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.
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 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
14km
Time
8 hrs
.
Grade 5/6
Route: Hard
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)
*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
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).
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(0 km)
Victoria Falls Rd car park
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Victoria Falls Lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 103 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -15 m
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
Alt = 905 m
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.
(0.1 km)
Victoria Falls Lookout
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Int. Victoria Creek Cascades and Victoria Falls Tracks Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 1.27 km
Time = 39 mins
Climb = 24 m
Descent = -358 m
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.
(1.38 km)
Int. Victoria Creek Cascades and Victoria Falls Tracks
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Victoria Creek Cascades Optional sidetrip: Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 94 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 14 m
Descent = 0 m
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. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then veer right to continue along this walk.)
Victoria Cascades
Alt = 626 m
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.
(1.38 km)
Int. Victoria Creek Cascades and Victoria Falls Tracks
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Int. Top of Falls and Victoria Creek Tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 15 m
Time =
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -2 m
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.
(1.39 km)
Int. Top of Falls and Victoria Creek Tracks
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Top of Falls Optional sidetrip: Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 22 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -1 m
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. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then continue straight to continue along this walk.)
(1.39 km)
Int. Top of Falls and Victoria Creek Tracks
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Int. Bottom of Falls and Victoria Creek Tracks Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 95 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -19 m
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.
(1.49 km)
Int. Bottom of Falls and Victoria Creek Tracks
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Victoria Falls Optional sidetrip: Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 45 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 13 m
Descent = 0 m
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. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then veer right to continue along this walk.)
Victoria Falls
Alt = 608 m
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.
(1.49 km)
Int. Bottom of Falls and Victoria Creek Tracks
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Burra Korain Flat Camping Area Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 1.35 km
Time = 29 mins
Climb = 22 m
Descent = -126 m
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
Alt = 488 m
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.
(2.84 km)
Burra Korain Flat Camping Area
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Blue Gum Forest intersection Route: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 8.79 km
Time = 3 hrs 24 mins
Climb = 422 m
Descent = -599 m
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
Alt = 311 m
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
(11.63 km)
Blue Gum Forest intersection
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Int. Perry's and Dockers Lookout Tracks Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 2.02 km
Time = 1 hr 31 mins
Climb = 603 m
Descent = -22 m
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.
(13.64 km)
Int. Perry's and Dockers Lookout Tracks
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Dockers Lookout Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 19 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -13 m
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk leads for a short distance down the railed path to the visible lookout area, Docker's Lookout. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then continue straight to continue along this walk.)
Dockers Lookout
Alt = 878 m
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.
(13.64 km)
Int. Perry's and Dockers Lookout Tracks
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Perry's Lookdown Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 41 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 15 m
Descent = 0 m
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
Alt = 907 m
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.
(13.68 km)
Perry's Lookdown
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Perry's Lookdown car park and camping area Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 77 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 16 m
Descent = 0 m
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
Alt = 926 m
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).
Drive from Perry's Lookdown car park and camping area
Fire Danger This walk passes Central Ranges fire area which currently has a NONE rating and No Ban in place. (Downloaded 11 minutes ago) This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a NONE rating and No Ban in place. (Downloaded 11 minutes ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban status, this rating is based on information from the RFS and BOM.
Blue Mountains National ParkLink 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 feesCampingFacilities Current Park Closure information for Blue Mountains National Park Closure information last downloaded Thursday 23rd of May 2013 05:00 AM 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 duringhelicopter 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
A hazard reduction burn has been completed along the Gingra Range and spur ridges leading off this range. The area is bounded by Cottage Rock; Arabanoo Creek; Gingra Creek and the Kowmung River. Access to this area is closed until further notice whilst there is a risk of limb or tree fall after the burn.’
All enquiries to NPWS Oberon office on 02 6336 1972 or the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877.
We completed this beautiful walk over the Easter break and according to our GPS data, the stretch between Victoria Falls and the Blue Gum Forest was 14.6km, not 11.63km as suggested in the track notes. We only took two minor side trips, to the Cascades (
We completed this beautiful walk over the Easter break and according to our GPS data, the stretch between Victoria Falls and the Blue Gum Forest was 14.6km, not 11.63km as suggested in the track notes. We only took two minor side trips, to the Cascades (
Hi Heidi
Thanks for the feedback. Hope you enjoyed the walk. Sorry for the issue.
Can you please send me you GPS log file, and I will compare it to mine to see where the differences may have occurred.
matt@wildwalks.com
Thanks
Matt :)
Hiking near Sydney 
NEW
Route: Hard
5 km
not too much longer now :)