Victoria Falls Lookout to Blue Gum Forest

This long day-walk follows a remote track down from Victoria Falls lookout, passing the waterfall, and into the Grose Valley, to the famous Blue Gum Forest, a scenic and historic highlight of this area. From the Blue Gum Forest, the walk climbs steeply to finish at Perry’s Lookdown. You will need to organise a car shuttle, or a taxi for this walk.* This walk passes through very remote areas and sections have no visible track. At least one person in your group should have training and experience in off track walking and navigation. Even with these notes and a GPS these extra skills and equipment are required.

(0km) Victoria Falls Rd car park → Victoria Falls Lookout

100 m
2 mins
0m
-15m

Moderate track

From the car park, this walk follows the sign to ‘Grose Valley Lookout’ down the hill. The walk then winds down some steps for approximately 50m to a lookout.

Victoria Falls Lookout

Victoria Falls Lookout, Blue Mountains NP, has an easterly aspect over the Grose Valley. Although the lookout is named after the wonderful Victoria Falls, there are no views of the falls from this lookout.

(0.1km) Victoria Falls Lookout → Int. Victoria Creek Cascades and Victoria Falls Tracks

1.3 km
39 mins
24m
-358m

Hard track

Continue straight: From the lookout, this walk heads past the ‘Victoria Falls’ sign, down the hill. It leads across the hill for a short while before turning right and following the steps downhill for approximately 100m. The track then tends left, steeply down through a rocky outcrop, then continues winding across the hill under rocky outcrops (on the right). The track winds left, down through the rock again, to steeply zigzag down the hill for some time, moving away from the rocky outcrop, into ferns and more grassy undergrowth. The track heads steeply down towards the sound of the cascades at the signposted intersection.

(1.38km) Int. Victoria Creek Cascades and Victoria Falls Tracks → Victoria Creek Cascades

90 m
3 mins
14m
0m

Hard track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to ‘Cascades’, heading towards the noise of the falling water. It follows the hillside through the rainforest vegetation to the creek bank. The track then continues over the slippery rocks to the bottom of the falls. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer right.

Victoria Cascades

Victoria Cascades, Blue Mountains NP, is a shorter run of water than the larger Victoria Falls. These cascades rush over a slope of rock to continue down to Victoria Falls. The cascades, made by Victoria Creek, are worth a look on your way down to Victoria Falls. However, on a a trip up from Victoria Falls, these smaller cascades may be somewhat overshadowed by the larger falls.

(1.38km) Int. Victoria Creek Cascades and Victoria Falls Tracks → Int. Top of Falls and Victoria Creek Tracks

20 m
0m
-2m

Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to ‘Burra Korain Flat’, heading down the stairs for a short distance to another signposted intersection.

(1.39km) Int. Top of Falls and Victoria Creek Tracks → Top of Falls

20 m
1 mins
1m
-1m

Hard track

Turn sharp right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Top of Falls’ sign, down the hill to Victoria Creek. The track then turns left, descending steeply on some rocks. This walk continues downstream along a rockshelf to the top of Victoria Falls. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.

(1.39km) Int. Top of Falls and Victoria Creek Tracks → Int. Bottom of Falls and Victoria Creek Tracks

100 m
2 mins
0m
-19m

Hard track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to ‘Burra Korain Flats’ heading up the hill and then down to a railing, overlooking the Victoria Falls. The track then winds down the slippery hillside, descending to an intersection in front of a large, mossy rock.

(1.49km) Int. Bottom of Falls and Victoria Creek Tracks → Victoria Falls

50 m
2 mins
13m
0m

Hard track

Veer right: From the intersection, the track follows the hillside towards the sound of a waterfall, keeping the creek some distance below to your left. The track soon opens out onto the cliff of the waterfall. The track then swings around the right-hand side to go up the scree slope to venture behind the waterfall. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer right.

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls, Blue Mountains NP, is a large waterfall dropping over a grey rock overhang. The cascade is produced by Victoria Creek dropping over the approximately-15m cliffs. A scree slope leads up behind the falls, and below the falls the rocks are very slippery. These falls are well worth a visit, with the great views from the top of the falls, and the accessibility of the bottom of the falls, making a great trip.

