Katoomba Falls Circuit

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Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	(-33.7285118,150.3007652)
Mode	Bus Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From Turn on to Parke Street, BMD then drive for 75 m At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Bathurst Road, BMD and drive for another 155 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Katoomba Street and drive for another 570 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Katoomba Street and drive for another 850 m Keep right onto Katoomba Falls Road and drive for another 325 m Continue onto Katoomba Falls Road, BMD and drive for another 390 m Turn left onto Cliff Drive, BMD and drive for another 360 m Turn left and drive for another 105 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the Scenic World main entrance, this walk follows the 'Prince Henry Cliff Walk' signs down the concrete steps and around to the back of the building, where it comes to a wooden footbridge that curves around behind the main car park. At the end of the footbridge, this walk comes to an intersection with the Prince Henry Cliff Walk.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After 45 m find the "Scenic World" (9 m on your left). Scenic World Scenic World is one of the most renowned tourist attractions of Katoomba and the Blue Mountains. Located on the cliffs of the Jamison Valley , visitors can enjoy a ride on the Scenic Railway (the world's steepest incline railway) or the Scenic Cableway, into the Jamison Valley, and explore the Scenic Walkway from the base. Alternatively, the Scenic Skyway offers a bird's eye view over the valley, with a glass floor to enhance the experience. Scenic World also features a revolving restaurant, a cafe and a kiosk, in addition to the documentary theatre and souvenir shop. Rides can be purchased, starting from $16 for adults and $10 for children, and combination or family passes are available. Then pass the toilet (20 m on your left). Then pass a seat (25 m on your left). After another 100 m pass the toilet (20 m on your right). Then cross the bridge (about 75 m long) Then pass the car park (50 m on your left).
	After another 75 m turn right.
	After another 45 m turn right. After another 25 m find the "Vaniman's Lookout" (on your left). Vaniman's Lookout Vaniman's Lookout is a fenced, long and narrow lookout on the cliff edge, opposite Reids Plateau. The view looks directly over the Three Sisters across the Kedumba Valley, under the Scenic Skyway. The lookout was considered one of the finest views on the Three Sisters in the 1900's. The lookout was named after Chester Melvin Vaniman in 1905, a well-know adventurer and artist from the USA, who visited the Blue Mountains in 1903. After another 115 m pass a seat (on your right).
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Juliets Balcony. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp right when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 15 m continue straight.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. Highly recommended optional sidetrip to Katoomba Falls. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip veer right when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 60 m continue straight. After another 35 m find the "Rainforest Lookout" (15 m on your right). Rainforest Lookout Unlike many lookouts in the area, Rainforest Lookout does not offer sweeping valley views. Instead, this lookout offers an opportunity to get up close and personal with the canopy of the rainforest. Spend some time in the cool shade listening to the birds and Witches Leap creek passing by. A sign at the lookout explains that there once were wood-fired barbeques here for picnics, but removed due to the toll on the local environment. After another 50 m come to the "Vaniman's Lookout" (15 m on your left). After another 125 m find the "Cliffside lookout" (30 m on your right). Cliffside lookout This unnamed, fenced lookout is perched on the cliff's edge on Reids Plateau. The lookout has a bench seat and overlooks the Witches Leap area. The view is mostly of the surrounding trees, with glimpses of cliffs on the other side of the valley. There is a nice view of Witches Leap waterfall. After another 140 m pass a seat (10 m on your right)., has a backrest.
	Turn left.
	After another 20 m continue straight.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Katoomba Falls Kiosk. To start this optional side trip veer right here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 20 m continue straight. After another 40 m pass the "Blue Mountains National Park" (on your right).
	After another 85 m continue straight. After another 45 m cross the bridge (about 7 m long) After another 15 m pass the "Witches Leap" (20 m on your left).
	After another 55 m continue straight. After another 50 m cross the bridge (about 75 m long)
	After another 65 m come to the end.

