Black Canyon (QLD)

Black Canyon (QLD) Canyoneering Canyoning Caving

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‌	Difficulty:‌3C (v3a3 IV) Swift water Raps:‌4-9, max ↨115ft Metric Overall: Closed Red Tape:‌Closed to entry Shuttle:‌ Rock type:Basalt
Location:	-28.2694, 153.1593
Condition Reports:
Weather:
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Regions:	Pacific Australia Queensland Brisbane

https://www.wikiloc.com/canyoneering-trails/black-canyon-exit-30870413,https://canyoning.org.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=102

https://www.wikiloc.com/canyoneering-trails/black-canyon-exit-30870413

-28.2694, 153.1593https://ropewiki.com/images/3/33/Black_Canyon_%28QLD%29.kmlwtopo

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Reference photos

25 Jan 2024: Moderate-High. A bit high, quite challenging but not too dangerous (class C1+ = a4+). Pumpy abseiling on the wet lines. No hydraulics or flow hazards. 1.1 cumecs on the gauge.

10 Mar 2021: Very High. Dangerously high water, only for expert swift water canyoneers (class C3 = a6). 6 cumecs on the gauge - high flow, pitons underwater

These reference pictures are used in the Waterflow analysis to predict current conditions. More reference pictures will produce a more reliable prediction.

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Introduction

An interesting canyon with pretty scenery and fun abseils when flowing. It's a big day out with the walk in and out taking up a big chunk of the effort. It's recommended you be extremely confident in your ability to safely navigate whatever conditions you be faced in such a remote canyon. The anchor status is unknown due to ranger removal of bolts from national parks in SEQ. The canyon is also inescapable once you enter.

Black Canyon has a water gauge downstream near Canungra that can be used as guide. It is available online here: https://water-monitoring.information.qld.gov.au/?ppbm=145107A&rs&1&rslf_org At 6 cumecs the pools at the bottom of waterfalls become retentive, currents become stronger than you can swim against and the whole canyon is roughly v5a4 experience. 1 cumec is a solid amount of flow to abseil all the wet lines if you have high flow abseiling experience (A strong v4a3 experience).

Flow reference pictures are of Echo Falls at start of canyon.

Access

Please note that canyoning in Black Canyon is prohibited by Queensland Parks and Forests department. Entering this canyon without a permit is at your own risk of a substantial fine. Refer to Restricted Access Area: Black Canyon area of Lamington National Park

Approach

Start at the o'reilly's rainforest retreat and walk into Echo Falls. The canyon starts here.

Descent

Note 1: All pitch lengths are guesstimates, please excercise caution and one's own judgement!

Note 2: 'Flood' refers to conditions with more than ~2 cumecs.

Note 3: Anchors may be in bad state, Take material to replace washed off hangers, tighen loose screws, and replace tatty webbing (and quicklinks).

• P1 (opt) - TR 8m - sling around treeroot off wall. Easily DC, or slide down log unless flood.
• P2 - TL 12m - sling on root under overhang. Lands in deep pools.
• P3 - TL 20m - sling on large tree high up. Wet abseil.
• P4 - TR 25m - sling on large tree upstream and up wall. Can also DC far TL through scrub.
• P5 - TR 25m - XX on wall. Great wet abseil. Finishes on TR behind waterfall. Would be on wrong side of retentive recirculation in flood - might be able to use floating bag anchor. Can DC on TL when low flow, finishing with a possible 2m jump.

P5 in 1.1cumecs

• P6 - TR 15m - sling on top of branch (tree in water). Possibly could DC in low flow. Would benefit from anchors on TL.
• P7 - TR 35m - XX on wall a few meters back from the edge, around 3m high. Fun wet abseil. Alternatively use sling around tree on top of unprotected, high consequence 4m climb (dry line). Shallow at bottom of abseils. 10m swim to next anchor. In flood, stay on rope till next anchor (washover hazard).

P7 in 1.1cumecs

• P8 - TL 30m - XX hidden around a corner. Access by first clipping to small black tape through bomber thread. Ignore the red webbing joining two rusty pitons half a meter upstream of the small black tape. Lands in a deep pool. Fun wet abseil.
• Walk 250m
• P9 (opt). 30m. High pump cascade. No anchors currently exist. Instead DC TL.

Exit

Follow the following well marked bushwalkers trail out of the canyon: Wikiloc.com, Black Canyon Exit. The exit starts around 1km downstream of Thunder and Lightning falls, and is identified by a trail markers on the TR with a slightly visible footpad due to recent traffic.

To be safe, take a look at the following part of the hikers guide to black canyon which clearly shows the exit turnoff: Ultimate Hikers Guide to THUNDER & LIGHTNING FALLS (Starting at 1:25:27)

Red tape

Please note that canyoning in Black Canyon is not permitted by Queensland Parks and Forests department. There is a substantial fine for getting caught without a permit and you will not be helping the interests of our canyoning community.

Refer to Restricted Access Area: Black Canyon area of Lamington National Park

Beta sites

• Wikiloc.com  : Black Canyon Exit
• [1]  : Black Canyon - Canyoning Australia