Leeaberra Track

[Russ17]

There doesn't seem to be a lot of info around on the Leeaberra track apart from the Parks 2 page flyer so thought I would share some info from completing it on the weekend

The E road access at the northern end, there are two large dips/ crossings - a 4wd or reasonable clearance AWD is required to get through these in order to drive to the trail head. The roads in are in reasonable condition otherwise. Tape has been used at intersections to identify the access road where required

Day 1 is pretty short and the track easily followed. Some one has very recently been through and cleared up fallen trees on the track with a chainsaw from start to finish. The first nights campsites down above the Douglas river are numerous and could probably easily fit 4 tents/ different groups. Water is readily available below the camp sites.
The walk downstream to the top of Heritage Falls is easy. The scramble down to the bottom of Heritage Falls is steep but worth it. Beautiful falls!! Leeabbera Falls are easy to access at the top but would appear to require a similar steep scramble to get to the amazing blue pool beneath. Really beautiful spot
It was a cold location, sun dropping behind the hills early and no sun into the camp site until quite late but no problem insects or other dramas

Day 2 is a short steepish scramble form the campsite up to the Rainforest Ledge side trip. From here its an easy ridgeline walk to the Nichols Cap side track, definitely worth walking out to. From this turn off its a reasonably steep descent to camp 2 on the south bank of the Douglas River. This is a really nice camping location aa bit smaller than the first nights. Good water access and sun into the afternoon and early in the morning. Could potentially push on and camp further along to shorten day 3 but the fire trail road area was still frosty and without sun mid morning

Day 3 is the longest and starts with a reasonably steep hike out of the valley to the fire trail and then some overgrown tracks to the Denison Rivulet which had other campsites scattered around. Water was also flowing here but it was cool and frosty. From here a little more care is required as the track becomes a pad and quote indistinct at times. A snake was close to the track sunning himself on the rocks and I imagine the whole track could be quite accommodating for snake spotting in the warmer months. There was no additional water from the Denison Rivulet until track end at the Apsley River crossing. It was pretty warm heading up the northern slopes on day 3 and cool to very cool on the backs of them

I think it was a bit more challenging than the easy that Parks states. In warmer months with limited water it could be a hot dry slog at times towards the southern portion. Track/ pad identification is required at times and care needed to be taken in parts

A really nice bush walk with some variety. Definitely not eye catching every step of the way like some of Tassies other walks but a great way to spend a few winters days

[Mechanic-AL]

Thanks for the post Russ.
I have only ever walked the Appsley Gorge section ( an awesome walk ) and have often wondered what else is out there so you info is appreciated.

Cheers
AL

[Thornbill]

Thanks for the post Russ

I walked the Leeaberra Track a couple of years ago. We saw no people over the 3 days in October when we walked it. If you enjoy different vegetation communities and plenty of flowers, this makes for a great spring walk.

[naturelover]

Hi. Thanks for that. I have had the two waterfalls on my bucket list for a bit, so was interested to read your report. How far extra would I have to walk if I'm too scared to drive my Subaru Forester over the sections where you said I need high clearance??? Or would a Forester be OK?? Ta

[north-north-west]

The two creek crossings are steep and narrow. I wouldn't be game in a Forester, but it's your car.

It's only an hour or so to the carpark.

[naturelover]

Thanks so much for that advice NNW. My car is less than a year old, and is the first new car I have ever owned. I am not very brave with my newish baby. I don't mind an extra two hours' (I'll go in and out the same way) walking.

[whynotwalk]

I walked the track in 2011, and according to my notes we walked an extra 5.5km from the creek crossing in question (didn't have 4wd). It was hot - yes, even in October - and it took over 3 hours just to get to the actual start of the track. I did a four part Leeaberra series on my blog, starting here: http://www.naturescribe.com/2011/10/goo ... oiled.html

Overall verdict: well worth doing. (Go for it Louise!)

cheers

Peter

[naturelover]

Thanks so much for that Peter, and I will definitely read your excellent blog later today. Sounds like I might need to do an overnighter rather than a single day trip. No probs there! Thanks for the advice

[Thornbill]

From memory it took us around an hour with full packs from the first wash out to the start of the track. As NNW has said, the creek crossings are pretty steep and I reckon you'd be brave taking a new Subie across them. The falls are lovely, as are the two main campsites on the track. When I did it, you we're allowed camp fires until October too. Worth double checking if this is still the case before lighting one though. Perfect winter walk. Enjoy.

[north-north-west]

Even if you're only going as far as the falls it's worth doing at as overnighter, because the creek and falls are really beautiful and it's worth spending the time exploring them thoroughly (and taking a gazillion photos). Plus the rainforest loop is a nice variation to do. And you can go to Lookout Hill and even Nichols Cap from that end.

[L_Cham_67]

Does anyone know what the water levels would be like at this time of year at the Denison Rivulet campsite? Thinking about doing this walk next week but would need to be out early on the final day so would rather the final day be shorter.

[L_Cham_67]

Day 3 is the longest and starts with a reasonably steep hike out of the valley to the fire trail and then some overgrown tracks to the Denison Rivulet which had other campsites scattered around. Water was also flowing here but it was cool and frosty.

Never mind, I should have read the original post in more detail!

[stepbystep]

My only experience of this track wasn't good, soon after East Coast floods a cpl years back, water levels were still high and the forest very wet, that was fine, but the 10 million leeches per square metre was less than fine!

I'd avoid doing it if the conditions feel 'leechy'...I'm going to do it in warmer months next time to allow for some swimming, it's lovely country to walk in.

[L_Cham_67]

I'd avoid doing it if the conditions feel 'leechy'....

I'll bear that in mind SBS. I'm not committed to the walk yet, so it may depend on what the forecast is like. Rainfall levels have been about average this month, and the forecast for Bicheno is only predicting a few mm over the next week, so I may avoid a leech-fest
You're right though. Walking through a forest of densely populated leeches does not appeal!

[north-north-west]

My only experience of this track wasn't good, soon after East Coast floods a cpl years back, water levels were still high and the forest very wet, that was fine, but the 10 million leeches per square metre was less than fine!

Must be something about me, but I've done the track twice during the damper parts of the year and never seen a leech, even in the rainforest section.
Or maybe it's something about you that attracts them . . .

[L_Cham_67]

Finished the Leeaberra Track today, and only saw two leeches, both at the Heritage Falls campsite. I only have a couple of extra points to add to the original post:
-The sidetrip into Heritage Falls has actually been closed, with notices up at both ends. Much of the vegetation has been pushed over from flooding, blocking the track. However it is still possible to just rock hop down the river.
-I camped at Denison Rivulet last night, and found very few sites. One was a few hundred metres south away from the rivulet, another was about 50 metres away on the southern side of the rivulet (and just off the track with a campfire pit already there) and there is also space to camp on the track in one spot. I pitched my tent on the second of those three choices.
Oh, and a family of huntsman spiders was living in the registration box at the northern end.

[bogholesbuckethats]

Did this walk as an overnighter last weekend, no leeches to report of. Ive put together some track notes and times if anyone is interested. https://bogholesandbuckethats.wordpress ... rra-track/

[gatesy]

I did it back in July as an overnighter including the road walk

I actually got 2 leeches on me through the trip

I suppose that's just because I'm an attractive bloke

PS. Apologies for opening an old thread!

[seakar]

I would just like to add, if walking in on the road from the Northern end. Make shore you have enough water. It is surprisingly dry. I walked in to Heritage Falls on the last weekend in September and the first flowing water was a small stream 20 mins before The Falls. Just think carry enough for 10km.

Camp at Heritage is really worth it.