An optional side trip to Juliets Balcony.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After another 25 m come to "Juilets Balcony". Juilets Balcony Juliets Balcony is a spectacular lookout, perched on top of a rock buttress near Orphan Rock, under the Scenic Skyway. The lookout provides sweeping views of the start of the Kedumba Valley, from Katoomba Falls to the Three Sisters. The lookout is accessed by a staircase, off the Furber Steps track. The fenceline continues along the lookout, forming a long, fenced balcony. About 10 m past the end is a seat. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 25 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start.

After another 25 m come to "Juilets Balcony".

Juilets Balcony

Juliets Balcony is a spectacular lookout, perched on top of a rock buttress near Orphan Rock, under the Scenic Skyway. The lookout provides sweeping views of the start of the Kedumba Valley, from Katoomba Falls to the Three Sisters. The lookout is accessed by a staircase, off the Furber Steps track. The fenceline continues along the lookout, forming a long, fenced balcony.

About 10 m past the end is a seat.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 25 m to the main route.

An optional side trip to Katoomba Falls Kiosk.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Find the Katoomba Falls Reserve at the start.
	After another 35 m come to the end. About 15 m past the end is a car park. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 55 m to the main route.

Highly recommended optional sidetrip to Katoomba Falls.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Then head down the steps (about 40 m long)
	Turn right. Find the Rainforest Lookout at the start. Find the Rainforest Lookout at the start. Then pass the "Plant Life on the Edge" (6 m on your left).
	After another 20 m turn left. After another 45 m cross the bridge (about 5 m long) After another 165 m come to "Katoomba Falls". Katoomba Falls The Katoomba Falls are among the most famous waterfalls in the the Blue Mountains region. The Kedumba River falls about 150 meters in 2 main stages. The Undercliff Track, from the Furber Steps, can be used to access the first landing of the waterfall. The Katoomba Falls can be viewed from most lookouts in the the area, including from the bottom of the falls at Cooks Landing on Federal Pass, or from the track running next to the Kedumba River at the top of the falls. These falls are also a highlight for the trip across the Scenic Skyway. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 255 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Katoomba Falls Circuit

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	1.2 km
Time	40 min to 1 h 45 min

Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route

Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 410 m apart with the largest gap of 1.1 km.

Seat: There are 4 on route, on average they are 270 m apart with the largest gap of 470 m.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	45 m	[toilet]
Seat	50 m	[seat]
Toilet	145 m	[toilet]
Seat	370 m	[seat]
Seat	380 m + 60 m	[seat]
Seat	790 m	[seat]

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Scenic World
Scenic World is one of the most renowned tourist attractions of Katoomba and the Blue Mountains. Located on the cliffs of the Jamison Valley , visitors can enjoy a ride on the Scenic Railway (the world's steepest incline railway) or the Scenic Cableway, into the Jamison Valley, and explore the Scenic Walkway from the base. Alternatively, the Scenic Skyway offers a bird's eye view over the valley, with a glass floor to enhance the experience. Scenic World also features a revolving restaurant, a cafe and a kiosk, in addition to the documentary theatre and souvenir shop. Rides can be purchased, starting from $16 for adults and $10 for children, and combination or family passes are available.

Vaniman's Lookout
Vaniman's Lookout is a fenced, long and narrow lookout on the cliff edge, opposite Reids Plateau. The view looks directly over the Three Sisters across the Kedumba Valley, under the Scenic Skyway. The lookout was considered one of the finest views on the Three Sisters in the 1900's. The lookout was named after Chester Melvin Vaniman in 1905, a well-know adventurer and artist from the USA, who visited the Blue Mountains in 1903.

Juilets Balcony
Juliets Balcony is a spectacular lookout, perched on top of a rock buttress near Orphan Rock, under the Scenic Skyway. The lookout provides sweeping views of the start of the Kedumba Valley, from Katoomba Falls to the Three Sisters. The lookout is accessed by a staircase, off the Furber Steps track. The fenceline continues along the lookout, forming a long, fenced balcony.

