Grand Cliff Top Walks 2013 PREVIEW

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:37 PM

Page 2

GRAND P CLIFF TOP WALKS 2O13 EDITION

BLUE MOUNTAINS VALLEYS, VILLAGES AND WATERFALLS

A COLLABORATION BETWEEN

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:37 PM

Page 3

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:37 PM

Page 4

MAYORAL WELCOME I welcome all visitors to the Blue Mountains. We are fortunate to be located within the magnificent Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area and look forward to sharing our many wonderful experiences with you.

The Grand Cliff Top Walks, which will showcase our Blue Mountains valleys, villages and waterfalls will be a world class nature tourism experience, developed in partnership between Blue Mountains City Council. Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism, National Parks & Wildlife Service and the Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute.

The Grand Cliff Top Walks is unique in providing an opportunity for visitors to experience the individual character of six villages from Wentworth Falls to Mt Victoria along with a variety of exciting activities along the way. We strongly recommend the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, The Gully (Aboriginal Place of Significance), Katoomba Cascades (enhanced night walk coming soon) and Mt York historic site at Mt Victoria. And there is even more to come as we develop the Greater Blue Mountains Trail to be a key part of the Walks in the near future.

We acknowledge the Grand Cliff Top Walks are on the traditional lands of the Darug and Gundungurra peoples and recognise the strength, capacity and resilience of past and present Aboriginal people in this region.

I commend the Grand Cliff Top Walks to you and trust you will have a memorable visit.

Clr Mark Greenhill Mayor of Blue Mountains

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS 2013

1

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:37 PM

Page 5

OVERVIEW OF GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS

2

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS 2013

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:37 PM

Grand Cliff Top Walks Blue Mountains valleys, villages and waterfalls (GCTW) is an exciting new iconic walk experience in the upper Blue Mountains, nestled in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.

Page 6

What makes this walk one of the most outstanding walks in the world is the unique collection of different experiences in the one location. Enjoy spectacular views from the edge of the escarpment, so many lookouts along the cliff top, showcasing valleys of the World Heritage Area renowned for the proliferation of eucalypt tree species.

Explore six upper Blue Mountains villages from Wentworth Falls to Mount Victoria, each with their own charm and best kept secrets. Venture down into the valleys, teeming with wildlife, see kangaroos in their natural habitat and look back up at the sheer sandstone cliffs. Photograph a collection of waterfalls.

All of these experiences are supported by low carbon tourism operators from transport to cafes and restaurants and attractions to accommodation.

The Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area is home to the oldest species of tree in the world – the Wollemi Pine, as well as being the traditional country of six Aboriginal language groups; Darkinjung, Darug, Dharawal, Gundungurra, Wiradjuri and Wonnarua. Visitors can engage in indigenous cultural experiences available at locations across this walk.

This walk project is a Greater Blue Mountains National Landscape initiative produced in partnership between Blue Mountains City Council, Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism, Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute and National Parks & Wildlife Service, and proudly supported by Destination NSW. We are proud of this truly world-class ‘low carbon tourism’ experience and invite you to walk the Grand Cliff Top Walks, Blue Mountains valleys, villages and waterfalls.

We are certain you will take away incredible photographs of your journey of discovery.

For more information www.visitbluemountains.com.au

Randall Walker Chairman, Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism Chairman, Greater Blue Mountains National Landscape

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS 2013

3

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:37 PM

Page 7

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS

Image: Katoomba Falls, Steve Alton

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:37 PM

Page 8

CONTENTS Grand Cliff Top Walks overview map

6

Safety when walking

8

Low Carbon Tourism Walk

9

Suggested Itinerary

12

Map section 1

16

Map section 2

18

Map section 3

20

Map section 4

22

Itinerary Detail Day 1

25

Itinerary Detail Day 2

26

Itinerary Detail Day 3

27

Itinerary Detail Day 4

30

Itinerary Detail Day 5

31

Itinerary Detail Day 6

33

Itinerary Detail Day 7

33

Itinerary Detail Day 8

33

Lookouts (Katoomba-Leura)

36

Major Annual Festivals & Events

43

Helpful information

44

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS 2013

5

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:37 PM

Page 9

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:37 PM

Page 10

GRAND CLIFF TOP GRAND WALKS CLIFF TOP WALKS OVERVIEW MAP

Detailed maps begin on page 14.

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:37 PM

Page 11

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:37 PM

Page 12

LOW CARBON TOURISM The Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute (BMWHI) is delighted to be part of the multiskilled team leading the development of Grand Cliff Top Walks.

This exciting initiative is embedded in a new project being led by BMWHI on low carbon tourism in the Blue Mountains.

The Low Carbon Tourism: Building Sustainable Communities project aims to reduce the carbon footprint of the tourism industry. Visitors will proactively reduce their individual footprint, motivated by an interactive, free SmartPhone App. Walkers and products will be identified on the basis of their respective carbon rating. Tourism businesses will be encouraged to lower their carbon rating to save costs and attract a market niche of environmentally aware visitors.