(1.49km) Int. Bottom of Falls and Victoria Creek Tracks → Burra Korain Flat Camping Area

1.3 km
29 mins
22m
-126m

Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the track downhill towards the creek, keeping the creek to you right, so soon come to a clearing beside the creek. Here the walk crosses the creek to find a sign pointing to ‘Burra Korain Flat’ (visible before crossing the creek). (This creek may be impassable after rain). The walk turns left to follow the ‘Burra Korain Flat’ sign downhill, keeping the creek to your left for over 1km. The track winds and undulating through ferns and rocky outcrops, to open out into the Burra Korain Flat Camping Area, which is signposted.

Burra Korain Flat Camping Area

Burra Korain Flat Camping Area, Blue Mountains NP, is a small clearing between the Victoria Creek and Grose River. The campsite is well signposted and has nice sitting logs and plenty of space for a few tents. Water can be accessed from either river or creek but should be treated before use.

(2.84km) Burra Korain Flat Camping Area → Blue Gum Forest intersection

8.8 km
3 hrs 24 mins
422m
-599m

Experienced only

Continue straight: From the campsite, this walk heads down the hill to the creek and then across it. The track continues up through a grassy area to a clearing with a fireplace and BBQ and a sign to ‘Acacia Flat’.
Continue straight: From the camping area, this walk follows the ‘Acacia Flats’ sign down to the creek. The track crosses the creek and continues along the right-hand bank, heading downstream. The track then undulates and winds on the right side of the creek for approximately 3km in a south-easterly direction. The track crosses a number of creeks, and continues undulating along the south side of the Grose River to an intersection, with a sign pointing back to Burra Korain.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to ‘Acacia Flats’[1], keeping the creek below on the left. The track continues for approximately 500m, undulating across the steep hillside. The terrain then begins to flatten out as the track leads onto a creek flat area. After a short while, a clearing with a fireplace is passed, on your right. The track continues to undulate along the hillside, with the creek to the left, for approximately 2km, to an area where the creek flats broaden. The track passes some more clearings with fire places, coming to a sign marked ‘Blue Gum Forest’. The track passes this sign and continues for approximately 500m to a well-signed intersection.

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. More info.

(11.63km) Blue Gum Forest intersection → Int. Perry’s and Dockers Lookout Tracks

2 km
1 hr 31 mins
603m
-22m

Hard track

Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘Perrys Lookdown Track’ sign up the hill. The track heads uphill out of Blue Gum Forest, before tending right to more steeply climb the hill. As the track tends right, it heads up to the spur. When the track joins the spur, it turns left and heads up and continues winding for some time. The track continues up the spur to the cliffline, where it meets a set of steps and handrails. The walk climbs up large, steep steps, winding up through the pass to a memorial lookout at the top of the cliff.
Continue straight: From Memorial Lookout, the walk climbs the stairs, keeping the valley on the right, and then contours left around the hill. The track descends slightly before crossing a bridge, and then turns right before leading up the steps to the signposted intersection.

(13.64km) Int. Perry’s and Dockers Lookout Tracks → Dockers Lookout

20 m
1 mins
0m
-13m

Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection, the walk leads for a short distance down the railed path to the visible lookout area, Docker’s Lookout. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.

Dockers Lookout

Dockers Lookout, Blue Mountains NP, has views over the Grose Valley and Blue Gum Forest below. Mt Banks can be seen standing proudly to the north above the valley.

(13.64km) Int. Perry’s and Dockers Lookout Tracks → Perry’s Lookdown

40 m
2 mins
15m
0m

Moderate track

Turn sharp left: From the intersection, the walk follows the railed stairs up the hill for a short time until coming to Perry’s Lookdown – the lookout on the right.

Perry’s Lookdown

Perry’s Lookdown, Blue Mountains NP, has views over the Grose Valley, with Blue Gum Forest nearly directly below and Lockleys Pylon to the south. The lookout is presumably named after Captain William Perry, the Deputy Surveyor General who worked under the leadership of Sir Thomas Mitchell.

(13.68km) Perry’s Lookdown → Perry’s Lookdown car park and camping area

80 m
3 mins
16m
0m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the lookout, the walk leads up the stairs (leaving the valley behind) to the dirt road and car park.

