by billshep1 » Fri 30 Aug, 2013 11:11 pm
Silver Falls - Castra Falls circuit. A few volunteers have done a lot of work to help reopen this circuit, see my track notes which also deal with the confusing nomenclature!
Castra Falls Circuit
Waiver. Access these walks entirely at your own risk, take special care in wet and windy weather. Big old trees can collapse at any time when the ground is saturated.
Track Notes. August 2013-08-22
Location. Near Nietta some 21 km south west of Ulverstone.
Map tasmap 1:25000 Castra. Beware of errors on this map both in the naming of the falls and the location of the major fall on Nietta Creek
Introduction. The Castra Falls Circuit is a pleasant walk along the Castra Rivulet and back up Nietta creek. The walk can of course be done in the other direction, or the track used just to access any of the falls and cascades. Features three waterfalls and two cascades, set in fine rain forest with big sassafras and myrtle.
The circuit is in State Forest and was one of many excellent tracks put in by Forestry Tasmania but has fallen into disrepair due to a reduction in Forestry’s capacity to maintain tracks .It has been reopened by volunteers.
Access. Take the B15 road from Ulverstone and look for a turn off to Gaunt’s Road some 2 km before Nietta. Follow Gaunt’s Road for around 1.2 km to a signposted car park. There is a new maps and directional signs there. The Nietta Creek track starts here, the track to Castra Rivulet starts some 200 mts down the road, where there is a star picket with a small sign.
The circuit walk is best done by going down Castra Rivulet and up Nietta Creek. From the signpost on Gaunt’s Road head along an old road following the perimeter of the pine plantation. You will come to a junction, with signs. To the left the circuit continues to Castra Falls. Straight ahead is the optional side trip to Step Falls, which has just been cleared - about a 10 minute easy walk. The terrain downstream from Step Falls is very rough, not recommended. There are traces of an old track but extensive storm damage and landslips on the steeper sections. Go back up to the junction to continue the circuit walk.
The circuit follows a forest track heading north east along the top of the ridge between Nietta Creek and Castra Rivulet. The route then leaves the ridge and descends very steeply in places to Castra Falls (Silver Falls on the tasmap!) Take great care on the final descent from the falls lookout as a slip here would be a grave misfortune. There is a new safety rope.
You will pass a junction on the way down to the base of the falls which is the onward route on the circuit. The falls are quite substantial after rain and there is a lovely little flat with big myrtle from which to admire them.
Go back up to the signposted junction and follow a well marked but steep, slippery and rough route which traverses high above the creek. Take great care here in wet conditions. Another route used to follow the creek but it has been blocked on a very steep bank by a huge log.
After the rough section the route nears a pretty unnamed cascade (Castra Cascade?) The track divides with a lower route going to the cascade while the main route heads down to the junction of Castra Rivulet and Nietta Creek. Cross on the remains of a boardwalk bridge and a sunken log to a little beach, an excellent place for lunch. If the creek is in flood there is a big old log about 100 mts upstream which can be crossed. There is a cascade not far downstream from the junction which could be explored.
Return to the carpark by ascending Nietta Creek on an easier track. You will pass a lovely set of cascades which tasmap calls Castra Falls. Do not be deceived, the main falls are Silver Falls which you will pass just before the final climb up to the carpark. Silver Falls (signposted) are the biggest on the circuit and have two tiers. You can take a little sidetrack to the base of the falls. Then go up the little hill to the car passing another little sidetrack to the middle of the falls.
The full circuit will take around 3 hours. For an easier walk , just head down Nietta Creek to the Junction and return by the same way. Stick to the marked route as the area is steep and rough in places.
Other falls in the area.
The Dynamo Falls on Gaunt’s Road at the Homestead can be visited by permission from the Miles Family. The Cox and Violet falls are further down Castra Rivulet and access is over another private property into steep and rugged terrain.