Always liked the look of canyoning but thought it seemed like a lot of work? At only two hours from Sydney and with no abseiling or specialist gear required, Bungonia Slot Canyon in the Bungonia National Park should be your next adventure.
Glen Davis Campground is a beautiful quiet spot located in a small town full of history. The site is accessible to caravans and camper trailers with area suitable for tents. The campground provides hot showers, laundry facilities, water, picnic shelters, and wood fuel bbq. Please note that Glen Davis has no store or fuel supplies, the. A slot canyon is a long, narrow, deep and tortuous channel or drainageway with sheer rock walls that are typically eroded into either sandstone or other sedimentary rock.A slot canyon has depth-to-width ratios that typically exceed 10:1 over most of its length and can approach 100:1. A slot canyon is a narrow canyon that is formed from water rushing through rock. What starts off as a tiny crack steadily grows larger from repeat flash floods and erosion over millions of years. The end result is a narrow canyon with very high walls. Slot canyons can be several meters wide or just one foot wide.
Highlights
- Bungonia slot canyon
- Dramatic scenery
- Quiet camping surrounded by kangaroos
- Local giant goannas
Bungonia Slot Canyon
A recipe for the perfect weekend: Take one group of mates, pack up a car with camping stuff, fill an esky with some cold ones and throw in an epic slot canyon for good measure.
Down We Go
You know it's going to be a good hike when national parks estimate it to take five hours to cover 3.8km. Do not underestimate this hike, it's seriously amazing but seriously tough.
There are huge ascents and descents and once in the canyon there are no track markers. There's also a danger of rockfall associated with the quarry blasting above. This is usually at 3.10pm on weekdays and there are warning sirens which precede the blasting, so stay aware.
Start at the William Mitchell car park and head anti-clockwise around the track. This is the reverse of what is recommended by the National Parks map but if, like me, you have dodgy knees you will thank me later as the ‘correct' way round has an incredibly steep descent.
This is not to say the other way isn't steep – there will still be jelly legs by the bottom.
Choose Your Adventure
Slot Canyon Nsw Golf
Follow the shale trail down to the canyon creek and follow the creek bed until you reach giant limestone boulders.
Slot Canyon Near Kanab
Make your own adventure at this point – there's no right or wrong way and a lot of trial and error required to navigate through – but essentially continue straight and you'll eventually make your way out. It's a great place to spot giant goannas too.
Once through the boulders, you'll continue along the gorge. This section is prime rockfall area, both from the quarry and also from climbers above as it's a popular climbing route.
The gorge continues winding up the valley, gradually getting wider. Watch out for the exit as it's not very well marked. If you get to the big knocked over tree trunk and mini cave you've gone too far.
At this point all that's left is the vertical schlep up and out of the canyon. Enjoy. Just keep thinking about those cold beers waiting for you at the top.
Essential Gear
- Tent
- Warm clothes
- Good boots
- GoPro/Camera Gear
- Navigation skills
How To Get There
Turn off the M31 and follow signs towards Bungonia National Park. There is a visitor information centre as you enter the park. Drive through the campground and park at William Mitchell car park and day-use area.
Skill Level
Expert. The canyon track requires a good level of fitness and navigation.
- Bungonia slot canyon
- Dramatic scenery
- Quiet camping surrounded by kangaroos
- Local giant goannas
Bungonia Slot Canyon
A recipe for the perfect weekend: Take one group of mates, pack up a car with camping stuff, fill an esky with some cold ones and throw in an epic slot canyon for good measure.
Down We Go
You know it's going to be a good hike when national parks estimate it to take five hours to cover 3.8km. Do not underestimate this hike, it's seriously amazing but seriously tough.
There are huge ascents and descents and once in the canyon there are no track markers. There's also a danger of rockfall associated with the quarry blasting above. This is usually at 3.10pm on weekdays and there are warning sirens which precede the blasting, so stay aware.
Start at the William Mitchell car park and head anti-clockwise around the track. This is the reverse of what is recommended by the National Parks map but if, like me, you have dodgy knees you will thank me later as the ‘correct' way round has an incredibly steep descent.
This is not to say the other way isn't steep – there will still be jelly legs by the bottom.
Choose Your Adventure
Slot Canyon Nsw Golf
Follow the shale trail down to the canyon creek and follow the creek bed until you reach giant limestone boulders.
Slot Canyon Near Kanab
Make your own adventure at this point – there's no right or wrong way and a lot of trial and error required to navigate through – but essentially continue straight and you'll eventually make your way out. It's a great place to spot giant goannas too.
Once through the boulders, you'll continue along the gorge. This section is prime rockfall area, both from the quarry and also from climbers above as it's a popular climbing route.
The gorge continues winding up the valley, gradually getting wider. Watch out for the exit as it's not very well marked. If you get to the big knocked over tree trunk and mini cave you've gone too far.
At this point all that's left is the vertical schlep up and out of the canyon. Enjoy. Just keep thinking about those cold beers waiting for you at the top.
Essential Gear
- Tent
- Warm clothes
- Good boots
- GoPro/Camera Gear
- Navigation skills
How To Get There
Turn off the M31 and follow signs towards Bungonia National Park. There is a visitor information centre as you enter the park. Drive through the campground and park at William Mitchell car park and day-use area.
Skill Level
Expert. The canyon track requires a good level of fitness and navigation.
Distance Covered/Elevation
Slot Canyon Nsw Map
5km. Elevation change of 400m
Slot Canyon Near Moab
Photos by @amy.eloise and @whimsicool
