Bushwalk Australia

I visited Philosopher Falls last year. Went to the lookout, however couldn't find the old track to the base of the falls. Has anyone done the walk to the bottom or knows anything about it? It looks spectacular from the pictures I have seen, and while the newer track is great, the view of the falls really isn't that brilliant.

Haven't been to the base yet, but I've been told by someone else that the best way to get there is to cross the creek high up and pick up the old route from there. I do have a rough sketch map of it somewhere . . .

north-north-west wrote:Haven't been to the base yet, but I've been told by someone else that the best way to get there is to cross the creek high up and pick up the old route from there. I do have a rough sketch map of it somewhere . . .

...or, more to the point, do not cross the creek higher up. The new track crosses the creek and follows the Arthur-to-Magnet water race along to the steps and viewing platform. The old track did not cross the creek at this point. Instead, it stayed river right, ducked and weaved to negotiate patches of horizontal, crossed a substantial tributary, swung away from the river to avoid cliffs and then doubled back to the base of the falls.

Watch out though. There is a heap of tape in the myrtle forest around the continuation of Butlers Road east of the car park. When I followed the old track up from the falls I got onto a taped route complete with chainsawed log crossings which led me in a huge circle away from the car park. It was the survey for a logging coupe which was abandoned when this area became a reserve under the previous government.

It is worth noting Philosopher Falls is no longer in a reserve. It is now a good example of the new government's land classification of "Future Potential Production Forest" which can be made available for harvesting after 2020.

tastrekker wrote:

north-north-west wrote:Haven't been to the base yet, but I've been told by someone else that the best way to get there is to cross the creek high up and pick up the old route from there. I do have a rough sketch map of it somewhere . . .

...or, more to the point, do not cross the creek higher up. The new track crosses the creek and follows the Arthur-to-Magnet water race along to the steps and viewing platform. The old track did not cross the creek at this point. Instead, it stayed river right, ducked and weaved to negotiate patches of horizontal, crossed a substantial tributary, swung away from the river to avoid cliffs and then doubled back to the base of the falls.

Yeah, that sounds better. I was wondering after I wrote it if I remembered it correctly, what with that bridge and all . . .

Watch out though. There is a heap of tape in the myrtle forest around the continuation of Butlers Road east of the car park. When I followed the old track up from the falls I got onto a taped route complete with chainsawed log crossings which led me in a huge circle away from the car park. It was the survey for a logging coupe ...

It's always such a relief to find out you aren't the only person to get caught out in a particular way . . .