Kurrawonga Falls are a waterfall located in the Mount Kaputar National Park, approximately 52 km (32 mi) east of the town of Narrabri in northern New South Wales, Australia.[1]

Kurrawonga Falls

Geography

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The falls are a permanent feature of the Horsearm Creek . The creek flows through dense native bushland across the Kaputa Plateau and into a steep chasm in the surrounding rocks, falling over 30 metres (98 ft) into a sinkhole beneath.[2] The volume of the falls varies with seasonal rainfall.[citation needed]

Access

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The falls, along with the historic Scutts Hutt, are accessible via a return hike of approximately 20 km (12 mi)[3] along the Scutts Hutt Firetrail from Kaputar Road, a public road, and the nearby Bark Hut camping grounds. Branching from the trail is a 1.7 km (1.1 mi) track to the hut which is sign-posted, but the last 450 metres (1,480 ft) leading down to the falls is not.[4] The trail is categorised as 'Grade 5' (very steep, difficult, rough, obstacles)[3] with an elevation gain of 806 metres (2,644 ft)[2] and is recommended for experienced bushwalkers only.[3] Average journey time is 10-12 hours, and mobile phone coverage is extremely limited.[3]

2020 Bushfires

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In January-February 2020 the bushfires that ravaged eastern Australia swept through the national park, forcing its temporary closure, and access to the falls and other attractions were closed to the public.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Narrabri Region Information Directory- Mount Kaputar National Park". Narrabri Shire Council. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Scotts Hut and Kurrawonga Falls Track". All Trails. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d "Scutts Hut and Kurrawonga Falls walk". NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  4. ^ "Scutts Hut and Kurrawonga Falls Walk". Destination NSW. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  5. ^ "Mount Kaputar National Park - Current alerts in this area". NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. 4 February 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
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