A walk that incudes all the Dangars Falls and Dangars Gorge lookouts, then on to McDirtys Lookout for views of the Salisbury Waters gorge and finally Mihi Falls Lookout.
The 183 metres high Dangars Falls near Armidale, off Waterfall Way, are dramatic after rain, while the Gorge is impressive in all seasons. There is a view near the carpark, but a short 100 metres walk on the sealed path above the information sign brings you to Falls View, for the best view of the waterfall. In the other direction, the path leads past some bulloak trees to Falls Lookout where the water drops off the cliff edge.
Return to the carpark and follow another track to cross Salisbury Waters on the bridge. After passing through the Dingo Fence you reach Falls Lookdown for another view of the waterfall from the other side of the gorge. Climb the stairs from here to Rock Wallaby Lookout for a lovely view of the gorge a bit further downstream. If you are lucky, you might see the brush-trailed roc wallabies. To your right, you can see the ridge leading to McDirtys lookout.
It’s a longer walk to McDirtys lookout, through woodlands high above the water. The lookout is flanked by a lovely Alectryon tree, found in dry rainforests. Further down the valley ahead of you, the Gara River meets Salisbury Waters, and together with waters from Bakers Creek and other rivers, forms the mighty Macleay River.
Backtracking to the main path, continue on the Mihi Falls lookout. While the falls are not as impressive as Dangar Falls, unless there has been recent have rain, they are curious. On the day we visit, a think trickle is angling down the side of the gorge. Why doesn’t the creek flow from the head of the gorge? If you use GaiaGPS, switch to the Bedrock Geology map layer to see the change in geology at Mihi gorge.
Although both are off Waterfall Way and named for early settler Henry Dangar, don’t confuse Dangars Fall with Dangar Falls, near Dorrigo. Other waterfalls in the gorges of Oxley Wild Rivers National Park include Wollomombi Falls, Chandler Falls, Bakers Creek Falls (all near Amidale), Apsley Falls and Tia Falls (both near Walcha).