The Institute hopes the project will catalyse the entire Blue Mountains community to embrace a low carbon future and a form of low impact sustainable tourism for the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area (GBMWHA). The Low Carbon Living Cooperative Research Centre, Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism, Blue Mountains City Council and National Parks & Wildlife Service are all partners in this endeavour.

In collaboration with project partners BMWHI is developing a SmartPhone App and website that will enhance your Grand Cliff Top Walks experience. Audio, maps and photos will bring to life many of the area’s fascinating features allowing you to identify important plants and animals; providing insights into the region’s significant natural features; and providing information on the Indigenous and European cultural heritage associated with the places you visit.

The Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute facilitates research and community engagement that supports the conservation and management of the GBMWHA, www.bmwhi.org.au

Dr John Merson Executive Director Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS 2013

9

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:37 PM

Page 13

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:38 PM

Page 14

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:38 PM

DAY 1

DAY 3

• Wentworth Falls Train Station to Wilson Park G ALTERNATE A: Wentworth Falls Lake and village loop

• Gordon Falls Reserve, Prince Henry Cliff Walk (via Olympian Rock and Elysian Rock) to Leura Cascades

• Charles Darwin Walk to Wentworth Falls (Fletchers Lookout)

• Leura Cascades, Prince Henry Cliff Walk (via Kiah and Jamison Lookouts) to Echo Point, the Three Sisters and the Visitor Information Centre

• National Pass to Empress Falls to Conservation Hut via Valley of the Waters

• Prince Henry Cliff Walk to Katoomba Falls Reserve and Scenic World

Night 1: Wentworth Falls village

• Stay at the caravan and camping park or make your way into Katoomba village via Cascade St

DAY 2

Night 3: Katoomba village

• Conservation Hut to Lillian’s Bridge via the Nature Track and Edinburgh Castle Rock • Lillian’s Bridge to Fairmont Resort via Inspiration Point, Moya Point and Gladstone Lookout • Sublime Point Road to Sublime Point, then return to Gordon Falls via Golf Links Lookout • Pool of Siloam Track to Gordon Falls Reserve Night 2: Leura village

12

Page 15

DAY 4 • Katoomba Falls Reserve to the picnic area to Katoomba village, including a visit to the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre with World Heritage Exhibition • The Gully (Aboriginal Place) self-guided interpretive walk, from The Gully Gallery to Therabulat Lookout • North’s Lookout, Nellies Glen and on to Explorers Tree

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS 2013

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:38 PM

Page 16

SUGGESTED ITINERARY • Explorers Tree to Nellies Glen, Six Foot Track, Megalong Valley Rd, then along to the Valley Track.

CAUTION: READ DETAILED DESCRIPTION ON PAGE 30.

Up to Tuckers Lookout, the Sunbath Track and the Hydro Majestic Hotel and Medlow Bath Train Station, Medlow Bath village Night 4: Medlow Bath village

DAY 5 • Explore some of the historic tracks on the Megalong Valley side of the Hydro Majestic Hotel • Medlow Bath Train Station along a scenic Fire Trail beside the railway line to Blackheath Train Station and Blackheath village

• Blue Mountains Heritage Centre (NPWS) is an ideal resource for walk planning • Govetts Leap, Popes Glen Track and Blackheath village Night 6: Blackheath village

DAY 7 • Blackheath Train Station via a Fire Trail to Fairy Bower Reserve picnic area (views through the Mt Boyce area) • Fairy Bower Reserve picnic area to Mt Piddington, Hourn Point, Bushrangers Cave, Kanimbla Valley Rd and then to Great Western Highway and Mt Victoria village Night 7: Mt Victoria village

Night 5: Blackheath village

DAY 8 DAY 6 • Blackheath village to Braeside Track and Walls Cave, an Aboriginal site • Walls Cave via Evans Lookout Road to Neates Glen • Neates Glen, Grand Canyon Loop, Evans Lookout, Cliff Top Track, and Govetts Leap

• Mt Victoria village, to Mt York Rd, along the Nature Track to Mt York historic site with interpretive information G ALTERNATE B: Mt York Road to Lockyer’s Track. Follow Lockyer’s Track down to Lockyer’s Track Head Picnic Area, Coxs Road to Mt York Monuments

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS 2013

13

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:38 PM

Page 17

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:38 PM

Page 18

MAPS

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

16

4/10/13

3:38 PM

Page 19

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:38 PM

Page 20

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS 2013

17

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

18

4/10/13

3:38 PM

Page 21

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS 2013

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:38 PM

Page 22

19

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

20

4/10/13

3:38 PM

Page 23

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS 2013

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:38 PM

Page 24

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS 2013

21

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

22

4/10/13

3:38 PM

Page 25

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS 2013

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:38 PM

Page 26

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS 2013

23

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:38 PM

Page 27

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS

ITINERARY DETAIL

24

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS 2013

4/10/13

3:38 PM

DAY 1 •

Wentworth Falls Train Station to G 1 Wilson Park

G

G ALTERNATE A: A1 Wentworth Falls Lake and village loop

G

• Charles Darwin Walk to 2 Rocket Point Lookout, 3 Wentworth Falls and 4 Fletchers Lookout

