AUC 1995- Edith Falls Walk

Edith Falls walk

Breakfast and on the track by 9:00 am, we were suitably attired for bush walking, with hats, sunscreen and packs, even though this was not to be a long walk.

Our trek took us over the ridge which towers above the peaceful, well grassed sites, immediately to the north of the campground. This track was under reconstruction, owing to massive damage done during the January flood. As the track was too steep for mechanical equipment, this was being done by blood, sweat and tears. The rangers were having to tote barrow loads of dirt and carry large stones into position in 25 litre plastic buckets. This was back breaking and leg building work, although the following day, one ranger was put on sick leave when he lost his footing and twisted his knee badly when carrying two of these heavily laden buckets.

Once up the steep initial 300m, the track winds toward the Edith River and the Middle and Upper
Falls which make up the Edith Falls system. We had been told, it was surprising how many visitors to the park neglected to walk this track and see these spectacular, additional falls.

We soon reached a vantage point above the Top Falls and were greeted with a wonderful view of sun
glinting on falling water and the resultant pool under each drop. The redness of the sandstone rocks from which the falls had carved their path and the blueness of the sky as a backdrop, further accentuated the beauty. Occasionally the wind would stir the pool, creating a myriad of bright reflections. Walking down to the pool, we were entranced by the fantastic beauty of this spot and paused to take it in.

Carrying on, you only gain a glimpse of the middle falls as you pass over a chain and rock track, through and over which the water is rushing the final ten metres before descending over the Middle Falls. However, the track continues past this point and about ten minutes later, a lookout reveals these middle falls are the largest of the three, at about 50m. Again, the setting of this view, was magical. Both Middle and Upper Falls were framed in the viewfinder by blue, green, red and orange, whilst the central attraction of rushing white water crashed to the deep blue /green pool below.

Above this lookout, we bush-bashed to the highest point and could look back at the falls and 180 degrees around to the west, toward Mt Todd gold mine, which is located off the access road to Edith Falls. In this picturesque setting, we ate morning tea, singing John Denver songs and generally considering ourselves very lucky.

TODAY'S PHOTOS

The post morning tea track resembled a rock scramble, in most part. The final 200m before entering the camp ground included a tranquil wooden bridge crossing the dry season benevolence of the Edith River and the sighting of a Whip Snake. This final encounter was enough to leave us all stamping the track and have the observer - Chris - in a state of cardiac acceleration !

Our afternoon was spent swimming and relaxing