Leeaberra Track/Heritage Falls Walks in Douglas Aspley

[the_camera_poser]

Hi all- I've done a bit of net-searching regarding these, but does anyone here have any first-hand experience with the Leeaberra Track or Heritage Falls track in Douglas-Aspley NP? Specifically, the suitability of the track for overnights with a family, condition of the trail and campsites, quality of scenery and the relative busy-ness of the track?

Pictures are good too!

Thanks all!

[north-north-west]

Yes.

[the_camera_poser]

Yes?

[north-north-west]

OK, sorry about that. I was just stalling for time while I went looking for photos, but photobucket is down for maintenance, so I can't show you any pretty pictures right now.
I did the Leeaberra track, including the falls, in '06. At that point there was only one difficult section, and that was the descent to the creek which you more or less follow to the first (northern) campsite above Heritage falls. There were a lot of fallen trees blocking the track, necessitating some awkward scrambling to get over/under/around. Otherwise it's pretty easy walking, although the bit from the falls campsite back up the ridge to continue south is a little steepish, and there were some other ridgetop sections partially blocked by fallen trees. I assume that TasParks is slightly more efficient than their Victorian counterparts, so those sections have probably been cleared by now.
The rainforest loop is also worth doing, just a short scramble back up to the main track at the southern end.

It's a good walk. Camping at Heritage Falls is extensive, the sites a good size, the water lovely and clear. Heritage Falls is an easy amble downstream, Leeaberra Falls something of a scramble further on. There is (was) a cairned route up the ridge and then down to Leeaberra Falls from Heritage Falls, on the left side of the water. And you can climb further down after crossing the river below Leeaberra Falls and going over the ridge on the right. And the views from that nobbly bit of rock above the Apsley River are pretty decent, too.

[the_camera_poser]

Cool! Thanks for that. Would it be suitable for a fit and active 5 year-old in your opinion? She can get up onto Marion's Lookout from Ronnie's carpark no worries.

[norts]

I took my two boys on it when they were 8 & 10. They enjoyed it. it was there first overnight bushwalk.
It is easy to miss the turn off on the Tasman Hwy to the beginning of walk.

Roger

[north-north-west]

Well, I'd have done it as a 5yr old, given the opportunity. Just keep her on a short leash near the falls - but you already know that.

[north-north-west]

A few watery shots. Most of what I did there was further south, around the Apsley River, or else flowers and fungi.

[north-north-west]

Oh, and for the record, I spent five days there, walking to the Apsley waterhole and back (and don't get all aggro about the one-way-only-phytophthora thing, 'cause I disinfected all my gear after recrossing the river) and the only people I saw were a couple of day trippers at the waterhole. Very quiet. Good weather, too.

[north-north-west]

Plus, the wildlife is fantastic:

[the_camera_poser]

wow- great pictures Scavenger!

Thanks for the info all!

[GerryDuke]

Thanks for the great photos Scavenger. The day walk at the northern end has been on my wish list for a while. I have been waiting for some rain before better weather so there would be some water in the rivers!

There is a good map here:
http://www.aurorabeachcottage.com.au/d-a%20NP.htm

200 metres before the car park there is a quarry on the left. There is a great view of the coast including Templestowe Beach and Lagoon - also worth a visit.

I drove past the E Road turnoff a couple of weeks ago and the Douglas Apsley sign had been removed. The old Corolla handles the road OK.

Gerry