Gibraltar Falls, ACT, Australia
Gibraltar Falls * Canberra,
Australia Capital Territory, Australia *
Gibraltar Falls
* Corin Road * Namadgi National Park * +61 02 6207 2900 * Canberra, Australia Capital Territory, Australia *
One of the first waterfalls that I had a chance to see in Australia as accompanied by my travel mate Bluey Bee Fabbo. A nice calm overcast day, we ventured outskirts of Canberra to find this charming little falls which is pretty close to the city. Easy to find, one drives out of Canberra southwest 45 kilomenters, along highway 5 - “Tidbinbilla Road”, roughly a half hour drive turning off at the sign pointing the way to the Falls within the Gibraltar Creek Pine Forest south off Corin Road. Park and take the well-marked footpath down to the falls. With warnings of steep cliffs abound, we kept to the trail, until the end of the path dictated (as everyone else was venturing over) to experience the waters ourselves. Now, being a world traveller and having seen some of the best falls around the world, I wasn’t that impressed. It also seems probable that the falls are more spectacular after a good hearty rainfall, even though it has been deemed the largest waterfall in the ACT. The falls cascade 50 meters down into a 800 meter granite walled gorge feeding the headwaters of Gibraltar Creek.
Historically, the falls and area was of special interest to the Australian Aborigine. Archaeological finds have shown habitation patterns near the falls including rockshelters, axes, lithics, and grinding grooves. The area was first settled by white westerners in the 1890′s. The first recorded white settlers were the Woods family who named the area “Gibraltar Creek”. It wasn’t until the 1960′s with the establishment of a station for the Corin Dam Road that the location found much foot traffic. Environmentally, the falls are home to a rare species of dragonfly called the Waterfall Redspot.
Atop in the parking lot are restrooms, picnic tables, shelters, amenities, first aid equipment, and gas barbeque grills. There are more picnic tables and areas, as well as camping, further into the woods reserves. The footpath takes one to a couple lookouts for viewing the falls, though the best way to photograph the falls is to wander off path (not recommended but seems something that everyone who visits does).
I found the waterfall quaint, and would be a picnic spot I would frequent often if I lived in Canberra. Rating: 2 stars out of 5. Visited/Reviewed by Thomas Baurley, Leaf McGowan with Bluey Bee Fabbo on April 25, 2011.
Gibraltar Falls * Canberra,
Australia Capital Territory, Australia *
For more information, recommended readings, and photographs ~
Bibliography/Recommended Readings:
- About Australia: Gibraltar Falls. Website referenced November 2011. www.about-australia.com.
- Dave’s ACT: Gibraltar Falls. Website referenced November 2011. www.davesact.com.
- World of Waterfalls: Gibraltar Falls. Website referenced November 2011. www.world-of-waterfalls.com.
- Visit Canberra: Gibraltar Falls. Website referenced November 2011. www.visitcanberra.com.au.
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Current Mood: refreshed
Current Music: rambling waters of a waterfall
Originally published at Technogypsie Travel Tales