G

G

G G G

• National Pass to 5 Valley of the Waters, 6 Empress Lookout, 7 Queen Victoria Lookout and 8 Conservation Hut

G

Night 1: Wentworth Falls village WHERE TO EAT Canton Palace Wentworth Falls 23 Station Street Wentworth Falls 02 4757 1868 Mountain High Pies 293 Great Western Highway Wentworth Falls 02 4757 3737 The Conservation Hut Café Fletcher Street Wentworth Falls 02 4757 3827 PLACES TO STAY Blue Mountains Lakeside Bed & Breakfast 30 Bellevue Road Wentworth Falls 02 4757 3777 Bunderra Blue Bed & Breakfast 9 Souter Avenue Wentworth Falls 02 4757 3461 Moments Accommodation 86 Fletcher Street Wentworth Falls 02 4757 4455

Page 28

Silvermere Guest House 1 Lake Street Wentworth Falls 02 4757 3311 Valley of the Waters Bed & Breakfast 88 Fletcher Street Wentworth Falls 02 4757 4860 Dairy at Wentworth Falls 1 Lake Street Wentworth Falls 02 4757 3311 Falls Mountain Retreat The Avenue Wentworth Falls 02 4782 2155 Yester Grange Cottages Yester Road Wentworth Falls 02 4757 8801 Birchgrove Lodge 54 Fletcher Street Wentworth Falls 0414 775 112 Whispering Pines Chalet and Cottages 178-186 Falls Road Wentworth Falls 02 4757 1449 THINGS TO DO Falls Gallery 161 Falls Road Wentworth Falls 02 4757 1139

ITINERARY DETAIL

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

Wentworth Falls Country Club Blaxland Road Wentworth Falls 02 4757 1202 Wild Valley Art Park 321 Blaxland Road Wentworth Falls 02 4757 4791 Hamilton Spa Wentworth Falls By appointment 0435 058 848

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS 2013

25

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:38 PM

PLACES TO STAY

DAY 2 •

•

8 Conservation Hut via the Nature Track to G 9 Edinburgh Castle Rock and onto G 10 G Lillian’s Bridge

Bethany Manor Bed & Breakfast 8 East View Ave Leura 02 4782 9215

10 Lillian’s Bridge to G 13 Fairmont Resort G via Inspiration Point, G 11 Moya Point and G 12 Gladstone Lookout

Broomelea 273 Leura Mall Leura 02 4784 2940

G G Pool of Siloam Track to G 17 Gordon Falls Reserve

Leisure Inn Spires Resort 100 Leura Mall Leura 02 4784 4999

• Sublime Point Road to 14 Sublime Point, then return via Sublime Point Road to the track heading north-west to 15 Golf Links Lookout •

Night 2: Leura village WHERE TO EAT

Leura Fairways Apartment 19-21 Fitzroy Street Leura 02 4784 2850 Leura Lodge 7 Spencer Street Leura 0402 294 002 Old Leura Dairy 61 Kings Road Leura 02 4782 0700

Café Bon Ton 192 The Mall Leura 02 4782 4377 Alexandra Hotel 62 Great Western Highway Leura 02 4782 4422 Hana Japanese Restaurant 121 The Mall Leura 02 4784 1345 Josophan’s Fine Chocolates 187a Leura Mall Leura 02 4784 2031 Leura Garage 84 Railway Parade Leura 02 4784 3391

The Kitchen Cottage 27 Davidson Road Leura 0409 712 918 Fairmont Resort MGallery 1 Sublime Point Road Leura 02 4785 0000 Waldorf Leura Gardens Resort 20-28 Fitzroy Street Leura 02 4784 4000 Hills Havens Cottages 46 East View Avenue Leura 02 4782 7777 Llandrindod Bed & Breakfast 272 The Mall Leura 02 4784 3234

Silks Brasserie 128 The Mall Leura 02 4784 2534 Bygone Beautys Tearooms 20-22 Grose Street Leura 02 4784 3117

26

Page 29

The Greens Leura 24-26 Grose Street Leura 02 4784 3241

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS 2013

4/10/13

3:38 PM

Woodford of Leura 48 Woodford Street Leura 02 4784 2240 THINGS TO DO Hart Ceramics 12 Acacia Ave Leura 02 4784 1990

Page 30

DAY 3

G G

Everglades Gardens 37 Everglades Avenue Leura 02 4784 1938 Leuralla Toy and Railway Museum 36 Olympia Parade Leura 02 4784 1169 iKOU Day Spa & iKOU Leura 181-183 The Mall Leura 02 4784 3344 Leura Golf Club Sublime Point Road Leura 02 4782 5011

G

• 17 Gordon Falls Reserve to 18 Gordon Falls Lookout along Prince Henry Cliff Walk to 19 Elysian Rock, 20 Olympian Rock and 21 Bridal Veil Lookout to 22 Leura Cascades

G

G

G G

• 22 Leura Cascades along Prince Henry Cliff Walk to 24 Kiah Lookout and 25 Honeymoon Lookout to 26 the Three Sisters, 27 Echo Point, and the Visitor Information Centre

