There are a few different variants of the Dicksonia Forest Ravine, which traverses a valley in the Gardens of Stone National Park filled with towering Coachwood trees and towering tree ferns. This loop walk is one of the shortest variants, but passes the main features of this area. A longer version of this walk was first documented by Michael Keats in 2012, and a few years later by Paul Ma on his blog. Starting from the Deep Pass Trail, John Graham leads our small group (Hanna, Julie, Lyndal and me) down through what starts as fairly open eucalypt forest but quickly turns a short section of dense scrub.
We soon emerge from the thick scrub into rainforest, which has almost no undergrowth.
This is the Dicksonia Forest: “one of the oldest and finest Dicksonia antarctica Tree Fern forests a person is ever likely to come across” (Bush Explorers). Also known as the soft tree fern, Tasmanian tree fern and man fern, the Dicksonia antarctica Tree Fern can grow to 15m in height and grows at 3.5 to 5cm per year – making the tallest tree ferns in the Dicksonia Forest Ravine hundreds of years old.
Through the canopy there are glimpses of the steep cliffs that enclose this narrow gully, a tributary off Dingo Creek.
The Dicksonia Forest Ravine is a magical place, not only for its ancient tree ferns, but also for the towering rainforest trees, the epiphytic ferns growing on tree trunks and the moss covering the rocks and trees.
Biologically, it is a rich and diverse ecosystem with scores of species across the spectrum of life thriving. The trees are huge and of many species. As well as the Coachwood, Ceratopetalum apetalum and Sassafras, Doryphora sassafras, there were huge specimens of the Black Olive Berry, Elaeocarpus holopetalus. Many individual specimens of these trees were in excess of 40m in height, exceeding most recorded maximums.
Michael Keats & Brian Fox
You could walk through this section of the Dicksonia Forest Ravine in a few minutes… but we linger for almost half an hour enjoying this special place. (Although similar in some ways to the Valley of the Dinosaurs, the Dicksonia Forest is notable for its almost complete absence of any undergrowth.)
The end of the main section Dicksonia Forest is marked by a steep descent, and we scramble down a convenient “ramp” as we continue down the gully. (Photo below right; John Graham.)
There are more ferns in this next section, but the Dicksonia antarctica Tree Ferns are replaced by dense patches of Cyathea australis, or Rough Tree Ferns.
It’s still easy walking, although there is now a bit more of an understorey.
A small creek has also started to flow through the ravine; it flows into Dingo Creek which is only about 500m away at the bottom of the Dicksonia Forest Ravine.
As the undergrowth in the valley starts to get denser, we start asceending gradually towards the cliff-line on the western side of Dicksonia Forest Ravine. (You could also continue along the creek, but it’s slower-going and less pleasant.)
After a very short ascent up a wide slot, we reach a vantage point over the ravine, where we have a short break.
We continue up towards the base of the cliffs, passing another viewpoint over the valley below.
Our route follows the base of the western cliff-line of Dicksonia Forest Ravine, towards one of two slots or gaps in the cliffs that provide access back up to the top.
It’s mostly possible to hug the base of the cliffs fairly closely…
…until just before our “exit slot”, when the ledge we’re on ends with a big drop. A small scramble is needed to drop down a couple of metres.
Our exit slot slot at 49056 05061 is now in sight, requiring an initial two metre scramble (no tape is needed).
The slot is more of valley, providing easy access back up to the ridge with one more very easy scramble.
From the top there are some great views over the dissected landscape around Dingo Creek.
A short walk down to the edge of the cliff-line offers a panoramic vista that takes in Nayook Creek and Dingo Creek.
Almost directly opposite is Derailment Hill, named by Wilf Julius Hilder (a former employee of the Department of Land) after a 1930 train accident on the now abandoned Wolgan Valley Railway Line.
Another cliff-top vantage point to the north is almost directly above our route along the base of the Dicksonia Forest Ravine cliffs (photo: John Graham).
From this vantage point you can see the distinctly different-coloured vegetation of Dicksonia Forest Ravine, compared to the other gullies (photo: John Graham).
We continue up the ridge, with a few more pagodas offering views over Dingo Creek. (The alternative and longer route would be to drop back down to Dingo Creek via another slot in the cliff-line, and return to the firetrail along the next gully to the west of Dicksonia Forest Ravine.)
The ridge offers a relatively quick and easy access back up to the Deep Pass Trail and our car.
The actual distance walked is about 6.5km, but allow 3-4 hours as it can be fairly slow-going. (I would estimate the longer option to be about 9km).
Getting to the Dicksonia Forest Ravine
Access to the starting point for the Dicksonia Forest Ravine is via the Old Bells Line of Road at Clarence (next to the Zig Zag Railway). Continue along Old Bells Line of Road for 9km, then turn right onto Glow Worm Tunnel Road. Follow the Glow Worm Tunnel Road for 11.7km to the junction with the Deep Pass Trail. Continue for 4.8km along the Deep Pass Trail then look for somewhere to park around -33.35422, 150.29733. From Zig Zag Railway the entire route is unsealed but should be suitable for all vehicles; the Deep Pass Trail may be 4WD-only after heavy rain.
More information
- Bush Explorers – Dicksonia Forest Ravine
- Mountain Views – Dicksonia Forest Ravine – Paul Ma’s blog with very detailed notes for the longer option
- Michael Keats & Brian Fox – The Gardens of Stone National Park and Beyond | Book 4 – Walk 4.8
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