South Lawson Waterfalls

Location: Start at South Lawson Park in Honour Ave, Lawson. There is a small car park opposite Livingstone Ave where this walk starts.

Duration: 2 hours

Grade: Easy - Moderate

Features: waterfalls, creeks, lookouts,  

Junction Falls

Trip Notes: 

Where else would you find five impressive waterfalls in a short bushwalk? We start at a new sign detailing the route (and the waterfalls) by descending a long row of stone steps. About half way down there is an intersection of tracks – the one on the left is our return route while the track on the right goes to the old golf course. We continue straight ahead down the steps where we can already hear the sound of the first waterfall – Adelina Falls. 

Following the damp and muddy path we descend through a hanging swamp to reach a junction, where a 50 metre detour to the right takes us to Adelina Falls. We cross over a small wooden bridge nestled amongst ferns. An old moss covered barbecue stands in what once may have been a cleared picnic area and the rock wall covered in ferns is being sprinkled with shimmering sprays of droplets. After soaking up the atmosphere of this fairyland we follow the creek  back to the junction.

Shimmering droplets at Adeline Falls

This trail here is very muddy, especially when going through the hanging swamps; there are a couple of bridges to cross and the track mainly follows the creek. Here we pass tumbling cascades with various slippery side tracks that lead to the water. The orange angophoras emerge through the ferns and the whip birds strike their call. Eventually the track swings up a couple of steps to the right but before going up, a worn foot pad takes us around a boulder giving a dizzying look over one branch of Junction Falls (a bit dangerous and not recommended for those who are averse to heights!). The main track heads up the steps between a fence and a rock shelf and soon we cross a creek over the top of the other branch of Junction Falls, which actually comprises two waterfalls, one from Ridge Creek and the other from Lawson Creek, that meet nearby. Winding our way down steep stone steps and turning left before the long wooden bridge, we reach the first waterfall. The water cascading down layers of rock, the fallen trees, green ferns and  coachwoods standing tall all make  this an impressive place. A little memory plaque is fixed on the rock beside us and we sit and watch the falls in this peaceful spot.

Junction Falls

Crossing the long wooden bridge and heading around a boulder takes us to the other section of Junction Falls. This is another delightful spot where the waterfall cascades over the rock face, splashing on the rocks below while an old picnic table provides a seat from which to admire the surroundings.

Continuing along the track with the creek now on our right, the vegetation is a bit drier. We pass some weathered rock overhangs on our left and soon come to a set of steps. To get to Federal Falls continue straight ahead, down the pretty leaf littered path that takes us to the falls. Here we are in a sort of cavern and there is a huge rock shelf protruding out to the falls. Rocks covered in velvety green moss, coachwood trees and the beautiful falls flowing through a wide beach make this a spectacular place. It’s a terrific spot for a break and a picnic, and a place that kids can enjoy and explore.

Federal Falls

After savouring this waterfall, we head back to the steps which we climb, past the old painted writing on the rocks with distances given in miles and yards. The steps rise steeply to a little lookout and we continue through the bush, passing by blooming yellow wattle before descending to the creek. There is a slightly difficult crossing as we need to rock hop - the original bridge is no longer there, however preparations are evident for a new crossing. The path meanders through the bush and soon a little detour leads down to a charming spot beside a small waterfall – another nice place for a picnic. The track then continues away from the waterfall past mossy rocks and logs; there is peaceful silence here as the creek gently bubbles with the sweet ring of bird calls in the air.

Soon we get to some steps, but before heading up we continue straight ahead to visit Cataract Falls. In this lovely oasis stands an old gnarled tree amongst sparkling ferns and flowing water, making this a beautiful place.  This is the last of the main waterfalls on this loop, but we get to follow its course for some time as we head back to the steps and ascend the escarpment. About half way up a detour to the left leads to an engaging view overlooking the top half of Cataract Falls. 

Cataract Falls

Eventually the track meets a wider path where we turn left (turning right eventually takes you to Terrace Falls). We follow the sign to Lawson and we catch various glimpses of Cataract Falls from a few small lookouts. In one stands a lovely memorial seat dedicated to a couple who “loved these mountains”.

The track soon comes out at another car park, so we continue past this and past the picnic table and large fireplace, and follow the brown walker sign. Blooms of wattle and grevilleas with old man banksias line this sandy trail. Eventually we meet our original track and turning right up the stone steps gets us back to the start.

