Mares Forest Creek
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| | Difficulty:1B I (v1a3 I) Raps:0
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| Best season: | Spring to Autumn
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-34.3089, 149.9503
-34.2974, 149.9646
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Introduction[edit]
Mares Forest Creek is a delightful little canyon that cuts through limestone and marble cliffs upstream of the Tinted cave at Wombeyan Caves Karst Conservation Reserve.
It's not really in the Kanangra Boyd area, and hardly counts as Southern NSW, but as access is easiest from Goulburn, Southern NSW is probably currently the more logical spot to put it.
Note: Due to the state of the roads it is quicker to go the long way through Goulburn or Shooters Hill rather than the direct route from Sydney, especially in 2wd vehicles. Camping and other accommodation options are available at Wombeyan Caves campground but must be pre-booked through NPWS
Maps can be obtained from the Kiosk. Rope: 8m handline handy to ascend small waterfall at the top of the canyon at a popular jump spot Wetsuit: Not required in summer months Lilo: This canyon contains long swims so lilo or flotation recommended for poor swimmers Walk-in: 30-45min with a visit to the tinted cave Walkout: 30-40min Descent: <2 hours though most people will spend more time chilling out in the canyon Rating 2.5/4 V1A2__ Elevation Gain: 200m Distance 7Km
Approach[edit]
Entry: From the car park, cross the pedestrian bridge and follow the Mares Forest Creek track up the hill. Stay straight at the 3-way intersection at the top of the hill and follow the track along and down to the Tinted Cave. This is open to explore and give a nice view over the end of the canyon(head torch handy but switch operated lights on a timer are available in the cave). Go past the entrance for the cave, down the stairs to meet the creek at the bottom of the canyon. Follow the canyon upstream
Descent[edit]
Just make your way up to the pool where the gorge begins to open out and then return
Exit[edit]
Reverse your trip in
Red tape[edit]
Check the NP page for updates on road closures
https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/wombeyan-karst-conservation-reserve
Beta sites[edit]
Trip reports and media[edit]
https://sleepwhenwearedead.net/2019/01/02/mares-forest-creek-for-nyd/
Background[edit]
Mares Forest creek canyon is located in the Wombeyan Karst conservation reserve. Wombeyan Caves are located on the traditional lands of the Burra Burra clan of the Gandangara people in the area covered by the Pejar Local Aboriginal Land Council. Archaeologists have not found evidence of Indigenous occupation of the caves, but flakes and cores from Indigenous tool making, dating from 6,000 to 14,000 years ago, have been found across the Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve.[3]
The name of Wombeyan Caves is likely to come from the Ngunnawal language word for ‘tunnel’.
There are several caves with guided and self guided tours available