Map of Walk

Location

               
Map of Fairfax Track
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Map Scale 500 meters
Base maps are used under licence and is © Department of lands   Panorama Avenue Bathurst 2795   www.lands.nsw.gov.au

Maps that cover the walk area (please always carry maps of the area)

Print a map and track notes here

Katoomba

1:25 000 Map Series

NSW-89301S

Katoomba

1:100 000 Map Series

8930

Photo Gallery

Terrain

Cross sectional view of the Fairfax Track bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Fairfax Track bushwalking track

Overview of this walks Grading - Based on the AS 2156.1 - 2001
These details are new. This new feature still requires more testing and refining. Please use the 'Walker Feedback' for report specific issues. Please e-mail Matt if you have any general comments. Hope you find it helpful.

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	1.8km
		Time	45 mins
		.
Grade 1/6 Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Flat, no steps (1/6)
		Quality of track	Smooth and hardened path (1/6)
		Signs	Clearly signposted (1/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)

*This summary of grading information is new and still in testing

Some more detail of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining the grading looking at sections of the walk.
Gradient
This whole walk, 1.8km is flat with no steps.

Quality of track
This whole walk, 1.8km follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs
This whole walk, 1.8km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required
This whole walk, 1.8km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

Weather
This whole walk, 1.8km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure
This whole walk, 1.8km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Track Notes

Wildwalks
The State Goverment is allowing Recreational Hunting in our National Parks This poses a serious threat to the environement and visitor safety Help stop the madness by writing a quick letter. Thanks for your help

Catch the bus to NPWS Heritage Centre car park
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times. Use these links to plan your Bus (and train) trip to the end of this walk. (Links currently not working sorry) Plan your trip from --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

Drive to NPWS Heritage Centre car park
There is free parking available. You can drive or ride to the start of this walk Use these links to plan your trip to the start of this walk. Plan your trip from --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

NPWS Heritage Centre	Alt = 1024 m
National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Heritage Centre, Blue Mountains National Park, is an information hub for the Blue Mountains National Park. The Heritage Centre provides the history of the park, with information displays about the traditional owners, recreational exploits and the local flora and fauna. The Heritage Centre also has a shop with souvenirs, toilet facilities and food.

(0 km) NPWS Heritage Centre car park to Woodland Retreat Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - bushtrack	Length = 789 m	Time = 13 mins
	Climb = 4 m	Descent = -22 m
From the far end of the NPWS Heritage Centre car park, this walk heads along the tarmac track with the 'Fairfax Heritage Track' sign. The track winds through the bush in large zigzags then heads straight, passing a 'Geebung Grove' and 'Conestick Corner' sign and coming to a seat and 'Woodland Retreat' sign.

(0.79 km) Woodland Retreat to George Phillips Lookout Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath	Length = 718 m	Time = 13 mins
	Climb = 7 m	Descent = -27 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk continues down the track, leaving the seat and sign behind on the left. The track winds for a short time to a bench to then turns right, downhill. The track tends right for approximately 500m as it comes to the fenced 'George Phillips Lookout'.

George Phillips Lookout	Alt = 985 m
George Phillips Lookout, Blue Mountains National Park, provides scenic views into the Grose Valley. The lookout offers views to Pulpit Rock, the horseshoe-shaped gorge and over the deep, green gorges of the Grose Valley.

(1.51 km) George Phillips Lookout to Govetts Leap Lookout Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath	Length = 341 m	Time = 7 mins
	Climb = 9 m	Descent = -20 m
Veer right: From George Phillips Lookout, this walk continues along the railed track, keeping the views of the valley on the left. The track follows the railing for approximately 200m to a stone building (on the left). The track leads up the hill a short distance further to Govetts Leap Picnic Area, at the rear of the Govetts Leap car park. Veer left: From Govetts Leap Picnic Area, this walk heads towards the railed end of the car park. The walk passes a toilet block on the left, and leads up the platform above the valley. The platform with the pointy stone monument is Govett's Leap Lookout.

Govetts Leap Lookout	Alt = 975 m
Govetts Leap Lookout is named after the first white man to have come to the spot, William Govett, as an assistant surveyor in June 1831. Govetts Leap Lookout offers scenic views over the Grose Valley and the spectacular Bridal Falls. The lookout is easily accessed from the car park, which has toilets and picnic facilities.

