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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.

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.

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.

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.

Our photos are available for purchase on

Cooper Park Bushwalking in the City

Stone arch bridge

Cooper Park

Located in Bellevue Hill, Cooper Park covers 15 Ha of bushland in the centre of Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Donated to the Woollahra Council as a park in 1913 by Sir William Cooper the park covers a gully from Victoria Road, Bellevue Hill to Manning Road, Double Bay. With tennis courts and cricket nets at one end and native parkland at the other it’s a wonderful place to visit.

How to Get There

We took the train to Bondi Junction and walked the 15 minutes to the park’s entrance. However, if you want to drive, carparking is available in Bunna Place. Because of the park’s location, there are many entrances off surrounding streets. These have steps leading down to the valley floor where they join the walking track.

The Park

Starting behind the tennis courts, a track winds through the valley floor following a small creek. An information board details the wildlife living in the park as well as the plant species. Scattered along the path are weather shelters, so if it rains there is somewhere to stop for a while.

We followed the well maintained track which wound through eucalypt trees with a fern understory. The creek has many small waterfalls and cascades which are easily accessible from the track.

The damp shady environment has led to most structures being covered in moss. We really liked the arch bridge and a bench seat because they were covered in it.

At the far end of the park, a large set of steps lead up and out to Victoria Road. Of course, you can also enter this way.

What Did We Think?

This is an amazing park, hidden away in Sydney’s suburbia. The walk through native bush, while following the creek was very relaxing and enjoyable.

Kanning Walk Kincumber Australia

Exposed rocks and boulders along the Kanning Walk

Kanning Walk Kincumber Australia

Located near Kincumber on the New South Wales Central Coast, Kanning Walk is a 1.2 km track as well as a cave and beautiful scenic Australian bush to enjoy.

We parked near the “mud brick building“, which is also marked as a kiosk. Unfortunately, it is closed, so any thought of a coffee was put aside until we finished the walk. This area also has toilets, electric barbecues, tables and sun shades. Along with the large grassed area, this would be a great place for a family picnic in summer. Also located here is Honeman’s Rock, a small rock outcrop overlooking the picnic grounds.

Kanning Walk

The walk begins near the carpark, where a sign points the way to go. One of the first sights is the root system of a fallen tree, which you pass through at the start. The well maintained track leads through eucalypt forest which was very shady and peaceful dover their uring our visit early on a winter’s morning.

After 200m, the track follows the base of a small sandstone outcrop which contain several small caves (more like rock overhangs). Probably so that visitors don’t think this is the main caves, a nearby sign points to its location 150m away.

Surprisingly large, the main cave is around 7m by 9m and provides nice shade from the weather. During summer this would be a great spot out of the sun.

Continuing on the walk, we passed some interestingly shaped trees that have been sculpted by bushfires over the years. As the track neared the return trail, some banksias in bloom were seen growing in the more exposed areas.

Around 100m passed the cave, the walk meets the Yanina Trail, which is a wide fire trail. Well signposted directions show the way back to the mudbrick building or adventuring on to other walks..

This was a fun easy walk with an interesting cave to see along the way.