Blackheath to Blue Gum Loop

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the top of the station steps, this walk heads towards the Great Western Highway and Gardners Inn. The walk turns right down a flight of stairs, then turns left across the Great Western Highway at the pedestrian crossing.
From the pedestrian crossing, this walk heads towards Gardners Inn, keeping the road to the right. The walk continues along the footpath, turning left opposite the Ivanhoe Hotel, onto Govetts Leap Rd. The walk continues down Govetts Leap Rd to the intersection with Prince Edward St.
From the intersection, this walk heads west along Govetts Leap Rd for a block, to the intersection with Boreas St. This walk turns right, down Boreas St to the intersection with Braeside St.
From the intersection, this walk follows the green signpost to 'Braeside Walk' along the houses on the right-hand of Braeside Street. This walk turns right at the 'Braeside Walk' sign. The walk continues for approximately 70m to the intersection with another service trail.
From the intersection, this walk heads down the management track, to the signposted intersection after a parking area on the left.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After another 30 m turn right, to head along Great Western Highway.
	After another 25 m continue straight, to head along Great Western Highway. After another 225 m pass the "Blackheath General Store" (20 m on your left). Fr-Tu 07:30-16:00
	At the intersection of Great Western Highway & Bundarra Street turn left, to head along Govetts Leap Road (a highway\|tertiary). After another 65 m pass the "Wattle Cafe" (15 m on your left). After another 15 m continue straight, to head along Govetts Leap Road. After another 185 m pass a seat (20 m on your left). After another 20 m pass the water tap (10 m on your left).
	After another 4 m (at the intersection of Clanwilliam Street & Govetts Leap Road) continue straight, to head along Govetts Leap Road. After another 115 m (at the intersection of Govetts Leap Road & Gardiner Crescent) continue straight, to head along Govetts Leap Road. After another 370 m (at the intersection of Govetts Leap Road & Lakeview Avenue) continue straight, to head along Govetts Leap Road.
	After another 90 m (at the intersection of Boreas Street & Govetts Leap Road) turn right, to head along Boreas Street (a residential road). After another 120 m (at the intersection of Leichhardt Street & Boreas Street) continue straight, to head along Boreas Street.
	After another 215 m (at the intersection of Boreas Street & Prince George Street) continue straight, to head along Boreas Street. After another 170 m (at the intersection of Braeside Street & Arcadia Road) continue straight, to head along Braeside Street.
	After another 170 m (at the intersection of Braeside Road & Braeside Street) turn right, to head along Braeside Road (a vehicle track).
	After another 600 m continue straight, to head along Braeside Road.
	After another 480 m (at the intersection of Braeside Road & Braeside Walk) veer right, to head along Braeside Road.
	After another 530 m veer right, to head along Braeside Road.
	After another 820 m (at the intersection of Evans Lookout Road & Braeside Road) turn left, to head along Evans Lookout Road (a highway\|tertiary).
	After another 280 m (at the intersection of Victoria Road & Evans Lookout Road) continue straight, to head along Evans Lookout Road. After another 135 m (at the intersection of Evans Lookout Road & Somerset Avenue) continue straight, to head along Evans Lookout Road. After another 235 m find the "Bush Rock Cafe" (6 m on your left). Bush Rock Cafe The Bush Rock Cafe(now closed) is approximately 150m towards the highway from the Neates Glen car park. The cafe is open 9am-4pm Wednesday to Sunday, with home-made cakes, ice cream and other delicacies to complement the coffee and tea. The cafe boasts a couch and log fire, to help warm up after a walk. The Bush Rock Cafe is located at 198 Evans Lookout Rd Blackheath, or you can call them on (02) 4787 7111.
	At the intersection of Grand Canyon Track & Evans Lookout Road continue straight, to head along Evans Lookout Road. After another 390 m continue straight, to head along Evans Lookout Road.
	After another 70 m veer left.
	After another 95 m turn left.
	After another 40 m continue straight.
	After another 90 m turn right.
	After another 25 m turn left, to head along Evans Lookout Road.
	After another 60 m veer right.
	After another 25 m continue straight.
	After another 155 m continue straight.
	After another 450 m continue straight. After another 50 m pass the toilet (25 m on your left). After another 85 m pass the BBQ (20 m on your right).
	Turn right, to head along Grand Canyon Track. After another 20 m pass the sign (10 m on your right).
	After another 55 m continue straight, to head along Grand Canyon Track. After another 30 m find the "Evans Lookout" (on your left). Evans Lookout Evans Lookout, Blue Mountains National Park, looks over the spectacular Grose Valley, with its deep gorges, green forest and prominent cliff lines. The fenced lookout is at the end of Evans Lookout Road. There is a rock shelter hut and toilets. Then pass the shelter (5 m on your right).
	Turn right.
	After another 15 m turn right, to head along Grand Canyon Track. After another 35 m come to the "Evans Lookout (Lower)" (15 m on your left). Then head through/around the gate.
	After another 360 m (at the intersection of Grand Canyon Track & Horse Track) turn right, to head along Grand Canyon Track. After another 590 m head through/around the gate. After another 40 m cross the stepping stones.
