Is it a canyoning trip? Or a bushwalking trip? We will find out...
At a time of year when canyoning is usually off the cards, we have some identified some canyons in the Wollemi and Gardens of Stone National Parks that are non-technical (i.e. don't require abseiling) and should be dry enough for us to navigate without wetsuits in the cold weather.
If it rains too much in the week prior, we will postpone to another weekend when the canyons will be dryer.
Depending on the final group and ambition we may leave on Friday night or Saturday morning (noting the Canberra public holiday on Monday).
We'll base ourselves on both nights at Deep Pass Campground. Please note there is no phone reception in the Newnes Plateau so expect days without TicTok.
Itinerary options
We'll leave Canberra after work or Saturday morning and drive ~5.5 hours via Lithgow to the Deep Pass North car park. From there, it’s a short (~1 km) walk down to our campground for the weekend. Be ready to carry your gear in and out.
Explore the Deep Pass Canyon circuit (https://hikingtheworld.blog/2023/11/18/deep-pass-canyon-wollemi) , a relaxed but scenic loop with rock scrambling, a short tunnel and lots of lush canyon scenery. In the afternoon, we’ll drive (~45 mins) to the start of River Caves Canyon, a short, easy walk-in canyon famous for its glowing light and high sandstone walls. Expect some shallow wading here, but you’ll stay mostly dry. https://hikingtheworld.blog/2025/01/04/river-caves-canyon-wollemi/
Drive ~1 hr 15 mins to the trailhead for Ethereal Canyon. This off-track route follows a dry creek into a labyrinth of pagodas, slots, and fern-filled gullies — one of the most photogenic non-technical canyon walks in the region. After lunch on a high pagoda, we’ll return to the car and head back to Canberra (~5.5 hrs), aiming to get home by late evening. https://hikingtheworld.blog/2024/03/06/ethereal-canyon-gardens-of-stone/
A further option could be Popeye Falls. The waterfall gracefully cascades through a natural arch into a shallow, crystal-clear pool, surrounded by lush ferns and towering sandstone walls. Accessible via a moderate 3.75 km hike from Waratah Ridge Road, visitors can choose between a scenic slot canyon route involving wading and a brief swim, or a drier, easier path—both rewarding with serene beauty and a sense of seclusion. https://www.walkmyworld.com/posts/popeye-falls
The Good
- Stunning, photogenic slot canyons with glowing light, high sandstone walls, ferns and pagodas
- Off-track adventures with a real sense of discovery and solitude
- Campfires, stargazing, and zero phone signal for proper downtime
- Deep Pass, River Caves, Ethereal and Popeye Falls—each with their own unique terrain and charm
- Optional swims and tunnels, for those who love a bit of variety
The Bad
- Expect to be wet, muddy and cold, especially on early winter mornings or after rain
- Rock scrambling is required—sometimes with hands, sometimes over slippery surfaces
- Leaches and scratchy bush are real possibilities
- Carrying all your gear down (and up!) a steep 1 km track to the campsite
- Some navigation will be off-track, and terrain can be unpredictable
The Ugly
- If it rains mid-trip, canyon floors can become slippery, icy cold and slow-going
- There’s no toilet at Deep Pass—BYO trowel and leave no trace
- No reception means no TikTok, no emergency calls—so group awareness and safety are essential
- This is not for beginners—if you're unsure about rock scrambling, being cold and wet, or bush-bashing, this may not be your trip
What to Bring
• Overnight camping gear (including stove, tent, warm sleeping bag, food (breakfast, lunch dinner etc.)
• Daypack with water (2–3L), snacks, lunch
• Grippy shoes or boots, with a spare pair of shoes that can get wet
About you
This trip is not for beginners. You must be an experienced bushwalker and camper to join this trip, and prior experience climbing or canyoning would be an advantage. Almost all of the trip will be off track and if you've not done that before, please do not sign up. You must be comfortable scrambling up and down steep slopes and using ropes where things get quite steep (noting there is not actually abseiling in these canyons). If in doubt, please message me and ask!