2 nights at Waterfalls & MoreWhat a pleasure it was to spend a couple of nights on Rod’s incredible property, Waterfalls and More! We squeezed in a little family camping adventure before the school holidays ended, craving some time immersed in the bush and freshwater under the stars and a chance to completely log off.
We had this amazing place all to ourselves, and Waratahs 1 was the perfect combination of sun and shade. A private, tree-fringed site on flat ground, with a perfectly positioned firepit, meant we could quickly set up a really comfortable camp.
Rod was such a warm and hospitable host, and we’re genuinely grateful to him for sharing this beautiful place. You can see the care and attention he puts into maintaining and regenerating this incredibly biodiverse property, as well as creating a comfortable camping experience. There are thoughtful little touches everywhere, from the solar light in the composting toilet to the dog-poo bag dispenser, and yes - real waratahs.
The camping area is fenced, so we could completely relax while our young Groodle enjoyed herself. There were no cattle on the property either, which was a bonus given she's been known to try her hand at rounding them up when the opportunity presents itself!
The campsite gently slopes down to Sherwood Creek, which feels wonderfully untouched, with a beautiful diversity of vegetation, from towering eucalypts to rainforest passages that beckon you to explore further. The creek was flowing steadily, with interesting pools along the way, although the lack of decent recent rain meant the water levels weren't quite ideal for swimming.
That was more than made up for by our first adventure to the much-talked-about waterfall.
Across the road, the track climbs steeply to a top paddock before gently winding through an ever-changing mix of foliage along a comfortable, well-signed trail to Banksia Grove, where you meet the rocky sandstone escarpment. From there, things get a little more adventurous, with some hands-and-feet scrambling, but it was perfectly manageable for us and the kids and the rewards were next level.
This is a four-tiered wonder of nature, with each level offering something different.
At the bottom is the aptly named Champagne Pool, sparklingly inviting. Scramble a little further and you reach an incredible base camp: a broad, flat rock platform, alongside the most gorgeous and inviting deep plunge pool. We all jumped straight in, emerging with an exhilarated gasp as we immersed ourselves in the cool, crystal-clear water, gazing out across the valley.
Ready for the next level of adventure, we climbed to level three, where a magical, cave-like overhang shelters ancient ferns. It's the perfect place to escape the sun, tucked behind the waterfall and looking out through a fine mist of rainbows.
And if that doesn't sound amazing enough, one final little climb takes you to the very top, where you're rewarded with a spectacular infinity pool. Here, you can immerse yourself again while taking in breathtaking views across the escarpment from the highest vantage point of the adventure.
The kids were in awe, and after more swims in the plunge pool and lunch on the rocky deck, we all headed back feeling pretty incredible.
Back at camp, dinner around the crackling fire and a few old-school board games rounded out an incredibly rewarding and rejuvenating experience. We slept like logs with a soft symphony of frog song and couldn't wait to get up and do it all again.
Thanks again Rod (and trusty dog buddy Reddy) for being such wonderful hosts and sharing this magical piece of Gumbaynggirr Country with us. We feel very lucky to have such a special place practically on our doorstep, and can't wait to return.
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