Washpool heritage multi day walk

[srforum112]

Has anyone completed the multiday walk heritage walk in Washpool NP located in NSW?
Did you find it to be an interesting and good walk?
A friend and I are planning a walk in this area over five days and can't find much information on the walk. The NSW national parks website doesn't provide useful information and maps of the area and walk.
Thanks Sonja

[wildwalks]

Hi Sonja

I am not much help here sorry. I had a bit of a look at it about a month ago, I was thinking about walking there in a few months with a friend, but changed plans (looks like a good walk though).
Found very little info
This link outlines the main track.
http://www.mapmyhike.com/hike/australia ... 4037732150
I think the main track is about more like 45km but there are a bunch of side track todo along the way.
I am sure someone must have written something about it, but I don't have anything in my library.
Might be worth calling the ranger or info centre, they might have a local book (often find great small books at info centers after walks
Let me know if you do find something more helpful.

Happy walking
Matt

[srforum112]

Thanks Matt
Had a look at the circuit on the website you mentioned.
My friend has a hard copy article on the walk that I'll get to read next week.
I'll scan the article and pm you a copy (if I can work out how)
Very hard to find information on the walk, a shame as its a heritage listed area.
Regards
Sonja

[juju]

I've visited Gibraltar and Washpool a few times and done parts of this walk. I've taken 3 groups of first time overnighters into Grassy and onto Boundary Falls. Walked Dandahra Crags, Murrumbooee Cascades, Tree Fern Forest, Needles and along Little Dandahra Creek (lovely as a day walk on a warm day - get wet. All lovely walks. Camping at Mulligans with ample time for exploring is a great idea.
A friend has done the whole Heritage Walk twice, I didn't like the idea of walking mostly on fire trails from car park to car park to camp (with the exception of Grassy Creek which is a walk in camp).It's a popular walk in the holidays and would be a great multi-day tryout as you're never far from civilization. The camping grounds are pretty though (and you can even have a shower at Mulligans).
So from what we've experienced here's a bit of info.

Boring bits
My friend said all the days are well graded and there is ample time to get to camp each day with the exception of the last day from Boundary Falls to Mulligan's Hut which is a long but easy grade (one could stow packs in the bush near Mulligan's drive and pick them up later and the walk down the road into Bellbird from Mulligan's is a long haul - don't go clockwise as it's uphill all the way. A few ks before and after Grassy are a bit tedious with a lot of water diversion humps on the trail.
There isn't a lot of shade in summer and we were really cold up there in September, so late spring or early autumn is a good time. I would treat the water esp at Grassy Creek as we saw cattle and evidence of them in the south western areas around the creeks.

Good bits
There are a variety of environments on the walk and the rocky outcrops a feature, with views from the Dandahra Crags, Boundary Falls and the Needles. The best views and interesting landscapes are on the side trips. We went early November and the Waratahs and field flowers were out.
You'll get a swim at Mulligan's, Boundary Falls and Bellbird Camping grounds.

i hope this is some idea, Julie.

Near The Haystack

watch out for these...

rock monster.JPG (215.57 KiB) Viewed 6753 times

Near Boundary Creek

Boundary Creek Falls

Boundary Creek falls.JPG (467.96 KiB) Viewed 6753 times

[DaveNoble]

The Book - "Discovering NSW Rainforests, A walking and Cycling Guide" (Edited by Jeff Angel et al,1985 published by The Total Environment Centre and Rainforest Publishing, Sydney) may be worth seeking out. It has a chapter on the Washpool with suggestions for walks - long and short.

Dave

[Greenie]

I was considering visiting the Washpool one day. Now not so sure after seeing that Rock Monster.

JuJu are there many in the area? I hope they are slow moving.

[juju]

Yes, luckily they don't move much at all - which is how this bushwalker was taken unawares!

[srforum112]

Thanks Julie for sharing your experience with the washpool track, very helpful.
Love the photos, especially of the rock monster and the waratah.
The scenery looks really interesting, looking forward to the walk.
Regards
Sonja

[juju]

Cool, looking forward to hearing about it, Julie