	At the intersection of Grand Canyon Track & Rodriguez Pass Walking Track continue straight, to head along Rodriguez Pass Walking Track. After another 165 m cross the ford. After another 345 m find the "Beauchamp Falls" (15 m on your left). Beauchamp Falls Beauchamp Falls, Blue Mountains NP, is a beautiful set of falls, split by the rock in the centre of the creek. The falls are created by Greaves Creek, which comes out of the Grand Canyon, above. The falls are approximately 10m tall, with rocks at the base. After another 620 m cross the ford. After another 840 m cross the ford.
	After another 345 m continue straight, to head along Rodriguez Pass Walking Track. After another 170 m come to the camp site (15 m on your right). After another 300 m cross the ford. At the intersection of Rodriguez Pass Walking Track & Horse Track continue straight, to head along Rodriguez Pass Walking Track. After another 1.2 km cross the ford.
	After another 600 m continue straight, to head along Blue Gum Forest Track. After another 2.9 km pass the toilet (10 m on your left). After another 180 m pass the toilet (9 m on your right). After another 65 m come to the "Acacia Flat Campground" (15 m on your left). W:www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au This is a free campsite.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Blue Gum Forest intersection. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 440 m (at the intersection of Shortridge Pass & Blue Gum Forest Track) turn around, to head along Blue Gum Forest Track. After another 165 m pass the sign (9 m on your left).
	After another 3.4 km continue straight, to head along Blue Gum Forest Track. After another 75 m cross the ford.
	At the intersection of Blue Gum Forest Track & Rodriguez Pass Walking Track continue straight, to head along Rodriguez Pass Walking Track. After another 45 m find the "Junction Rock" (15 m on your left). Junction Rock Junction Rock, Blue Mountains NP, is a rock situated in the middle of the Govetts Leap Brook and Govetts Creek junction. The rock is signposted, giving directions to Evans Lookout, Neates Glen, Acacia Flats and the Blue Gum Forest. Junction Rock is a great place for lunch and a swim in summer. After another 560 m come to the camp site (5 m on your left). After another 1.2 km cross the ford. After another 10 m pass the "Trinity Falls" (35 m on your right). After another 155 m cross the ford. After another 380 m cross the ford.
	After another 95 m (at the intersection of Jungle Circuit & Govetts Leap Track (Williams Track)) continue straight, to head along Govetts Leap Track (Williams Track). After another 380 m come to the viewpoint (30 m on your right). After another 150 m come to the "Williams Lookout". After another 30 m come to the "Breakfast Rock Lookout".
	After another 25 m (at the intersection of Loop Track & Govetts Leap Track (Williams Track)) turn sharp left, to head along Govetts Leap Track (Williams Track). After another 70 m come to the "Govetts Leap Lookout" (20 m on your left).
	After another 30 m (at the intersection of Pulpit Rock Track & Govetts Leap Track (Williams Track)) veer right, to head along Pulpit Rock Track. After another 20 m pass the sign (10 m on your left). After another 20 m cross the bridge (about 4 m long)
	After another 120 m (Laws Lookout) turn left, to head along Pulpit Rock Track. After another 8 m come to the "Laws Lookout".
	After another 15 m continue straight, to head along Pulpit Rock Track.
	After another 155 m continue straight, to head along Pulpit Rock Track. After another 8 m find the "Horseshoe Falls Lookout" (25 m on your right). Horseshoe Falls Lookout Horseshoe Falls Lookout, Blue Mountains National Park, is a small fenced lookout. There are views down to Horseshoe Falls and across the Grose Valley. After another 60 m come to the "Rodriguez Lookout". Then find the "Horseshoe Falls" (55 m on your right). Horseshoe Falls Horseshoe Falls, Blue Mountains National Park, are sourced by Popes Glen Creek which runs over the cliff into the Grose Valley. The Horseshoe Falls seem to be named after the shape of the valley into which they drop.
	After another 95 m (at the intersection of Popes Glen Track & Pulpit Rock Track) continue straight, to head along Popes Glen Track.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Boyd Beach. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip continue straight when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 320 m turn sharp left, to head along Popes Glen Track. After another 170 m cross the bridge (about 9 m long) After another 380 m cross the bridge (about 8 m long)
	After another 660 m continue straight, to head along Popes Glen Track. After another 75 m continue straight, to head along Popes Glen Track. After another 170 m cross the bridge (about 9 m long)
	After another 265 m continue straight, to head along Popes Glen Track.
	After another 410 m (at the intersection of Dell Street & Popes Glen Track) veer left, to head along Dell Street (a residential road).
	After another 280 m (at the intersection of Gipps Lane & Wills Street) turn right, to head along Gipps Lane.
	After another 450 m (at the intersection of Wills Street & Inconstant Street) continue straight, to head along Wills Street.
	After another 70 m (at the intersection of Gardiner Crescent & Wills Street) turn right, to head along Gardiner Crescent.
	After another 55 m (at the intersection of Gardiner Crescent & Wentworth Street) continue straight, to head along Gardiner Crescent. After another 30 m continue straight, to head along Gardiner Crescent.
	After another 100 m (at the intersection of Great Western Highway & Gardiner Crescent) turn left, to head along Great Western Highway (a highway\|trunk).
	After another 20 m continue straight, to head along Great Western Highway.
	After another 45 m turn right. After another 35 m come to the end. About 35 m past the end is a car park.

