Megalong Valley to Coxs River

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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 (-33.7356041,150.2348199)
Mode Car
Directions From , Blackheath.
Finish (-33.743297,150.178813)
Mode (end) Car Shuttle Car

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the intersection of Megalong Valley and Aspinall Rds, Megalong Valley, follow the 'Six Foot Track' sign through the gate (over the cattle grate - or climb the stile over the fence) to then head past the roofed information sign. Continue gently downhill along the dirt road, past the old cemetery to continue along the signposted Six Foot Track.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start heading along Six Foot Track. Find the car park at the start.
	At the intersection of Aspinall Road & Megalong Road continue straight, to head along Aspinall Road (a vehicle track). After another 30 m cross over the cattle grid. After another 10 m pass the sign (8 m on your left). After another 70 m find the "Megalong Cemetery (historical)" (9 m on your left). Megalong Cemetery (historical) The Megalong Cemetery became the final resting place for at least 14 people who died between 1894 and 1931. Many of the grave sites are in poor repair or can no longer be easily found - please take care in the area to avoid any further damage. A tall stone monument marks the edge of the cemetery on the Six Foot Track, about 100m west of Megalong Road. This cemetery is currently under the management of the Blue Mountains City Council, and is recognised by the National Trust. After another 95 m cross over the cattle grid.
	After another 165 m continue straight, to head along Aspinall Road. After another 90 m cross over the cattle grid. After another 115 m continue straight, to head along Aspinall Road.
	After another 20 m (at the intersection of Aspinall Road & Olana) continue straight, to head along Aspinall Road. After another 45 m cross over the cattle grid. After another 230 m cross over the cattle grid.
	At the intersection of Six Foot Track & Aspinall Road veer right, to head along Six Foot Track (a walking track). After another 40 m cross the Guyver Bridge (about 8 m long) After another 9 m head up the steps (about 10 m long) After another 245 m climb over the stile. After another 120 m cross the ford. After another 245 m climb over the stile. After another 305 m head down the steps (about 35 m long) After another 6 m head up the steps (about 20 m long) After another 250 m climb over the stile. After another 570 m climb over the stile. After another 135 m climb over the stile.
	After another 205 m continue straight, to head along Six Foot Track. After another 215 m pass a "Ron's Roost" (on your right). After another 430 m head through/around the gate. After another 590 m head down the steps (about 55 m long) After another 10 m head down the steps (about 25 m long)
	The starting point of an alternate route. Alternate route across the plains to Coxs River Campsite. To take the alternate route continue straight here. Details below. After another 1.8 km veer right, to head along Six Foot Track. Then head down the steps (about 30 m long)
	Continue straight, to head along Six Foot Track. After another 95 m find the "Bowtells Swing Bridge" (10 m on your left). Bowtells Swing Bridge This suspension footbridge spans the Coxs River and provides an alternate route for the Six Foot Track when the river is in flood. Regardless of weather, this route is now becoming more popular with many walkers, wanting to avoid the river crossing. The bridge was built and opened in 1992 by the Royal Australian Engineers. The bridge is named after a fellow soldier of the builders, Corporal Bob Bowtell, who suffocated and died in foul air whilst attempting to clear a tunnel of the VC during the Vietnam war . Bowtell grew up in Katoomba and is now buried in West Malaysia. After another 740 m head through/around the gate.
	After another 40 m continue straight, to head along Six Foot Track. Then pass the "Six Foot Track Eco Lodge" (30 m on your right). W:sixfoottrackecolodge.com After another 85 m climb over the stile.
	Veer left, to head along Six Foot Track. After another 225 m head through/around the gate. Then pass the picnic table (35 m on your right). After another 30 m pass the toilet (45 m on your right). After another 6 m find the "Coxs River Campsite" (25 m on your right). Coxs River Campsite Coxs River Campsite, on the Six Foot Track, is found on the western bank of the Coxs River. It provides a sheltered picnic table, water (rain tank or creek - treat before drinking either), toilet and a flat grassed camping area with excellent access to the river. The campsite is used by people walking the Six Foot Track, but is also visited at times people people camping in 4WD. A nice place to camp. Despite the several fire scares, this is a fuel stove only area no fires allowed.
	The alternate route finishes here. Turn left to rejoin the main route at the 7.5 km waypoint. Details below. After another 35 m continue straight, to head along Six Foot Track.
	After another 25 m come to the end.

Alternate route across the plains to Coxs River Campsite.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start heading along Six Foot Track.
	After another 860 m continue straight, to head along Six Foot Track. After another 205 m cross the ford. Then find the "Coxs River" (20 m on your right). Coxs River The Coxs River starts west of Katoomba, running south-east as the main tributary for the Warragamba Dam. The Six Foot Track crosses the river using the slippery rounded stones or, when in flood, the large metal Bowtells Bridge. The campsite is located a short distance up the west bank from where the 6FT crosses. The water must be treated before drinking. The river provides some potentially nice swimming spots, with pools and interesting granite rock formations, be very careful if deciding to swim as it can also be very dangerous.
	After another 55 m come to the end. At the end of this alternate route, rejoin the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Megalong Valley to Coxs River

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	7.5 km
Time	2 h 30 min to 4 h

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route

Hostel: There is one 7.1 km from the start.

Campsite: There is one 7.4 km from the start.

Toilet: There is one 7.4 km from the start.

Seat: There is one 3.3 km from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Seat	3.3 km	Ron's Roost
Hostel	7.1 km	Six Foot Track Eco Lodge
Toilet	7.4 km	[toilet]
Campsite	7.4 km	Coxs River Campsite

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Megalong Valley to Coxs River
Wander through the undulating farmland and explore the granite valley crossing the Coxs River on Bowtells Swing Bridge.

