Friday 23/10/2020 The Drip Picnic Area – Goulburn River Gorge – The Drip
Goulburn River National Park, NSW
Kamilaroi country
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies
We didn’t have any preconceived ideas about this area before our visit and were pleasantly surprised with what we saw. The easy trail, which appears popular with tourists, follows a gorge section downstream for almost 2km along a beautiful section of the Goulburn River before reaching The Drip.
Max elevation: 409 m
Total climbing: 160 m
Total descent: -161 m
Average speed: 4.17 km/h
Total time: 01:11:09
There was some commotion and conflict between two locals in the picnic area before we started. Here we watched a screeching galah repeatedly dive-bombing a goanna trying to drive it away. As goannas love a bird egg or two in their diet when they can get one, we assumed it had been caught during an attempted raid and had now decided to retreat, at least for a while.
The Goulburn River
The very gently undulating track itself is closely sandwiched between the river and some impressive, low sandstone cliffs. Shady trees adorn the bank above crystal clear running water running along the sandy-bottomed river.
The track ends with a viewing platform which looks along The Drip. The Drip itself is much larger than we had expected and appears to support a multitude of plants and wildlife. There are some boulders to negotiate to get under The Drip and beyond but as we were running out of time we turned around at this point. It is possible to follow the river further downstream but this is off track. There are plenty of informative NSW National Parks signs trackside to keep you well informed.
All was quiet in the picnic area on our return. The Drip is well worth a visit and would be a fantastic cool spot to explore more fully on a hot day.
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NSW National Parks signage at The Drip Picnic Area carpark states
“The Drip day use area is at the western end of the park on the Ulan Road. Enjoy a shady picnic beside the Goulburn River and a grade 3 return walking track (2.8km each way) to The Drip, a seeping cliff overhanging the river. Bird life is prolific in this cool ‘oasis’.”
“The Drip is a 35 metre high overhanging cliff on the northern side of the Goulburn River gorge. The 1.4 km track to The Drip (some steps) starts from just to the left of this shelter. Enjoy the peaceful ambience and sandbanks of the river gorge, birdsong and an elevated viewing point at The Drip.”
“At The Drip you will see water constantly seeping from the cliff, huge fallen blocks of sandstone, pools and small rapids. The river flow varies but is now permanent, because it receives water from nearby underground coal mines. Signs along the way to The Drip describe some of the natural features, plants and wildlife. The formed track ends at The Drip, but experienced walkers can continue downstream into Comer Gorge (2 hours return). Return the same way.”
“The park is a refuge for many plants and animals that struggle to survive in the surrounding farming and mining lands. Most mammals are nocturnal but if you walk to The Drip through the riverside forest of Rough-barked Apple you may see or hear Wood Ducks, Rock Warblers, White-throated Treecreepers, Sacred Kingfishers and other birds. Moisture-loving plants grow along the shady cliffs, and dry woodland of Inland Scribbly Gum and Cypress Pine on the plateau above.”
