If you’re looking for a fun and physical outdoor adventure close to Wollongong, Macquarie Pass Canyon should be near the top of your list. Kelly, Giulia, Phil, Sandra and I made the trip this month and honestly it delivered on every front. Here’s a rundown of how the day went, what to expect, and why you should consider adding this one to your adventure bucket list.
Getting There
We kicked things off early, meeting at the bottom carpark at 8am. From there, we drove up to the Clover Hill carpark and were walking by around 8:40am. It’s a relatively straightforward start to the day, and getting an early move on is a good idea, especially if afternoon weather is on the cards, which it was for us.
The weather forecast had rain predicted, but checking a detailed hourly forecast the night before showed the rain was most likely to hold off until the afternoon. That’s a good tip for anyone planning this trip: don’t write off a day just because the broad forecast looks uncertain. Drill into the hourly detail and you might find a solid weather window.
The Canyon Itself
We hit the first abseil around 9:10am. There’s something about getting your harness on for the first time of the day that gets the adrenaline going, and this canyon doesn’t disappoint.
Because we’d had some decent rainfall in the days prior, there was a great volume of water flowing through the falls. It made the whole experience feel more dynamic and honestly more fun than a drier run would have been. The water was surprisingly warm too. The only point where we really felt the cold was after the last abseil, which is also the longest one of the day.
The canyoning here suits a range of experience levels. It was Sandra’s first time abseiling and she loved it. If someone in your group is new to it, this is a great intro: technical enough to be exciting but manageable with good instruction and a steady head.
The Jump
After the final abseil comes one of the highlights of the day: the jump. Kelly went first followed by Giulia, then Phil, and I jumped last after getting some footage. If you haven’t done it before, there’s always a moment of hesitation at the edge, but once you commit it’s brilliant. It’s one of those experiences that gets everyone laughing and buzzing once they’re in the water.
If you’re bringing a phone or camera, just make sure it’s secure or waterproofed before this section. It’s not the moment you want to fumble with gear.
Lunch Break and the Walk Out
We stopped for a lunch break after the jump, about 20 minutes, which was a well-earned rest. We were back moving by 12:20pm, cleared the last slide and exited the water at 1:43pm, and reached the carpark just before 3pm.
The walk out deserves a mention: the footpath was quite muddy, with some landslide areas making progress slow. Solid footwear with good grip is not optional here, it’s essential. Budget extra time for the exit if conditions have been wet.
After the Canyon
By the time we got out, the rain had started. We headed to the Plough & Ale at Calderwood for a well-deserved drink and some food, and by the time we arrived it was absolutely bucketing down. Great timing on our part and a perfect way to wrap up the day.
