Immerse yourself in the beauty of North Bowens Canyon, a hidden gem offering an epic full-day adventure for aspiring canyoners. Often described as a “mini-Claustral Canyon,” this experience features abseils, water jumps, and spectacular moss-covered corridors, making it an ideal challenge for those looking to further their canyoning experience and skills.
Pre-requisites:
Ideally you will have previous canyoning and abseiling experience for this trip. If you don’t, contact us and we can see if you have the appropriate other skills and experience for this trip.
North Bowens is a big day and requires a bit more fitness than Serendipity Canyon
Key facts:
Expected day length: About 9 hours
We can run these trips most days – use calendar below to book
A Great Adventure
While not quite an advanced trip, North Bowens Canyon is demanding, with technical hiking to access, sustained canyon sections, and a challenging hike out. Perfect for those with some experience who are ready to step up their game and prepare for larger adventures.
Your Day’s Journey
We’ll begin at our Blackheath office to organise your gear, including wetsuits, lunch and safety equipment, and brief you on the day ahead. A scenic 45-minute drive brings us to Mount Wilson, where we’ll begin the one-hour hike along a fire trail and then down into the canyon’s headwaters. Expect scrambling, slippery surfaces, and possibly some handlines or belays to navigate tricky sections.
Entering the Canyon
Once we reach the creek, the real adventure begins! Wading, swimming, and scrambling downstream, we’ll navigate towards the first compulsory abseil—a 15-meter descent into a stunning slot. This abseil is challenging and lands directly into the water, where you will swim a short distance to our last but most impressive abseil…
The Highlight: Through the Canyon Floor
Depending on water conditions, you’ll either descend through a hole in the canyon floor or abseil over a chockstone, landing in a large pool below. This section of the canyon feels truly wild, with towering moss-covered walls reminiscent of the iconic Claustral Canyon. Expect wades, swims, balance logs, and downclimbs as you journey through this spectacular natural corridor.
Lunch with Altitude
What’s on offer? Whatever you have selected from the Altitude Deli’s generous menu! They can handle all dietary requirements and are well known for providing the best lunches to fuel big adventures in the Blue Mountains.
The Exit: A Challenging Hike
The adventure wraps up with a steep climb out of the canyon. With 400 metres of vertical elevation gain, this exit rivals some of the region’s most challenging trips. It’s a tough but rewarding ascent, leading us back to the fire trail and the carpark.
A Full Day of Adventure
This trip typically takes around 9 hours, though experienced and fit groups may finish earlier. The whole journey through Bowens Creek is rather hands on and technical. This results in a physical but unforgettable day filled with many obstacles, incredible sights, and a profound sense of achievement.
Wrap-Up at Blackheath
Back at our office, our guides are happy to chat about future adventures that align with your interests and abilities.
Why Choose Blue Mountains Climbing School?
At Blue Mountains Climbing School, your adventure is our passion. Our expert guides are handpicked for their knowledge, experience, and love for the outdoors – dedicated adventurers ready to share the Blue Mountains with you. We use modern, high-quality gear to ensure safety and comfort throughout.
As a boutique operator, we’re focused on quality over quantity, delivering a consistently high-end experience. Our active involvement in industry forums keeps us updated on the latest trends and techniques, so you can trust that your adventure is as safe as it is thrilling. Choose us for an adventure that’s expertly crafted, inspiring, and uniquely yours.