G

G

G

G

G G Stay at the G 31 caravan and camping park or make your way into Katoomba village via

• Prince Henry Cliff Walk to 28 Katoomba Falls Reserve and 30 Scenic World •

Cascade St

Night 3: Katoomba village WHERE TO EAT

Leura Cellars 169-171 The Mall Leura 02 4784 1122

Darleys Restaurant Lilianfels Avenue Katoomba 02 4780 1200

Hamilton Spa Wentworth Falls By appointment 0435 058 848

Rooster Restaurant 48 Merriwa Street Katoomba 02 4782 1206

ITINERARY DETAIL

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

Canton Palace Katoomba 264 Katoomba Street Katoomba 02 4782 2868 Hominy Bakery 185 Katoomba Street Katoomba 02 4782 9816 Katoomba Family Hotel Restaurant 1-15 Parke Street Katoomba 02 4782 1106 The Paragon 65 Katoomba Street Katoomba 02 4782 2928

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS 2013

27

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:38 PM

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS

Page 31

4/10/13

3:38 PM

Page 32

Three Sisters CafĂŠ Level 1, World Heritage Plaza 33 Echo Point Road Katoomba 02 4782 7577

Best Western Alpine Motor Inn Cnr Orient Street & Great Western Highway Katoomba 02 4782 2011

Mountelicious Shop 6, World Heritage Plaza 33 Echo Point Road Katoomba 02 4782 6112

Blue Mountains YHA 207 Katoomba Street Katoomba 02 4782 1416

PLACES TO STAY Echo Point Holiday Villas 24 Cliff Drive Katoomba 02 4782 3275 Katoomba Manor 219-223 Great Western Hwy Katoomba 02 4782 2669 Lavender Majestic & Lavender Manor 248 Bathurst Road Katoomba 02 4782 2385 Shelton-lea Bed & Breakfast 159 Lurline Street Katoomba 02 4782 9883 The Carrington Hotel 15-47 Katoomba Street Katoomba 02 4782 1111 Echoes Hotel 3 Lilianfels Avenue Katoomba 02 4782 1966 Jamison Guesthouse 48 Merriwa Street Katoomba 02 4782 1206 Metropole Katoomba 11-15 Gang Gang Street Katoomba 02 4782 5544 Palais Royale 230 Katoomba Street Katoomba 02 4784 6300 The Clarendon Guest House 68 Lurline Street Katoomba 02 4782 1322

Katoomba Falls Caravan Park Falls Road Katoomba 02 4780 5478 Katoomba Mountain Lodge 31 Lurline Street Katoomba 02 4782 3933 Lilianfels Resort & Spa Lilianfels Avenue Katoomba 02 4780 1200 Mountain Heritage Hotel & Spa Retreat Cnr Apex & Lovell Streets Katoomba 02 4782 2155 Belgravia Guesthouse 31 Lurline Street Katoomba 02 4782 3933 La Maison Boutique Hotel 175-177 Lurline Street Katoomba 02 4782 3933

ITINERARY DETAIL

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

Mountain Top Holiday Home 42 Merriwa Street Katoomba 02 4782 3933 Blue Mountains Holidays 218-224 Katoomba Street Katoomba 02 4782 1266 Edgelinks Bed & Breakfast 138 Narrow Neck Road Katoomba 02 4782 3001 Hotel Blue & Conference Centre 88 Lurline Street Katoomba 02 4782 6922

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS 2013

29

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:38 PM

Leurafells 51 Clissold Street Katoomba 0432 570 889 THINGS TO DO Katoomba Sports & Aquatic Centre Catalina Ave Katoomba 02 4780 5114 Renaissance Spa at The Carrington Hotel Katoomba Street Katoomba 02 4782 1111 The Carrington Cellars Katoomba Street Katoomba 02 4782 1111 Blue Mountains Cultural Centre 30 Parke Street Katoomba 02 4780 5410 Scenic World Blue Mountains Cnr Violet Street & Cliff Drive Katoomba 02 4780 0225 Lost Bear Gallery 98 Lurline Street Katoomba 02 4782 1220 Katoomba RSL 86 Lurline Street Katoomba 02 4782 2624 Waradah Aboriginal Centre World Heritage Plaza 33 Echo Point Road Katoomba 02 4782 1979 Spa Sublime 9 Penault Avenue Katoomba 02 4782 3113 The Hattery 2/197 Katoomba Street Katoomba 02 4782 5003 Weirder the Better Shop 11, 1-13 Katoomba Street Katoomba 02 4782 9806

30

Page 33

DAY 4 On this day we recommend that walkers take a paid guiding experience with a tour operator into one of the valleys.

Grand Cliff Top Walks is a new visitor experience which requires further development. Some sections of the walk are not yet constructed. The walk between Katoomba and Medlow Bath is one such section and is programmed for completion by Blue Mountains City Council in June 2015.

