Perry’s Lookdown to Lockley Pylon
Download & Print Map and Notes
5 hrs 30 mins
8.1 km One way
797 m
Hard track
(0km) Perry’s Lookdown car park and camping area → Perry’s Lookdown
80 m
3 mins
0m
-16m
Moderate track
From the car park, the walk follows the sign ‘Perry’s Lookdown Track’ down the hill to a railed lookout.
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.
(0.08km) Perry’s Lookdown → Dockers Lookout
60 m
3 mins
0m
-28m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the Perry’s Lookdown, the walk follows the railed stairs down the hill for a short time until coming to a intersection signposted ‘Perrys Track’ and ‘Dockers Lookout’.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk leads for a short distance down the railed path to the visible lookout area, Docker’s Lookout.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk leads for a short distance down the railed path to the visible lookout area, Docker’s Lookout.
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.
(0.14km) Dockers Lookout → Blue Gum Forest intersection
2 km
1 hr 32 mins
35m
-603m
Hard track
Turn around: From Dockers Lookout, the walk heads up the railed path for a short distance until coming to a signposted intersection.
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘Perry’s Lookdown Track’ sign down the hill. The track cuts across the hill to a bridge, where the track turns left and contours around the hill, before descending onto a lookout with memorial plaque and fire box.
Continue straight: From the lookout, the walk keeps the valley below on the left and heads down the steep stairs, through the gap in the cliffs. The stairs and handrail climb down through the cliffs, descending away from the main cliff before coming onto the top of a spur. The track tends right, over and down the spurline, and winds sharply down the spurline as it steeply descends for some time. The track heads down the spur, flattening out a few times before coming onto the relative flats of the Blue Gum Forest. The track heads down through the forest for a short time to a signposted intersection.
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘Perry’s Lookdown Track’ sign down the hill. The track cuts across the hill to a bridge, where the track turns left and contours around the hill, before descending onto a lookout with memorial plaque and fire box.
Continue straight: From the lookout, the walk keeps the valley below on the left and heads down the steep stairs, through the gap in the cliffs. The stairs and handrail climb down through the cliffs, descending away from the main cliff before coming onto the top of a spur. The track tends right, over and down the spurline, and winds sharply down the spurline as it steeply descends for some time. The track heads down the spur, flattening out a few times before coming onto the relative flats of the Blue Gum Forest. The track heads down through the forest for a short time to a signposted 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.
(2.17km) Blue Gum Forest intersection → Int. Lockleys Pylon and Du Faur Head Tracks
1.8 km
1 hr 15 mins
484m
0m
Hard track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk passes behind the ‘Camping only at Acacia Flat 10 mins’ sign, in the direction of the far valley side. The track meanders through the grass and ferns for a short time before crossing Govetts Creek. There is a fallen log upstream which many walkers have used to cross the creek. From the far bank, the track follows an arrow marker left, meandering through some more undergrowth. The track then steeply climbs up a hill to a fallen log, after which the track tends right, up the hill towards the top of the spurline. The walk then follows the spurline for some time as it heads up towards the cliffs. Nearer to the cliffs, the track travels through rockier and more dense vegetation. Once at the cliffline, the walk turns left along the base to steeply climb the rocky steps to an intersection between two rock features, in a saddle.
(3.94km) Int. Lockleys Pylon and Du Faur Head Tracks → Du Faur Head
90 m
2 mins
1m
-19m
Hard track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill for approximately 20m to a rocky outcrop with stunning views down the Grose Valley. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.
Du Faur Head
Du Faur Head, Blue Mountains NP, is situated north of Lockleys Pylon. The knoll gives spectacular views up and down the Grose Valley and River. Du Faur Head is worth a visit on your way up or down to Blue Gum Forest from Lockleys Pylon.
(3.94km) Int. Lockleys Pylon and Du Faur Head Tracks → Int. Du Faur Track and Lockleys Pylon Trks
520 m
18 mins
95m
-8m
Hard track
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads up towards the large grassy-looking knoll, keeping the cliffs and valley to the right. The track winds near the rock for a very short distance before climbing up a large step (just before a small rock overhang to the left). The track then winds over the several rocky knolls and meanders across a saddle before crossing a creek. From the creek, the walk climbs a staircase to arrive at an intersection with another bush track.
