Federal Pass Walking Track

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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	(-33.7203399,150.3174495)
Mode	Bus Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From Great Western Highway, A32 Turn on to Great Western Highway, A32 then drive for 19.4 km Keep right and drive for another 175 m Turn sharp left onto Station Street and drive for another 10 m Turn right onto Great Western Highway, A32 and drive for another 3.9 km Keep left onto Alexandra Terrace and drive for another 500 m At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Leura Mall, BMD and drive for another 165 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Leura Mall, BMD and drive for another 215 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Leura Mall, BMD and drive for another 1 km Turn right onto Gordon Road, BMD and drive for another 1.9 km
Finish	(-33.7344207,150.2823585)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Car (There is free parking available.)

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From Carrington Park, the walk crosses Cliff Drive and goes down the stairs and past the sign for 'Blue Mountains National Park'. The walk continues down the stairs until reaching an intersection signposted with the way to 'Echo Point' or 'Leura Cascades'.
From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Leura Cascades 1km' sign down the wooden steps and along the bush track, winding through the forest until coming to the signposted intersection of the 'Leura Forest' Track.
From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Leura Forest' sign along the bush track, winding down the hill for a short while before dropping down a set of wooden steps, to the signposted intersection with the 'Jamieson Lookout' track.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. There is a picnic table (about 25 m back from the start). There is a seat (about 20 m back from the start). Carrington Park (about 7 m back from the start). Carrington Park Carrington Park is a medium-sized park on a traffic island, at the junction of Cliff Road and Merriwa St, Katoomba. The park is partially fenced and has a picnic shelter, picnic tables, garbage bins and children's play equipment.
	After another 40 m turn sharp left, to head along Prince Henry Cliff Walk. After another 50 m pass a seat (on your right).
	After another 125 m turn right.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Jamieson Lookout. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip veer left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 30 m turn right, to head along Federal Pass. After another 30 m pass the "Federal Pass" (on your right). After another 60 m pass a seat (on your left). After another 85 m come to the "Fern Bower". Fern Bower Fern Bower is an especially pleasant part of the Blue Mountains National Park, protected from heat and providing a great environment for fern trees, bracken ferns and moss to thrive. Fern Bower is a signposted area along the Federal Pass walking track, just below Jamieson Lookout and next to Linda Creek. This is a nice place to stop, rest and enjoy the bird noises. After another 115 m pass a seat (on your left). After another 80 m pass the "Lila Falls" (9 m on your right).
	At the intersection of Amphitheatre Track & Federal Pass turn right, to head along Federal Pass. After another 240 m find the "Lila Falls" (15 m on your right). Lila Falls Lila Falls is a thin waterfall on Linda Creek. The Federal Pass crosses the creek (on a bridge) in front of these falls, just below the intersection with the amphitheatre. The waterfall is not the most spectacular one in this valley, but it is a nice cool spot to catch your breath.
	At the intersection of Federal Pass & Track to Leura Falls continue straight, to head along Federal Pass. After another 50 m pass a seat (6 m on your left). After another 85 m find the "Marguerite Cascades" (15 m on your left). Marguerite Cascades Marguerite Cascades are a series of small cascades finishing with a taller waterfall of a few metres height, dropping into a shallow sandy pool. The cascades are on Linda Creek and a small bridge crosses the creek at the base of the falls as part of the Federal Pass walking track. The cascades are a nice place to sit and listen to the water running and the local birds in this cool shady area.
	After another 60 m veer left, to head along Federal Pass.
	After another 160 m (at the intersection of Federal Pass & Dardanelles Pass) turn left, to head along Federal Pass. After another 45 m pass the shelter (10 m on your right).
	After another 890 m continue straight, to head along Federal Pass. After another 910 m (at the intersection of Federal Pass & Dardanelles Pass) continue straight, to head along Federal Pass. After another 35 m pass a seat (20 m on your right). After another 30 m pass the "Dardanelles Pass" (on your right). After another 200 m come to the viewpoint. After another 370 m pass a seat (5 m on your left). After another 430 m pass a seat (6 m on your left). After another 100 m pass a seat (on your left). After another 110 m pass a seat (on your right). After another 350 m cross the Cooks Crossing (about 15 m long) After another 40 m pass a seat (on your right). After another 10 m come to the "Katoomba Falls View" (on your right).
	After another 60 m continue straight, to head along Federal Pass. After another 135 m pass a seat (6 m on your right).
	At the intersection of Furber Steps & Federal Pass continue straight, to head along Federal Pass. After another 175 m head through/around the gate. Then cross the bridge (about 4 m long) After another 6 m come to the "Scenic Railway" (10 m on your left).
	After another 5 m continue straight, to head along Federal Pass Walking Track. After another 65 m (at the intersection of Federal Pass Walking Track & Scenic Walkway) continue straight, to head along Federal Pass Walking Track. After another 10 m pass the artwork (on your right). After another 160 m pass a seat (8 m on your left)., has no backrest. After another 50 m pass a seat (15 m on your left)., has no backrest.
	After another 2.7 km (at the intersection of Federal Pass & Golden Stairs) turn right, to head along Golden Stairs. After another 70 m pass the sign (on your left). After another 460 m find the "Botting's Lookout" (5 m on your right). Botting's Lookout Botting's Lookout offers great views over the Jamison Valley and the cliff line, including the Landslide, Malaita Point and the Golden Stairs. A plaque at the lookout states that the lookout was named after Walter Botting (1887-1985), a pioneer trail-maker of the Katoomba District. After another 160 m to find the "Golden Stairs Car Park".
	After another 2 m come to the end. A sign.

