2 walks a week of varying grades. Visitors are welcome on walks and are covered by our insurance for 3 walks per financial year Walks are led by volunteer Walk Leaders, who carry a GPS, topographic map, and when appropriate, a safety beacon. We take our safety seriously. Bushwalking is a risky business, accidents do happen, injuries do result. Each walk is graded for difficulty so that you can choose walks to suit your level of ability. Members and Visitors sign a Responsibility Waiver before each walk. We also get together for a variety of social activities and camps, but you have to be a Member to come along to those