Perrys Lookdown campground

Perrys Lookdown offers a simple campsite, close to some spectacular lookouts and well located as starting point for longer walks exploring the Grose Valley. There are 5 tent sites and a non-flush toilet, but no water available. This area allows fuel stoves only (no camp fires). The camping area is a short walk from the car park. Limit to one night stay (sites cannot be reserved).

Maps for the Victoria Falls Lookout to Blue Gum Forest walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Mount Wilson	1:25 000 Map Series	89301N MOUNT WILSON	NSW-89301N
Katoomba	1:100 000 Map Series	8930 KATOOMBA	8930

Cross sectional view of the Victoria Falls Lookout to Blue Gum Forest bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Victoria Falls Lookout to Blue Gum Forest

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

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

		Length	13.8 km
		Time	8 hrs
		.
Grade 5/6 Experienced only	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		Quality of track	Rough unclear track (5/6)
		Signs	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
		Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

Around 12km of this walk is very steep, whilst the remaining 1.7km has short steep hills.

Quality of track

9km of this walk follows a rough unclear track and another 4.5km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely. The remaining (490m) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

5km of this walk has minimal directional signs and another 5km is clearly signposted. The remaining (3.4km) has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

Around 7km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 7km requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 14km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

13km of this walk has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) and another 390m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced). The remaining (100m) is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Victoria Falls Lookout to Blue Gum Forest walk starts at the Victoria Falls Rd car park (gps: -33.573667, 150.29213)
Your main transport option to Victoria Falls Rd car park is by;

Car. There is free parking available.
(get details)

The Victoria Falls Lookout to Blue Gum Forest ends at the Perry’s Lookdown car park and camping area (gps: -33.599394, 150.34602)
Your main transport option to Perry’s Lookdown car park and camping area is by;

Car. There is free parking available.
(get details)

Fire Danger

Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather Forest

This walk starts in the Central Tablelands weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.

Forecast snapshot

Park Information & Alerts

Download Pdf

Open iPhone app

Short URL = http://wild.tl/vfltbgf

Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)

Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂

Victoria Falls Lookout to Blue Gum Forest

(0km) Victoria Falls Rd car park → Victoria Falls Lookout

Moderate track

Victoria Falls Lookout

(0.1km) Victoria Falls Lookout → Int. Victoria Creek Cascades and Victoria Falls Tracks

Hard track

(1.38km) Int. Victoria Creek Cascades and Victoria Falls Tracks → Victoria Creek Cascades

Hard track

Victoria Cascades

(1.38km) Int. Victoria Creek Cascades and Victoria Falls Tracks → Int. Top of Falls and Victoria Creek Tracks

Moderate track

(1.39km) Int. Top of Falls and Victoria Creek Tracks → Top of Falls

Hard track

(1.39km) Int. Top of Falls and Victoria Creek Tracks → Int. Bottom of Falls and Victoria Creek Tracks

Hard track

(1.49km) Int. Bottom of Falls and Victoria Creek Tracks → Victoria Falls

Hard track

Victoria Falls

(1.49km) Int. Bottom of Falls and Victoria Creek Tracks → Burra Korain Flat Camping Area

Hard track

Burra Korain Flat Camping Area

(2.84km) Burra Korain Flat Camping Area → Blue Gum Forest intersection

Experienced only

Blue Gum Forest

(11.63km) Blue Gum Forest intersection → Int. Perry’s and Dockers Lookout Tracks

Hard track

(13.64km) Int. Perry’s and Dockers Lookout Tracks → Dockers Lookout

Moderate track

Dockers Lookout

(13.64km) Int. Perry’s and Dockers Lookout Tracks → Perry’s Lookdown

Moderate track

Perry’s Lookdown

(13.68km) Perry’s Lookdown → Perry’s Lookdown car park and camping area

Moderate track

Perrys Lookdown campground

Maps for the Victoria Falls Lookout to Blue Gum Forest walk

Cross sectional view of the Victoria Falls Lookout to Blue Gum Forest bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Victoria Falls Lookout to Blue Gum Forest

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Some more details of this walks Grading

Gradient

Quality of track

Signs

Experience Required

weather

Infrastructure

Similar walks

Other Nearby walks

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

Fire Danger

Weather Forest

Park Information & Alerts

Comments