After meeting at McDonald Park, John and Barbra Nevin and Ingrid Kalf drove out to the falls. The weather was fine and mild after several days of steady rain. A lot of other people had similar ideas about viewing the Falls after the recent rain, as there was a traffic jam at the visitor’s area and parking spots were at a premium. Many family groups had taken the opportunity for a day out and picnic at the barbecue area.

In a paddock nearby on the escarpment, a local helicopter company had established a temporary helipad to take visitors for flights up and down the gorges. Business was very brisk, and I can only imagine the spectacular views of the gorges and the many waterfalls from the vantage point of a low flying small helicopter.

It had been one of the best seasons in years. The grasslands at the top of the gorge were as lush and bountiful as I have ever seen them, with spectacular flowerings of Wahlenbergia sp., Bulbine vagans, Stackhousea monogyna and S. viminea, Dichopogon strictus, Dianella (?)revoluta, Ranunculus lappaceus, Oxalis perennans, Indigophera australis, Chrysocephalum apiculatum, Craspedia variablis and spectacular displays of Lomandra multiflora in flower.

The waterfall did not disappoint. Large volumes poured over the escarpment into the gorge below creating a deafening roar reminiscent of the background sound of heavy surf at the beach. Spray form the fallen water misted up to the top of the gorge. It was as large a flow as I had ever seen.

After a leisurely lunch, we explored the track on the eastern side of the falls. Although the water level was up, the walkway was passable. Plants seen included Acacias ingramii and A. diphylla (both in seed), that are localised to this area. Bursaria spinosa and Jacksonia scorparia were in flower. The grasses were also putting on a flowering display, in particular, Themedia triandra and Poa sieberiana. Other plants included Leptospemum brevipes, the green flowering Correa reflexa var reflexa, Cassinia quiquefaria, Notolaea macrocarpa var velutina, Pomaderris vellea and Bertya ingramii (another of school inspector Ingram’s discoveries in his botanical hobby).

I was pleased to find flowering Boronia polygalifolia, the first time I had seen it in the wild. Plectranthus parviflorus, Hybanthus monopetalus, Pimelaea neo-anglica, a Solanum species, two Hibbertias—(?)obtusifolia and riparia—Viola betonicifolius, Ajuga australis and flowering Lotus australis were also evident. Along the gorge rim, specimens of Hakea fraseri were found in the late stages of flowering with early seed formation.

On our return to the parking area, we observed a red bellied black snake sunning itself by the edge of the stream. After having a talk with some of the other visitors, we returned to town. The gorges are certainly a real feature of the area and the tourists are taking advantage of the current high water flows putting on a display.