Rainforest Lookout
Unlike many lookouts in the area, Rainforest Lookout does not offer sweeping valley views. Instead, this lookout offers an opportunity to get up close and personal with the canopy of the rainforest. Spend some time in the cool shade listening to the birds and Witches Leap creek passing by. A sign at the lookout explains that there once were wood-fired barbeques here for picnics, but removed due to the toll on the local environment.

Katoomba Falls
The Katoomba Falls are among the most famous waterfalls in the the Blue Mountains region. The Kedumba River falls about 150 meters in 2 main stages. The Undercliff Track, from the Furber Steps, can be used to access the first landing of the waterfall. The Katoomba Falls can be viewed from most lookouts in the the area, including from the bottom of the falls at Cooks Landing on Federal Pass, or from the track running next to the Kedumba River at the top of the falls. These falls are also a highlight for the trip across the Scenic Skyway.

Katoomba Falls Kiosk
The Katoomba Falls Kiosk serves a variety of light and healthy meals including breakfast, lunch and Devonshire teas. A drink enjoyed here will add to the experience of any local bushwalk. For more information, phone (02) 4782-4868.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Katoomba Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed
  
  Wednesday 3 July
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers on and east of the ranges, most likely later tonight. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. Winds southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h.
  
  Thursday 4 July
  
  5°C → 9°C
  Showers.
  95% chance of rain
  2 → 9mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Very high chance of showers about the Blue Mountains, medium chance elsewhere. Winds southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 3 and 7 with daytime temperatures reaching between 9 and 16.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection not recommended, UV Index predicted to reach 2 [Low]
  
  Friday 5 July
  
  7°C → 9°C
  Showers.
  90% chance of rain
  1 → 7mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers about the Blue Mountains, medium chance elsewhere. Winds southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 4 and 8 with daytime temperatures reaching between 10 and 16.
  
  Saturday 6 July
  
  5°C → 9°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 4mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers about the Blue Mountains, slight chance elsewhere. Winds southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h turning easterly during the morning. Overnight temperatures falling to between 2 and 7 with daytime temperatures reaching between 10 and 16.
  
  Sunday 7 July
  
  4°C → 10°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers about the Blue Mountains, slight chance elsewhere. Patches of morning frost in the south. Winds easterly 15 to 25 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 2 and 6 with daytime temperatures reaching between 11 and 16.
  
  Monday 8 July
  
  4°C → 11°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 6mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Tuesday 9 July
  
  7°C → 11°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 8mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Wednesday 10 July
  
  5°C → 13°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Possible shower.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Blue Mountains National Park alerts
  Closed areas: Parts of Blue Mountains National Park closed
  Recent heavy rains have caused localised flooding south of Katoomba, Leura and Wentworth Falls. Rivers and Creeks may be impassable. Rockfall, landslides and tree fall could have impacted routes and also be impassable. Visitors may have to return via the route they entered and should plan accordingly.
  Many walking tracks, roads and fire trails within Blue Mountains National Park remain closed following sustained wet weather causing subsidence hazards, major landslides or infrastructure upgrades.
  The following areas are closed:
  Katoomba and Leura
  
  Honeymoon Bridge is closed due to rockfall risk.
  
  Mount Hay Road is closed from Monday 1 July until 5pm, Friday 5 July 2024 for roadworks. No access to Lockley Pylon, Fortress Ridge and Mt Hay walking tracks.
  
  Leura Falls lookout is closed from Monday 20 May 2024 for upgrade works.
  
  Fern Bower track between Prince Henry Cliff walk (Grand Cliff Top walk) and Amphitheatre track is closed due to multiple landslides.
  
  Federal pass between the Cooks Crossing (Kedumba River) and the Giant Staircase is closed due to a landslide. No access along Federal Pass from the bottom Giant Stairs to Scenic World.
  