Catch the bus from Govetts Leap Lookout
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times. Use these links to plan your Bus (and train) trip from the end of this walk. (Links currently not working sorry) Plan your trip to --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

Drive from Govetts Leap Lookout
There is free parking available. You can drive or ride from the end of this walk Use these links to plan your trip from the end of this walk. Plan your trip to --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

Getting there

Plan your trip to the start of the walk and back from the end of the walk

Public Transport links currently not working, sorry

Public Transport Timetables
	To the start of the walk From Castle Hill Chatswood Dural Epping Gosford Hornsby Katoomba Manly Parramatta Penrith Strathfield Sutherland Sydney		From the end of the walk To Castle Hill Chatswood Dural Epping Gosford Hornsby Katoomba Manly Parramatta Penrith Strathfield Sutherland Sydney
Driving Directions
Map Car Shuffle
	To the start of the walk                  Castle HillChatswoodDuralEppingGosfordHornsbyKatoombaManlyParramattaPenrithStrathfieldSutherlandSydney Drive from:		From the end of the walk                  Castle HillChatswoodDuralEppingGosfordHornsbyKatoombaManlyParramattaPenrithStrathfieldSutherlandSydney Drive to:

Near by

Campsites in the park
Acacia Flat
Burralow Creek camping ground
Coxs River Camping Area
Euroka campground - Appletree Flat campervan and camper trailer area
Euroka campground
Ingar campground
Mount Werong campground
Murphys Glen campground
Perrys Lookdown campground
Euroka Campground - Darug
Euroka Campground - Red Gum
Euroka Campground - Nioka
Euroka Campground - Bennetts Ridge


Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk

Store	Address	Phone	Distance (straight line)
Summit Gear	80- Bathurst Rd , Katoomba	(02) 4782 3018	9.1 km
Paddy Pallin	166 Katoomba St , Katoomba	(02) 4782 4466	9.6 km
Simdra Pet & Hobby Mart	45 Main St , Lithgow	(02) 6352 4422	21.6 km
Lithgow 4WD Centre	281 Main St , Lithgow	(02) 6353 1899	22.1 km
Summit Gear	11 Ross St , Glenbrook	(02) 4739 4373	32.8 km

A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Fairfax Track.

Channel	Call sign (more info)	Site	Distance and dir from Fairfax Track Click to re-center search
6	LGW06	Lithgow Council Site HASSANS WALLS	21 km (to the NW)
5	BIN05	Fire Tower MT BINDO Emergency use only	28 km (to the W)
7	VMC7	Fire Tower MT BINDO	28 km (to the W)
2	KUR02	Miles Comms Site 1 1 246 Burralow Road KURRAJONG HEIGHTS	30 km (to the ENE)
4	RIV04	Fire Service Rusden Road MT RIVERVIEW	32 km (to the ESE)

Weather and Park info

Fire Danger
This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a NONE rating and No Ban in place. (Downloaded 5 minutes ago)
Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban status, this rating is based on information from the RFS and BOM.

Weather and Climate
Weather and Climate summary detailed weather and climate information here

Rain increasing. 8.0°C (feels like 5.7°) 6 km/h from the ENE (gusting 7) 79% humidity     (as at 22/11:34am)

Blue Mountains National Park Link to official closures and fire bans page
Attracting over 3 million visitors annually, Blue Mountains National Park holds some of Australia's most spectacular and diverse wilderness areas. Explore the Grose Valley, with its sheer sandstone cliffs, waterfalls and scenic walking, or enjoy the famous views of the Three Sisters. Easy access makes a day trips very worthwhile, but with such diversity it would be great to stay in one of the many B&B's and spend a few days soaking up the region.
Region: Sydney & Surrounds
Park fees Camping Facilities
Current Park Closure information for Blue Mountains National Park
Closure information last downloaded Wednesday 22nd of May 2013 12:00 PM
CLOSED AREAS
Attention: helicopter operation affecting Katoomba walking tracks
The helicopter operation planned for Wednesday 22 May has been postponed to a later date (to be advised, possibly at short notice)
The following walking tracks in the Katoomba area will be closed during helicopter lifting in the new replacement for Honeymoon Bridge:-