(4.46km) Int. Du Faur Track and Lockleys Pylon Trks → Int. Du Faur Head Trk and Lockleys Pylon N Tk
140 m
4 mins
20m
-3m
Hard track
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk goes down the stairs, keeping the valley behind on the left. After descending the stairs, the walk follows a faint bush track back up the hill to to an intersection with another bush track.
(4.6km) Int. Du Faur Head Trk and Lockley Pylon N Tk → Lockley Pylon
90 m
4 mins
24m
0m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to ‘Lockley Pylon’ up the wooden stairs to the summit of Lockley Pylon. This is marked by a stone cairn.
Lockley Pylon
Lockley Pylon, Blue Mountains National Park, gives 360 degree views of the Mt Hay area with excellent scope over Fortress Creek Waterfall and into the Grose Valley.
(4.7km) Lockley Pylon → Middle Pinnacle
3 km
1 hr 7 mins
136m
-145m
Hard track
Turn around: From the cairn on top of Lockley Pylon, this walk heads down the wooden stairs away from the valley. The walk heads down the stairs to a signposted intersection.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads down the stairs away from the knoll, past the ‘Lockley Pylon’ sign, and travels along the ridge. The track continues past two knolls on the right as it climbs from the clearing up to the tree line. The track meanders up through the trees for approximately 400m to an open area. The walk climbs to the top of the ridge, below the summit of Mt Stead, a rock feature to the right of the track.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the views of the surrounding valleys and keeps the rock feature on the right of the track. The track enters the tree line then undulates down the plateau through the trees. The walk continues along a sandy saddle which is flat for approximately 100. The track then climbs out of the saddle and over a knoll to traverse the following saddle to the intersection below the northern Pinnacle.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads towards the rocky knoll, keeping them above on the left. The track continues beneath the Pinnacles to come to an intersection below the last Pinnacle.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads down the stairs away from the knoll, past the ‘Lockley Pylon’ sign, and travels along the ridge. The track continues past two knolls on the right as it climbs from the clearing up to the tree line. The track meanders up through the trees for approximately 400m to an open area. The walk climbs to the top of the ridge, below the summit of Mt Stead, a rock feature to the right of the track.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the views of the surrounding valleys and keeps the rock feature on the right of the track. The track enters the tree line then undulates down the plateau through the trees. The walk continues along a sandy saddle which is flat for approximately 100. The track then climbs out of the saddle and over a knoll to traverse the following saddle to the intersection below the northern Pinnacle.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads towards the rocky knoll, keeping them above on the left. The track continues beneath the Pinnacles to come to an intersection below the last Pinnacle.
(7.7km) Middle Pinnacle → Lockley car park
360 m
10 mins
3m
-46m
Moderate track
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk keeps the pinnacles on the left of the track as it heads down the hill. The track tends right as it descends approximately 400m down to the signposted car park.
Maps for the Perry’s Lookdown to Lockley Pylon 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.
| Katoomba | 1:25 000 Map Series | 89301S KATOOMBA | NSW-89301S |
| 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 Perry’s Lookdown to Lockley Pylon bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Perry’s Lookdown to Lockley Pylon
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 | 8.1 km | ||
| Time | 5 hrs 30 mins | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 4/6 Hard track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Very steep (4/6) |
| Quality of track | Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6) | ||
| 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 4.2km of this walk is very steep, whilst the remaining 3.8km has short steep hills.
Quality of track
Around 5km of this walk follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely, whilst the remaining 2.6km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.
Signs
7km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 660m has minimal directional signs. The remaining (75m) is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 6km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.8km requires some bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 8km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 4.2km of this walk has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged), whilst the remaining 3.8km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Perry’s Lookdown to Lockley Pylon walk starts 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)
The Perry’s Lookdown to Lockley Pylon ends at the Lockley car park (gps: -33.651076, 150.37163)
Your main transport option to Lockley car park is by;
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/pltlp
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 🙂
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