Wikipedia

Gibraltar Falls

For the Poul Anderson short story of the same name, see The Dark Between the Stars (collection).

The Gibraltar Falls are a cascade waterfall on the Gibraltar Creek, in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), approximately 50 kilometres (31 miles) from Canberra's city centre,[1][2][3] The falls have a 50-metre (160-foot) drop.

Gibraltar Falls
Gibraltar Falls
Gibraltar Falls is located in Australian Capital Territory
Gibraltar Falls
Map
LocationNamadgi National Park, Australian Capital Territory
Coordinates35°32′15″S 148°52′42″E / 35.53750°S 148.87833°E / -35.53750; 148.87833
TypeCascade
Total height50 metres (160 ft)
WatercourseGibraltar Creek

Location and features

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In Namadgi National Park,[4] the falls are near Corin Road in the Gibraltar Creek Pine Forest. A gravel track from a nearby car park provides access to a lookout to view the falls.[5][6] There are a number of walking trails near the falls.[7] Near the falls is a car park, public toilets, and a picnic shelter with a gas barbecue.[8]

The falls have a 50-metre (160 ft) drop.[3]

There is not much drainage on Gibraltar Falls, though water will still fall from the falls during drought conditions.[2][9] Three Glossy Black-Cockatoos were spotted at the falls in November 2000. These birds are not frequently found in the territory.[10]

The falls were depicted in the 1966 oil painting titled Rescue at Gibraltar Falls, by John Perceval, with Australian National University landscape architect serving as a model for the figure found in the painting.[1] Bushwalks used to take place to get to the falls.[9] The Australian Heritage Commission commissioned a report on the falls called "An archaeological investigation of the Gibraltar Falls recreation area, A.C.T."[11] Axe grinding grooves have been found at the falls.[12]

Fauna and Flora

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The falls is a habitat of the ACT rare Austral pillwort,[13] a fern with thread-like leaves,[14] and the vulnerable Alpine Redspot Dragonfly.[13][15]

Gibraltar Falls / Woods Reserve Area

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The falls is part of the Gilbralter Falls / Woods Reserve Area that is listed on the Register of the National Estate and the ACT National Heritage of Australia list.[12] It is about 170ha in area and is located about 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) West North-west of Tharwa.[16]

Incidents

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In 2023 a 19-year-old died after falling off the cliffs and into the water.[17] A few days later, another fatal accident occurred resulting in the death of a 22-year-old man.[18]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Allen, Traudi; Perceval, John (1992). John Perceval. Melbourne University Publish. p. 166. ISBN 978-0-522-84495-5. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Gibraltar Falls (Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Australia)". World-of-waterfalls.com. 8 November 2006. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  3. ^ a b "Upgrade to walking trail at Gibraltar Falls recreation area". Cmd.act.gov.au. 29 June 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  4. ^ Siseman, John (1 January 1988). Alpine walking track: Walhalla to Canberra. Pindari Publications. p. 146. ISBN 978-0-9587874-0-6. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  5. ^ "Woods Reserve". Territory and Municipal Services. Archived from the original on 16 April 2012. Retrieved 2012-10-25.
  6. ^ "Gibraltar Falls". Visit Canberra. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  7. ^ Wheeler, Tony (August 1986). Australia, a travel survival kit. Lonely Planet. pp. 87–89. ISBN 978-0-908086-73-3. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  8. ^ Armstrong, Elizabeth K. (2008). "Tourism destination recovery after the 2003 Canberra fires" (PDF). p. x. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  9. ^ a b "What People are Doing". The Canberra Times. 15 December 1953. p. 4. Retrieved 25 October 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ^ Holliday, Steve (December 2004). "The Glossy Black-Cockatoo in the Australian Capital Territory" (PDF). Canberra Bird Notes. 29 (4): 126. ISSN 0314-8211. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 September 2009.
  11. ^ Hiscock, P; Feary, Sue; Australian Heritage Commission (1984), An archaeological investigation of the Gibraltar Falls recreation area, A.C.T.: a report to the Australian Heritage Commission, ANUTECH, retrieved 21 November 2012
  12. ^ a b Rodney Garnett; Danielle Hyndes, eds. (1992). The Heritage of the Australian Capital Territory. National Trust of Australia (ACT). p. 2. ISBN 978-0-95949-415-0. OCLC 38323685.
  13. ^ a b "Gibraltar Falls / Woods Reserve Area". dmzapp17p.ris.environment.gov.au. Department of the Environment and Energy. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  14. ^ "Austral Pillwort – profile". environment.nsw.gov.au. NSW Office of Environment & Heritage. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  15. ^ "Alpine Redspot Dragonfly – Austropetalia tonyana". dpi.nsw.gov.au. NSW Department of Primary Industries. Archived from the original on 25 June 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  16. ^ "Gibraltar Falls / Woods Reserve Area, Corin Rd, Tharwa, ACT, Australia". environment.gov.au. Department of the Environment and Energy. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  17. ^ McPhee, Sarah (12 February 2023). "Teenager dies after falling at waterfall in the ACT". The Age. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  18. ^ Roberts, Georgia (19 February 2023). "Man, 22, second fatality in less than a week at Gibraltar Falls in ACT national park in the ACT". ABC News. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
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