Joe's Canyon Loop - Blue Mountains National Park

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Route: Mount Wilson Fire Station, The Avenue, Mereweather Lane Fire Trail, Wollangambe Entry Track, Joe's Canyon, Du Faur Creek, Bell Creek, Wollanbambe River, Wollangambe Entray Track, Mount Wilson

Date: 10/01/2026
From: Mount Wilson

Parking: Mount Wilson
Start Point: Mount Wilson Fire Station
Finish Point: Mount Wilson Fire Station
Region: Blue Mountains National Park

Route length: 8.6 km 

Time taken: 03:56
Average speed: 3.8 km/h
Ascent: 438m
Descent: 443m

Points of Interest: Joe's Canyon, Du Faur Creek, Bell Creek, Wollangambe River

Joe's Canyon is one of those proper Blue Mountains adventures—the kind you remember long after your boots have dried out. Carved over millions of years, its narrow slots and creeks showcase the best of the Wollangambe wilderness. For hikers like myself, it’s the perfect introduction to the region's more rugged terrain; you don’t need any special gear to enjoy this one—just a readiness for chilly water and slippery rocks. Summer is easily the best time to go.

If you are considering the loop, then weather is the biggest safety factor. Pick a dry, sunny day with no rain forecast and avoid the loop entirely after heavy rainfall, as water levels can rise quickly and become dangerous — people have died in the Wollangambe canyons. We chose this trip to escape the searing heat of a 42 °C day in Sydney. Allow plenty of time—despite its moderate grading, the terrain is slow-going. Phone reception is minimal, so carrying a PLB is strongly recommended. I carry an ACR ResQlink 400.

The loop starts at the Mount Wilson Fire Station, where there is parking for a handful of cars. When we arrived, it was clear that other groups had the same idea; however, the canyon never felt 'busy,' as many of those groups were heading toward more technical objectives.

Initially, you'll be following the Wollangambe Entry Track. Originally formed as a service and access route, this trail is now a popular gateway into the Wollangambe wilderness. It is clearly signposted and mostly flat at first, before a short climb followed by a long, steady descent through the bush, following the signs.

The beginning of the track is well-signed

Mount Wilson war memorial

Starting the descent — there are plenty of warning signs

Starting down the bush track

Entering the national park

After a while, you'll reach an open area studded with rock pagodas, some of which offer fine views over the surrounding wilderness. Veer left here toward the top of Joe's Canyon; the signed turn-off is just ahead, with the canyon entrance another 200 metres beyond that.

Approaching the open section above the canyons

The Wollangambe wilderness

Where the path splits here; take a left

Signage for the canyons

Joe's Canyon itself is short but impressive. For the first stretch, you’ll find yourself walking directly in the creek; the water is mostly shallow, though there are a few unexpectedly deeper steps that reach around waist height. Soon, the walls narrow dramatically, blocking out the light and creating a cool, atmospheric passage. This slot section is very tight but easy to navigate, opening up again just as quickly as it began.

The sign for Joes Canyon — don't be put off the helmet and rope on the little character

The beginning of Joe's Canyon — you may as well get straight into the creek here

Joe's Canyon

Joe's Canyon

Entering the slot canyon

The slot canyon

The slot canyon

Approaching the end of the slot

From here, you step into the much larger Du Faur Creek and turn right, heading downstream. Named after early Blue Mountains explorer Frederick Eccleston Du Faur, this creek winds through classic Wollangambe sandstone terrain. The creek walk is pleasant and mostly shallow, with occasional deeper sections and frequent debris. About 600 metres downstream, the creek deepens and leads into the first major canyon swim.

Du Faur Creek

Du Faur Creek

Du Faur Creek is a mix of wading....

... and deeper sections

Du Faur Creek

Du Faur Creek

Some sections are well-vegetated - it all adds to the experience

The beginning of the first swim

Several sandbars and dry rocks will allow you to stow any non-waterproof gear before committing to the swim, which is a highlight of the loop. The canyon closes dramatically overhead, hemmed in by soaring sandstone walls. While impressive, the swim is relatively short and, once through, the route returns to wading through equally beautiful but slightly more open canyon terrain. This section is probably my favourite.

Swimming Du Faur Creek

Du Faur Creek

Looking back along the canyon swim

The end of the first swim

The creek continues with a mix of shallow walking and short deeper sections, followed by another brief swim. Du Faur Creek then flows naturally into Bell Creek, where navigation is straightforward—simply continue downstream, avoiding obstacles and wading or swimming through deeper sections.

Du Faur Creek

Du Faur Creek

Du Faur Creek

Du Faur Creek

Du Faur Creek

Du Faur Creek

Du Faur Creek

Bell Creek is another standout section, with shallow water beneath towering cliffs. After about 300 metres, the sound of rushing water signals a series of cascades and boulders. A sandy beach beneath an overhang makes an ideal rest stop before tackling the scramble ahead.

Du Faur Creek

Du Faur Creek

Du Faur Creek

Du Faur Creek

Into Bell Creek

Bell Creek

Bell Creek

Wading along Bell Creek

Another swim

Bell Creek

Bell Creek has more sandy banks - ideal for a quick pause

Bell Creek

Crossing the boulders is slow but manageable, with no technical moves required, but they are slippery. After surveying them, it appears the left-hand side is generally easier at first, before crossing to the right. Beyond this is another short but beautiful canyon swim, followed by more boulders and then a longer cascade section filled with debris and slippery rock. This is the slowest section of the loop.

Bell Creek

The boulders on Bell Creek

Bell Creek

Navigating the boulders can be a little tricky

At the end of the boulders is a beautiful pool

Eventually, Bell Creek meets the Wollangambe River, one of the most iconic wilderness rivers in the Blue Mountains. After negotiating a small amount of debris, the route opens into a beautiful, easy stretch of sandy-bottomed river walking. This calm section lasts only a few hundred metres before reaching a pronounced horseshoe bend, where the exit track begins beside a large sandy beach. Recent floods appear to have felled trees and eroded the bank here, making the exit track easy to miss.

Bell Creek

Debris in Bell Creek

Bell Creek

The final section of Bell Creek

The Wollangambe River

Wollangambe River

The water of the Wollangambe is crystal clear

Wollangambe River

Wollangambe River

Wollangambe River

The exit track climbs away from the river on a clear path. After joining the main trail, you head uphill through forest on a mix of dirt track and stairs. At the junction, turn right and, shortly after, take a brief detour onto a rock platform for sweeping views across pagoda-studded bushland — you'll see the Wollangambe River canyon where you joined the river earlier in the hike. 

The exit track is behind the landslip at the back of the picture

Climbing away from the river

Wollangambe canyon

Wollangambe wilderness

Wollangambe wilderness

The final kilometres follow the familiar Wollangambe Entry Track, climbing continually back to the fire station. It's a tedious climb, but not too steep overall.

Following the exit track

More wilderness views

Back to pagoda territory

Wollangambe wilderness

Some unhinged temperatures back in Sydney

Reaching the end of the loop, it’s striking how much variety this short circuit manages to pack in. The swims, the boulder scrambles, the narrow canyon walls and the calmer river sections all combine into a route that feels adventurous without ever tipping into technical territory, so long as conditions are favourable. It’s a rewarding taste of the Wollangambe’s canyon country—immersive and full of character—and a great stepping stone for anyone curious about exploring the Blue Mountains’ canyons beyond the usual walking tracks.