Always enjoyed visiting Bowral, the home of the great Sir Donald Bradman, nice part of the country. Thanks for taking the time to put up another great episode 👍🏻
Cheers Adam. The countryside here is beautiful isn’t it. Dunc grew up in Bowral so we’ve spent a good amount of time getting to know the forests and waterfalls. Stunning in Autumn and Spring when the colours change and the tulips come to life 🥰
You bought a brand new van! - Mind blown. Oh and the walk was good too. Production quality was epic. Why is it restricted? Is it a Covid thing? Yer the new van and truck thing - too many questions. Great video.
We sure did! If you have any specific questions shoot us a DM on Instagram, happy to answer any and help. We used to walk the path as kids and young adults but for a few reasons the national park has closed off the path to all visitors. I believe a safety thing, although comparing this walk to other open walks in the area I can say that we have walked harder tracks. It’s a shame, but we’re seeing this response across the country - closing tracks, or restricting access to places to the many because someone injured themselves. It would be great if there could be a different response or we’ll keep losing the ability to enjoy beautiful places in their natural form.
Everyone should know - it is VERY EASY to get fined walking to the base of Belmore Falls. People at the base of the falls are VERY obvious from the main lookouts. Rangers and police visit quite often and can easily see if there are people near the falls, so they just need to wait for you to return. I've been there on days when dozens of people have been fined. And as a few people have noted - the signs are not insignificant so it's hard to suggest you didn't know. On top of that - I expect you didn't have a drone permit from National Parks so you were lucky if you didn't get caught flying your drone which would have been a further fine.
Thanks for the comment and for raising further awareness. Regarding our drone, we are aware of the requirement of a permit to fly in many national parks across Australia and since we first learnt of this we always aim to have the correct permits in place. Many can be obtained by emailing the specific national park and communicating the use of the video footage.
Late comer. Nice work. Lol, the long arm of the law, getting the lawbreakers that are bringing carnage to society. That's her days pay and fuel well covered. Wonder how long she waited? How many other villains were getting away with misdeeds. Just a tip, Just Vanning It have a Ranger and he did an auto, when the auto was fixed a cooler was fitted. Yours might have a towpack. If not, give it a thought. Might save some grief down the road. Lol, If manual, disregard.
Hey Colin. Glad to have you on board :) The fine did seem a bit steep but then we understand a few people have gotten stuck down their and had to be airlifted out. This filming business is expensive ;) And good advice RE the cooler. We’ve been eyeing up a transmission cooler for a while. On long stretches of drive we do the gears manually to try and keep the temps down. Probably still worth getting one installed at some stage. 👍
Such a beautiful track and waterfall!!! I wonder why we are not allowed to access this present nature gave us!!! I bet if there was gold in there miners will be allowed to access pretty easily!!! You guys got a follower! Keep up with the dream!!!
Hey Rico, yes it is a stunning waterfall. Particularly after a big down pour. I believe the track is closed due to safety concerns as the national park no longer maintains the track. Happy adventuring!
Ahhh yes there is the risk. If you fancy a different waterfalls walk / explore look at our Cloverhill Trail waterfall hike, it’s in the Southern Highlands and has heaps of waterfalls with a great swimming hole which would be magic in summer (we were there in winter). No fines for venturing to this place 👍
Not to us personally or signs that we could see. I’m led to believe it’s because of a lack of funding to maintain the track and if they can’t maintain it then it becomes dangerous (or so we’re told)
@@IfNotNow Outstanding video and a great walk. Bloody frustrating that they'll send someone up to fine you but won't put the funding in to maintain the walk. Typical NSW government. Keep it up guys, looking forward to more!
Production value through the roof! Awesome video. Absurd you actually got fined for going down there I’ve seen so many people do that walk with no problems 😤
Thanks Dan! Yeah pretty gutted as the walk to the bottom is stunning and has a good few swimming holes for summer. Hopefully they’ll open it up again in the future.
It's pretty obvious that you're not meant to be in there, you have to jump a fence, and walk past a sign, to do it, so as you mentioned, you do the "crime" you pay the fine. There use to be walks to the bottom of a few of the Southern Highlands waterfalls, Fitzroy Falls had a spectacular walk to the bottom of the main falls, Belmore Falls (obviously) and Carrington Falls had a lower lookout that was awesome, but budget cuts (maintenance costs) for the NPWS, and the nanny state mentality, have taken these walks from the public. I appreciate your passion, but have always had an issue with videos like these. I live in the local area (to Belmore Falls) and these areas use to be remote, relatively little visited, areas, but with the advertising carried out on social media like this, they are now overrun by Sydney and Illawarra tourists. An example would be the swimming holes in this area, one in particular use to be an area for locals to cool down on a hot summers day, but now, even during the week, there are literally hundreds of people at these areas, with the associated traffic, parking and litter issue, not to mention the alcohol and drunken behaviour. Very sad for me to visit areas for 30 years, that, until recently, would be unlikely to see more than a dozen vists a week, that are now ruined , overrun with loud, drunken tourists throwing rubbish everywhere. Social media has a lot of positive attributes, but it's definitely a poison chalice.
