Waterfalls in Moroka Gorge

[MickyB]

Hi there,

Just wondering if anyone has been to the last two waterfalls in Moroka Gorge. I have heard the first three falls (inc Kent Creek) are relatively easy to get to but getting to the last two is much more difficult. I am hoping to go there in October or early Novermber. Any advice/info would be greatly appreciated.

[north-north-west]

Make sure the water level is well and truly down before you go in. There aren't many escape points that far up.

[dplanet]

Been up there in April this year. If you are tall (1.65m+) or confident in water, you will be fine. The water level was knee deep and rather fast flowing. From the 3rd waterfalls at Kent Creek, it was a short distance to the 4th waterfalls (see the link below). The access to the 5th falls is via a goat track up through scrub then back down to the river at a hairpin bend. If high water, take care here to meander around a cliff edge (just a couple of metres). It makes a smooth going if you have a party of two plus. The walk down stream from there seems easily doable. Just a matter of rock hopping and rock scrambling. viewtopic.php?f=37&t=5620

[wildlight]

There are some sheer cliffs along the river, from distant memory when heading downstream, the left bank provided the better route. It is feasible to camp along the river if you are prepared to wing you spots and not plan too much. You're generally able to pitch a tent ( at worst ) every 800 meters. The left bank does take you quite high above the river at times. All the waterfalls are stunning- you won't be disappointed. Each one is in a setting that is unique from the rest.

North-north-west makes an excellent point about the lack of escape options.

The last time I did it, I stuck to the left bank, and my companion followed the river- literally. Although it was nearing the end of a dry April, he commented that a couple of pools within the river really took a hold of him, and he would dread to think what would have happened if there was more water around. He was a very strong swimmer, and had no chance against the course of the current. All he could do was hang on to his pack, and hope nothing lanced him, or trapped him under.

At one point he went under- just his hat bobbed on the water. I thought that was it- but in a very short time he bobbed up at the end of a long pool with massive cliffs either side. He said the current was phenomenal and appearances were very deceptive there. When he entered the pool, it was barely flowing, and only 18 inches- 2 feet deep.

Do post pics if you do it!

Safe Steps

WildLight

[dplanet]

Good point from wildlight. Do keep to the left bank after the visit to the 3rd falls at Kent Creek.

[MickyB]

Thanks everyone for the great advice.

Although I am tall and confident in water, I will definitely make sure the water level is down when I go. Thanks for the tip north-north-west . Obviously falls generally look a lot better when there is a a good flow of water going over them but I certainly don't want to get stuck in a gorge with limited escape routes.

dplanet - is the goat track up through scrub obvious? Thanks

wildlight - Sound like you mate had a trip to remember. Haha. Will definitely post some pics once I've done

[sambar358]

Left and right can be confusing to some in relation to rivers....ie : "Are we talking about the left bank when looking up or downstream ?" NZ hunters and fishermen have a good system....they refer to rivers in relation to their direction of flow and attach "True" to left or right. So in NZ....If I said that I was walking down the True Left of a river then I'm on the left side of it facing downstream.....no confusion......and no need for the add-on "facing upstream" or "downstream" to give a true indicator of where the "left" bank actually is.

Sounds like a nice bit of country around those falls....the "goat track" would be a sambar deer pad and as the sambar navigage the mountains all the time following well-defined deer trails usually hepls you avoid any issues with being bluffed-off or hopelessly tangled in impenetrable scrub as they tend to follow the easier country and they'll cross rivers at shallow sections rather than have to swim the deep pools. I do a bit of backpack hunting for sambar deer a bit lower down the Moroka in the Mt Darling Wilderness around Higgins Yard....very spectacular country down there too. Cheers

sambar358

[dplanet]

Thanks everyone for the great advice.

Although I am tall and confident in water, I will definitely make sure the water level is down when I go. Thanks for the tip north-north-west . Obviously falls generally look a lot better when there is a a good flow of water going over them but I certainly don't want to get stuck in a gorge with limited escape routes.

dplanet - is the goat track up through scrub obvious? Thanks

wildlight - Sound like you mate had a trip to remember. Haha. Will definitely post some pics once I've done

forgot to mention this link which provides a bit more of the info. viewtopic.php?f=37&t=6326

[MickyB]

Thanks dplanet. Loved your photos from this link. Looks like beautiful country. Can't wait to get there!!