February 2023

The Pig’s Pond is high up the side of Barron Gorge. For most of the year it is nothing but a small pond of about ten to fifteen feet at the widest point filled by water that flows under the rocks into it. Come the waterfall season and the water flows over the rocks into the pond and a grand transformation takes place.

Once the waterfall season has started I tend to take the safer and faster root up the side of the gorge rather than climb the rocks. It is steep going but the figs are great to hold onto when you can.

Feral pigs are present everywhere in Barron Gorge and this pond is a favourite of theirs to visit especially in the drier parts of the year. I often find them at the pond or nearby,

Since the start of the waterfall season in 2023 I have visited this spot quite a few times. In drier parts of the year I would make way up the hillside via those rocks. Once they are wet they are very slippery so I make my way there swinging from the figs and cut back across the bush to the pond.

There is always rain gear in my camera bag but when I go in on a rainy day that poncho stays on the outside of the bag. I don’t mind getting wet and the poncho gets used more to cover my camera bag than me. I love being in the rainforest in the rain.

To witness the beauty just after the rain stops you need to be in the rainforest during the rain. Everything is more vibrant when wet and if you are lucky the sun pokes through the canopy and Mother Nature puts a spotlight on something of interest.