Hi, I couldn’t agree more, thanks for your message. I was born and grew up in the southern highlands and remember hiking to a lot of these spots as kids without any thought to rules, regulations and fines. You wouldn’t think twice about it. Which is why it’s frustrating to now see signs at places that we used to explore as kids. Unfortunately due to the wonders of social media, technology and connectivity the world is becoming a much less wild and undiscovered place. The benefits of that are everyone can get to see and do more, however that brings with it the various issues as you mentioned. Unfortunately due to growing population pressures I don’t see it returning to the way it was. Travelling Australia we are seeing this all over the country. My dad lives in Denmark WA and the once remote and harder to get to beaches now have tarmaced car parks and facilities. It’s a delicate balance between allowing more people to visit these areas, whilst maintaining the natural, wild beauty for which they first became popular. Duncan
You failed to mention the fact that you had to climb over two fences and walk past three signs telling you the area is prohibited. Why is it prohibited? Because the track has washed out and suffered landslides. It’s dangerous. Why did the police woman fine you? Because she is sick and tired of having to organise rescue teams to go down the bottom and retrieve “adventurers” who have slipped and fallen and injured themselves. She does this with annoying regularity. For each rescue she has to call on local emergency workers, medical professionals and other police who have to give up their time and risk their health and safety to trek down and bring out someone who shouldn’t have been there in the first place. On some occasions she had to call in helicopters. Who pays for that. Then she has the indignity of having to be interviewed because some “adventurer” has been injured down there and sues the National Parks and Wildlife Service for not ”preventing them from being injured”. Unfortunately videos like this will entice other “adventurers” to trek down belmore falls. She fined you because she is fed up. The track is clearly marked as being closed and two fences block the path.
Always enjoyed visiting Bowral, the home of the great Sir Donald Bradman, nice part of the country.
Thanks for taking the time to put up another great episode 👍🏻
Cheers Adam. The countryside here is beautiful isn’t it. Dunc grew up in Bowral so we’ve spent a good amount of time getting to know the forests and waterfalls. Stunning in Autumn and Spring when the colours change and the tulips come to life 🥰
Very impressive photography :). Bumma about the fine
Thanks heaps 🤘 and yes, definitely a bummer, especially as it was a place that as kids you could go to. We understand through 👍
Platinum standard! Keep it up guys
Thank you :) x
Absolutely epic guys! Love it. Can't wait to watch your adventure around Australia!
Thanks Beccy! This country is pretty special. Can't wait to explore more and share more adventures xo
Awesome video guys!! I can’t wait to go there tomorrow
Luke Phillips Hey Luke. We’re so glad you enjoyed the video. Belmore is stunning, one of our favourite falls. Be safe and have fun x
You bought a brand new van! - Mind blown. Oh and the walk was good too. Production quality was epic.
Why is it restricted? Is it a Covid thing?
Yer the new van and truck thing - too many questions.
Great video.
We sure did! If you have any specific questions shoot us a DM on Instagram, happy to answer any and help.
We used to walk the path as kids and young adults but for a few reasons the national park has closed off the path to all visitors. I believe a safety thing, although comparing this walk to other open walks in the area I can say that we have walked harder tracks. It’s a shame, but we’re seeing this response across the country - closing tracks, or restricting access to places to the many because someone injured themselves. It would be great if there could be a different response or we’ll keep losing the ability to enjoy beautiful places in their natural form.
Everyone should know - it is VERY EASY to get fined walking to the base of Belmore Falls. People at the base of the falls are VERY obvious from the main lookouts. Rangers and police visit quite often and can easily see if there are people near the falls, so they just need to wait for you to return. I've been there on days when dozens of people have been fined. And as a few people have noted - the signs are not insignificant so it's hard to suggest you didn't know. On top of that - I expect you didn't have a drone permit from National Parks so you were lucky if you didn't get caught flying your drone which would have been a further fine.
Thanks for the comment and for raising further awareness.
Regarding our drone, we are aware of the requirement of a permit to fly in many national parks across Australia and since we first learnt of this we always aim to have the correct permits in place. Many can be obtained by emailing the specific national park and communicating the use of the video footage.
Late comer. Nice work. Lol, the long arm of the law, getting the lawbreakers that are bringing carnage to society. That's her days pay and fuel well covered. Wonder how long she waited? How many other villains were getting away with misdeeds. Just a tip, Just Vanning It have a Ranger and he did an auto, when the auto was fixed a cooler was fitted. Yours might have a towpack. If not, give it a thought. Might save some grief down the road. Lol, If manual, disregard.
