Recent Forth Falls info..??

[Smurphette]

Hi there! I'm new here but have been lurking for a while

I attempted a trip to Forth Falls today, eventually found the carpark which is now on private property behind a locked gate and electric fence....

Just wondering if anyone has been to the falls recently, and whether it's even possible now, and how seriously the private property signs should be taken? As I've been unable to find much recent info..

By the look of the wire part of the fence, it's been climbed over a few times...

[waterfallman]

Hi Smurphette.. I've been into the Forth Falls area a little while back. 17th oct 2015, to be exact. I researched it for a while, but the info is limited. As always.
At my Oct 2015 recce, it was learned that the owners of the "Escape to" property have fenced off the entrance to the Forth Falls track, from their property!
What was once a signposted entrance, is now a fenced off garden area, with no signs at all!
However..
Start early.. note..Start early! If you can get yourself up to track start by 9am, you'll have time to faff around and enjoy yourself.
Access is still possible by skirting around the cornerpost of the "Escape to" fence at the westernmost corner. This is near where a permanent white post for a gas main rises out of the ground. Simply head roughly south/south/east, following the fence, to where you should pick up the old track within about 25-30m. Heading SW downhill in the direction of the bush.
Shortly after this, a dam is visible on your left, down the hill somewhat.
Continue on down the hill and you will pick up the old track eventually. It heads downhill from the dam for about another 250m and turns south across a damp boggy gully. There are a few pieces of pink tape now starting to appear, which will help you keep to the track. You may get wet shoes here. From this gully, you head east and then south to Quoll point. About 1.1k. It is relatively easy walking, but can sap you on a hot day. Quoll point is actually high up on the hillside, overlooking Lake Barrington. A steep rocky place with not a great area to swing a cat in. lol. From here, the path splits. There is an obscure signpost pointing up to the right. It points the way to the Upper Forth Falls. Magic and worth a look too. The left hand fork leads downhill via a hundreds of lovingly crafted stone steps, to the main Forth falls. I call these drops the "Middle" Falls. They are the main tourist view and are stunning, esp in high water flow. They roar around a right angle cleft in the rock and thunder down into a very plunge pool that is great for swimming and easing tired feet! Below this, where the pool empties, there are what I call the Forth Cascades. It is possible, with care, to walk/rock hop down alongside the water stream here, over large open flat rock slabs. Below again, is what I call Forth Falls Lower.. A steplike drop of about 1m height. Best in high flow. Below this, you can sidle slowly down to the final visible drop, which I call Forth Falls Bottom, which is the original large main drop, which was about 20m high until they dammed the river and the lake flooded it. It is now only about 6m high, but impressive nonetheless. Do not get too close to the edge. I'm a great believer in "having a go", but use your judgement and common sense here. I'm not sure here, but I suspect that there was another drop in what is now the lake, about 45m SE of the Lowest visible drop, but this needs confirming, and I suspect that there are now none left alive who remember this.
The track to the Upper Falls is steep and rocky, as it inches up the spine of the hill for about 160m. From here a small glimpse may be had of the upper drop, away to the south, through the trees. Continue on, walking downhill for about 279m. After you round a gully, you will hear the roar of the Upper falls, but be very careful here, They are tricky to see. An indistinct (but taped!) access pad leads into the bush for about 16m.
It leads very steeply down to a rock ledge in the middle of the Upper Forth Falls Group. Excellent pictures may be obtained from here. But.. Beware.. It is steep and..slidy? Yes.. It has seen better days. It involves rotten timber and soft spots. Thorns, prickles and branch grabbing and bottom bumping!
Having said all that.. it is well worth the effort if you can get down here! It will give you an excellent face on view of the mighty Upper Forth Falls. About a further 150m upstream from this point, the track leads to a small cascade which is a nice place to eat. I've called it Forth Falls Top, but it barely qualifies for a "Falls". lol.
Another 120m upstream from here, are a nice set of cascades, river wide. You can easily see the private property on the other side of the river and will wish earnestly that you could have just slipped in from here.
So, that's it. I suggest doing only the lower track and falls in one trip, if you haven't done much bush walking. Save the Upper group for another trip, where you'll be better prepared as far as track and distance are concerned. Oh, on my way out, I garnered lots of spare pink tape and made a nice garland which I tied to the large tree near the gas post. I hope it is still there, to mark the track start. Hope my pics help also. These falls will obviously be better in winter/spring.

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[waterfallman]

Oh.. I forgot.. on the last two pics, on the yellow track to the upper falls, there is an orange straight line coming off, called Bush Trek??.
Do not attempt this. It is merely my wishful thinking, about other possible access points etc. It has not been tested.
And my note "Big Old Tree" refers to a large tree that had collapsed across the track. I climbed over it in 2012, and I'm glad it has finally been chain sawed into submission by 2015! The land it is on is the realm of "The Authorities". Parks maybe? Not sure. Probably. I think the Escape to Owners may own some of the land leading down to the boggy gully, but I am not certain here. In any case, be quiet, respectful, and blend into the background. Enjoy the falls complex. It is stunning!
But, then again, I would say that. I'm an incorrigible waterfall er.. aficionado? fanatic? lol.
Cheers and have fun.

[Smurphette]

Wow, thanks! That's a lot of info for my little brain to take in, but extremely helpful!
I'm very keen to get to the upper falls as the photos I've seen are stunning! But as you said, might give the lower ones a go first to suss out what I'm in for, probably over the next few months while the weather is still good, and then possibly head back in spring to attempt the upper ones if I think I can manage it

Thanks again, I wasn't expecting such detailed advice!