Brisbane, QLD


Friday, May 28, 2021

ARMIDALE TRIP-GOTSWYCK CHAPEL AND DANGARS FALLS (Day 3 cont.)

 After lunch on the third day we set off to see Gotswyck Chapel or more properly known as 'All Saints Anglican Church.' It was built in 1921 by the widow of Clive Dangar (1882-1918) who was killed in WW1. It is a tiny chapel standing all alone in the country. It is actually on private property.

Unfortunately we couldn't go inside. It has to be kept locked and under security cameras to prevent vandalism.(such a shame).

The name Gotswyck refers to Gotswyck Station (ranch) that has been owned by the same family for five generations since 1834. Originally owned by Edward Gotswyck in 1833 it was quickly sold to Henry Dangar. It was 48,000 acres and he ran up to 120,000 sheep. Early workers were mostly convicts. The property is smaller today (13,000 acres) but still in the Dangar family.

 This is the driveway to the Gotswyck Homestead and Bill taking a shot of the chapel. I couldn't help thinking how beautiful this driveway would be when the autumn leaves still adorned the trees.

Then we set off to see the Dangars Gorge and falls named after Henry Dangar.

Dangars Gorge is in the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park. You must remember that Australia is the driest continent in the world so you don't see much water in these gorges unless it has been raining for a while.

We walked to the first lookout from the carpark. It wasn't a good angle to see the falls. There was a little bit of water falling 120 m to the bottom of the gorge. 


At the bottom there were a series of water holes with little waterfalls connecting each one.

Val and I left the boys in the carpark and ventured further down the trail. We went down and down to reach the top of the falls. We were a bit worried that it might be too steep for us to get back up.

Looking over the top of the falls from a secure lookout.

We took it slow and steady and finally got back to the car. It bought on a bit of asthma for poor Val.

12 comments:

  1. Hello,
    The church is beautiful and I love the trees along the driveway. The view of the falls is lovely, those steps going back up looks like a workout. Take care, enjoy your weekend!

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  2. that gorge is amazing and I did NOT know Australia is the driest continent. it always looks so green and tropical when I see photos. that photo of you and your friend is realy, really beautiful. pefect shot

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  3. Gotswyck Chapel is very picturesque and thank you for all the interesting history. Those trees would be a sight to behold in any season, but like you I would love to see what they look like in the Autumn. The photos of Dangars Gorge are super and that’s a lovely photo of you and Val. I hope she got over her asthma attack quickly.

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  4. I really enjoyed this and yesterday's post. Yesterday's foggy scene was lovely. I'm glad you did the exercise to get the photos of Dangars Gorge and the National Park. Impressive country.

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  5. Excellent bushranger hiding country.

    Having to lock a church up to prevent vandalism, beggars belief.
    In my youth in country towns and places smaller than Uralla, the churches
    were NEVER locked. The church yards were used by the farming/property kids to
    leave their unsaddled horses in whilst they were in the little primary school.
    Funny really - the Catholics, "Micks" horses in the Catholic church yard and
    the C. of E's and "Prods" in the Anglican yard.
    I can assure readers that horses were NOT let loose nor were saddles or bridles
    touched - that was the school ground law.
    Ah such wonderful days of youth.
    Lovely photos, Diane and thanks for the memories of yore.
    Colin

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  6. Beautiful area there. Certainly worth a trip.

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  7. Shame you couldn't get into the beautiful chapel. What a gorgeous area you visited. Eventhough the area is dry the waterfall is still very cool. Beautiful place Very impressive even without leaves ;)

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  8. That is a lovely church, what a shame you can’t get inside! And you are right, those trees would looks gorgeous in their colours!

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  9. What gorgeous views! (Churches here have to be kept locked nowadays, too.)

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  10. I'm sorry you couldn't get into the chapel -- I'll bet it is as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside. I very much enjoyed your photos of the gorge. It's beautiful, even without much water.

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  11. You did quite a lot of steps at the gorge. Those big old trees lining the drive of the Homestead are amazing. Having Bill there shows their massive size.

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