Six Foot Track Eco Lodge
The echo lodge sites above the Coxs River and is a great place to spend the night on the track if you want a bit of luxury.

Coxs River Campsite
Coxs River Reserve campsite is a popular campsite near the Coxs River and on the Six Foot Track.

Get more information
| Six Foot Track Website

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Katoomba Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue
  
  Wednesday 3 July
  
  8°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers on and east of the ranges, most likely later tonight. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. Winds southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h. Daytime maximum temperatures between 9 and 15.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection not recommended, UV Index predicted to reach 2 [Low]
  
  Thursday 4 July
  
  5°C → 9°C
  Showers.
  90% chance of rain
  1 → 8mm
  
  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 2 and 7 with daytime temperatures reaching between 9 and 15.
  
  Friday 5 July
  
  6°C → 9°C
  Showers.
  80% 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 → 8°C
  Showers.
  80% chance of rain
  0 → 5mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers about the Blue Mountains, slight chance elsewhere. Winds easterly 15 to 25 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 3 and 7 with daytime temperatures reaching between 10 and 16.
  
  Sunday 7 July
  
  5°C → 10°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 4mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Monday 8 July
  
  6°C → 9°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 7mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Tuesday 9 July
  
  7°C → 12°C
  Showers.
  80% chance of rain
  0 → 10mm
  
  Showers.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Six Foot Track
  Jenolan Caves area is closed, there is no access due to substantial flood damage.
  
  Closed Between Jenolan Caves Rd to Jenolan Caves. Due to substantial flood damage to the Visitor Precinct and surrounding area in April 2024, the Six Foot Track is closed between Binda Bush cabins and Jenolan Caves Road and the caves. There is also no access to Jenolan Caves at this stage. It might be easier to organise pickup/drop from where the Six Foot Track crosses Jenolan Caves Road.
  
  Critical Safety Closure - Closed between min-mini saddle and Jenolan Caves from 29th April – 3rd May AND 13th - 17th May 2024. The Six Foot Track will be closed between mini-mini saddle and Jenolan Caves from 7am on 29 April, to 5pm on 3 May 2024 AND from 7am on 13th May, to 5pm on 17th May 2024. The closure is to ensure safety during the planned aerial (helicopter-based) feral animal control program.
  
  The Bowtell’s Swing Bridge (over Cox's River) is currently closed for safety upgrade works until mid-August 2024. Signage is in place to advise visitors that the bridge is closed, and barriers are installed to physically prevent access to the bridge. The alternate crossing over Cox’s River is open, however it is advised that attempts to cross are at your own risk and should only be attempted by experienced bushwalkers only. There are no dry crossing options available (i.e. visitors will get wet). Visitors who are considering crossing the river need to consider the significant risk of serious injury or death that could occur from such events as slips, falls or drowning, whether the river is in flood or not. Check weather conditions prior to your planned visit, be aware of the remoteness of the site and refer to NPWS River Safety information page for tips.An indication of the likelihood of being able to cross Cox’s River at the time of your visit can be found at via river gauge readings online and via apps. As a general guide, a reading of 0.75m at the COXS @ ISLAND HILL gauge may allow for visitors to cross at knee height at its lowest point. River gauge readings for the Six Foot Track Crossing of at Cox’s River can be found:
  
  on the Bureau of Meteorology Website on the ‘Latest River Heights for Coxs R at Island Hill’ page at http://www.bom.gov.au/fwo/IDN60233/IDN60233.563100.plt.shtml (Can be viewed in graph or table format)
  
  on RiverApp (https://www.riverapp.net/en) by searching Cox’s River and selecting the ‘At Island Hill’ gauge. Make sure to select height in metres on the bottom right (rather than metres per second as is automatically displayed) to check the height graph.
  River gauge readings for the Six Foot Track Crossing of at Cox’s River can be found:
  
  New Map kits are now available.
  
  Aggressive Dogs. A number of walkers are reported some unrestrained aggressive dogs roaming on Glen Chee Rd near Cox River. The dogs have been reported to council animal control but in the meantime be mindful and if you see any dog's behaviour that you consider dangerous over the Christmas / New Year period, please report it to the police (in an Emergency 000 or Police Assistance Line 131 444 or at https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/cs.aspx). Learn more about managing dog attacks.
  
  Monitor Fire Danger. Sections of the Six Foot Track covered by a Total Fire Ban are closed whilst the ban is in place. Official forecasts and declarations can be found on the RFS website. The Six Foot Track covers two different Fire Danger areas. If a total fire ban is declared in just one area, it only affects that part of the walk.
  
  From Katoomba to Coxs River is fully inside the 'Greater Sydney Region' fire danger area.
  
  From the Coxs River to Jenolan Caves is in the 'Central Ranges' fire danger area.
  
  The Explorer’s Tree (Katoomba) to Megalong Road is open (after it was closed due to multiple landslips in March 2022 in Nellies Glen). The track through Nellies Glen has been cleared of debris and is now passable. The landslip has not been removed; please ensure you stay on the formed track, do not enter the landslide area. Keep moving through the landslip area, do not stop. If you see fresh rock fall events or see other issues on track please notify Crown Lands on 1300 886 235.
  
  Megalong Road to Black Range is open. The Black Range Road is open to cars following repair by the council in April 2023; 4WD vehicles are recommended. Be aware of vehicle traffic when walking.
  
  Jenolan Caves is closed

Other Journeys Discover nearby and similar journeys
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Start	(-33.7356041,150.2348199)
Mode	Car
Directions	From , Blackheath.
Finish	(-33.743297,150.178813)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Car

Weather Forecast

Alerts