It is recommended that walkers use public transport (train or bus) for this section. Walking along the highway is unsafe and not recommended. The Six Foot Track to the Megalong Valley is not recommended as an alternative route between Katoomba and Medlow Bath as this would involve walking up Megalong Road. There are no footpaths, few road verges and a number of blind corners along this section of road, and walkers are cautioned against using this route.

Should walkers wish to walk into the Megalong Valley, it is recommended that a return trip is taken on the Six Foot Track to Katoomba to pick up public transport to Medlow Bath.

G G

G

• 28 Katoomba Falls Reserve to the 32 picnic area to Katoomba village, including a visit to the 33 Blue Mountains Cultural Centre with World Heritage Exhibition •

• •

G G 36 Norths Lookout, G 37 Nellies Glen and on G to G 38 Explorers Tree 38 Explorers Tree to G 37 Nellies Glen, G 39 G Six Foot Track, G 40 Megalong Valley Rd, then along to the G 43 Valley Track. Up to Tuckers Lookout, the Sunbath Track, the G 44 Hydro Majestic Hotel and Medlow Bath Train 34 The Gully (Aboriginal Place) self-guided interpretive walk, from The Gully Gallery to 35 Therabulat Lookout

Station, Medlow Bath village

Night 4: Medlow Bath village

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS 2013

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:38 PM

WHERE TO EAT Hydro Majestic (Mark Foy’s Pavilion - open in 2014) Great Western Highway Medlow Bath 02 4782 1966

Page 34

Blackheath Motor Inn 281 Great Western Highway Blackheath 02 4787 8788 Gardners Inn 255 Great Western Highway Blackheath 02 4787 6400

PLACES TO STAY Chalet Guesthouse 46 Portland Road Medlow Bath 02 4788 1122

High Mountains Motor Inn 193 Great Western Highway Blackheath 02 4787 8216

THINGS TO DO Euroka Blue Mountains Equestrian Centre 1268 Megalong Road Megalong Valley 02 4787 9121

DAY 5 • Explore some of the historic tracks on the Megalong Valley side of the 44 Hydro Majestic Hotel

G

• Icon Medlow Bath Train Station along a scenic Fire Trail beside the railway line to Blackheath Train Station and Blackheath village

Night 5: Blackheath village WHERE TO EAT Ashcrofts Restaurant 18 Govetts Leap Road Blackheath 02 4787 8297

Kubba Roonga Guesthouse 9 Brentwood Ave Blackheath 02 4787 5224 Woolshed Cabins Kanimbla Drive Blackheath 02 4787 8199 THINGS TO DO Centennial Glen Stables 448 Kanimbla Drive Blackheath 02 4787 1193 Blue Mountains Heritage Centre (NPWS) Govetts Leap Road Blackheath 02 4787 8877

ITINERARY DETAIL

Redleaf Resort Evans Lookout Road Blackheath 02 4787 8108

Blackheath Golf Club Brightlands Avenue Blackheath 02 4787 8406 Fisher Blue Mountains Gallery, Gardners Inn 255 Great Western Highway Blackheath 0414 234 581

PLACES TO STAY Glenella Guest House 56-60 Govetts Leap Road Blackheath 02 4787 8352 Blackheath Glen Tourist Park Prince Edward Street Blackheath 02 4787 8101

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS 2013

31

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:38 PM

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS

Page 35

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:38 PM

DAY 6

G

• Blackheath village to the 45 Braeside Picnic Area and 46 Walls Cave an Aboriginal site

G

G G

• 46 Walls Cave via Evans Lookout Road to 47 Neates Glen

G

• Neates Glen, Grand Canyon Loop, 48 Evans Lookout, Cliff Top Track, and 49 Govetts Leap

G

G

• 50 Blue Mountains Heritage Centre (NPWS) is an ideal resource for walk planning

G

G

• 49 Govetts Leap, Popes Glen Track, 51 Picnic Area and Blackheath village

Page 36

Megalong Valley Holiday Cabins Peach Tree Road Megalong Valley 02 4787 9148 Cedar Lodge Cabins 42 Great Western Highway Mount Victoria 02 4787 1256 Lutanda 3 Eltham Park Avenue Mount Victoria 1300 733 189 Imperial Hotel 1 Station Street Mount Victoria 02 4787 1878

DAY 7 •

•

Blackheath Train Station via a Fire Trail past 52 Beacon to 53 Fairy Bower Reserve Picnic Area (views through the Mt Boyce Area)

G

G

53 Fairy Bower Reserve picnic area to G 54 G Mt Piddington, G 55 Hourn Point, G 56 Bushrangers Cave, Kanimbla Valley Rd and then to Great Western Highway and Mt Victoria village

Night 7: Mt Victoria village

Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens, Mount Tomah Bells Line of Road Mt Tomah 02 4567 3014 Museum of Mt. Victoria & District Historical Society Inc. Station Street Mt Victoria 02 4782 7866 The Turkish Bath Museum 20 Church Lane Mt Wilson 02 4756 2063

ITINERARY DETAIL

THINGS TO DO

Night 6: Blackheath village

Windyridge Garden Queens Avenue Mt Wilson 02 4756 2019

WHERE TO EAT Imperial Hotel 1 Station Street Mount Victoria 02 4787 1878 PLACES TO STAY The Peak at Mt Kanimbla 43 Megalong Place Kanimbla 02 6335 2330

DAY 8 • Mt Victoria village, to Mt York Rd, along the Nature Track to 58 Historic Wells, 59 Bardens Lookout and 60 Mt York historic site with interpretive information.