Hey Colin. Glad to have you on board :) The fine did seem a bit steep but then we understand a few people have gotten stuck down their and had to be airlifted out. This filming business is expensive ;)
And good advice RE the cooler. We’ve been eyeing up a transmission cooler for a while. On long stretches of drive we do the gears manually to try and keep the temps down. Probably still worth getting one installed at some stage. 👍
Such a beautiful track and waterfall!!!
I wonder why we are not allowed to access this present nature gave us!!! I bet if there was gold in there miners will be allowed to access pretty easily!!!
You guys got a follower! Keep up with the dream!!!
Hey Rico, yes it is a stunning waterfall. Particularly after a big down pour. I believe the track is closed due to safety concerns as the national park no longer maintains the track. Happy adventuring!
@@IfNotNow thay have had a lot of funding and staffing cuts - consequences of a right wing government...
Been looking for vlogs in belmore falls as we were planning to visit this weekend. Now im just scared of the fine 😔
Ahhh yes there is the risk. If you fancy a different waterfalls walk / explore look at our Cloverhill Trail waterfall hike, it’s in the Southern Highlands and has heaps of waterfalls with a great swimming hole which would be magic in summer (we were there in winter). No fines for venturing to this place 👍
Did they give any reason why the falls were closed?
Not to us personally or signs that we could see. I’m led to believe it’s because of a lack of funding to maintain the track and if they can’t maintain it then it becomes dangerous (or so we’re told)
@@IfNotNow Outstanding video and a great walk. Bloody frustrating that they'll send someone up to fine you but won't put the funding in to maintain the walk. Typical NSW government. Keep it up guys, looking forward to more!
@@IfNotNow you walked past three signs. You included one in your video on the way back up.
🔥🔥
We agree!
Production value through the roof! Awesome video. Absurd you actually got fined for going down there I’ve seen so many people do that walk with no problems 😤
Thanks Dan! Yeah pretty gutted as the walk to the bottom is stunning and has a good few swimming holes for summer. Hopefully they’ll open it up again in the future.
It's pretty obvious that you're not meant to be in there, you have to jump a fence, and walk past a sign, to do it, so as you mentioned, you do the "crime" you pay the fine. There use to be walks to the bottom of a few of the Southern Highlands waterfalls, Fitzroy Falls had a spectacular walk to the bottom of the main falls, Belmore Falls (obviously) and Carrington Falls had a lower lookout that was awesome, but budget cuts (maintenance costs) for the NPWS, and the nanny state mentality, have taken these walks from the public. I appreciate your passion, but have always had an issue with videos like these. I live in the local area (to Belmore Falls) and these areas use to be remote, relatively little visited, areas, but with the advertising carried out on social media like this, they are now overrun by Sydney and Illawarra tourists. An example would be the swimming holes in this area, one in particular use to be an area for locals to cool down on a hot summers day, but now, even during the week, there are literally hundreds of people at these areas, with the associated traffic, parking and litter issue, not to mention the alcohol and drunken behaviour. Very sad for me to visit areas for 30 years, that, until recently, would be unlikely to see more than a dozen vists a week, that are now ruined , overrun with loud, drunken tourists throwing rubbish everywhere. Social media has a lot of positive attributes, but it's definitely a poison chalice.
Hi, I couldn’t agree more, thanks for your message.
I was born and grew up in the southern highlands and remember hiking to a lot of these spots as kids without any thought to rules, regulations and fines. You wouldn’t think twice about it. Which is why it’s frustrating to now see signs at places that we used to explore as kids.
Unfortunately due to the wonders of social media, technology and connectivity the world is becoming a much less wild and undiscovered place. The benefits of that are everyone can get to see and do more, however that brings with it the various issues as you mentioned. Unfortunately due to growing population pressures I don’t see it returning to the way it was.
Travelling Australia we are seeing this all over the country. My dad lives in Denmark WA and the once remote and harder to get to beaches now have tarmaced car parks and facilities. It’s a delicate balance between allowing more people to visit these areas, whilst maintaining the natural, wild beauty for which they first became popular. Duncan
You failed to mention the fact that you had to climb over two fences and walk past three signs telling you the area is prohibited. Why is it prohibited? Because the track has washed out and suffered landslides. It’s dangerous. Why did the police woman fine you? Because she is sick and tired of having to organise rescue teams to go down the bottom and retrieve “adventurers” who have slipped and fallen and injured themselves. She does this with annoying regularity. For each rescue she has to call on local emergency workers, medical professionals and other police who have to give up their time and risk their health and safety to trek down and bring out someone who shouldn’t have been there in the first place. On some occasions she had to call in helicopters. Who pays for that. Then she has the indignity of having to be interviewed because some “adventurer” has been injured down there and sues the National Parks and Wildlife Service for not ”preventing them from being injured”. Unfortunately videos like this will entice other “adventurers” to trek down belmore falls. She fined you because she is fed up. The track is clearly marked as being closed and two fences block the path.