Apsley Falls, Double waterfall system in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, Australia
Apsley Falls is a two-stage waterfall system located in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park in the Northern Tablelands region of New South Wales. The water plunges over steep slate rock faces in succession, creating a dramatic cascade through a narrow gorge carved into the landscape.
John Oxley, an explorer, discovered these falls in 1818 during his expedition through New South Wales, first calling them Bathurst Falls. The area later became part of the protected national park system, preserving the site for future generations.
The Aboriginal narrative connects the falls to the Rainbow Serpent, which created the gorge and travels underground from the base to resurface at Mill Hole.
The main walking track around this site extends several kilometers with sealed pathways and designated lookout areas throughout. A footbridge provides safe crossing over the river, and shaded rest areas offer respite during warmer weather.
The rock formations display distinctive vertical splitting patterns created by the natural breakdown of slate, giving the gorge its angular appearance. Visitors often notice these geometric fracture lines in the cliff faces as they walk around the cascading water.
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