Conditions:Manning Gorge (Upper)-20260204034451

Latest:	3 Feb 2026 (1 month ago)

Reported by:	Ozoutdoorsman (3 reports)
Location:	Manning Gorge (Upper)
Quality:	Great
Waterflow:	Moderate
Wetsuit:	Full wetsuit
Water temperature:
Difficulty:	Advanced
Time:	5 hours

Team: 2 people with experience level Advanced

Trip report URL:

Comments: Manning River Gorge 03-02-2026 25° partly cloudy. 150 ML/d on manning river gauge @ Leslies Bridge.

2 people - experienced, reasonably fit. Car to car 5hrs 20mins. Long lunch and 2 stops on ridge. 1 x 80m 8.3 canyon fire & 1 x 60m 9.0 pick line. 4mm wetsuits. Anchor conditions: intact/good

Comfortable A4 conditions following approx 100mm rainfall event during previous 36hrs. Gauge came down from overnight peak of 300ML/d after rising from low of 50ML/d prior to rainfall event.

Sassafrass road is overgrown, making for a good scrub of the duco and underbody. BT50 in Hi 4x4 had no trouble all the way to the camp ground/u-turn at end of sassaftass road. A determined AWD could probably get it done. There are some deep clearance water bars and fallen logs to negotiate.

It is worth noting that Telstra reception is pretty good with 2 bar 4g at the vehicle parking spot on canyon access bend. We left the car at 10:00.

Approach to River: approx 25mins. I left a big rock on a cut stump to denote deprture from old logging road into steep descent. A very wet steep, slippery, spikey approach, but totally mangable with a bit of shoe skiing. We were greatful for another party (approx 3 weeks previous) having done most of the bashwork through the raspberry and monkey vine.

Rigged pitch 1 at 10:30.

P1 is now 2x fixed hangers with captive rings low on small flow protected block centre River Left. Consider using a stopper knot to rappel <30m accross and down splippery cascades, crossing the flow to reach alcove on RR for P2.

P2 consists of 5 x fixed hangers and rings high on wall RR (chose your own adventure I guess, some are sketchy) for a nice 10m pitch into canyon.

P3. Money pitch. Get in the flow. Two ring bolts are linked by new tape sling and 8mm mallion at vegetation edge on RL. 60m to Pool via Redirect. Caution with rope placement over sharp block to reach redirect. Our rope slipped under corner of the block and created horrible rope drag on pull. An 80m pull strand is required to effect retrival from other side of pool on RR to minimise drag.

P4 has a new variant. Single fixed hanger with captive ring on large boulder RR. 30m rappel via intermediate single ring on RR to a suitable ledge for a clean pull and a 5m downclimb. Otherwise rappel 40m to pool and expect rope drag on retrival. Or rebelay from intermediate captive ring at 20m RR.

The Original P4 sling option from tree on RL is also still in place to keep it simple.

Enjoyed a long lunch at 12:25 with a diamond x carpet python integrade at the first exit rock. Started walking out at 13:00

Exited via first option. Its steep and loose up side of spur but is relatively short and sweet. Easy walking once you gain the ridge. Back at car 14:20

A great day out. Drive 1.5hrs back to the Roundabout Inn at Gloucester for a coastal brewing manilta hazy. 4.5/5 stars. The canyon was pretty good too.

Comfortable A4 conditions at 150 ML/d. Smiles all round.

All condition reports

Date	Quality	Waterflow	Wetsuit	Difficulty	Time	Team	Reported by
3 Feb 2026	Great	Moderate	Full wetsuit	Advanced	5 hours	2 people Advanced	Ozoutdoorsman (3 reports)
Comment: Manning River Gorge 03-02-2026 25° partly cloudy. 150 ML/d on manning river gauge @ Leslies Bridge. 2 people - experienced, reasonably fit. Car to car 5hrs 20mins. Long lunch and 2 stops on ridge. 1 x 80m 8.3 canyon fire & 1 x 60m 9.0 pick line. 4mm wetsuits. Anchor conditions: intact/good Comfortable A4 conditions following approx 100mm rainfall event during previous 36hrs. Gauge came down from overnight peak of 300ML/d after rising from low of 50ML/d prior to rainfall event. Sassafrass road is overgrown, making for a good scrub of the duco and underbody. BT50 in Hi 4x4 had no trouble all the way to the camp ground/u-turn at end of sassaftass road. A determined AWD could probably get it done. There are some deep clearance water bars and fallen logs to negotiate. It is worth noting that Telstra reception is pretty good with 2 bar 4g at the vehicle parking spot on canyon access bend. We left the car at 10:00. Approach to River: approx 25mins. I left a big rock on a cut stump to denote deprture from old logging road into steep descent. A very wet steep, slippery, spikey approach, but totally mangable with a bit of shoe skiing. We were greatful for another party (approx 3 weeks previous) having done most of the bashwork through the raspberry and monkey vine. Rigged pitch 1 at 10:30. P1 is now 2x fixed hangers with captive rings low on small flow protected block centre River Left. Consider using a stopper knot to rappel <30m accross and down splippery cascades, crossing the flow to reach alcove on RR for P2. P2 consists of 5 x fixed hangers and rings high on wall RR (chose your own adventure I guess, some are sketchy) for a nice 10m pitch into canyon. P3. Money pitch. Get in the flow. Two ring bolts are linked by new tape sling and 8mm mallion at vegetation edge on RL. 60m to Pool via Redirect. Caution with rope placement over sharp block to reach redirect. Our rope slipped under corner of the block and created horrible rope drag on pull. An 80m pull strand is required to effect retrival from other side of pool on RR to minimise drag. P4 has a new variant. Single fixed hanger with captive ring on large boulder RR. 30m rappel via intermediate single ring on RR to a suitable ledge for a clean pull and a 5m downclimb. Otherwise rappel 40m to pool and expect rope drag on retrival. Or rebelay from intermediate captive ring at 20m RR. The Original P4 sling option from tree on RL is also still in place to keep it simple. Enjoyed a long lunch at 12:25 with a diamond x carpet python integrade at the first exit rock. Started walking out at 13:00 Exited via first option. Its steep and loose up side of spur but is relatively short and sweet. Easy walking once you gain the ridge. Back at car 14:20 A great day out. Drive 1.5hrs back to the Roundabout Inn at Gloucester for a coastal brewing manilta hazy. 4.5/5 stars. The canyon was pretty good too. Comfortable A4 conditions at 150 ML/d. Smiles all round.