Canyoning

Canyoning

Canyoning is a recognised adventure activity, particularly in the soft sandstone Blue Mountains canyons. Canyons are essentially narrow grooves and slots in the sandstone, which have been eroded by rapid water movement over millions of years. While some canyons in the Blue Mountains and Wollemi National Parks are up to 20 metres wide, others are very narrow and may be less than 2 metres wide in places. Some canyons are well over 100 metres deep, receiving sunlight on the canyon floor for just a few minutes each day.

Throughout spring, summer and autumn, canyoning in the Blue Mountains offers a great way to explore the hidden depths of these natural wonders, while at the same time, enjoying the fun and adventure of an exciting activity. Canyoning usually involves jumping into pools, wading and swimming, climbing and scrambling over log jams and abseiling through waterfalls.

There are many canyons in the Blue Mountains and Wollemi regions and there is enough variety to cater for all levels of experience and fitness. Some canyons are seasonally dry, while others can be enjoyed while floating on a lilo or inflatable mattress. Canyoning participants should be capable swimmers and be prepared for plenty of fun.

All trips include all equipment and fees. We will run any trip for just two people.

Beginners Canyon

Learn to abseil in Katoomba, with fantastic views across to the world famous Three Sisters. This beginners course is the ideal skills base for canyoning. Start with abseils up to 30 metres, then put your new skills to the test in the afternoon, through a wet & wild Blue Mountains canyon. Jump, swim and wade your way through an action packed canyon, finishing with a 30 metre abseil down a pumping waterfall.

Fortress Creek Canyon

The 30 minute walk-in is leisurely and scenic, offering great views of the magnificent Grose Valley and the many hanging swamps. We descend to the start of the canyon, at this point a small creek. You will soon marvel at the scenery as you follow the creek’s clear, fresh water. Sometimes it is only ankle deep, while other sections require short swims. The first water-jump is just ten minutes from the start. First throw your pack in, take a deep breath and jump - guaranteed to waken the senses!

Deeper in the canyon, the main section features a spectacular water-jump into a deep pool, a superb swim through a narrow rock gorge, a short and fun subterranean journey beneath the rocks and an easy and short abseil into a rock pool (no previous abseiling experience required!). The lunch spot at the canyon’s end is one of the most spectacular and breathtaking views in the mountains, for the creek eventually spills over an edge 100 metres up the huge sandstone cliffs that border the Grose Valley. The lunchtime panorama takes in the awesome 550 metre walls of Mt Banks - the highest in the Blue Mountains - and Blue Gum Forest, heart of the Blue Mountains National Park. Here you will change into your dry clothes again and tuck into a well earned lunch.

The walk out quickly ascends onto Fortress Hill and then Fortress Ridge. The view of the area from here is simply awesome. This is a brilliant walk in its own right! After an hour or so you will be back at the vehicle.

Intermediate Canyoning

Serendipity Canyon

Part of the appeal of Serendipity is that it offers a taste of everything in a canyon experience. The walk in is scenic and pleasant, with a variety of wildflowers, including Waratahs in season. Entry into the canyon itself is via a short but tricky abseil. Two more tricky abseils and an adrenaline-pumping waterjump make for a memorable experience.

The generous and wholesome lunch is enjoyed on a sunny rock platform above the junction of Serendipity and the crystal clear Wollangambe River. An easy exit track winds up between rock outcrops, offering magic views across the wilderness. This is our most popular canyon trip, and although listed as an intermediate canyon, it is suitable for the inexperienced canyoner and can be undertaken in any weather. It is a perfect introduction to canyoning!

Availability: Daily, Advance bookings required.
                      Minimum booking for two people
                      Summer, Spring, Autumn

Meeting Time: 8.30am
                          8 hours duration

Experience Level: Ages 12+

Advanced Canyoning $220

Claustral Canyon

Without a doubt, this is perhaps the most beautiful and definitely the most famous canyon in the Blue Mountains. Claustral is as close as you will ever get to the perfect canyon and involves just about every canyoning technique possible. There are exhilarating abseils straight down waterfalls, tricky waterjumps, swimming, wading, scrambling and even some back-floating to traverse the renowned "tunnel swim". The stunning scenery in Claustral just has to be experienced to be believed! Some parts of this chasm are so dark and narrow that you can hardly see the sky. In other sections, beams of radiant sunlight angle down into subterranean depths, highlighting luxuriant carpets of hanging ferns that decorate the sculptured walls. A magic trip, although it has a long and strenuous walk out. So, a reasonable level of fitness is required.

Availability: Daily. Advance bookings required.
                      Minimum booking for two people.
                      Summer, Spring, Autumn

Meeting Time: 6am
                          8 hours duration

Experience Level: Ages 15+

Hole In The Wall Canyon

One of the hidden gems of the Blue Mountains, Hole in the Wall is a spectacularly narrow, varied and interesting canyon with breathtaking rock formations. This full day trip to a far flung corner of the Newnes Plateau involves a 20 metre freefall abseil through a slot and several shorter drops (one down a waterfall) that have to be negotiated.

There is a heart stopping waterjump and a number of short swims, including one which emerges into an underground glowworm-lit cave, where the fantastic display of glowworms reminds you of the southern skies at night. A highlight of the trip is exiting from the Glowworm Cave via "The Hole in the Wall", which is a short squeeze with packs off! Lunch is enjoyed on a sunny rock shelf on the edge of the pristine Bungleboorie.

Because it lies within the Wollemi Wilderness, Hole In the Wall Canyon is one of the least visited and amazingly beautiful places you are likely to find anywhere. Suitable for people of average fitness who can abseil and swim, this classic canyon is an experience not to be missed!

It does have a long walk both in and out of the canyon (2+ hours each way), so you must be prepared for the walk and a long day of adventure, not to mention amazing scenery.

Availability: Daily. Advance bookings required
                      Minimum booking for two people
                      Summer, Spring, Autumn

Meeting Time: 6.30am
                          8 hours duration                                                        Book Now

What to Bring

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Shoes that can get wet
• Change of clothes
• Drinking water
• Camera, hat & sunscreen
• Sense of adventure