An optional side trip to Blue Gum Forest intersection.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After 95 m find the "Blue Gum Forest" (on your left). Blue Gum Forest Blue Gum Forest, Blue Mountains NP, is a large stand of Eucalyptus deanei trees on the junction of the Grose River and Govetts Creek. The magnificent trees stand tall on the flats with low vegetation beneath. The trees of Blue Gum Forest represent the protection efforts of Myles Dunphy, who lead a group to raise the 130 pounds required to buy the Blue Gum Forest - quite a sum in 1931 during the depression - and save it from being cleared. The group were successful and the Blue Gum Forest is now protected within the Blue Mountains National Park.
	After another 75 m turn around. After another 330 m come to the end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 500 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start.

After 95 m find the "Blue Gum Forest" (on your left).

Blue Gum Forest

Blue Gum Forest, Blue Mountains NP, is a large stand of Eucalyptus deanei trees on the junction of the Grose River and Govetts Creek. The magnificent trees stand tall on the flats with low vegetation beneath. The trees of Blue Gum Forest represent the protection efforts of Myles Dunphy, who lead a group to raise the 130 pounds required to buy the Blue Gum Forest - quite a sum in 1931 during the depression - and save it from being cleared. The group were successful and the Blue Gum Forest is now protected within the Blue Mountains National Park.

After another 75 m turn around.

After another 330 m come to the end.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 500 m to the main route.

An optional side trip to Boyd Beach.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start.
	After another 50 m come to the end. "Boyd Beach". Boyd Beach Boyd Beach, Blue Mountains National Park, is a small sandy bank on Popes Glen Creek. The beach is a quiet spot with nice ferns and shade. The beach is a short distance from the Popes Glen track. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 50 m to the main route.

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	26.3 km
Time	9 h 57 min to 2 days

Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Seat	450 m	[seat]
Toilet	6.2 km	[toilet]
Shelter	6.3 km	[shelter]
Camp site	9.8 km	[camp site]
Toilet	14.7 km	[toilet]
Toilet	14.9 km	[toilet]
Camp site	15 km	Acacia Flat Campground
Camp site	19.7 km	[camp site]

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Katoomba Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue
  
  Wednesday 30 April
  
  12°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  
  Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the late morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm during this afternoon and evening. Winds southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h. Daytime maximum temperatures between 13 and 19.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 9:40am to 2:10pm, UV Index predicted to reach 5 [Moderate]
  
  Thursday 1 May
  
  5°C → 11°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 5mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers about the Blue Mountains, slight chance elsewhere. Winds southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 4 and 8 with daytime temperatures reaching between 12 and 19.
  
  Friday 2 May
  
  6°C → 13°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers about the Blue Mountains, slight chance elsewhere. Winds southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 4 and 9 with daytime temperatures reaching between 14 and 20.
  
  Saturday 3 May
  
  6°C → 15°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of morning fog on and east of the ranges. Slight chance of a shower on and east of the ranges, near zero chance elsewhere. Winds east to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 3 and 8 with daytime temperatures reaching between 16 and 21.
  