G

G

G

G

G ALTERNATE B: Mt York Road to B1 Lockyer’s Track. Follow Lockyer’s Track down to B2 Lockyer’s Track Head Picnic Area, B3 Cox’s Road to 60 Mt York Monuments

G

G

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS 2013

G 33

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:38 PM

Page 37

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:38 PM

Page 38

LOOKOUTS

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:38 PM

KATOOMBA LOOKOUTS

Page 39

CAVE LOOKOUT Located on the south-west corner of Reid’s Plateau, this lookout is in a small cave.

ORPHAN LOOKOUT

PRINCE HENRY CLIFF WALK, KATOOMBA TO LEURA

Orphan Lookout is located on Reid’s Plateau.

Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester visited Katoomba in 1934, but did not have the time to open the track named for him and built by rangers Jim McKay, Walter Botting and others. It was designed to link various lookouts built along the clifftops since the 1880s, including Lady Darley’s, Olympian and Gordon Falls. Stage One was opened in 1934 linking Reid’s Plateau with Leura Cascades, while Stage Two was opened in 1936, extending the track to Gordon Falls.

SOLITARY LOOKOUT

REID’S PLATEAU Named before 1936 for Prime Minister Reid, this is a large lookout area, though each corner seems to have its own name: Cave, Corner, Kiosk, Laura’s, Orphan and Solitary Lookouts. For more information on these lookouts please refer to the individual entries.

Located on the southern corner of Reid’s Plateau, this has a view towards Mount Solitary.

THE WATCHTOWER Descriptive of its position along the Prince Henry Cliff Walk. Henry Lawson is said to have written his poem “The Blue Mountains” here in 1888.

DUKE AND DUCHESS OF YORK LOOKOUT The Duke of York (later to be King George VI) and the Duchess of York (now the Queen Mother) visited Echo Point in 1927.

CLIFF VIEW LOOKOUT A descriptive name, this is located above Katoomba Falls.

KIOSK LOOKOUT Refers to the kiosk near Reid’s Plateau, this is the only track-head kiosk remaining from the early days of bushwalking in the Upper Mountains.

WITCHES LEAP LOOKOUT Descriptive, a leap being an old Scottish word meaning waterfall, therefore making the extra “Falls” redundant. The shape of the rock is said to be a profile of a witch, and the area was known as Fern Gully in 1889. The Lookout overlooks Witches Leap.

CORNER LOOKOUT

WOLLUMAI LOOKOUT Another spelling of “Wollemi”, an Aboriginal word meaning “look around you”, and located on the Prince Henry Cliff Walk. The connecting track dates from 1937.

BELLBIRD LOOKOUT Bellbirds can generally be heard in the valley below the Lookout.

THE ROCK LOOKOUT All named descriptively. The Rock Lookout is located on Prince Henry Cliff Walk.

Located on the eastern corner of Reid’s Plateau.

36

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS 2013

4/10/13

3:38 PM

Page 40

ALLAMBIE LOOKOUT

LADY GAME LOOKOUT

An Aboriginal word meaning “quiet place” and named in 1934.

(or Jamison Valley Lookout / Three Sisters Lookout) Named in the 1930s after the wife of Sir Philip Game, Governor of NSW. Labelled on some recent maps as Three Sisters Lookout, this overlooks the first Sister at the top of the Giant Stairway.

LADY DARLEY’S LOOKOUT Named for Sir Frederick Matthew Darley KCMG GCMG, Administrator of NSW in 1893, 1895, 1899 and 1900-02 and his wife. He visited Katoomba in 1889 where he built “Lilianfels”.

KEDUMBA VIEW (LOOKOUT) Katoomba and Kedumba originate from a Gundungurra Aboriginal word with various spellings said to mean “valley of waterfalls”. In a letter to Mitchell dated 25 Nov 1833 Govett states “that part of the country where the Cascade Creek from the Weatherboard Inn joins the Cox’s River is called by the natives Go-Doom-Ba”.

LADY CARRINGTON LOOKOUT Wife of Lord Charles Robert Wynn-Carrington (1843-1928) PC GCMG KG, the Governor of NSW from 1885 to 1890.

YURUGA LOOKOUT An Aboriginal word meaning “extensive view”, this lookout is located on a section of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk that was previously part of Baker’s Estate “Silvermist”.

ECHO POINT

TALLA WALLA LOOKOUT

The Projecting Platform was built in 1932. Echo Point Lookout was named Queen Elizabeth Lookout in 1955 after the 1954 visit of Queen Elizabeth II (1926-), and opened by Governor J Northcott.

(or Tallawalla / Tallawarra) An Aboriginal name meaning “forest view”. The original names of this and Milla Murra Lookouts have been swapped and mis-spelled since the 1950s, Milla Murra is north of Talla Walla. The author believes they were two of the four “railed points” of Baker’s Lookouts.

