We decided to head inland from the coast to see what the mountain air around Mathinna felt like, and we weren’t disappointed. The drive took us into the heart of the Evercreech Forest Reserve, a place that feels like it’s been standing still for centuries. When we pulled into the little clearing at the start of the tracks, it was so quiet we could hear the wind whistling through the canopy way above our heads.
There’s a lovely little picnic spot there with moss growing right over the roof of the shelters, blending perfectly into the scrub. Lisa noticed the information boards straight away, which told us all about the "White Knights." These are the world’s tallest white gums, and seeing them in person is something else entirely. They grow up to 90 metres tall! Steve spent a good few minutes just leaning back, trying to see the very tops until his neck started to protest.
We set off on the White Knights Walk, which was a nice, easy loop through the forest. The kids would have had a ball playing hide-and-seek among the ferns here. At one point, the path takes you across a rustic wooden bridge that’s been built directly on top of a massive fallen log.
The log is absolutely huge and completely covered in a thick carpet of emerald-green moss. It’s a bit of a reminder of just how big everything is out here—even the trees that have finished their growing days are giants. Lisa was fascinated by the tiny details on the forest floor, too. She spotted some delicate little white fungi sprouting out of a damp log, looking like tiny umbrellas for the local fairies.
As we continued deeper into the bush, we came across a creek crossing that required a bit of balance. There were stepping stones laid out across the clear, running water, and thankfully, someone had the foresight to string up a guide wire to hold onto. Steve went first to make sure the rocks weren't too slippery, while Lisa followed behind, keeping a firm grip on that wire.
After our forest wander, we made our way over to see the waterfalls. Mathinna Falls is a real hidden gem. The first section we saw was a narrow, elegant stream of white water that tumbled down over dark, slick rocks and old timber. It looked like a ribbon of silk against the shadows of the gorge.
But the real showstopper was the main drop. We stood at the base of this towering wall of rock where the water plummeted down into a cool, misty pool. The lush green ferns framing the falls made it feel like we’d stumbled into a private paradise.
We sat there for a while, just listening to the roar of the water and the birds calling out from the treetops. It’s amazing how a few hours in the trees can make you feel completely refreshed. We didn't see any wallabies or echidnas this time, though we kept a sharp eye out, but just knowing they were tucked away in that deep green scrub was enough for us.
