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New Site

Hi Everyone

Please visit my new hosted site for more recent posts. It is a work in progress with some exciting new features, so please be patient!

The new address is  http://www.waterfallwonders.info/blog

Or simply click on this link Waterfall Wonders on Tweed

Thanks

Barbara

A crisp clear day dawned and it was time to revisit the Springbrook National Park.  It had rained for nearly a week on the Gold Coast and the creeks were flowing strongly which meant for magnificent waterfalls.

 

The Twin Falls circuit walk is accessed at the Canyon Lookout and although everything was sodden and muddy we ventured into the dense vegetation wearing good walking shoes. It did not take long before our shoes were filthy dirty!

 

We started to descend into the valley and our first stop was at the top of the Twin Falls. It was breathtakingly beautiful as four creeks merged as little waterfalls out of the vegetation to become one at the top of the falls.

 

Top of Twin Falls, where the 4 creeks meet

 

At this point we cross over the top of the falls on a walkway and to our left was the magnificent Twin Falls with the water cascading down and a view over the valley.

 

Top of Twin Falls where the water cascades down into the valley

 

We descended further in to the valley walking next to sheer cliff edges and passing through some small caves formed by rock clefts and huge boulders. We wound our way still further down passing numerous smaller waterfalls along the way until we reached the bottom of the Twin Falls.

 

This was awesome – standing in the spray and looking up at the water cascading down which was deafening. We were able to walk under the falls, behind the water plummeting 60m down into the rock pool.

 

Bottom of the Twin Falls

 

I was able to capture some good shots while walking through the spray although I, my camera and glasses were slowly getting drenched. The sheer thrill of being behind all that water is something to cherish.

 

Under the Twin Falls, behind the water plummeting down

 

Coming out the other side of the falls.

 

The Twin Falls

 

We still had a way to go now that we were at the bottom of the valley; and an encounter with another stunning waterfall before the 200 stair climb to the top.

 

All this in the next post…

 

A Kookaburra welcomes you to Nightcap National Park. In fact, he was quite tame, no doubt from receiving a morsel or two to eat!

 

A Kookaburra welcome

 

 

There are two walks through the Minyon Valley with its ancient rainforest vegetation.

 

Minyon Falls Walk

This is a 6km (approx. 2 hour) moderate walk which includes some hills to experience the amazing Minyon Falls in the spectacular Nightcap National Park. Walk through the beautiful brush box rainforest valley to the plunge pool of the 100m Minyon Falls and see magnificent Strangler Figs, Bangalow Palms and Helmholtzia Lily along the way.

 

Minyon and Condong Falls Walk

This is a 9km (approx. 4 hour) walk through beautiful brush box rainforest to experience two awesome waterfalls Condong Falls and Minyon Falls. On your way see magnificent Strangler Figs, Bangalow Palms and Helmholtzia Lily and stop at the Minyon Falls plunge pool before walking on to the Condong Falls.

 

Start of the Minyon Falls walk and onto the Condong Falls.

 

Minyon Falls walk and onto the Condong Falls

 

Directions to the Minyon Falls.

 

Directions to Minyon Falls

 

 

What to bring

·         Wear a pair of sturdy covered shoes.

·         Bring a raincoat as the weather is changeable in the ranges.

·         Bring sunscreen and a hat.

·         Bring at least 750ml of water.

 

Where is

The Nightcap National Park is easily located from Byron Bay, Lismore and Ballina. For directions go to this link - Nightcap National Park

 

The Weather

You might want to check out the weather at Bureau of Meteorology before planning your trip.

The Minyon Falls can be found in the Nightcap National Park whose ranges form the southern rim of the massive Tweed volcano caldera, one of the largest and best preserves of its type in the world. Mt Warning is the plug from this extinct shield volcano which once had a diameter of over 100km.

 

Two thirds of Nightcap National Park is a World Heritage area after logging of the Daintree was stopped in this significant ecosystem. Whian Whian State Conservation Area which is adjacent to Nightcap NP plays an important role in protecting the catchment area of Rock Creek Dam, and provides an extended protection zone for Nightcap and protects threatened species.

 

Standing on the viewing deck, which extends out over the valley is breathtaking in itself, as there is nothing but the platform under you. The untouched Minyon valley with its ancient rainforest vegetation and the Minyon Falls that rise over 100m out of the rainforest, is an awesome view.

 

This pic was taken from the top of the falls as the water cascades down; and shows just how high the falls actually are by the view through the trees.

 

Top of Minyon Falls

 

Minyon Falls – taken from the viewing deck.

 

Minyon Falls

 

Further upstream and deeper into the rainforest.

 

Minyon Falls Rainfores

 

 

More to come … some easy bushwalking …

 

 

 

 

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