PRINCE OF WALES LOOKOUT Located on the Prince Henry Cliff Walk and named after the Duke of Gloucester.

SPOONER’S LOOKOUT Eric S Spooner, Minister for Public Works and Local Government, NSW opened the first section of Prince Henry Cliff Walk in October 1934. He also opened the western section of Cliff Drive on 11 September 1937.

MILLA MURRA LOOKOUT (or Millamurra / Minnamurra Lookout) Milla Murra is an Aboriginal term meaning “many eyes”, this lookout resembling a fortress with many openings.

The names of this and Talla Walla Lookout have been swapped and mis-spelled since the 1950s, Milla Murra is north of Talla Walla. The author believes they were two of the four “railed points” of Baker’s Lookouts. Lower Milla Murra may well be the old Leura Falls Lookout.

KATOOMBA-LEURA LOOKOUTS

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

OREADES LOOKOUT Eucalyptus oreades, otherwise known as Mountain Ash, are a feature here.

HONEYMOON LOOKOUT “Honeymoon” is a popular name for features dating from the 1930s.

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS 2013

37

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:38 PM

Page 41

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:38 PM

HONEYMOON POINT “Honeymoon” is a popular name for features dating from the 1930s, The author believes Honeymoon Point was one of the four “railed points” of Baker’s Lookouts.l Due to inconsistencies between maps there is some confusion as to the identification of various features around the Three Sisters.

Page 42

LEURA LOOKOUTS FLAT ROCK LOOKOUT Named descriptively.

The area behind the Lookout was gazetted as Banksia Park in 1888, while the lookout name was suggested by Keith Painter. Banksia Streamlet runs down into Leura Forest.

LOMANDRA LOOKOUT Lomandra longifolia grows prolifically here.

In 1899 an old tree on the brow of Leura Falls was labelled the Echo Tree, and the echo obtained from the Lookout is supposed to be one of the clearest.

FOSSIL ROCK (LOOKOUT) The ironstone outcrops in the rocks here were thought to resemble the skeletons of dinosaurs.

BURRABARROO LOOKOUT (or Burrabaroo / Burralaroo) An Aboriginal word meaning “very large stones”, the name has been mis-spelled “Burralaroo” from about the 1950s.

JAMISON’S LOOKOUT Sir John Jamison (1776-1844) was a surgeon in the Royal Navy who accompanied Macquarie on his western journey in 1815. The lookout is located on the Prince Henry Cliff Walk.

BRIDAL VEIL LOOKOUT FLYING FOX LOOKOUT This lookout is located at what was once the top station of the ropeway, or “flying fox” used to transport materials down to the Water Board’s sewage treatment plant, now closed.

BRIDAL VEIL VIEW LOOKOUT Bridal Veil View Lookout dates from 1894.

KIAH LOOKOUT An Aboriginal word meaning “beautiful place”.

COPELAND’S LOOKOUT A builder in Katoomba, William Raeburn Copeland found a way into the Jamison Valley via Sublime Point in 1893, now known as Copeland’s Pass. He was also an alderman on Katoomba Municipal Council 1892-94 and 1901-04. The Track to the Lookout was constructed 1885-98.

MAJESTIC LOOKOUT, KATOOMBA

TARPEIAN ROCK (LOOKOUT)

KATOOMBA-LEURA LOOKOUTS

ECHO TREE LOOKOUT BANKSIA LOOKOUT

Traitors were punished on a rock of this name in ancient Rome, the name was possibly selected by teachers at Katoomba College, perhaps thinking of some of their more unmanageable students! The track from the road to the lookout was constructed 1894-98.

ROCKY POINT (LOOKOUT) Named descriptively.

A description of the view from here.

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS 2013

39

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

34

4/10/13

3:38 PM

Page 43

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS 2013

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:38 PM

OLYMPIAN ROCK (LOOKOUT) Named after Mount Olympus, the home of the Greek gods, the name possibly being selected by teachers at Katoomba College. The track from the road to the lookout was constructed 1894-98.

Page 44

RAINFOREST LOOKOUT KATOOMBA Descriptive of the vegetation visible from here.

LOOKOUTS ON THE LEURA ROUND WALK

ELYSIAN ROCK (LOOKOUT)

GORDON FALLS LOOKOUT Charles George Gordon (1833-85), British general.

LOOKOUTS EAST OF GORDON FALLS LOOKOUT: GOLF LINKS LOOKOUT, LEURA The track from the Pool of Siloam dates from 1935-39.

There are no lookouts west of Reid’s Plateau but there are three on the Katoomba Round Walk (an alternative to Prince Henry Cliff Walk): VANIMAN’S LOOKOUT, JAMISON VALLEY Named before 1936 after Melvin Vaniman (18701912), an American photographer who visited the Mountains in 1904, and also photographed Sydney from a hot-air balloon he designed. He was a passenger on board the airship “Akron” and died when it crashed in the USA in 1912.

JULIET’S BALCONY, JAMISON VALLEY Named descriptively, from the Shakespeare play “Romeo and Juliet”.

