Want to check out a stunning canyon but can't abseil?

[FatCanyoner]

G'day folks,

I know there are a lot of people who like the idea of checking out canyoning, but are put off by the need for specialist gear, rope skills, long days, freezing water etc. If that's you, then hopefully this trip report is just the inspiration you need to finally give it a go.

I'd been ignoring Dargans Creek Canyon for years, basically because it was too easy and too short a day. I wasn't sure how good the canyon would be anyway, so always went elsewhere. I finally rectified that last week, and I was blow away.

While the canyon is only short -- the main constriction wouldn't be more than about 400m -- it is incredibly good quality, and gives a great insight into just how beautiful canyons are (and why nuts like me spend so much time exploring them!!!)

The day is short (it only took us about 2 hours to do the loop, with no rushing), and the only technical challenges are a few short down-climbs and the exit which looks a lot harder and more exposed than it actually is. The swims are short, the water not as cold as many other canyons, and the dam offers an incredible place to finish the trip with a swim and some water jumps.

You can check out the full report, photos and a video of the water jumps here: http://fatcanyoners.org/2012/10/04/dargans-creek-canyon/

[justacouch]

Looks fun - thanks phatty.

[Vern]

Looks like a nice spot for a hot summers day.

[FatCanyoner]

Looks like a nice spot for a hot summers day.

Absolutely. Summer hangouts don't come much better!

[jonnosan]

I took your advice and scrounged some wetsuits and headed out with my girlfriend today. This was our first ever canyon but I am sure it won't be our last! What an amazing experience.

BTW we didn't find the metal steps on the way in but after we got back to the car I went searching and spotted them so we went to check them out. The gate has mesh barriers on either side that were certainly enough to keep me out - you could maybe swing around the left hand side but the mesh there is 1m wide and the drop below it a long way down. Not sure if these were put up since your visit or I am just a softie

Thanks again for the tip!

[FatCanyoner]

I took your advice and scrounged some wetsuits and headed out with my girlfriend today. This was our first ever canyon but I am sure it won't be our last! What an amazing experience.

Wow. That's great to hear. My whole reason for doing trip reports is to try and inspire people to visit more of these amazing places. This spot really is a wonderful introduction to canyoning. There is something incredible about being able to drop down through the earths skin into a hidden world below!

The gate has mesh barriers on either side that were certainly enough to keep me out... Not sure if these were put up since your visit or I am just a softie

Those were there on our trip, so yes, you are a softie!

They're surprisingly easy to bypass on the right. Going to the left would probably work too, but you'd be hanging precariously over one hell of a drop!

[matthewdean]

Thanks for sharing this trip, I spent the past Sunday exploring around this area and wish I had of known of this place before I left. Will definitely have to check It out at some stage this summer.