Sand River Gorge - 20 Oct 2026

We are walking into Sand River Gorge near Buckland that is normally a rock climbing area.

 

After a short drive from Buckland we come to the carpark area.

 

The forecast for today is possible showers and storms but the weather looks quite good as we set off. 

The track leads down to the base of the Sand River Gorge.

We stop for morning tea under these imposing cliffs.

Looking for the way across the river.

 

After a short search through the scrub on the other side we climb the hill towards the cliff face that we can see.

As we did not come across the track we climbed straight up the hill until we met the track near the cliff face much to the groups relief. 

A growth on a downed tree.

Checking where we had come.

A number of the group were of the view that this shute would take us to the plateau top after a bit of a scramble.

Half the group decided to wait for the rest and have lunch while an exploration of the top was undertaken. 

The view back to to remainder of the group.

 

We did obtain a small view through the trees to the valley below that we had driven along to get here but there was no clear plateau up that climb.

 

Returning to the lunch spot.

The remainder of the group settling in for lunch.

Lunch over and its more walking.

We now follow the base of the cliff to the climbing walls.

There are plenty of climbing marked out along the wall.

Now starting the descent to the creek on the way back to the cars.

Our leader checking we are on the right track at the bottom of the descent.

We cross the creek and follow it til it meets up with Sand River.

Its amazing to see how tree roots hold onto the large rocks even when the tree has fallen over.

Some well advanced fungi.

We have emerged from the creekbed and are now heading up the hill to the cars.

Ron was fascinated that the brickies had been here and laid down a support for this huge rock.

A couple of flora examples as we neared the cars.

 

We had 11 walkers who cover approximately 5.5 kms in approx 4.5 hours climbing up and down about 200 meters.

 A good day walk and the weather held out and was sunny the whole day. 

 Thanks for the photos from Michael, Ron, Mutha  and Jannis.