First Creek Falls

[waterfallman]

Hi all. I'm trying to find out some info regarding a Victorian waterfall that I've seen a couple of pics of while searching out various waterfalls in East Gippsland.
It seems to be known as 'First Creek Falls'. A mighty fine looking drop as well. But, sadly, I can find no hint of any location for it, or access etc. I suspect it is down Orbost way, or further. Maybe up on the edge of the Errinundra region? Totally guessing here. Could anyone enlighten me with any further details please?
Cheers.. Waterfallman

[dplanet]

Are you a fan of Grant Da Costa?

[peregrinator]

Are you a fan of Grant Da Costa?

You've chosen a nice way to address this while keeping within the forum rules.

Please avoid publishing details of access to sensitive areas with no tracks.

[waterfallman]

Ahh.. Thanks folks.. I gather by the replies that this waterfall is in a sensitive area with no tracks.
That means it is "out" for my partner who needs to avoid extreme bush bashing. And while I've done my fair share of hanging off vines and sliding down precipitous muddy slopes, I'm getting a little too old for that now.
I don't know who Grant Da Costa is either. Should I? Will that have any bearing on seeing a beautiful waterfall?

[andrewa]

Very good, dplanet. It took me a little while.

[andrewbish]

Very good, dplanet. It took me a little while.

+1

[trickos]

The power of Google will reveal....
I didn't know him either.
Very similar photo on the cover.

[wildlight]

I have been in there.

If you want to pm me, feel free. It is not far from the road which is a 2 wheel drive accessible road. The altitude drop/gain (depends on in or out) is not drastic- around 300 meters, and predominantly at the beginning of the walk. Route finding is quite easy. You use the creek as a handrail. When I carried my Hasselblad, lenses and massive manfrotto tripod to this awesome little spur which juts out providing a great vantage point- I was back out same day. I had overnight gear, planned to camp in there, but came out in plenty of time to make Orbost for a motel.

I don't think I have ever been "ahead of schedule" on a walk since then.

It would be "very worth your while" if you were successful in determining the exact location of this waterfall... trying to be within the rules here... to follow the left hand bank downstream ... for a spectacle much more dramatic than the waterfall in that beautiful photo.

As a full time pro photographer... I would carry no tele lenses, I would "only" take a 35mm lens to replicate the field of view on that photo. If "I were" to descend for the 30 or so minutes to the next highlight on that creek, I would be extremely glad of my 14mm f2.8 nikkor lens. Not being able to screw a neutral density filter to that lens would not concern me, because I would not go on a sunny day, and with the canopy and the steep enclosed chasm of "another waterfall" shielding most of the light, shutter speeds would be in the 2 sec f8 range on 100 iso just as a guide of course.

If you're wondering about steepness etc (past that photo point is the steepest part- if you choose to go that far) it's like going down to Quaille's Falls in Tassie- or like the very last drop into the river just down from Reynolds Falls, also in Tassie.

There was talk of gating the road, just after I was there last. This would add about an hour and a little more to the walking time for most people, someone like north-north-west would glide over that extra bit in about 45 mins.

Don't despair if there's no reply to your PM for a while. Just maxed out the spending on some UL gear for the centre in June, so I have pleaded with Mrs to take some time off before Easter to try and reduce my waistline so I can do up the hip belt...

This is one trip you would NOT regret.

Safe Steps

WildLight.

[waterfallman]

Thanks wildlight.. I'm familiar with both Quailles Falls & Reynolds falls in Tassie, but to my chagrin, mostly through extensive reaearch. I admit to not actually getting to these gems, but one day maybe. First creek would be a great one to see, and yes, I am very sensitive to the natural order of things (see Teddy Roosevelt's famous quote on "The Ages"). I step lightly as much as possible. I'm itching to have a crack at this one, and am aware of the vagaries of lighting when making images etc. Strange isn't is, when bright sunlight in mountain valleys is your worst enemy.
Thank you for your most excellent help. It is much appreciated.
Forgive my ignorance, but I'm not always up to date with the latest acronyms etc, so.. what does "pm me" mean?
Cheers.

[waterfallman]

Oh.. And thanks all for the reference to Grant Da Costa.. All is revealed! A book purchase is definitely forthcoming!
Cheers.. Waterfallman.

[wildlight]

.. what does "pm me" mean?

"private message" I believe... and the invitation is open to anyone.

If you want some absolutely stunning waterfalls, drop off Dimmicks Lookout in the High Country. And drop you will- to the East- landing in what I recall could / would / should be Conglomerate Creek. Follow it back up through Bryce's Gorge, there are some doozie waterfalls right along that creek. I spent a very happy carefree 15 years roaming around most of the untracked areas of the Vic Alps, a number of years ago.

Mrs and I might be off to the underground waterfall in the Jamieson river catchment tomorrow, for the Easter break. Might even take my d800e and 24mm f1.4 for that one.

Normally I just carry a P7700 these days, on account of the light weight and stellar image quality.

Safe Steps

WildLight

[MickyB]

Mrs and I might be off to the underground waterfall in the Jamieson river catchment tomorrow

Hi Wildlight. Have you got more info on this?

Cheers,

Michael