Whungee Wheengee Canyon - track notes

Entry

Follow the Wollangambe #2 entrance track down to the river. Cross and climb the gully on the opposite side, tending left at the bottom. Once up on the flat part of the ridge, it is a bit hard to get lost. The track is more like a super highway. Follow the track down into a dry gully and to the edge of the cliff. There are slings around a tree for a 15m abseil, or if your rope is too short, head right for about 30m to a smaller drop. The canyon starts only a short way downstream.

Notes

Entry into the canyon proper is tricky. Easiest is to continue on a ledge down the right side for a short way, then cross over to the left for a little before an obvious scramble. There are other ways. Abseiling is always an option.

There are several duck unders, but they largely depend on the level of the water. They are usually in dark sections. There are a number of cold swims, although the longest is about 30m.

There are a few tricky little climb downs - however, abseiling can be avoided at this point with good route finding and technique. One climb down above a pool has two fixed slings that may be difficult to find in the dark - these can be used to swing across to a crack that you can climb down.

The canyon opens out at a creek junction, then shortly after there is a 9m abseil, with a short swim, followed by 6m abseil. These used to be tricky, but there are currently bolts in place that make the starts easier. One final tricky pair of jump downs, then there is a long spectacular section to the Wollangambe.

Exit

At the Wollangambe, swim downstream for about 1km to the exit as for Wollangambe #2.

Comments

An excellent canyon, quite sustained and challenging.

There are numerous tricky climb downs and climb arounds that can make this a tough day if your scrambling skills are a bit weak. You may need to do more than the two abseils if this is the case. The walk in is reasonably long, and the canyon itself can also be quite long. Quite a few swims, up to 20m in the canyon proper. Longer swims in the Wollangambe. Wetsuits are recommended.

Rating: 5/5

Time

5 people, 1 very experienced, 1 experienced, 3 moderately experienced. 7.5h from car to car, including a leisurely  lunch

Tom Brennan : website@ozultimate.com: updated 20050112