Starting from Lower Portals Carpark, Mount Barney, this return walk takes you to the swimming hole along Mount Bartney Creek via the Lower Portals Track, optionally visiting Five Peaks View Lookout along the way. An undulating straight track going through the diverse vegetation will take you to a gorgeous rock pool, sitting beautifully amidst nature. Don’t be shy, jump in and enjoy the cool waters of Mount Barney Creek and listen to the peaceful sounds of the forest to relieve some stress. You can pack some food and have a little creekside picnic after the refreshing swim if you’d like to. If lucky, you might even spot a Goanna whilst eating. Take the side trip and visit the lookout if you have time, you’ll be surprised how much you can see from there. Take plenty of water as the track is quite exposed and hot, even in winter. You may want to opt for an early morning walk if you’d like to avoid the relentless heat. This track may involve a little bit of rock hopping. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
Getting started From the dirt car park off Lower Portals Road(1.48km west of intersection with Seidenspinner Road), head west along the well-formed walking track(Lower Portals) as it leads you into the woodland. Stay on the designated track and keep moving in the same direction to continue along Mount Barney Creek via Lower Portals Track. Keep an eye out for ribbons/tapes for guidance.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
From the Lower Portals Start heading along Lower Portals (a walking track).
Then pass the sign.
Find the Mount Barney National Park at the start.
After another 15 m pass the toilet (15 m on your right).
After another 670 m (at the intersection of Lower Portals & Rocky Creek) continue straight, to head along Lower Portals.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This optional side trip takes you to the Five Peaks View Lookout, where you can see multiple mountain peaks all around, hence the name. To start this optional side trip turn sharp right here. On returning from this side trip continue straight when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 1.8 km (from the Lower Portals) continue straight, to head along Lower Portals.
After another 810 m find the "swimming hole" (on your right).
swimming hole
swimming hole
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At the intersection of Lower Portals & Eagles Ridge continue straight.
After another 60 m head through/around the gate.
Then cross the ford (about 4 m long)
Turn around here and retrace the main route for 3.3 km to get back to the start.
This optional side trip takes you to the Five Peaks View Lookout, where you can see multiple mountain peaks all around, hence the name.
Turn map
Directions & comments
From the Lower Portals Start (a walking track).
After another 220 m come to "Five Peaks View".
Continue another 0 m to find Five Peaks View at the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 220 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Mount Barney Creek via Lower Portals
Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length
6.7 km
Time
2 h 30 min to 4 h
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
Signage
Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Bushwalk
2 h 30 min to 4 h
1 h 15 min to 2 h
Toilet: There is one 25 m from the start.
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Then pass the sign.
After another 670 m (at the intersection of Lower Portals & Rocky Creek) continue straight, to head along Lower Portals.
After another 810 m find the "swimming hole" (on your right).
After another 60 m head through/around the gate.
Then cross the ford (about 4 m long)
After another 220 m come to "Five Peaks View".