  Sunday 4 May
  
  7°C → 16°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Monday 5 May
  
  8°C → 18°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Tuesday 6 May
  
  9°C → 19°C
  Sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Sunny.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Blue Mountains National Park alerts
  Closed areas: Parts of Blue Mountains National Park closed
  Many roads, fire trails and walking tracks in Blue Mountains National Park are closed due to infrastructure upgrades or damage caused by wet weather including subsidence, rockfalls, landslides and fallen trees.
  The following tracks are closed:
  Katoomba and Leura
  
  Giant Stairway is closed from Monday 28 April for maintenance. There is no access in or out of the valley via Giant Stairway. Alternate access is via Furber Steps or Amphitheatre track.
  
  Honeymoon Bridge is closed due to rockfall risk.
  
  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. Detours will also be in place via Olympian Parade.
  
  Gordon Falls picnic area is closed due to upgrades. Detours for walking tracks are in place. Visit the Blue Mountains City Council website for information.
  
  Fern Bower track between Prince Henry Cliff walk and Amphitheatre track is closed due to landslides. Access to Leura Forest and Jamison Valley is via Amphitheatre track.
  
  Golden Stairs walking track is closed due to landslides and rock fall. There is no access from Glenraphael Drive to Ruined Castle, Federal Pass or Scenic World. Ruined Castle and Mt Solitary can be accessed from Federal Pass (via Furber Steps) or Kedumba Pass.
  
  Lone Lyrebird track is closed between Gordon Road and the War Memorial, due to subsidence. Detour is in place.
  
  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 closures at Jenolan Caves.
  
  Wentworth Falls and Woodford
  
  Charles Darwin walk (part of 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. No access to Roberts Pass and Vera Falls. Valley of the Waters track is closed below Sylvia Falls.
  
  Blackheath, Mount Victoria, Megalong Valley and Bells Line of Road
  
  Pulpit Rock Reserve, lookouts and walking track are closed. For more information visit the Blue Mountains City Council website. Pulpit Rock walking track from Popes Glen is open as far as the NPWS boundary (as shown on Google maps).
  
  Govetts descent and Rodriguez Pass are closed due to rockfalls and landslides. The Grose Valley can be accessed from Blackheath via Perrys Lookdown or the Horse track.
  
  Pierces Pass road and picnic area will be closed for road maintenance from May 5th to 9th, 2025. Parking will be available at Walls Lookout carpark and all walking tracks remain open using a short access track from the Walls Lookout carpark.
  
  Adventure recreation, canyons, abseiling and rock climbing
  
  Some adventure recreation areas and routes may be closed where the access or exit road/track is mentioned above.
  
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre.
  
  Closed areas: Giant Stairway - Katoomba
  Giant Stairway is closed from Monday 28 April for maintenance. There is no access in or out of the valley via Giant Stairway. Alternate access is via Furber Steps or Amphitheatre track.
  
  Closed areas: Glenbrook Causeway closed due to flooding
  Due to heavy rainfall, Glenbrook causeway is now closed. There is no access to Euroka Campground, Red Hands Cave, Nepean Lookout, or the Oaks firetrail.
  
  Closed areas: Burralow Creek Campground closed
  Burralow Creek campground and picnic area will be closed from 28 April to 15 May 2025 for upgrade works to Bulcamatta Falls walking track.
  The following connecting fire trails will also be closed:
  
  Paterson Range fire trail
  
  Tabaraga Ridge fire trail
  
  Burralow fire trail
  
  There will be no public access during this time including walkers, bike riders, horse riders and vehicles. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office 02 4720 6200.
  
  Closed areas: Red Hands Cave & Walking Tracks temporarily closed
  The following areas and walking tracks are closed from 1 April 2025 until further notice:
  
  Red Hands Cave
  
  Red Hands Cave walking track
  
  Campfire Creek walking track
  
  the Link walking track
  
  This is to allow for works on the elevated platform at Red Hands Cave. For your safety, please follow all signs and instructions of NPWS staff.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office (02) 4720 6200.
  
  Other planned events: Notice of ongoing 1080 baiting program
  NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting an ongoing ground baiting program from Thursday 2 May 2024 to Monday 5 May 2025 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: Fern Bower walking track closed
  Fern Bower walking track in Blue Mountains National Park is closed until further notice due to multiple landslides. There's no access to Leura Forest and Leura Cascades via Fern Bower. Alternative access is via Amphitheatre track.
  For more information, call the NPWS Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877.
  
  Closed areas: Euroka walking track closed for repairs
  Euroka walking track in Blue Mountains National Park is closed for track repairs from Monday 1 February to Monday 30 June 2025.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.
  
  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: 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.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

Weather Forecast

Alerts