Broad Swamp Loop And More

The mystery track we stumbled onto earlier this month was officially opened on September 19, 2025: we had been on a section of the Broad Swamp to Birds Gully track.

We decided to tackle the Broad Swamp Loop track. However we needed some challenge: 6 km on a mostly flat track was not going to cut it! The decision was made to continue on the Broad Swamp to Birds Gully track, leave the track and explore something (pagodas, what else!) and rejoin the Broad Swamp Loop track…

We set off through a nice forest following a broad swamp. There were some interpretative signs about the swamp and a mention on the effects of mining…
We left the Broad Swamp Loop track and proceeded north on the Broad Swamp to Birds Rock track. More forest, eventually we arrived on top of a cliffline with views on a tributary of Carne Creek.

After elevenses, we walked along the cliffline taking in the views. With a lack of pagodas, the group decided to make my day: we would visit the waterfall that I had missed out on a previous walk, years ago!  We found our way down to the creek and soon I was rushing excitedly through the vegetation and was the first one to reach the waterfall! It was worth it!

After lunch, we scrambled back up slippery rocks with a dodgy little climb thrown in. We reached a fire trail which led us back to the Broad Swamp Loop track. Parks brilliantly re-habilitated a fire trail by making a track and loosening the soil and planting native plants. However the crushed rocks they used on the track were quite hard on the sole of my feet… It was a relief when the track became a sandy track….The last kilometre parallel to Camp Road will be quite hot in summer: there are no trees!

Overall the Broad Swamp Loop track is a walk through the forest: there are not too many striking features but it is a good easy introduction to Newnes Plateau and its vegetation.
Similarly the Broad Swamp to Birds Nest track winds through the forest but it becomes interesting once it is following the cliffline and then it is outstanding! Great job, National Parks!

ABC News Article: Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area walks open path to incredible vistas.