Errinundra 8 - The disappearing First Creek Falls Traditional Geocache
Errinundra 8 - The disappearing First Creek Falls
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Previously I had brought tour groups to the area and having worked on interpretation and tourism issues for the park, shortly after it was first declared, I find it quite funny and sad how over time tourism features have been removed, reduced or simply not promoted. With this tourism numbers have fallen. On the weekends it used to be not that uncommon to find convoys of vehicles and groups of backpackers transversing the park.
Back then the Coast Range Rd. was one of the most popular areas. Look at the scenery around you and it is one of the largest untouched areas on the plateau.
One day I brought a group up and there was a gate blocking access. Thought temporary issue. Next trip 2 months later, same issue. Made some inquiries and was told the track had been closed for 2 reasons. One was to make access for forest activists more difficult to the controversial Hensleigh Range and lower parts of the Coast Range. The other was to try and stop people going to First Creek Falls.
First Creek Falls has been on my gunna do list, ever since I first heard about this place. But I have never got to attempting it. It is considered the most stunning water fall in Australia by the people who have seen it, but the area is also very sensitive and very dangerous. I had worked out on maps what contours would be best and safest to follow as a pilot plan to create a walking track in there. Now most references have even been removed from the internet, except for the cover photo of a book by Grant Da Costa.
Its like First Creek falls is disappearing. In many ways I personally support this. I support leaving areas on this earth untouched and without visitation. I am concerned that cutbacks in the public service mean that tourist services aren't maintained and the associated employment while a certain other industry in this area receives huge subsidies.
Whatever, your opinions I hope you like the area and appreciate its beauty, and think about some of the many management issues for this.
This cache is part of a 6km loop walk including Rooty Break trail with parking near Goonmirk Rocks. Please ensure you have referred to the safety information on the description for gc6yy60.
Be especially aware of snakes along this track. Be careful leaving the road as there is a dip that may not be completely visible due to vegetation growth.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Raq bs phg ybt.