  Ruined Castle, Golden Stairs, Solitary Loop and Federal Pass west of Scenic World are closed due to multiple landslides.
  
  Lone Lyrebird track is closed between Gordon Road and the War Memorial, due to subsidence. Detour is in place.
  
  Prince Henry Cliff walk (part of Grand Cliff Top walk) is closed between Gordon Falls picnic area and Elysian Rock lookout, due to a landslide. Visit the Blue Mountains City Council website for information.
  
  Prince Henry Cliff walk (part of Grand Cliff Top walk) is closed between Fern Bower track, Echo Tree and Flat Rock lookout, due to a landslide. Please use Cliff Drive as short detour.
  
  Prince Henry Cliff walk (part of Grand Cliff Top walk) is closed between Leura Cascades and top of Fern Bower, due to landslide and tree fall. Pleas use Cliff Drive as a short detour.
  
  Part of Lindeman Pass is closed due to a major landslide below Gladstone lookout. Roberts Pass is closed due to rockfall and landslide hazards.
  
  Six-Foot track is affected by multiple road closures.
  
  Wentworth Falls and Woodford
  
  Valley of Waters track is closed below Sylvia Falls. There is no access to Roberts Pass, Vera Falls, Hippocrene Falls or Wentworth Falls from Valley of the Waters.
  
  Charles Darwin walk (part of the Grand Cliff Top walk) is closed between Fletcher Street and Weeping Rock. Detours are in place to provide directions to Wentworth Falls picnic area. Visit the Blue Mountains City Council website for information.
  
  Part of National Pass (west of Wentworth Falls middle crossing) is closed due to a major landslide and ongoing risks.
  
  Wentworth Pass and Slack Stairs are closed due to multiple landslides.
  
  Bedford Creek trail will be closed Monday to Friday from Monday 27 May to Friday 5 July 2024 due to road repairs. There will be no access from Anderson fire trail or Murphies Road to Ingar campground. There is also no exit to Woodford from Andersons fire trail. Trials and campgrounds will be open Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. Ingar campground is open on Saturday night only.
  
  Blackheath, Mount Victoria and Bells Line of Road
  
  Grand Canyon and Grand Canyon walking track (including Horse track) will be closed for two weeks from Monday 24 June until Friday 5 July 2024 to allow for track works. The track will be open weekends.
  
  Williams track (Govetts descent) and Rodriguez Pass are closed due to rockfalls and landslides.
  
  Pulpit Rock Reserve, lookouts and walking track are closed. Visit the Blue Mountains City Council website for information. Pulpit Rock walking track from Popes Glen is open as far as the NPWS boundary (as shown on Google maps).
  
  Evans Lookout Road will be closed beyond Grand Canyon carpark from 7am Monday 24 June to Friday 28 June 2024 to allow for road repairs. There will be no vehicle access to Evans lookout during this time. Pedestrians can use the walking track to the lookout which begins at the Grand Canyon carpark toilets.
  
  Adventure recreation, canyons, abseiling and rock climbing
  Some adventure recreation areas and routes are specifically closed where the access or exit road/track is mentioned above.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the local office.
  
  Closed areas: Mount Hay Road closed
  Mount Hay Road will be closed f Monday 1 July until 5pm, Friday July 2024 for roadworks.
  No access to Lockley Pylon walking track is available. There is no access to Butterbox Point and Mt Hay walking tracks.
  For more information please call the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877.
  
  Closed areas: Prince Henry Cliff Walk - Leura
  Prince Henry Cliff Walk (Grand Cliff Top walk) within Blue Mountains National Park is closed between Leura Cascades and Fern Bower walking track due to major tree fall. The alternative route is along Cliff Drive from Leura Cascades.   For for further information please call the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on (02) 47878877.
  
  Closed areas: Woodford-Oaks trail closure
  Woodford-Oaks trail is closed on weekdays to all cyclists and pedestrians due to heavy machinery in operation.
  The Oaks and Single tracks will be open to cyclists on weekends, and will fully reopen as soon as works are complete.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local park office on 02 4720 6200.
  
