Solo Steve On The Road: TOOLOOM FALLS NSW

Travel to the little Town of Woodenbong then on to tiny Urbenville and a further 6 km to Tooloom Falls. If you are travelling Nth, follow the Summerland Way to the very end, turn left and in no time you will find this wonderful Free Camp.
A small but pretty site beside a creek that runs into the Clarence river and at the top of a Gorge about 40 or so metres high, it is actually an Aboriginal Heritage site, a "Dooloomi" or "Mythical Site" that is maintained by the National Parks. Here is the story behind the myth of the Falls:

Tooloom Falls is a natural feature of mythological significance. The site is associated with a story that explains the creation of the Clarence River. Tooloom Falls is on the traditional border between the Githebul/Gidabal and Wurlavul language groups, who are both part of the broader Bundjalung people. These groups tell the story of a 'clever' woman known as Dirrangun, who is associated with the site and the creation of the Clarence River.
Dirrangun was camped with her family near Tooloom Falls. One day she quarrelled with her two daughters and their husband, Balugan; she was so angry with them that she stole the only fresh water from a nearby lagoon and hid it in her coolamon. Balugan and his wives searched for the water with no luck, but finally one of their dogs found it. Balugan, who was very angry, then split the coolamon with a supernatural echidna quill (bimburra) and the water gushed out and, assisted by a big rain, carried Darrungan and the fig tree under which she was camped down towards Grafton. The large hollow downstream from Tooloom Falls was created when the fig tree was uprooted; the waterfalls along the river were formed when Dirrangun sat down in the flood to try to stop the water; and finally the entire Clarence River was created by the torrent of water. Dirrangun and the fig tree were left on the banks of the river somewhere downstream from Grafton.
Tooloom Falls is known as Dooloomi by local Aboriginal people. This is derived from the Githebul/Gidabal word for head lice, which are said to infest the pool below the falls. Aboriginal children were warned never to swim there or they would be infested too. Children were also discouraged from visiting the site because it is believed that many different evil spirits haunt the area around the waterfall. These warnings were also intended to keep children away from deep and dangerous parts of the river.

It is great that the Aboriginal Elders allow the use of the area as a Campground so please respect that if you visit. A very clean Drop Toilet, Tables and Fireplaces are provided but there was absolutely not a scrap of firewood so better to take your own. Entry is via Urbenville with the last 3 kms being reasonable gravel. Only room for about 10 rigs and the entrance is via a narrow cattle grid so if you have a big rig, look first.
I spent a very pleasant couple of days here and would have stayed longer but had to leave do to low batteries. I can't wait to get Solar fitted to the Hiace roof so that I can stay longer at these places. I spent the time here sitting at the top of the falls for long periods ( trying my hand at writing some poetry) or strolling through the nearby bush. It truly is a place that one should visit if passing by.

Urbenville Pub