Dandongadale Falls question

[neil_fahey]

Hi all,

I was just wondering if anyone has been to the base of Dandongadale Falls? I was thinking there might be a track I'm not aware of or if not, maybe it's possible to walk up the river? As I've mentioned on the forums before, I'm dying to get up there and have another crack at Mt Cobbler this summer so I was thinking of doing this on the same trip.

Thanks
Neil

[north-north-west]

I've never heard of a track to the base of the falls, and there's nothing shown on the map. I suppose it would be possible to scrub-bash up along the river, but I don't think it would be very easy going. Bound to be plenty of blackberries as well as other scrub. Around 2km of riverside bashing in that sort of country would take hours.

[neil_fahey]

Thanks for the reply mate... I don't actually have a good map of that area so that's good to know.

Cheers
Neil

[Earwig]

Abseil?

My profile pic is sitting at the top of the falls. It's a long way down!

[neil_fahey]

WOW Earwg... That's a bit hairy!

I love the IDEA of abseiling down, but I was put off abseiling (and caving) a very long time ago on a school trip... Not very keen!

[north-north-west]

Helicopter?

[neil_fahey]

Now you're talkin'!

[Earwig]

But you couldn't land a chopper at the base - yu'd have to either abseil out of the hovering beast or jump - preferably with a parachute.

[neil_fahey]

Point taken... Maybe I'll swim

[north-north-west]

But you couldn't land a chopper at the base - yu'd have to either abseil out of the hovering beast or jump - preferably with a parachute.

Now THAT'S my idea of a fun day!
(The abseiling from the chopper,not the parachuting. Be a beast of a place to try to control a 'chute)

[Biggles]

My walking companions brought up this subject as we ogled Dang' along road to Lake Cobbler. Walk supremo Glen Van der Knijff may know of a track (though he may not let on about it and it would doubtless be very involved and tedious). If you travel slowly, there are very good views of Dangdongadale Falls along the road to Lake Cobbler, the problem though being where to park the car on a road not wide enough to swing a cat. Be it noted that the creek draining from Lake Cobbler itself leads to a quite photogenic waterfall but the cliffs just below the road are dangerous, ditto those around Dandongadale which obviously don't invite derring-do. Despite the great beauty on offer, the hideous defile of Dang' is probably fitter for devils to tread than angels.

[neil_fahey]

Thanks Biggles... Yeah we saw the great views on the road to Lake Cobbler and that's what made us want to get to the base of it. Beautiful waterfall!

[Bill P]

Hi manofunreal,

I bashed down the adjacent spur to the north of the falls a few years ago, to save a bit of road slog. Scrub was thick but soft. The terrain seemed to fall away a bit steeply to the south & the base of the falls. Could be a bit tricky getting out again.

Bill P

[neil_fahey]

Cheers Bill... I've pretty much given up on the idea now so no worries

[pastandpresent]

g'day manofunreal
I just happened to notice your query about dandongadale falls. I have been to the base of the falls, you have to walk up the river as the scrub is too thick on either side. Went up there in January 2010 with three mates, there wasn't that much water in the river. It was about 1 1/2 hours rambling through the river. There are a couple of places as you get closer to the falls with some large boulders that require a boost up. We didn't take rope or any climbing aids we just scrambled. At the base is a large pool with crystal clear water with fresh water crays and fish. We entered down stream, where a log bridge go's over the river on the Whitfield - Cobbler Road. There's a small car park there. Give a go!

[neil_fahey]

Thanks for the reply. Sounds like fun! Any advice on where to start walking from?

[pastandpresent]

where the whitfield-cobbler road meets the dandongadale river there is a small parking area , we got into the river at that spot, the river has quite slippery rocks and plenty of fallen trees in it so the going is reasonbly slow .If there has been substantial rain though i dont know if it would be possible ,as the water was only just over knee deep when we went up. good luck

[neil_fahey]

Thanks heaps for the tip! It's on my 'to do' list!

[north-north-west]

I'd wait until the next drought.

[neil_fahey]

The way my to do list looks, it might be the next ice age before I get around to it

[north-north-west]

Hmmmm, frozen Dandongadale Falls . . . I think I'd go with you for that one.

[neil_fahey]

Deal

[KnJ]

Hi guys, we live in the town that is the gateway to Dandongadale falls (Cheshunt) and we are roughly 30\45 mins slow windy dirt rd from the falls...and have been extensivly researching the area have lived up here for a few years and have a few good deer hunting friends who have stood at the base of the dandongadale falls! what i am proposing is a no *&^%$#! walk from the carpark up the creek to the falls which will not be for the faint of heart as blood sweat and tears is probably needed to get up there. and remember that the weather might be warm but the creeks rivers and streams come from high above out here and are *&%$#! cold in the warmest of months... camp up for the night at lake cobbler down the road if u want and bring ur own suplies and gear.. i am no mountain climber, expert in any fields, doctor or someone who really gives a *&%$#! so i take NO RESPONSABILITY for ANY injury that may occour to anyone, so if you decide to come on this wild journey up a freezing cold creek you are doing it at your OWN risk as i am just a nobody who loves to bush walk and experiance the beauty of nature.(so bring whatever you think you mite need and can carry to help you get up there, I TAKE NO RESPONSABILITY FOR ANYONE) .my partner and i will be campin\bushwalking to the base of the falls around march 2012 and if anybody is interested in tagging along AT OWN RISK, then feel free to comment on this post and we will let you know details and our plans.

[andrewbish]

Hi Knj

Now let me see if I have understood you correctly: you're taking NO *&%$#! RESPONSIBLITY for ANYONE on this *&%$#! venture - have I got it straight?

[KnJ]

lol, yeah thats it in a nutshell pretty much and like i said i am just a nobody who loves the outdoors and i spend every spare moment up in the bush, but with rules regulations these days you will be doing it at ur own risk and this area is blackberry heaven so expect a few cuts and scratches... i love camping so if anyone is keen it is just a date that ill be up there with a mate or two (and the misses) to get to the base of the falls with my fishing rod and camera.. KnJ

[andrewbish]

I love the attitude, knj. (But you prob shouldn't apply for a scout leader role )

[Earwig]

Tempting. I'll just run it past my legal team first.

[KnJ]

I am not and are not being anybodys scout leader and do not in any way intend to take charge of anything or anyone besides my partner and myself, i am just keen and interested in walking to the base of the falls having a fish and taking some pictures. nothing more.. nothing less..

[Highcountry1]

For anyone who's still interestedThe Dandongadale Falls walkto base is perfect at this tme of year we didit two days ago for the third time and still takes my breath away Small diversion on the way to Cobbler about a 1 1/2 hr walk up the Dandongadale River from the second bridge up the Rose River Cobbler Rd.No track bush is inpenatrable so only way up is via river but well worth the effort.

[MickyB]

Thanks Highcountry1. Is there much water coming over them? If so, is it coming over the 5 falls?