“The Bondi of the Bush”

As Destination NSW explains:

Frog Rock is a natural granite rock formation by the side of the road, in the shape of a crouching frog. The granite from this area was used in the construction of the new Parliament House in Canberra.

The main viewing area is a 2.8 km return journey by foot, estimated to take 1–1.5 hours. The track is graded between 3 and 4 on the Australian Walking Track Grading System, indicating “bushwalking experience recommended.”

I found the main path to be well maintained and easy to follow, and a pair of cross trainers proved to be suitable footwear. The trail snakes through the scrub, under dappled shade and the stunning sandstone formations. Before long, I found myself at the cliff that gives the area its name.

After rain, the water percolates down through the porous stone, then slowly drip … drip … drips out between strata in the rock face. This keeps the area cool and damp, and a vibrant, viridian band of foliage has taken hold along the wall.

From The Drip proper, experienced walkers are invited to push on along the creek towards Corner Gorge (2 hours return), so I decided to see what else lay beyond. Progress was a little slower, off the beaten track: some shallow wading or stepping stones to cross the river, then tramping along the soft bank or scrambling up leaf-strewn slopes.

Despite the physical exertion, I found the experience remarkably peaceful. Birds called from overhead; insects darted amongst the river grass; clawed footprints suggested a passing wallaby; and at one point a wary goanna scurried off the track and up a nearby tree.

Uphill from the river, following the bottom of the cliff face again, I came upon a small cave entrance that had been mostly obscured by fallen rock. Some track marks and scat suggested comings and goings, but the tenants must’ve been out for the day!

This worked for a while, but—by the time I was making the return journey along the creek, hopping from one rock to the next—with repeated jostling the bags had begun to fray. I’d just made one particularly daring leap when both bags burst apart, sending my bottle and snacks tumbling into the water below.

Not to be deterred, I fished everything out again, shook the water off, and wrapped up my possessions in my jumper. I managed to tie it all up into make-shift sling, and after few test shakes… yes, everything was secure! The height of fashion and function, even if I say so myself.

Just up the road, another trailhead leads to Hands on Rock Reserve. This is a shorter, easier walk than The Drip: just a 1 km / 45-minute round trip, on Grade 3 track. (“Suitable for most ages and fitness levels. Some bushwalking experience recommended.”)

This area is significant to the Wiradjuri people, and was traditionally a place for women and children. The reserve is the site of aboriginal rock art, featuring over a hundred stencils of hands, emu feet and other motifs.