Bowens Creek North (Lower) Canyon
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| | Difficulty:3B III (v2a2 III) Raps:2-3, max ↨39ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Sandstone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 19 Dec 2025
"Handlines and anchors appeared in reasonable condition.. Entry and exit trails well established. |
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| Best season: | Nov - Mar
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_Canyon_Banner.jpg)
-33.5215, 150.3932
-33.5164, 150.3722
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Introduction
Bowens Creek North (Lower), a.k.a. Gobsmacker, is a fun, sporty, pretty and short canyon. One of the best Mt Wilson canyons.
Approach
- Download the GPX from the above map
- Once off fire trail the entry path can be quite muddy and eroded. Exercise caution. People have slipped down gullies in the past.
The fire trail crosses private land. Please be respectful to ensure that this access continues.
Descent
Proceed down canyon referring to the Lower Bowens North Canyon v3a2II* canyon topo for details on problems* you will encounter along the canyon
Note that many of the pools have submerged rocks/obstacles. Check all pools thoroughly before jumping. i.e. First person down does NOT jump.
Problems
| Number | Type | Length | Anchor | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abseil | 15m | Sling on tree | River right | Optional. Can be bypassed on river right. Can also be jumped (check for safe landing zone). |
| 2 | Down-climb | 3m | Can be jumped but check for the submerged rock first. | ||
| 3 | Abseil | 10m | Bolts | River right | Single approach bolt available to protect traverse. Can be jumped from ledge half way. Check water first as trees often fall into this pool. |
| 4a | Abseil | 12m | Sling on tree | River right | Dry line |
| 4b | Abseil | 12m | Bolts | River right | Abseil down through the hole in the creek floor. Not advisable in high flow - use 4a instead. |
Topo
*A "problem" is a notable geographical feature that prevents your progression through the canyon. Often engaging with a problem is mandatory (e.g. an abseil in a slot canyon where no alternate route exists), but occasionally they are optional and can be bypassed via an alternate route in the canyon.
The sling anchors on P3 & P4a in the above topo have been replaced by chain anchors. P3 also now has an access bolt as the bolts are a bit hard to access for inexperienced groups.
Exit
- Exit via a gully on river left after the junction of Bowens Creek south branch and Bowens Creek north branch.
- Exit gully is wet and technical in in places. Handlines are often present but do not rely on their existence.
- The exit path is well established
Warning - Gobsmaker has been vandalised and the rungs on the exit removed. There is still often handlines in place.
Beta sites
Commercial/Guided trips
- https://bmac.com.au/blue-mountains-canyoning/north-bowens-canyon
- https://eaglerockadventures.com.au/north-bowens-canyon/
Trip reports and media
- https://weareexplorers.co/boys-first-canyon-bowens-creek-nsw/
- https://fatcanyoners.org/2010/11/25/lower-bowens-creek-north/
- https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/adventure-sports-experiences/north-bowens-creek-canyon
- https://www.whungeewheengee.com/canyoning/wollangambe/bowens-creek-north-branch-lower-section-30-mar-2013/
- http://www.alternatezone.com/canyoning/gobsmacker.htm
- http://david-noble.net/blog/?p=26511