Killarney Glen

In April last year, my husband and I took a drive out to the Beechmont/Canungra area in search of some waterfalls I had seen in a photo. I had heard they were a "secret" and didn't have anything to go by except the photo (not even a name). An Instagram friend & fellow photographer, Paul Fleming, from Tasmania assisted me with finding out the name of the location. (Thanks Paul)
Once I had a name, I researched the area, the history of the falls and scoured Google Earth to find the exact location.

If you speak to the locals, which we had the pleasure of doing at the Canungra Visitor Info Centre and on the actual property, it is very clear that this spot is not a secret at all. It is actually a recommended "must see" in the area.

The track down begins relatively easy but becomes very rugged, narrow and steep. There is an alternative wider track used by the caretaker's vehicles which is even steeper. It is well worth the walk down though.

The falls are located on a property called Killarney Glen, owned by the Fitzgerald family since the late 1800's. Pat Fitzgerald (Snr) originally purchased Killarney Glen from his uncle's estate. 

Part of his plans were to use it as a site for recreation & education; the Glen had a long history of visitation & recreation dating back to the early 1900's, with Killarney Falls & 5 other permanent waterfalls on Back Creek identified on tourist maps long before Binna Burra was established.

At the end of the Vietnam War (1971), the compulsory acquisition of Killarney Glen & adjacent properties was made by the Commonwealth Government. In 1977, with the support of the local community & media, Killarney Glen was listed by the Australian Heritage Commission. Although the area is owned by the Commonweath Government, and the Defence Department are tenants of the property for periodic military exercises, the Fitzgerald's won a long battle to keep this unique property open to the public. 

Pat Fitzgerald Jnr, along with his neighbour & friend, George Lea, continue to maintain the property for visitor access. 
We felt blessed to converse with George for about 40 mins while we were there. He is a lovely down to earth man & a mine of local information.

We will definitely head back for another visit, and to explore more of the falls along Back Creek once I am walking much better.

Linking with these memes: