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Tag: Bush Walking

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Flat Rock Gully Walking Track

Stepping stones over Flat Rock Creek

Flat Rock Gully Walking Track

Located in the Sydney council of Willoughby, Flat Rock Gully Walking Track is a 4km return trip through bushland bordering a small creek. Utilised for the disposal of domestic and industrial waste until 1985, the area became overgrown with weeds. Following the closing of the tip and associated incinerator, the area has been landscaped and bush land regenerated. The result is a beautiful walk, through trees and ferns in the centre of Sydney.

Parking

Parking is available near the start of the track at Small Street where a gated entrance leads to parking spots. Additional parking at the netball courts, near the old incinerator is a five-minute walk away.

Flat Rock Gully Walking Track

Starting off with bitumen and a section of boardwalk, the track appears an easy hike. However, this soon gives way to rougher sections of rock and dirt track. Sections have steppingstones added to aid walking in wet conditions and in going up and down the slopes. In wet and rainy weather, these areas become very slippery, so good hiking boots are needed, as well as being careful.

Council Bush Regenerators, contractors and volunteers have done an amazing job reducing the weeds present along the track. As a result, you can now walk through remnant Australian bush while in the centre of Sydney.

Easy start to the Flat Rock Gully Walking Track
Easy start to the Walking Track
Small section of boardwalk
Small section of boardwalk
Water stained boulders on the side of the Flat Rock Gully Walking Track
Water stained boulders on the side of the track
Track descending to the gully floor
Track descending to the gully floor
Stone Steps of the Flat Rock Gully Walking Track
Stone Steps of the track
Stone Steps of the Flat Rock Gully Walking Track
Stone Steps of the track
Flat Rock Gully Walking Track
Flat Rock Gully Walking Track

Flat Rock Creek

The creek crossing is a series of steppingstones, which will be slippery when wet and during high rainfall may be submerged. At the crossing, a stone embankment prevents erosion of the creek banks and has become overgrown in moss. This makes the area look old and overgrown, but also extremely slippery.

Stepping stones over Flat Rock Creek
Stepping stones over Flat Rock Creek
Flat Rock Creek with moss covered retaining wall
Flat Rock Creek with moss covered retaining wall

Long Gully Bridge

Crossing the gully at the end of the walk is Long Gully Bridge. Built to access a housing development at Northbridge in the 1890s, the false crenellated turreted towers make it look very medieval. Under the bridge, a large, landscaped area was once the council tip. The 30 metres of fill has been rehabilitated into playing fields, where we saw a game of cricket being played.

From The Cricket Fields Looking up at the Bridge
From The Cricket Fields Looking up at the Bridge
The Bridge from below
The Bridge from below
Long Gully Bridge from below
Long Gully Bridge from below

Flat Rock Drive Pedestrian Underpass Indigenous Art Work

Pedestrian access from the track to the baseball diamond and netball courts is via an underpass under Flat Rock Drive. If you park at the netball courts, this is the best way to get to the track.

Decorated with large indigenous murals unlike many underpasses left in dull concrete. Not far from here is the Henry Lawson Cave, where the poet would sleep off a drinking session at the local tavern.

Indigenous art work on the Flat Rock Drive underpass
Indigenous art work on the Flat Rock Drive underpass
Indigenous art work on the Flat Rock Drive underpass
Indigenous art work on the Flat Rock Drive underpass

What Did We Think?

This was a really fun track to walk. Moderately difficult and a little slippery in the wet, the walk through remnant forest and along a creek was fun. Looking at the underside of the bridge and the decorated underpass were added bonuses.

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To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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Prince Henry Cliff Walk

The Blue Mountains

Prince Henry Cliff Walk in the Blue Mountains

One of the best walks to take in the views of the Blue Mountains, the Prince Henry Cliff Walk is accessible at several points and can be undertaken in stages. This is great because at 7kms one-way, it may be seen as a little too long. During our visit several sections were closed because of severe storms over previous months. Fortunately, most of the lookouts were accessible, so we could still see the amazing views of the Blue Mountains.

Running from Katoomba to Leura, the walk passes Katoomba Falls, Echo Point and the Three Sisters as well as the Leura Cascades. Additionally, there are over 20 lookouts along the way, each providing outstanding views of the Jamison Valley.

Parking

Parking is available at Katoomba Cascades, Echo Point lookout, or Gordon Falls near Leura. However, during busy times it is difficult to find a park with most streets also being paid parking. We chose to start early in the morning for the first part of the walk, so parking at Katoomba Cascades was available.

We accessed the second section from Cliff Drive to Leura Cascades near Kiah Lookout, which was only a short walk from our accommodation.