Included as an alternative to Prince Henry Cliff Walk.

EVELYN’S LOOKOUT, LEURA Located on the Round Walk, the origin of the name is unknown. The Track dates from 1885-90, running from the Meeting of the Waters to Evelyn’s Lookout.

GERTRUDE’S LOOKOUT, LEURA Possibly the wife or daughter of a Reserve Trustee, or perhaps Emily Gertrude North, wife of Alfred Herbert North, local residents. Located on the Round Walk, this Lookout dates from 1898, though the track to it dates from 1885-94.

LEURA FALLS LOOKOUT, LEURA Leura Falls Lookout is in the vicinity of Milla Murra Lookout and may well be an old name for it.

BLUFF LOOKOUT, KATOOMBA Bluff Lookout is near “Culverden” on Cliff Drive, and dates from 1882.

KATOOMBA FALLS LOOKOUT, KATOOMBA

KATOOMBA-LEURA LOOKOUTS

A name from Greek mythology meaning a place of perfect happiness, the name possibly being selected by teachers at Katoomba College. The track from the road to the lookout was constructed 1894-98.

Katoomba and Kedumba originate from a Gundungurra Aboriginal word with various spellings said to mean “valley of waterfalls”. In a letter to Mitchell dated 25 Nov 1833 Govett states “that part of the country where the Cascade Creek from the Weatherboard Inn joins the Cox’s River is called by the natives Go-Doom-Ba”. Unsure where this is, perhaps an old name for part of Reid’s Plateau.

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS 2013

41

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:38 PM

Page 45

KEMP’S LOOKOUT, KATOOMBA

SPENCER LOOKOUT, LEURA

The location of this lookout is unknown, as is the name, however an FJ Kemp was proprietor of a Katoomba Steam Laundry.

Named for nearby Spencer Street by Keith Painter.

Probably near west of Gordon Falls.

LADY RAWSON’S LOOKOUT, KATOOMBA Named after Lady Florence Alice Stewart Shaw Rawson, wife of Admiral Sir Harry Holdsworth Rawson, Governor-General of Australia 1902-09.

The track from “Lilianfels” to the Lookout dates from about 1898, though the lookout was only named about 1909.

LAURA’S LOOKOUT, KATOOMBA Laura’s Lookout is located on Reid’s Plateau. The identity of Laura remains a mystery.

MCKILLOP’S LOOKOUT, LEURA Named after Duncan McKillop, mayor of Katoomba Municipality 1895-97, who built the lookout in 1893.

Image: Queen’s Cascades stepping stones, Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains National Park, Steve Alton

LOOKOUTS ON CLIFF DRIVE ABOVE PRINCE HENRY CLIFF WALK IN KATOOMBA: MCKAY’S LOOKOUT Ranger James Henry McKay (1869-1947) built the Giant Stairway between 1916 and 1932, and was involved with the Prince Henry Cliff Walk in 1934. The lookout dates from before 1935.

SILVER MIST LOOKOUT The tracks were made in 1940 connecting a picnic area with the Prince Henry Cliff Walk.

“Silvermist” was the name of Baker’s Estate here.

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:38 PM

Page 46

MAJOR ANNUAL FESTIVALS & EVENTS SUMMER

WINTER

JANUARY

JUNE

The Leura Shakespeare Festival

Winter Magic Festival

Wines of the West

JULY

FEBRUARY

Yulefest

Roaring 20s Festival Highlands Steam & Vintage Fair Lithgow Flash Gift Carnival

SPRING SEPTEMBER

AUTUMN

Concerts in the Caves

OCTOBER

MARCH

Bicentenary Festival of Walking

Blue Mountains Music Festival

Leura Gardens Festival

APRIL

Blue Mountains Film Festival

Ironfest

NOVEMBER

Puddin’ Day

Blackheath Rhododendron Festival

APRIL-MAY Sculpture at Scenic World

VISITBLUEMOUNTAINS.COM.AU GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS 2013

43

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:38 PM

Page 47

HELPFUL INFO Blue Mountains City Tourism bluemountainscitytourism.com.au

Blue Mountains Crossings Bicentenary Bluemountainscrossingsbicentenary.com.au

Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism Visitbluemountains.com.au

Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute bmwhi.org.au

Destination NSW visitnsw.com/destinations/blue-mountains

Festival of Walking festivalofwalking.com.au

Greater Blue Mountains National Landscape www.australia.com/campaigns/nationallandscapes/GreaterBlueMountains.htm

National Parks & Wildlife Service nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/blue-mountains-national-park

44

GRAND CLIFF TOP WALKS 2013

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:38 PM

Page 48

GrandCliffTopWalks-0913

4/10/13

3:37 PM

Page 1

GRAND G CLIFF TOP C WALKS W 2O13 EDITION

BLUE MOUNTAINS VALLEYS, VILLAGES AND WATERFALLS

Image: Katoomba Cascades stepping stones, Steve Alton Front cover image: The village of Katoomba overlooking Jamison Valley, Steve Alton

A COLLABORATION BETWEEN