Before arriving in the Snowys we had no idea that NSW had a gorge walk quite like this one. Not only is Clarke Gorge jaw droppingly beautiful, it’s also a great adventure. You’ll have 7 water crossings to navigate if you’re going to make it all the way through the gorge to the spectacular waterfall at the end. It’s the perfect walk for a hot day, but we loved it even in the cooler weather of the late afternoon.
We’d recently hiked the fantastic Narrows Track in South Australia, and though Clarke Gorge doesn’t have the narrow slot canyon of Alligator Gorge, it definitely satisfied my love of a water filled hiking adventure.
Here’s what to expect on the trail.
The Clarke Gorge Walk
The stats
Distance: 2.3km each way
Elevation: 80m
Difficulty: Moderate
The walk through Clarke Gorge is short, but can be slow going if the water is high. We visited after a period of heavy rainfall, and it made the 7 water crossings slower than usual! It took us two hours in total (although that did include enjoying the waterfall and the views).
Cooleman Falls
Starting the trail
We hiked through Clarke Gorge after quite a long period of heavy rain, so the river was running pretty high. We have heard in drier times the first few water crossings can be navigated using the rocks as stepping stones and you don’t need to get wet.
If you’re hiking after heavy rain, you’ll be straight into the water from the off. My advice would be to wear river shoes, but if you don’t have any (we don’t) then wear boots and pop them straight into the water without even trying to use the rocks.
It’s better to just go all in and accept the sloshy boots. After a few minutes the strange sensation passes and you don’t really think about it again.
We learnt this during our Alligator Gorge walk when we spent the first 2km trying to keep dry, and to be honest, it really wasn’t as fun! In the end you have to succumb anyway or you won’t make it to the falls, which are well worth seeing.
Back to the track itself, and you have a short 300m walk along a grassy track before you’ll come to the first river crossing.
As I mentioned, for us, all but the first few rocks were submerged and the water level was above the knee.
We hiked in summer and the water was cool, but not freezing and even though we started the trail late in the afternoon it didn’t feel overly cold. In the daytime it would probably be really refreshing!
The first water crossing
Making your way through the gorge
Although the walk is not signposted, you can’t really go wrong as you are simply making your way through the gorge.
More often than not, you are trying to keep to the somewhat beaten down path along the river banks.
At the beginning this is easy, and it’s a narrow but largely flat trail with gorgeous scenery. The river running through the gorge is an incredible shade of blue (which really doesn’t show in the photos) and the gorge walls tower over you, it’s an incredibly atmospheric walk.
Roughly 300m after the first river crossing you’ll come to the second. This one had a lower water level than the first for us, and may even be a dry crossing depending on when you’re hiking.
The thing to watch for with all the crossings is the rocks, which can be slippery underfoot - and that’s why river shoes with good grip are definitely the way to go if you can.
The slimy green or brown rocks are the worst offenders but in general I tried to place my feet on the little silt gaps between the rocks to avoid a tumble. The water isn’t fast flowing, so you don’t get that feeling that you’re going to be knocked over - it really is just the rocks that can be an issue.
After another 150m on the trail you’ll cross the river for a third time. It’s in-between this crossing and the next one that there is one bit of path which is slightly tricky. It takes you up along the rock on a narrow ledge, and it does feel a bit exposed.
The third water crossing
On the way to the waterfall I chose to walk through the river instead, which is no harder than any other point if you don’t like the look of the scramble.
You will have to walk in the river for longer than any other crossing, but it’s totally doable.
On the way back I did walk the ledge, and it isn’t awful, but it does have two short sections which I found to be a bit unnerving, with non-grippy shoes on and a drop into the river if you did slip.
This little section of track is just 150m though, so whichever option you go for, it doesn’t take too long.
The scramble part one
The scramble part two
After the ledge you have a couple more river crossings in quick succession, before quite a long period - 550m - of walking on a normal flat path through the bush. There are a couple of logs that have fallen across the track but nothing tricky to get round.
This long dry patch makes the second half of the walk much quicker than the first. Once you are out of the bush you have two remaining water crossings - 100m apart - before you reach the final section of track to the top of the waterfall.
Reaching Cooleman Falls
The last part of the walk takes you over a long rocky platform beside the river, before you reach the top of the falls.
The benefit to walking after a huge amount of rain is that the waterfall was pumping! It was incredibly powerful as it gushed over the cliffside.
The view from here is absolutely beautiful, both of the top of the falls and the surrounding countryside. There was no one else there when we arrived and it felt incredibly wild and untouched.
Unfortunately, to get a good view of the falls you have one last hurdle. The walk to the bottom is a bit of a scramble down a trail which is quite slippery and steep. It’s not the nicest of paths to go down, but it does only take five minutes.
From there you’ll have an uninterrupted view of the magnificent Cooleman Falls, also known as Cave Creek Falls. It’s absolutely stunning, and the pool at the base is big enough for a dip if you don’t mind the cold water.
We did read you can actually continue the trail on for a further 1.5km, but unfortunately as it was already 7pm at this point we didn’t have time to go further.
Hiking back out of the gorge
We found going back was much quicker than on the way out. You are used to the river crossings and where to cross most easily. It just felt much easier and we got back in less than 50 minutes without rushing and with lots of photo stops.
All in all it’s a beautiful track which has the added element of adventure with the water crossings, as well as the waterfall at the end. It’s one of my new favourite walks in NSW and a must if you’re visiting Kosciuszko National Park.
If you have a whole afternoon in this area you could also walk the Nichols Gorge Track, which is a dry gorge walk, and another beautiful trail.
Packing suggestions for the walk
Having the right gear can make a huge difference. Here’s what we pack and have relied upon for years:
Sunscreen: Cancer Council Active. With a high SPF, but not the greasy feel of other sunscreens. Makes a big difference when you’re working up a sweat on a sunny day! Check it out on Amazon
Good Rain Jacket: North Face This is an essential item we always pack in our bag! This jacket from North Face is designed to keep you dry but also comfortably warm (many rain jackets will make you feel like you’re in a sauna). Check it out on Amazon
Bushman Spray: Good for keeping off the mozzies and any other bugs. Check it out on Amazon.
Day Pack: Osprey Talon 22 (we’ve owned this for years). Check on Amazon or direct with Osprey
Hiking Boots: Merrell Moab (for men and women). We’ve both used these for over three years and they just keep going. Check them out on Amazon
Trekking poles: We’ve used Black Diamond for years as they are light, solid and durable. Check them out on Amazon.
Reusable water bottle: To avoid single-use plastic. Check them out on Amazon
Essential information about the Clarke Gorge Walk
The access road
The road to get to the trail head is called the Long Plain Road, and is 25km long and unsealed. It’s got a lot of bumps and isn’t a smooth ride, although we did see several people make it without issues in a 2WD. Towards the end of the road there is a sign saying you can’t take a 2WD drive any further if it’s wet though.
It’s worth keeping an eye out for brumbies, as we saw hundreds of them by the side of the road (sometimes even crossing the road).
Facilities at the trailhead
There are a couple of long drop toilets by the trail head but you’ll need to bring your own toilet paper. There are also a couple of campsites very nearby.
Trail opening times
The Clarke Gorge Walk is open between the October and June long weekends.
Kosciuszko National Park Fee
Clarke Gorge is one of the few trails in the area where you don’t have to pay the Kosciuszko National Park fee.
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