During our visit, the section from Echo Point to Katoomba Falls was closed for repairs.

Katoomba Cascades

This section also forms part of the Night Walk, with the pathway lit and floodlights illuminating sites along the way. We chose to walk it during the day, because we wanted to see the larger views over the valley.

Located only a short walk from the carpark, the Cascades were flowing well after recent rain. The well-maintained steps down to the base of the cascade make this an easy walk. At the bottom, you are able to walk close to the falls, there are also several places to sit in the shade and enjoy the view.

The cascades are very easy to get to because of the well maintained track as long as you can walk up and down the initial steps. The Blue Mountains had lots of rain, prior to us visiting, which made the walk and waterfalls a great experience.

Katoomba Falls

From the cascades, the path leads to a series of lookouts, for spectacular views over the valley. One of the best is the view of Katoomba Falls. Created from the flow of the Kedumba River, it flows over the escarpment, this is the same river that creates the Cascades. Several of the lookouts give different perspectives of the falls.

At one point, the Scenic World Skyway Cale Car made its trip across the valley, which was interesting to see. This is another great way to get a view of the falls. The cable car runs from Scenic World across the gorge, where passengers can disembark and walk to Echo Point (currently closed in 2022).

The path from the cascades is relatively flat, making the walk to Katoomba Falls lookout not too difficult. There are plenty of places to rest and admire the views along the way, so there is no need to be too energetic. The view of the falls is amazing, which makes the short walk worth the effort.

The Katoomba Cascades Prince Henry Cliff Walk
The Katoomba Cascades
Kedumba River just before it goes over the escarpment
Kedumba River just before it goes over the escarpment
Tree Fern on the Walk Prince Henry Cliff Walk
Tree Fern on the Walk
A gum tree on the walk
A gum tree on the walk
Katoomba Falls
Katoomba Falls
Katoomba Falls Prince Henry Cliff Walk
Katoomba Falls
Orphan Rock Prince Henry Cliff Walk
Orphan Rock
The Skyway Cable Car Prince Henry Cliff Walk
The Skyway Cable Car
View over the Blue Mountains
View over the Blue Mountains
The escarpment Prince Henry Cliff Walk
The Escarpment
The Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains

Leura Cascades on the Prince Henry Cliff Walk

We chose to walk to the Leura Cascades from our accommodation because it was so close. Access to the Prince Henry Walking Track from Kiah Lookout was only a five-minute walk away. However parking is limited, so if you wish to drive it might be better to start at the Leura Cascades Picnic Area.

The upper section of the track was easy to walk, with a well-maintained track and a gentle downward grade, however as the track became steeper, the track deteriorated, becoming narrower and damaged by water run-off. There are also a large number of steps, as you descend towards the falls, which all have to be climbed again when returning. We took our time and enjoyed the many great views from the lookouts along the way.

Keep a lookout for native wildlife as you walk. We saw a lyre bird but were not quick enough to take a photo.

This section of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk was great fun, taking us around 40 minutes return despite all the steps. This included time for photos, admiring the views and a side track to Copelands Lookout.

Eroded Rocks on the Walk
Eroded Rocks on the Walk
Upper Section of the Track Prince Henry Cliff Walk
Upper Section of the Track
Well Maintained Section Descending to the Cascades
Well Maintained Section Descending to the Cascades
One of the Steep Muddy Sections
One of the Steep Muddy Sections
Stepping Stones on the Track Prince Henry Cliff Walk
Stepping Stones on the Track
One of the Great Views Prince Henry Cliff Walk
One of the Great Views
Rainbow Over the Escarpment
Rainbow Over the Escarpment From Copeland Lookout
Great View Over the Valley
Great View Over the Valley
Great View Over the Valley
Great View Over the Valley
Leura Falls Creek
Leura Falls Creek
Small Section of the Leura Cascades Prince Henry Cliff Walk
Small Section of the Leura Cascades
Bridal Veil Falls Prince Henry Cliff Walk
Bridal Veil Falls

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To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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Grand Canyon Walking Track Blue Mountains

Overhanging Cliff and Ferns at the Bottom of the Track

Grand Canyon Walking Track Blue Mountains

One of the great walking tracks in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, the Grand Canyon Track is a 6.3km loop that descends 1,000 steps to Greaves Creek before climbing out again to the top. During the hike, you pass through rain forest, past waterfalls and get some of the best views of the surrounding World Heritage Listed area.

