Deep Pass
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| | Difficulty:2A (v1a1 II) Raps:0
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Rock type:Sandstone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Best season: | Dec-Nov
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-33.3433, 150.3039
-33.3402, 150.3001
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Introduction
Deep Pass Canyon (a.k.a. Nayook Canyon) is an easy, beginner friendly canyon/creek walk located out on the Newnes Plateau, at Deep Pass.
Approach
This canyon can be tackled either way – downstream (top to bottom) or upstream (bottom to top). Your direction of travel will govern which track you take.
If going downstream, take the right-hand track (smaller and less defined track heading south-east) from the information sign at the carpark. If going upstream, take the left-hand track (old fire trail heading north-east).
Note that the wider, more defined left-hand track is the access track to Deep Pass Campsite. If you find yourself at the campsite, you have likely missed the turn-off required to proceed up the canyon.
The Shoes on My Feet video below shows travelling downstream through the canyon.
Descent
This is an easy trip for the average canyoner and a great step up for a bushwalker seeking a bit more challenge.
The canyon is rigged as a Via Corda, essentially a poor man’s Via Ferrata, using handlines and lashed log bridges to help travellers navigate the canyon. This setup allows you to stay dry (except for your shoes) for those who don’t want to get wet or lack the technical skills needed for more vertical and demanding canyons.
The handlines are often in various states of wear due to use and poor rigging, so exercise caution. It’s a good idea to bring a short rope as a backup.
In June 2026, some work was done to re-rig the canyon to minimise rope damage. While improvements have been made, some wear points still exist.
The canyon features several wide and picturesque sections, along with a few narrower passages. There are also pools where you can jump and swim (with optional Via Corda fixed ropes and logs to keep you dry). As always, before jumping, check the depth.
Exit
Exit depends on whether you've gone downstream or upstream. If you finish at the top of the canyon take the track on the river left back to the car park, or if you're at the bottom of the canyon, follow the walking track out of the canyon, then up the old fire trail back to the car park. Both are quite easy.
Red tape
Beta sites
The below track notes are an excerpt from Canyons Near Sydney 5th edition guidebook by Rick Jamieson which is no longer in print.
Grade: 1 (easy). Time: Half a day. No abseils but you do get wet feet, and wet everything if you fall in. It is good to take a 20 m rope as a safety line on one climb. Best in summer. Start off on the Mt. Cameron Fire Trail and follow the signs to Deep Pass North.
From the barrier at the end of the road at GR 488077 (Rock Hill map) walk down the old road to the cleared area at Deep Pass. This area is good for camping and rock climbing, and there are some great rock clefts to explore inside the big sandstone bluff, as well as some aboriginal paintings to the east. To reach the canyon, don't cross the creek at the bottom of the hill, but turn right up the creek. There are some short, steep sections in the canyon that you scramble up using fixed ropes. One climb needs a safety rope.
Towards the top of the canyon it opens out a bit and gets a bit scrubby. There is a hairy climb around on the right of a pool. Soon after this look for a track up on the right bank. Go left at a cliff - then the track leads back to the carpark.
Trip reports and media
YouTube.com : Deep Pass / Nayook Canyon - Newnes Plateau - Lithgow - Blue Mountains Canyoning