How to get to McGowans falls

[dookanooka]

hi,
i'm looking to go to check out McGowans falls and wondering how I get to the head of the track and what condition the track is in. I think there's a track starting somewhere off Relapse Creek Road or Relapse Link Road, but that's all I can find, gleaned from Tassietrekkers blog.

Also, what is and where is Victory Springs? Worth a visit?

thanks all,
Ben

[GerryDuke]

I am keen to verify the location of the track myself Ben. I wandered down that way 8 years ago. I found what I presume was the track on Relapse Creek Road. There was a rock cairn of sorts by the side of the road where the map indicated the track should have been. Walked in for a little way. The 'track' was flanked by cutting grass. Being summer (little water about) I decided not to go on. I am keen to go back but after rain.

I also drove down to Farquhars Bridge. The map shows Victory Springs just before the bridge but I did not notice any indication of where or what they are!

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Merry Christmas,

Gerry

[sirius Tas]

Have recently visited these falls on a geocaching excursion...quite speccy though at the time I didn't go to the bottom of falls...intending to go back during winter after substantial rain.
The details can be found at
http://geocaching.com.au/cache/ga1566
The track is quite good with a few minor trees across after the wind storm we had a few months back. I'm hoping to clear these off at some stage.
As for Victory Springs....no knowledge what so ever.
Cheers....sirius.

[dookanooka]

great info, thanks

[MrCAMEL]

Mr Duke, I am going to play guess the car game. Is that your HQ?
But, was that picture of the bridge also taken only 8 years ago? I was (almost) sure, that I read somewhere that both Hilder's and Farquhar's Bridge had been broken for decades.

When did they actually break?

[tastrekker]

Being an old fashioned stickler for non-technological ways of navigating in the bush, here's the way I have always remembered the McGowans Falls track location since I was first shown the spot many many moons ago...

As you drive down Relapse Creek Road, you wind down the southern side of the Relapse Creek valley. Therefore there is a drop-off on your right and an embankment on your left. After a little way, the road briefly crosses the watershed between the Relapse Creek and Arthur River valleys so you have a drop on your left and an embankment on your right. The next bend in the road delivers you back to the Relapse Creek valley with a drop on your right and an embankment on your left. At the start of the next straight, the track enters the bush at an old spur road on your right. There's a scary insight into the way my brain works.

Here's the alternate method - Head approx 2km down Relapse Creek Road and look for a cairn with pink tape on your right!!!

I still like my first method as cairns and tape change much more rapidly than valleys and watersheds.

The walk to the bottom is great even in low water flows as the rock bands which the falls flow over are quite colourful. The colours are best appreciated when there is very little water.

[tastrekker]

Dear MrCamel,
I can partly answer your bridge question. Hilders Bridge has been gone for decades (not sure exactly how long). Farquhars Bridge went in the August 2007 floods which also washed away Tayetea Bridge.

[GerryDuke]

Thanks TT for the info. I wondered if the bridge was still there. Yes MrC the picture was taken 8 years ago - my old Datsun Sunny at the time.

Gerry

[dookanooka]

very interesting everyone, i'll double the thanks with Gerry

[NWDANIEL]

Bit off topic but can anyone give me directions to get to Heaven from Hilders Crossing GPS Coords would be great for heaven if anyone has them. The Track for Mcgowans Falls starts at S 41'09.848 E 145'27.325 Cheers

[tastrekker]

Check out my entries on the Tarkine Falls/Rainforest Track topic for a detailed answer to your question about 'Heaven'. I can't give GPS co-ords but (as mentioned in the other topic), the 2 waterfalls at that location appear as small white flecks on google's satellite image of the area. When I click on the flecks, Google shows the following numbers: -41.178121, 145.359957 Are they able to be plugged into a GPS?

[NWDANIEL]

Thanks heaps

[GerryDuke]

I had a need to go to Smithton yesterday. I took Tastrekkers advice to visit McGowans Falls in summer.
There was a little water in the river. As TT said - very colourful.


McGowans Falls - detail

McGowans Falls

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GETTING THERE:


Pass the Weather Radar at West Takone on the right.

West Takone radar

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Turn Left here - continuation of Farquhars Road.

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Turn right here into Relapse Creek Road.

Start of track

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About another 2 kms from the start of Relapse Creek Rd to the start of the track .

A 10 of 15 minute to the top of the falls on a well made well marked track.
A large tree has fallen across the track about half way which needs negotiating.

The walk down to the falls is fairly straightforward. Not much sign of erosion Tastrekker.
One tricky bit. Need to use the tree roots as a ladder.



One of the great short walks. Will be back after rain!

Gerry

[GerryDuke]

Saw a report where the Arthur River was in flood. While up that way I found time to visit Mc Gowans Falls again as well as Philosopher Falls. The track work at Philosopher Falls is fantastic. Will try and find time to post a few pics.

McGowans Falls.

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Gerry

[50plus]

Great directions to McGowans falls Gerry good for people without the modern tech equipment , fine set of Falls will try to get back when more water