DH

 This article has been published in the Sept/Oct 2012 edition of The Mountains Blueberry

Transit of Venus

Location: Start at Woodbury Street, Woodford

Duration: 1.5 hours

Grade: Easy

Features: waterfalls, lookout, 

Trip Notes:

The smell of eucalyptus called us into the bush as we entered the track of this unusually named Woodford walk. The golden wattle shone in the sunlight and the long white arms of the scribbly gums waved and welcomed us as we walked along the sandy track, a lonely path, but one not forgotten – a notice board heralding its start and a few informative signs along the way.

As we made our way down the hillside we soon came to the first of three pretty little waterfalls. A short 5 minute detour took us to Mabel Falls and a lovely pathway of old stone slabs across a marshy section of the track led us to its base. Maybe these were some of the sandstone blocks that once lined this old swimming hole. The pool’s edge is no longer outlined by the blocks but the shimmering clear green water still beckons.

We started this walk at Woodbury Street in Woodford. The signs tell us that part of the land that this track passes through was donated in 2005 by the Johnson family to NSW National Parks, while the track also traverses over land owned by Sydney Water. The astronomical wonder, the Transit of Venus, was viewed in 1874 from a telescope stationed at Woodford and this walk was named after it by the Blue Mountains Conservation Society. They also donated a footbridge which provides the way across a bubbling stream where a sea of golden wattles rise and surround the creek bed.

We soon cross a fire trail and start the loop walk to the other two waterfalls. We can already hear Edith Falls and catch the view of the top of the falls from a lookout (formed by a safety fence). The old stone barbecue here is a reminder of bygone days and this is a good spot to stop and enjoy the peacefulness of this bushland. A detour to the right at the end of the lookout gives us a short but steep descent to the base of Edith Falls where we are rewarded by glass like pools that reflect the orange and green colours above as the water tumbles over the red-brown rocks.

 Further down the main track is Hazel Falls, different from the other two since we can walk behind it and watch the water dripping veil-like in front of us. Part of the track between Edith and Hazel Falls is covered by a boardwalk to protect a small hanging swamp and a big sandy overhang provides an interesting place to rest before completing the Edith-Hazel Falls loop. We now head back to the car, past flowering grevilleas and gnarled banksias, back through the avenue of golden wattles to complete this 1.5 hour walk.

 DH

 This article has been published in the October 2010 edition of The Mountains Blueberry.

Blue Pool

Location: Enter the National Park via Bruce Road, Glenbrook and drive in through the entry gate – a $7 park entry fee is payable. Follow the road down a couple of hairpin bends to car parks with a sign pointing to the Blue Pool.

Duration: 20 minutes return

Grade: Easy

Features: creek, swimming hole, overhangs

Trip Notes: 

The Blue Pool is aptly named - its striking blue colour (at times almost turquoise when the sun is out, the sky is blue and the water is just right) is unusual to find in the middle of the Blue Mountains bush – this phenomenon doesn’t happen all the time however, and those lucky enough to see it have chanced upon something quite special. This curious colour varies greatly depending on the weather and the water, and is said to be caused light refracting off clay particles in the water.

Flannel Flowers dot the landscape as we take the steps at the start of this walk to the pool. There is a short wooden bridge to cross before descending further. Lime green ferns around hollowed out boulders, ruby red mountain devils and splashes of purple Trigger plants are around us. The well-made stone steps complete with a railing lead us down the track - we seem to be following a small watercourse as we descend the escarpment where the large grass trees wave and rustle in the breeze.

Soon the track flattens out and we walk along the base over large stone slabs, with interesting textured rock faces on the cliff beside us. The weathered sandstone overhangs create interesting dark orange textures and we also found that they provided a cosy shelter. We took refuge in this sandy bottomed cave from a sudden downpour and enjoyed watching the rain wetting and colouring the vegetation from our dry haven.

The track meanders along the base of the escarpment and soon what looks like a fork is reached. The sandy track on the left goes to a scenic spot on the creek – there s a bit of a rock scramble and after clamouring under an impressive gnarled tree onto the large rocks there is an engaging view of Glenbrook creek from here. The creek rushes by at this point so care needs to be taken on the slippery rocks - looking downstream the picturesque creek is surrounded by trees yielding brilliant yellow wattle while upstream the Blue Pool is in sight. 

To get to the Blue Pool, it’s the other track that hugs the cliff which needs to be taken. This track narrows out a bit and footing has to be watched over a few small rocky outcrops but soon we come to a small clearing on the left giving an easy entry point to the inviting waters of the Blue Pool. This pool is a popular swimming spot and great for a dip during the hot summer months. However care needs to be taken especially after rain as water levels become unpredictable. 

