Genoa Gorge

 I have long intended to visit the Genoa Gorge, firstly because the name sounds interesting and secondly because there are a heap of interesting birds seen in the immediate area that are not found elsewhere in the Mallacoota District.  The latter include Diamond Firetails, Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters  and Turquoise Parrots, both of which were seen on a recent visit to the general area (which didn't go to the Gorge itself).  With the weather of 29 January being relatively benign Frances and I headed off there.

The starting point is the turn off the Princes Highway about 1km North of Genoa, marked to Wangarabell, Wroxham and Nungatta.  Its about 10.5km along a well surfaced (but twisty) dirt road to the (un-named) track to the Gorge.  Google Earth is your friend.

EBird track marking function is your friend for showing the track to the gauging station.  This track was taken as we walked down.  Having done so, I'd rate the track as high-clearance 4WD only: and with VERY careful picking your way through the ruts.  (A concrete pipe is evident at one point with great potential to damage suspension.)  It is about 700m to the end of the road and drops (according to Google Earth) about 30 metres to the gauge shed. 

The start of the track is quite steeply downhill and the surface is very slippery in spots.  I removed  a little bark from arm and knee to validate that statement!

The density of the regenerating vegetation is evident in that image.  It made it rather difficult to see birds but there was a lot of vocalisation indicating they were around.  I suspect my list omits quite a few whose calls I didn't recognise.  Bird of the day was a clearly seen, but not photographed, dark-phase White-bellied Cuckooshrike.

The track ends at a shed housing some of the gear.  It is several metres (~15?) above the river.  This image was taken about halfway vertically between the shed and the water.  A handrail for a set of metal steps descending the final bit is just visible to the left of the tree trunk.  We went to the steps but not down them!  This looks like a granite sill .

There is a good flow in the river.

The BoM site (under River Conditions) shows the flow to be well under flood level.

Looking upstream shows the actual Gorge.