I’ve been looking forward to today for a while now. It’s time for our third bush walk with Teresa of Horizon Guides. This time we are in different country and doing different things. But first, this is Teresa’s description of the walk…

Walk 3: Kinnane’s Falls (Main Range NP) 4 – 5 hrs. Moderate, off track.

Date: Sunday 1st April

Description: This off-track walk is to beautiful waterfall that is all but hidden from view until one arrives. The start of the walk lies just off the Head Road. The trail initially follows a small creek then a steep climb through kangaroo grass and open forest leads to the ridge where a narrow trail traverses the cliff-top. Over aeons Wilson’s Creek has run down off the Wilson’s Peak ridge carving into the bedrock to create Kinnane’s Falls. Several cascades drop into hanging pools down the cliff face. The cliffs either side of the falls are covered in Giant Spear Lilies and the ridges are often frequented by Glossy Black Cockatoos.

We all met at Boonah, then carpooled on the drive south to the Head Road. We parked not far from Wilson’s Peak which is right on the Queensland/New South Wales border. As we were getting ready to head off, the first of Teresa’s promises came true when three Glossy Black Cockatoos flew past and settled in the trees across the road.

The start of the walk

There is no defined trail on this walk!

A basket fern in an old stump

The start of the walk was through an area infested with lantana however after crossing a small creek the country opened up. We had a bit of a steep climb up to the top of a ridge but once at the top, the views were stunning.

Lower down this cliff face there is a ledge called the Veranda.

The valley below

We soon got our first view of Kinnane’s Falls. Stunning! It’s hard to comprehend the time it would have taken for this stream to carve out its route through the rocks and form the deep pools along the creek.

Our first view of the falls

A close up of the rock pool formed in the falls. This pool is only accessible by abseiling.

We continued around the falls before going down to Wilson’s Creek upstream of the falls.

Teresa explaining some facts about the Cherry Ballard (Exocarpos cupressiformis).

We wandered along the creek before finding a nice rocky area where we had lunch. Teresa boiled the billy while we relaxed and chatted while eating.

Wilson’s Creek

Our lunch spot on the rocks

The water was so clear. Yes, this is the creek bottom and those plants and gravel are under water.

We explored the creek and noted the plant life and insect life that abounded here.

Then it was time to sort the men from the boys. You can view the rock pools at the top of the falls from the creek but to be able to do that, you have to wade through the water. Teresa told us it would be thigh deep.

Did I say men? It was the girls who were keen! So three of them stripped off their hiking gear ready to explore. (they were still clad underneath 🙂 ) Now I couldn’t have them show us boys up so I tagged along.

If you wade through this pool and the next one, you can look down on the top of the falls.

Thigh deep indeed! I’m over six feet tall and it was chest deep on me! The water was lovely and with the sun shining on it, it was very inviting. It was really worth the effort to go for a wade (swim). I’m sorry I didn’t have a waterproof camera to take some shots. The water was quite refreshing (cold).

So after we waded back and got dressed again, it was time to make the return trip.

A ferny glade just above the creek

We returned on the same path however the sun was higher and showed the falls in a different light.

At one point we were able to look straight down on the falls

These lily of the valley orchids were perched on the cliff edge – just about to flower.

Then it was a walk back through the sclerophyll forest to the cars.

Grass trees (Xanthorrhoea) on the side of a gully overlooking the valley below

Nearly back……

So after a quick chat back at the cars, it was a pleasant drive back to Boonah before heading home. I wonder what the next walk will bring?