Parking

Three carparks in the area are all good places to leave your car. As the walk is a loop, you will need to pass all of them at one stage. Which one you choose is up to you, but we used Neates Glen car park, because it lets to start on the track straight away. Additionally, you get to finish the climb out of the canyon with the spectacular views from Evans Lookout.

Alternately, the Evans Lookout car park is close to where the track leaves the canyon, while the Grand Canyon carpark is midway between the two.

Grand Canyon Walking Track

First Section – Descending

Wet weather made the track wet, muddy and slippery in many places, especially where some of the steps were covered in mud. We wore good hiking boots and were pleased that we did. Some people only wore sneakers and they were soon soaked, covered in mud and slippery. Even in dry weather, good hiking boots would be a good idea, because of the extra grip and support they provide.

Descending through the rainforest, you pass eucalypts, and wonderful tree ferns. With the surrounding cliff and rock overhangs, it feels like something from a Harrison Ford Raiders of the Lost Ark Movie. Well maintained, the track is easy to follow without having to stop and decide which way to go. We had no difficulty finding our way. However if you need a map, one is available at the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre.

Stone Steps Leading Down
Stone Steps Leading Down
One of the Tree Ferns at the Start of the Track
One of the Tree Ferns at the Start of the Track
Wet and Slippery Steps on the Track
Wet and Slippery Steps on the Track
A Wet Rock Face and Ferns
The Muddy Track Passing Through Ferns Grand Canyon Walking Track
The Muddy Track Passing Through Ferns
The Track Passing under Boulders and Cliffs
The Track Passing under Boulders and Cliffs
Stepping Stones on the Track Going Past Cliffs and Ferns
Steppingstones on the Track Going Past Cliffs and Ferns

Centre Section

At around the mid-way point the track flattens slightly and you need to cross Greaves Creek several times. One crossing had its steppingstones submerged, but we crossed OK, due to our hiking boots. In this section, there are rocky overhangs with sandy floors where previous floods have eroded the cliffs.

This section of the track also contains two of its highlights. The first is a short tunnel. It’s not long, but can be dark inside, so just take your time.

The second is a waterfall, which was flowing nicely when we visited. Recent rain meant that the usual small trickle was a good flow. the track passes behind it, which is fun and worth the photos.

Stepping Stones and Steps Cut into Rock on Greaves Creek Grand Canyon Walking Track
Steppingstones and Steps Cut into Rock on Greaves Creek
Eucalypts growing on a Cliff Face
Eucalypts growing on a Cliff Face
The Grand Canyon Walking Track Leading Through the Canyon
The Track Leading Through the Canyon
Sandy Floor of the Undercut Cliff
Sandy Floor of the Undercut Cliff
Steps up to the Small Tunnel on the Grand Canyon Walking Track
A Small Waterfall Over the Grand Canyon Walking Track. Hikers have to go Behind it.
A Small Waterfall Over the Track. Hikers have to go Behind it.
A Small Waterfall Over the Track. Hikers have to go Behind it.
A Small Waterfall Over the Track. Hikers have to go Behind it.
Stepping Stones at the Cliff Base Grand Canyon Walking Track
Steppingstones at the Cliff Base

Climbing out of the Valley

This section was the hardest and whichever way you decide to walk the track, you must climb around 1,000 steps to get out. We took our time, admiring the views and forest as we went. Finishing at Evans Lookout gives you a nice place to relax and enjoy a fantastic view over the mountains as a reward for your hard work.

The walk back to the car from Evans lookout to the carpark was a bit boring and I can see why some people might choose to do this section first ending at Neats Glen car park as it is a letdown after the scenery in the canyon. Nevertheless, we did get to see some Waratahs in bloom on the side of the track.

The cliffs showing the height to be climbed to finish the Grand Canyon Walking Track
The cliffs showing the height to be climbed to finish the track
Greaves Creek at the Bottom of the Canyon
Greaves Creek at the Bottom of the Canyon
Stepping Stones Grand Canyon Walking Track
Stepping Stones
Boulder Filled Creek Grand Canyon Walking Track
Overhanging Cliff and Ferns at the Bottom of the Track
Overhanging Cliff and Ferns at the Bottom of the Track
Cliffs and Creek at the Bottom of the Grand Canyon Walking Track
A view of the Escarpment Near the End of the Track
A view of the Escarpment Near the End of the Track
Waratah, The State Floral Emblem of New South Wales
Waratah, The State Floral Emblem of New South Wales

What Did We Think?

This was a fantastic track, with a well deserved reputation as the best in the Blue Mountains. We enjoyed the challenge of the 1,000 steps while admiring the beautiful scenery and rainforest. Remember to wear good hiking boots, sunscreen, and bring plenty of water.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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