Today we arrived at the pool after a downpour so the colour of the water wasn’t blue. Despite that it was a relaxing spot and we met a friendly family picnicking on the shores and enjoying swimming in the pool. Of course it wasn’t long until the leeches appeared! We all packed up quickly and headed back the way we came, grateful for the short peaceful walk and hopeful to come back soon for a full day picnic in clearer weather.
DH

This article has been published in the Jan/Feb 2012 edition of The Mountains Blueberry.

Horseshoe Falls

Location: Start at the picnic area at the end of Alexander Ave in Hazelbrook. This walk goes through Horseshoe Falls Reserve.

Duration: I hour

Grade: Moderate

Features: Waterfalls, creek, overhang

Trip Notes:

Where are the Horseshoe Falls? Although signs announced the way to them throughout this walking track, when we got there it wasn’t clear exactly what the sign was pointing to. Even each of the walking books we referred to had different maps of the same area and different names for the same falls. Nevertheless we had decided to explore this beautiful area with its ambiguous maze of walking tracks. Some helpful new signs had been put in place and the one saying “Waterfalls” is the one to follow at the start. 

The track hugs a wide rocky creek bed with water cascading down the slopes, sometimes forming pools and mini waterfalls and other times dropping off ledges making veils of water. The sides of the embankment are covered with ferns, and splashes of fresh faced wattle dot the landscape. Soon some formed steps and a boardwalk is reached, but just before the boardwalk an unmarked side track on the left leads to a lovely spot between 2 waterfalls. It’s a bit slippery and there’s a small rock scramble to negotiate but the scene is captivating – an expanse of flowing water surrounded by ferns where we can see the first waterfall upstream and watch the water as it races over the top of the second. 

At the end of the boardwalk a sign points to Horseshoe Falls which leads us past some unusual round rocks along the muddy path. Footing has to be watched down this small descent. Here we come to the first of the main waterfalls - Lyrebird Falls which pours over a ledge, cascading down a rocky shelf past lush ferns and mossy logs forming a huge pool on the beach below – truly spectacular after rain. For the move adventurous, a muddy upper path provides a way to the falls where you can sit behind them and listen to the thundering water. 

From these falls the track continues following the creek, and soon another unmarked side track on the left is another opportunity for a short detour. Here you come to a curious section of the creek where the water flows over some sinkholes – a series of perfectly rounded holes in the creek bed. It’s definitely worth a look although the path is slippery and extreme care must be taken near the exposed ledges. 

Continuing along the main track where angophora trees wave their tall trunks amidst the lush green ferns, another junction is reached and turning left leads us down past some large rock steps which are eroded and slippery. Although not signposted, this is the way to get to Horseshoe Falls and the wonderfully large overhang from which the falls are possibly named. A sign here told us we had reached Horseshoe Falls however it’s unclear as to what it’s referring to. There was however, the spectacular Glow worm Nook Falls which runs over the roof of the overhang and forms a curtain which we can walk behind. Sandstone rocks and lush ferns surround this oasis and hours can be spent exploring this little paradise. 

From here the track continues on to Oakland and Burgess Falls, but as rain clouds approached we decided to head back the way we came and save the rest for another day.

DH

This article has been published in the July/August 2011 edition of The Mountains Blueberry.

Wilson Glen

Location:  Start at Buena Vista Rd in Woodford at the sandstone memorial opposite Woodford Station

Grade: Easy, although a bit overgrown at times and some uneven rock steps to negotiate

Duration: 1hour

Features: Creek, Cave

Trip Notes:

A pool in the middle of beautiful bushland, lined with sandstone blocks and surrounded by ferns - a place for families and friends to gather on a sunny afternoon and enjoy the therapeutic atmosphere and clear cool water. This is how we imagined Gypsy Pool to be, as a friendly fellow walker described this man made pool and the days he spent at the swimming hole years ago. Now the pool has sadly been allowed to fall into disrepair - the sandstone walls broken, with silt and overgrown vegetation hiding the glory of days gone by.

Nevertheless, Gypsy Pool is a fascinating place to visit and the trip there makes a great afternoon bushwalk. The memorial at the start tells us that in 1932 Thomas M. Wilson dedicated this area to the Blue Mountains in memory of his wife, and as we descend the well-formed steps we are grateful for this generous gift. Lush green ferns surround the path and a few old seats provide some places to sit and observe. A wooden bridge takes us over the small creek which winds its way down the escarpment and we soon come to a curious little sandstone structure with water dripping into its moss covered cup shaped surface. A silver sign above it tells us it’s Tealby Spa – we later find out that this is a natural spring and there was once a metal lions head here with the water running from it.