• Federal Pass (from Katoomba Falls [Cook’s Crossing] to intersection with Dardanelles Pass below Leura.
• Federal Pass from Golden Stairs intersection, below Narrow Neck, to the Scenic Railway bottom station.
• Giant Stairs
• Dardanelles

There will be no access to the top of the Three Sisters, beyond the Prince Henry Cliff Walk junction.
Glenraphael Drive at Narrow Neck will also be closed at the national park boundary – 1.5km from Cliff Drive. There will be no access to Narrow Neck for vehicles or pedestrians.
Access to and from Scenic World will be open via Furber Steps. For further information please call 02 4787 8877.
Locations affected:Dardenelles Pass loop walking track, Federal Pass
Breakfast Point Lookout closed - Breakfast Point Lookout
Breakfast Point Lookout at Wentworth Falls is closed until further notice.
Campsites at Euroka - Euroka campground
Darug campsite now closed until further notice for maintenance and upgrade. Camping is available at other sites at Euroka Campground. For bookings you can book online or call 1300 072 757. For group bookings over 6 and to speak to the local Area office please call 02 4588 2400 Monday to Friday.
Claustral Canyon access change
Access to Claustral Canyon via the usual route across private land at Mount Tomah is no longer possible due to landholders denying access. NPWS has sought alternative access through private land without success.  Canyoners should respect the rights of Mount Tomah residents and avoid using private land.
Alternative access and parking from the west side of Mt Bell has been approved. For details please contact the NPWS Heritage Centre, phone 02 4787 8877; open seven days 9.00 am to 4.30 pm.
Glenbrook precinct has re-opened
Access to Jellybean Pool via the road and the walking track is now open. Euroka walking track remains closed as does Ironbarks Firetrail and Portal Waterhole precinct.
Honeymoon Bridge, Three Sisters, Katoomba - works occurring from Monday 29 April till early June
NPWS will be starting work to replace the Honeymoon bridge at the Three Sisters on Monday 29 April. Work should be completed by early June.
There will be no access to the bridge during this time.
All walking tracks and other lookouts in the area, including the Giant Stairway, will remain open.  Short term closures for helicopter operations during the work will be advised.
NPWS Heritage Centre is open 7 days a week; for information call 02 4787 8877.
   
Ingar camping areas - Ingar campground
Vehicle access along Ingar Road may be closed at the end of Queen Elizabeth Drive while private property development works are underway. NPWS requests that visitors respect private property closures.
When the gate is closed Ingar Camping Area will remain open to walkers who access around the private property. Walking distance approximately 13kms.
Murphys Glen camping area closed - Murphys Glen campground
Murphys Glen is closed due to road damage and facilities maintenance.
Wentworth Falls walking tracks
The Undercliff and Overcliff tracks are closed between Princes Rock access and Lyrebird Lookout due to recent landslides. This means visitors doing the National or Wentworth Pass loops will need to return via the Shortcut Track.
The Den Fenella walking track will be closed 7 days per week during upgrade work which commenced 31 January 2013. The Den Fenella lookout remains closed due to structural damage on the bridge. 
All enquiries to the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877.
Locations affected:Overcliff-Undercliff track, Den Fenella walking track
HAZARD REDUCTION BURNS
Hazard reduction burn
Wild Dog Mountains - CLOSED
All walking routes in the Wild Dog Mountains will remain closed until further notice while hazard reduction burning operations are current. The W7 or Cedarland Ridge Rd from Green Gully to Medlow Gap section was re-opened on Monday 13 May 2013.
Anyone intending to walk in Wild Dogs during May should check the national parks website prior to setting off for any updates regarding affected areas. View a map of the hazard reduction burn planned for the Wild Dogs area (PDF 259KB).
Hazard reduction burn
An aerially ignited prescribed burn will be undertaken along the Gingra Range in Kanangra-Boyd National Park between Friday 17 and Monday 20 May 2013. Walkers are advised to avoid this area during these dates.
All enquiries to NPWS Oberon office on 02 6336 1972 or the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877.

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