Boat Hole to Falls Walk, Ruffy

Boat Hole to Falls Walk, Ruffy created by Sean Mathews

Rate this walk

Summary

The Boat Hole is a spot once used as a local Recreation Reserve. Boggy and Hughes Creeks meet here. There is a waterhole for swimming / boating/ fishing and a beautiful walk downstream to waterfalls.

Description

The Boat Hole.
Worth checking out before you start your walk, the Boat Hole is prettily situated between the arms of two waterways at the confluence of Boggy and Hughes Creeks. The site is a Public Reserve consisting of a sizeable flat area that includes a picnic table. There is a large water hole on site that has served locals as a place of social events, picnicking, swimming, boating and fishing for generations. The surrounding riparian woodland provides shade and habitat enough to make native bird and fauna encounters likely. This is a nice spot to picnic.

Follow up with stretching your legs further, intermediate level walkers can cross the road for the Boat Hole to Hughes Creek Falls Walk.

This 6km return walk follows the eastern side of Hughes Creek down to tumbling cascades and waterfalls.. Stock exclusion fencing marks the boundary of the public land all the way, so you can't get lost.

Travelling along this creek of many moods is a joy. Beginning as a lazy, meandering stream weaving its way through forest and reedy waterholes, it progresses to traverse meadows, forms mirror like reflecting pools, rushes through narrow outlets, spreads wide and shallow across rocky beds, cascades and then tumbles over ever increasing gradients to waterfalls.

The tracks are foot pads only, but they make your way clear enough . The ground is uneven and there are many wombat holes, so watch your step. There is a lot to enjoy, so give yourself the time, this is a long 6km.

Good quality closed walking shoes and gaiters are recommended for walking in this country. Particularly in warmer months, snakes will be active.

Amenities:
Car parking
Seating
Parkland
Picnic tables
Historic features
Swimming spot
Information sign
Flora and fauna habitat

Cautions:
Cliff faces
Open water
Steep climbs
Rocks may fall
Limbs may fall
Embankments
Uneven ground
No potable water
Remnant fencing
Slippery surfaces
Subject to flooding
Road surfaces vary
Tracks may not be clear
Beware of vehicle traffic
Mobile reception may be unreliable
Be mindful to keep within the Reserve
Carry food, water, First Aid, be SunSmart
Be equipped for self-reliant hiking / riding

Restrictions:
Dogs must be leashed & under control at all times
No illegal fishing
Take rubbish with you
No firewood collection
Do not remove soil or rock
Native flora and fauna are protected
No fires in the open
Closed on days of total fire ban
No 4WD or motor bike access to the walk
Drivers/riders must: use formed roads only, be licensed, be registered

Rate this walk

2030 Views

Points of Interest

1. Car park area at the bridge

On the Ruffy side of the bridge across Hughes Creek there is ample room for car parking. The Reserve is quite flat and well maintained.

2. Reserve amenities

There is one picnic table, a commemorative oak planted by Ruffy schoolchildren in the bi-centennial year of 1988 and an information sign about the site and its history.

3. The Boat Hole (then)

Boating, fishing, picnics, sporting events all took place here as part of The Boat Hole Sports Carnival and other local recreation events.

4. The Boat Hole (today)

Crowds don't gather here any more. The usual visitors are picnickers, fishers or walkers. The attraction endures though.

5. Well balanced Tableland granite

For a well balanced lifestyle and to improve your well being, take the time to appreciate all the well balanced granite you can see on the Tableland. You can't help wondering, how did that get there?

6. The walk entry

The walk follows the Hughes Creek Water Frontage downstream to the falls. Newish stock exclusion fencing is intact all the way.

7. Perched bog

Skirted by the new fence-line, on the first rise above the Creek is a broad, boggy wet area quite different to its surroundings. Arc up to inspect or follow the old fence to avoid.

8. The track is a foot padded pathway

The track doesn't have a lot of substance. Watch out for remnant fencing and wombat holes. This section of old fence is not in use.

9. The birds

Woodland and water combine to create habitat for a diversity of birdlife. This narrow corridor amidst vast grazing lands is critical to that diversity - as any young Welcome Swallow will tell you!

10. Freshwater Mussels

Like so many other native species, Freshwater Mussels are steadily disappearing from our waterways due to habitat degradation. It is somewhat reassuring to find shells along Hughes Creek.

11. Seasonal wildflowers

In October / November there is a profusion of wildflowers amongst the granite. Milkmaids, Chocolate & Bulbine Lilies form their own meadows. This Prickly Starwort clings to gaps in the rocky mosaic.

12. Pools for reflection

If you are looking for a tranquil spot to settle for a while and soak up your surroundings, there are many reflecting pools.

13. After the bushfire

Blackened trunks and charred wood on the ground are the legacy of a recent bushfire. Much self healing has already been done. New growth demonstrates nature's resilience.

14. Above the falls

Hughes Creek spreads itself shallow, wide, flat and long, threading its way between granite risers. A perfect stretch for a bit of pleasurable rock hopping.

15. Tiger country

In warmer months snakes are active, Spring sees thick, long grass. Don't be alarmed, but certainly be mindful. They won't hang around if they hear you coming. Move away if you see one. Wear gaiters

16. Upper falls

The upper falls mark the starting point of a long descent across a wide expanse of granite.

17. Middle falls

The middle falls have the longest drop of around 20 m. They flow with a rush, but are at their most impressive after rain or when there has been a good wet season.

18. Lower falls

Just lovely.

19. Tree fern survivors

Blackened tree fern trunks bear witness to the damage wrought by fire. Fortunately, there are a few survivors in this rocky outcrop and gully below the falls.