An optional side trip to Jamieson Lookout.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start.
	Continue another 20 m to find Jamieson Lookout at the end. "Jamieson Lookout". Jamieson Lookout Jamieson Lookout is a fenced lookout at the east end of the Federal Pass track, and just off Prince Henry Cliff Walk. The lookout has a bench seat and provides great views up the Jamison Valley, along Kings Tableland escarpment and past Mount Solitary. The lookout is perched up on a large rock buttress, giving views unobscured by trees. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 20 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start.

Continue another 20 m to find Jamieson Lookout at the end.

"Jamieson Lookout".

Jamieson Lookout

Jamieson Lookout is a fenced lookout at the east end of the Federal Pass track, and just off Prince Henry Cliff Walk. The lookout has a bench seat and provides great views up the Jamison Valley, along Kings Tableland escarpment and past Mount Solitary. The lookout is perched up on a large rock buttress, giving views unobscured by trees.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 20 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Federal Pass Walking Track

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	8.8 km
Time	4 h 30 min to 5 h

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

Shelter: There is one 1.3 km from the start.

Seat: There are 14 on route, on average they are 590 m apart with the largest gap of 3.4 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Seat	-5 m	[seat]
Seat	105 m	[seat]
Seat	345 m	[seat]
Seat	550 m	[seat]
Seat	910 m	[seat]
Shelter	1.3 km	[shelter]
Seat	3.1 km	[seat]
Seat	3.7 km	[seat]
Seat	4.1 km	[seat]
Seat	4.2 km	[seat]
Seat	4.3 km	[seat]
Seat	4.7 km	[seat]
Seat	5 km	[seat]
Seat	5.4 km	[seat]
Seat	5.4 km	[seat]

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Carrington Park
Carrington Park is a medium-sized park on a traffic island, at the junction of Cliff Road and Merriwa St, Katoomba. The park is partially fenced and has a picnic shelter, picnic tables, garbage bins and children's play equipment.

Jamieson Lookout
Jamieson Lookout is a fenced lookout at the east end of the Federal Pass track, and just off Prince Henry Cliff Walk. The lookout has a bench seat and provides great views up the Jamison Valley, along Kings Tableland escarpment and past Mount Solitary. The lookout is perched up on a large rock buttress, giving views unobscured by trees.

Fern Bower
Fern Bower is an especially pleasant part of the Blue Mountains National Park, protected from heat and providing a great environment for fern trees, bracken ferns and moss to thrive. Fern Bower is a signposted area along the Federal Pass walking track, just below Jamieson Lookout and next to Linda Creek. This is a nice place to stop, rest and enjoy the bird noises.

Lila Falls
Lila Falls is a thin waterfall on Linda Creek. The Federal Pass crosses the creek (on a bridge) in front of these falls, just below the intersection with the amphitheatre. The waterfall is not the most spectacular one in this valley, but it is a nice cool spot to catch your breath.

Marguerite Cascades
Marguerite Cascades are a series of small cascades finishing with a taller waterfall of a few metres height, dropping into a shallow sandy pool. The cascades are on Linda Creek and a small bridge crosses the creek at the base of the falls as part of the Federal Pass walking track. The cascades are a nice place to sit and listen to the water running and the local birds in this cool shady area.

