Dargans Creek Canyon is a very good canyon in the Clarence area which can be done without abseiling.There are a few climb downs, but they are not particularly difficult. There are no abseils, but wetsuits are useful as there are a few short swims. It is quite long and dark and has an interesting exit up spikes in a tree. Dargans Dam is a reservoir near Newnes Junction and the historic Zig Zag railway, which was historically used to provide water to the railway stations and steam engines. No longer required for its original use, it is mostly used as a swimming hole by locals now thanks to its depth and assortment of cliffs, swings and its slide. Dargans Creek Canyon is downstream of the dam.
You will need:
- a wetsuit.
- swimmers and shorts to wear over your wetsuit
- a drybag to put inside your backpack.
- good grippy shoes like volleys.
- snacks/lunch water ( to drink)
- a helmet ( bike helmet is ok)
- clothes to walk in and out ( which will go into your dry bag)
- a camera ( waterproofed)
- a small towel to dry off
- a pen to sign the log book
- a dry set of clothes and shoes, left in the car.
- a sense of humour
We will meet at the meeting coordinates just off Chifley Road at 10.00am, then drive down to the parking area. The log book will be available for those who wish to sign it, just before we exit the canyon up the waterfall and the spikes.This will also be our morning tea stop and where we will take off our wetsuits. The canyon takes a few hours, if our group is large we will split into 2 groups. Each group will not have more than 8 people.
NB: You must be physically fit to participate, you will be walking in the creek and scrambling over submerged rocks. You will swim in cold water, you will down climb and climb up a short water fall as well as the spiked tree. You will also need to walk up steep tracks to get out of the canyon and back to the fire trail that leads to the car park. This canyon is suitable for children who can do all of the above unassisted. All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult who will be responsible for them.