Blue Pool is a deep pool (more than 10 metres deep) of clean fresh water flowing over multicoloured stones. It is part of Freestone Creek, a mountain stream that is barely more than knee-deep except at the Blue Pool and a few other spots. There, rocky towers over 5 metres high form perfect diving platforms for the fearless. There is also a rope hanging off a tall gum tree, where the young and brave (and inebriated) enjoy performing acrobatics before splashing into the cool water. It is the perfect place for cooling down during hot summer days. Yet a few days before Christmas there was hardly anyone there.
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| Blue Pool, with its rocky beach at the front and diving towers at the back. |
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| The clear water of Freestone Creek flowing over multicoloured stones. |
A recent stay at Blue Pool prompted the creation of this blog. The main reason was not just to share photos (one can find many better ones on the internet, such as those mentioned above) but to talk about walking. There are many walks around the site, from very short (less than an hour) to overnight walks. Freestone Creek and its tributaries are alone worth spending the time walking in their vicinity. But the history of the area is also very rich, from the original Aboriginal inhabitants (from whom Briagolong takes its name) to farmers and prospectors. Gold mine shafts can still be found, and there is a quartz mine near McKinnon Point. Locals also mentioned the existence of another mine (gold?) near Gladstone, and the possibility to find, if one is lucky, agates or even thunder eggs. An interesting link to the history of Briagolong can be found here.
Blue Pool and the surrounding walks are located within the Briagolong State Forest, which is managed by the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE). The DSE map provides an overview of the walking trails and camping sites in the area, and as such is very useful. However for those of us interested in shorter walks such as those around Blue Pool, this map lacks detail. Google Map shows all the tracks (including some I have not verified, such as the one along Freestone Creek) but with little indication of the terrain. An annotated Google Map is shown below.
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| Day walks around Blue Pool. |
The walking trails indicated on the map are suitable for any adult with a modicum of fitness, and also for young children who are not afraid of walking or of heights. There are a few steep sections as well as rock hopping as part of the shorter walk around Blue Pool. The area behind (i.e. north of) Blue Pool is especially beautiful, with a small sandy beach in the shade of small trees and only metres from Freestone Creek. Peregrine Lookout is also well worth the walk. Peregrine falcons are said to be inhabiting the area, but we did not see any.
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| Freestone Creek north of Blue Pool. |
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| Peregrine Lookout, revealing Freestone Creek (left) and Freestone Creek Road (right). |
The Blue Pool camping area is great value, with a very pleasant outlook on the creek and light shade provided by gum trees (see below). The facilities are basic (pit toilets) but camping there is free of charge. Apparently the place gets very busy over the summer holidays. However there were only a couple of camping groups when we visited a week before Christmas.
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| Blue Pool camping grounds. |
Thanks to Peter and Amelia for their advice on Blue Pool and surrounding area!