  Closed areas: Grand Canyon walking track
  Grand Canyon walking track and canyon within the Blue Mountains National Park will be closed from Monday 24 June until COB Friday 5 July 2024 to allow for track works.
  The track and canyon will remain open on weekends. This closure may affect access to Juggler Canyon.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For further information please contact the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877.
  
  Safety alerts: Remote walking track conditions
  Remote routes within the Kanangra Wilderness Area including Kanangra to Katoomba (K2K) trail have been impacted by heavy fire regrowth and flood damage.
  In some places, tracks are no longer visible and are not easy to navigate, taking longer to traverse than expected. Limited to zero water sources are currently available along routes.
  If you plan to walk in the area, please ensure you have an appropriate level of experience, navigation skills and equipment including Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).
  Mobile reception is limited so alternative communication methods are strongly recommended.
  For more information, contact the NPWS Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877.
  
  Closed areas: Glenbrook precinct closure
  The Glenbrook precinct will be closed on weekdays for major roadworks, from Monday 29 April to Tuesday 15 October 2024.
  Heavy machinery and vehicles will be in operation from Mondays to Fridays during this period. Access beyond the entry gate will be closed to all vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.
  The closed areas (Mondays to Fridays) include:
  
  Woodford - The Oaks trail
  
  The Single track
  
  Euroka campground
  
  Red Hands Cave
  
  Red Hands Cave walking track
  
  Jack Evans track
  
  Nepean lookout
  
  Nepean River walking track
  
  Pisgah Rock
  
  Mount Portal lookout
  
  Tunnel View lookout
  
  Jellybean Pool
  
  Blue Pool
  
  Glenbrook Gorge walking track
  
  The precinct will open on weekends, with most areas accessible.
  The following areas will be open on weekends:
  
  Euroka picnic area
  
  Woodford - The Oaks trail
  
  The Single track
  
  Mt Portal and Tunnel View lookouts
  
  Jellybean Pool
  
  Blue Pool
  
  Glenbrook Gorge walking track
  
  Other sections, including Red Hands Cave and Euroka campground, will remain closed over the weekend. The precinct will fully reopen as soon as works are complete.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local park office 02 4720 6200.
  
  Other planned events: Notice of ongoing 1080 baiting program
  NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting ongoing ground baiting program from Thursday 2 May 2024 to Friday 1 November 2024 in the following areas:
  
  Abercrombie River National Park
  
  Abercrombie River State Conservation Area
  
  Kanangra-Boyd National Park
  
  Blue Mountains National Park (southern section)
  
  Wollemi National Park (Wolga
  
  Gardens of Stone National Park
  
  Jenolan Karst Conservation Area
  
  Turon National Park
  
  Marrangaroo National Park
  
  The operation will use 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of wild dogs and foxes.
  The program is designed to minimise predator impacts on wildlife, especially threatened species, and to minimise impact of wild dogs on neighbouring stock.
  Signs will be placed at the entry to the baiting location. Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW National Parks managed lands. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.
  For more information, contact the NPWS Kanangra area office at Oberon on 02 6336 6200.
  
  Closed areas: Waratah Native Gardens picnic area closed
  Waratah Native Gardens picnic area is closed until further notice. This includes Gorge walking track. No access to the area is permitted.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the NPWS Hawkesbury-Nattai area office on 02 4720 6200.
  
  Closed areas: Six Foot track - Bowtells Bridge closure
  Bowtells swing bridge on Six Foot track is closed to protect public safety. An upgrade is being planned and the bridge is expected to reopen in May 2024. Signs and barriers are in place to prevent access onto the bridge.
  Crown Lands, which manages the bridge, is advising track users not to attempt to cross Coxs River. Any attempts to cross the river are at your own risk and are discouraged due to the potential for slips or falls, rainfall and risk of flash flooding.
  For further information visit the Six Foot track website.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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