Urumbilum Canyon

Remote, highly aquatic and technically demanding, Urumbilum Canyon is the biggest adventure in the Coffs Canyons line-up. A long day, big waterfall descents and almost non-stop action make this a serious canyoning experience for people ready to take things up a level.

It’s also Leo’s personal favourite and for good reason. Urumbilum has just about everything: big waterfall abseils, deep pools, countless jumps, slides, canyon zip-lines and a spectacular journey through one of the wildest canyon environments on the Coffs Coast.

Our trip begins high in the headwaters of the pristine Urumbilum River. Up here, the river flows peacefully through incredible rainforest, giving little indication of what lies just downstream.

We float, swim and scramble our way along the river, taking on a few smaller obstacles as we approach the canyon. Then the character of the river changes completely. The water begins to drop away, the walls close in and Urumbilum plunges into a narrow canyon.

This is where the real adventure begins.

Early in the descent we reach the infamous ‘Schlitz Slot’. The second abseil sends you 55 metres down through a narrow slot in the canyon, with no option but to descend directly through the flow of the waterfall.

From here, the action keeps coming. More abseils, deep pools and jumps eventually bring us to one of the most unique obstacles in the canyon, our abseil-to-zip-line.

After several more jumps and slides, we reach the final obstacle of the canyon: Mirrong Falls. A spectacular 60-metre waterfall, it provides one of the biggest and most memorable descents of the day. We descend the falls in two stages. First, a 20-metre abseil brings you to a small ledge partway down, just big enough for two people. Here, your guide helps you transition onto the next rope. From the ledge, you take on an incredible final 40-metre abseil directly through the flow of Mirrong Falls to the canyon below.

The journey continues downstream before we take on the final challenge of the day a steep 300m ascent up out of the canyon.

Expect sustained movement through water, technical waterfall descents, deep pools, challenging terrain and a long day in a remote and committing environment. This isn’t an introductory canyon. Participants should have previous canyoning, abseiling or other relevant experience, along with the fitness, confidence and capability required for a significantly more demanding adventure.

Difficulty: Advanced

Experience: Previous canyoning, abseiling or relevant outdoor experience is strongly recommended. Highly fit and capable participants may also be suitable without previous canyoning experience if they are confident with heights and fast moving water, comfortable in challenging outdoor environments and ready for a long, demanding day. Contact us if you’re unsure whether Urumbilum is right for you.

Recommended Lead-up Adventures: Bangalore or Rosewood Canyons

Minimum Age: 16+

What’s Involved: Waterfall abseils up to 55 metres, swimming, scrambling, roped traverses and canyon zip-lines, with optional jumps and slides up to 8 metres.

Requirements: Excellent fitness and full mobility are required. Participants must be able to swim and be comfortable in deep, fast-moving water, with heights and waterfall abseils, moving over slippery and uneven terrain, and spending a long day in a remote and committing outdoor environment.

Expectations: Urumbilum is a highly committing canyon. Once we have progressed beyond certain points, it is not possible to simply turn around or leave the canyon. Participants need to be prepared to continue through the remaining obstacles and complete the journey out.

Adventurous activities are tough. You should expect the possibility of, at times, being uncomfortable, wet, cold, tired or scared.

Don’t book this tour without first discussing what the tour involves with all members of your group and checking they meet the experience and trip requirements.

Duration: 9-10 hours total, including approximately 6-7 hours in the canyon.

What’s Included:

• Two highly trained and qualified canyoning guides

• All specialist canyoning and safety equipment.

• All safety instructions and guidance.

• Transport between the meeting point and the canyon.

• A healthy lunch and snacks.

• Free photos and videos from your adventure sent after the tour.

Group minimum: This tour requires a minimum of 4 participants to operate. If booking with fewer people, please contact us to check available dates where minimum numbers have already been met. Alternatively, you may secure a departure by booking at the 4 participant minimum rate.

Group limit: Maximum 8 participants per group.

Meeting location: Coramba. Alternative meeting points and pick-up arrangements can be made.