Leura Forest
Leura Forest is a great picnic area in the Jamison Valley at the junction of the Federal Pass and Dardenelles Tracks. This place was home to a popular tea house (also known as 'Lady Carrington Dining Hall') from the late 1800's. Today walkers can still enjoy the historic rotunda and the foundations of the original tea house. The picnic area provides a great rest spot under the shade of the lilli pilli and coachwood forest.

The Landslide
'The Landslide' is a large rockfall going into the valley approximately 100m. There is a good vantage point for the landslide from under the cliffs to the east, and a great but more distant view from Narrow Neck lookout. The landslide occurred in 1931 after a few days of rumbling. There has been much debate as to whether this event was helped along by erosion and coal mining in the area at the time.

Botting's Lookout
Botting's Lookout offers great views over the Jamison Valley and the cliff line, including the Landslide, Malaita Point and the Golden Stairs. A plaque at the lookout states that the lookout was named after Walter Botting (1887-1985), a pioneer trail-maker of the Katoomba District.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Katoomba Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed
  
  Thursday 17 July
  
  12°C
  Mostly sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Areas of frost and patchy fog in the morning. Mostly sunny afternoon. Light winds becoming west to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h in the early afternoon then becoming light in the late afternoon. Daytime maximum temperatures between 10 and 16.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 11:20am to 12:40pm, UV Index predicted to reach 3 [Moderate]
  
  Friday 18 July
  
  1°C → 9°C
  Cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Areas of morning frost. The chance of morning fog in the south. Slight chance of a shower about the Blue Mountains, most likely in the late morning and afternoon. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. Light winds becoming east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the late afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between minus 2 and 2 above zero with daytime temperatures reaching between 11 and 16.
  
  Saturday 19 July
  
  2°C → 13°C
  Mostly sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Areas of frost in the morning, mainly in the south. The chance of morning fog. Sunny afternoon. Light winds becoming west to northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then becoming light during the afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between minus 2 and 3 above zero with daytime temperatures reaching between 12 and 17.
  
  Sunday 20 July
  
  2°C → 12°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Areas of frost and the chance of fog in the morning. Mostly sunny afternoon. Winds south to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between minus 3 and 1 above zero with daytime temperatures reaching between 11 and 17.
  
  Monday 21 July
  
  4°C → 11°C
  Cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Cloudy.
  
  Tuesday 22 July
  
  5°C → 14°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Wednesday 23 July
  
  7°C → 14°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 5mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  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 repairs, upgrades or damage caused by wet weather including subsidence, rockfalls, landslides and fallen trees.
  The following tracks are closed:
  Katoomba and Leura
  
  Leura Cascades track (bottom section) is closed until the end of 2025 for track upgrade works. There is no access to Prince Henry Cliff walk (part of Grand Clifftop walk) between the top of Leura Cascades and the Amphitheatre junction. Short detour via Cliff Drive.
  
  Leura Cascades parking area and toilets are closed. 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 and associated repairs.
  
  Glenrapheal Drive (Narrow Neck fire trail) is closed to vehicles near Cliff Drive due to a road subsidence. Walkers and cyclists permitted.
  
  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 elevated boardwalk repairs. There's no access to Roberts Pass, Hippocrene or Vera Falls.
  
  Valley of the Waters is closed below Sylvia Falls. There is no access to Roberts Pass, Hippocrene or Vera Falls.
  
  Blackheath, Mount Victoria, Megalong Valley and Bells Line of Road
  
  Pulpit Rock Reserve, lookouts and part of the 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.
  
  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: Link walking track temporary closure
  Link walking track is closed from Friday 9 May 2025 until further notice.
  This is to allow for ongoing track works. 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 on 02 4720 6200.
  
  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.
  
  Other planned events: Notice of ongoing 1080 baiting program
  NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting an ongoing ground baiting program from Friday 2 May 2025 to Friday 1 May 2026 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: Narrow Neck - Glenraphael Drive closed due to landslide
  Glenraphael Drive at Narrow Neck is closed to all vehicles until further notice. This road has been impacted by a landslide. Walkers and cyclists are permitted. Please follow directions of park signage and NPWS staff.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877.
  
  Closed areas: Woodford Oaks and Saint Helena trails - Weekday closure
  Woodford Oaks and Saint Helena trails in Blue Mountains National Park will be closed for maintenance and repairs on weekdays from Monday 26 May 2025 to Friday 18 July 2025 inclusive. The affected areas include:
  
  Woodford Oaks trail from Taylor Road at Woodford to the intersection of the Oaks/Nepean lookout trails
  
  Saint Helena trail.
  
  Please follow all signs and directions of NPWS staff. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local park office on 02 4720 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: 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

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