A Cool Picnic Spot Near Canberra: Gibraltar falls

Probably I have taken you to Gibraltar Falls before but this one is different I did not start from Tidbinbilla Visitor Centre, though going to the tourist center is good for you and I suggest you collect the information.

  
Besides you have other tourist attractions close to this place and a nice coffee shop and eating facilities.

My first visit was during the COVID-19 time when they opened this spot and everything including the parking was free.

I remember this year in February, we left Canberra at around 8 in the morning and were at Tidbinbilla by 8.40 am. After spending a few minutes there, we drove south from Woods Reserve via Corrin Road and then to Gibraltar Creek to reach the parking lot at Falls via Tidbinbilla Tourist Center. Incidentally, it was my first fourth trip to this picnic spot within the last one and a half years.

Gibraltar Falls and Woods Reserve have picnic shelters, picnic tables, gas barbecues, and other facilities but we Indians carry our food and most of us are vegetarians so that is even more important.

Though we have been to this place many times, Gibraltar Falls is a walk-in tourist spot, especially to enjoy the view of the waterfalls. One thing to keep in mind is that the government has not done anything with this tourist spot except for making some railings; everything is natural, so one has to be very careful on the walking tracks and trails.

A beautiful circuit walk in the Blue Mountains

We were in Australia, where swimming is one of the biggest forms of entertainment, but there is no place or chance for swimming in Gibraltar Falls. This waterfall and the surrounding rock pool are considered dangerous, and initially, before swimming was banned, some people died.

It has been marked as prohibited for swimming at many places here, with big boards saying that using this area for swimming can lead to death or injury.

Yes, if you are fond of swimming, then there are suitable swimming places in parks and reserves in Gibraltar Creek in Woods Reserve.

Gibraltar Falls is a site within the Gibraltar Special Purpose Reserve. So at Gibraltar Falls, you can see:

A waterfall, walking track to Woods Reserve, views of Gibraltar Creek and the Paddys River Valley

Look up a plant or animal or visit the Canberra Birds site, other things to do, are bird watching, nature observation, and picnics. But there are no bins, so you have to bring your rubbish with you. Walking and running, Picnic table, walking track

Gibraltar Falls is located in the Nungnawal Indigenous Area, an ancient and diverse landscape managed and cared for by people for thousands of years, the original inhabitants of Australia.

There are no shops, canteens, etc. here, so you need to bring your drinking water or food from your house or get it from the Tidbinbilla canteen at the reception center.

Camping or fires are not permitted at Gibraltar Falls.

The biggest drawback is that you are cut off from the world as mobile networks are almost nonexistent, but I am okay with that because what better opportunity can there be for a cyber detox than this?

Just a few days ago I heard that another person died in less than a week at Gibraltar Falls in Canberra, Australia. This young man fell into the water and could not be saved. This is the second such incident in which a person died after falling while climbing the rocks in front of the waterfall.

I remember when we went there last time. I had advised my companions not to take such risks, but many young men and women do not like to hear such things. Maybe the tourist department will permanently close this site to the public, and if this happens, then a good picnic spot near Canberra will lose half its charm. So I suggest people follow the rules and stay safe.

When I visit this site about 40 km south of Canberra on weekends for picnics with my friends in summer, more than 700 to 800 people come there.

I always tell my friends to follow the signs and advice provided by the park and stick to the designated walking paths.

When I first went to Gibraltar Falls, I thought it was probably in New South Wales, but it is actually in the Australian Capital Territory, and the waterfall's stunning pools and spectacular mountain views are truly amazing.

Gibraltar Peak: Sensational views and a peak full of fun boulders

You can get a great view of a magnificent waterfall.

The best view of the falls is from the main viewpoint. It is only 150 m from the car parking and involves climbing a few steps, although the steps are rough and tiring.

Stairs to the Lookout Point

Waterfall view at Gibraltar Falls in Canberra

It is well maintained and has an easy walkway that leads up to a railed viewing platform.

Gibraltar Falls view: The huge rocks give the waterfall a dramatic feel, and the view of the mountains makes the view even more captivating.

Gibraltar Falls Bottom and Woods Creek Reserve in Canberra (We took the gorge walk to Woods Creek Reserve, thinking it would take us to the bottom of the falls. But we couldn't find the path.

We mostly just unpacked our food packs and had snacks in our cars in the parking lot in the car park, which is pretty small.

There are a lot of steps to get down to Woods Creek, which you can climb back up! The walk is quite enjoyable and has some nice views, including a beautiful but clear view of the falls.

The pool is formed on top of a huge rock, with no railings to prevent potential accidents, so tourists need to be extremely cautious and not go too close to the edge.

To get there, when we start walking down the gorge walk, two different paths are going to the left (below the railing).

We can take either one of these and then go down the gorge. If we follow the path, we will reach a big, rocky area in a short while. But let me tell you that I don't like such steep elevations, so I sit far back from the pool and the edge and watch people enjoying this wonderful picnic spot.

This place has the waterfalls of Gibraltar Falls in the background and endless mountain views in the front. There is a small pond on the edge of the falls, and the view and setting are really amazing.

The water is cold, but it seems fine with a lot of sunshine, we never tried going there on a rainy day as the rocks are wet and slippery then.

The pool at Gibraltar Falls is closed for swimming now but even if it is open I would not recommend going in the water, although when the water level is low it is very beautiful and colorful, and it is a great experience.

I find it weird when I see that there are warning signs near the pool, but almost everyone still likes to go there. Yes, one thing is that young couples do not come on weekends and holidays but on Kaya Divas, although no one stops them even on weekends.

Gibraltar Falls is not an easy plunge, but some people want to take a dip, if they don't like the view of the pool so high they can drive to Woods Creek Reserve. There are small shallow pools along the track and some are just a short walk from the car park.

And yes if you are looking for more secluded spots you can follow the unmaintained path but it can be a little dangerous and scratchy as it is a bush track if you go too far. This is the oldest route down to the falls and is quite rough, but I have seen couples go there.

Gibraltar Falls is located in the National Park and is a popular weekend getaway. Still, due to the hills, there is limited parking near the falls, and it fills up quickly on weekends in the summer months, especially if the weather is clear. The only solution is to park at Woods Creek Reserve, which has a large parking area, and you can walk to the falls from there.