A few meters away a large shelter with picnic tables provides a nice spot for a break before descending down into Wilson Glen. Angophora trees dot the landscape with their orange trunks standing out amid the glistening green of the ferns. The track takes us over a number of bridges through the rich rainforest type vegetation of Wilson Glen and brings us out into more open forest. As we walk past the hand painted sign pointing to Gypsy Cave, we soon come to an old fire trail. Turning right at this T-intersection and following the track for a few minutes to another path on the right takes us to Gypsy Pool. Crossing the old pool, we enter Gypsy Cave – it’s more like an overhang than a cave but there is room in there for a picnic table, and I imagine it would have been a wonderful shady spot for swimmers to rest and picnic, long ago when the pool was in its prime.

A set of steps heads off to the right and this is our return route. Ascending the steps we soon come to a small track on the left which leads to a lookout and is a peaceful spot giving clear views of the surrounding bushland while looking down onto the ferns of Gypsy Pool. Continuing on, a fork in the path is eventually reached - making a sharp left here takes us up a few more steps, past young Banksia trees and eroded rocks bringing us finally out onto Railway Parade. To complete the round trip a short road walk has to be done but care must be taken as the road is narrow and there is no footpath.

DH

This article has been published in the May/June 2011 edition of The Mountains Blueberry. 

Beautiful Birdwood

The orange glimmer in the clear pool caught my eye, as after days of rain I finally got a chance to do my favourite Springwood bushwalk. I had heard stories of years ago when the streams here were full of yabbies, but as I had looked at the urban growth in the Blue Mountains I had given up hope of ever spotting a yabby – at least one so close to civilisation. Maybe there still is hope for the streams of Birdwood Gully and Madoline Glen.

The Birdwood Gully/ Madoline Glen area on the north side of Springwood is a lovely area of bush, surprisingly unspoilt by the development near it. (I’m sure this is due to the team of bush carers who look after this area). A walk down the stone steps to this gully causes the business of life to be long forgotten and one can enjoy the peacefulness of this quiet bushland.

As we walk along the old paths, past towering gums and ferns, we hear unusual bird calls and watch little lizards dart along the rocks.  The walk here takes approximately one hour for the round trip and you can start it at the intersection of Bednal Rd and Lucinda Ave in Springwood. (You will have to do a short road walk at the end to link up the round trip). It is a perfect walk for children (or for those who need a bit of encouragement to get out into the bush) because of the variety of natural scenery to enjoy.

Explore the waterfalls and creeks and maybe catch a glimpse of the wallabies that inhabit this area, but watch out for leeches after rain! The vegetation here is rich and varied and as I point out an interesting shaped mushroom to my eight year old godson, a bower bird catches our eye … but that is a whole new story.
DH


This article has been published in the September 2010 edition of The Mountains Blueberry.

Knapsack Park

The distinctive crack of a Whip Bird broke the stillness and promised us an interesting afternoon stroll as we entered Knapsack Park – a section of interesting bushland in Glenbrook with several tracks running through it.  This area contains a lot of early convict history and we chose the Olivet St entrance to do a round trip to Lennox Bridge and back, hoping the bush would give up it’s secrets of days gone by.

As we walked along the wide, open trail, a cyclist gave us a wave and fellow walkers were also enjoying this piece of bush close to their suburban homes. The afternoon sunshine lit up the old quarry - a large rock shelf of orange, brown and cream layers of sandstone, providing a fascinating spot to explore and an old eroded five trail took us through the quarry and up onto the escarpment. A flash of blue caught our eye as a pair of Superb Fairy Wrens leapt and danced with each other. The Rosellas darted beside us and Common Bronzewings fluttered along the path as we made our way out of the quarry, to the top. There is a maze of unsignposted tracks in this area, but by keeping to the main path you will soon come to a track on the right which leads to Marges Lookout. This is a curious old lookout with a huge tree providing some shelter as we looked over the plains below. The landscape here is covered with “Egg and Bacon” flowers, and this expanse of yellow dotted with bright red Mountain Devils and pale pink Grevilleas surrounded the path as we made our way along the cliff and down to Lennox Bridge.

Lennox Bridge is a quaint old sandstone bridge tucked away in the bushland of the Lower Blue Mountains. The Bridge is a semi circular arch bridge built in 1833 by David Lennox working with a team of convicts and took just 12 months to complete. It was the first of its type, and now the oldest remaining bridge on the Australian mainland. This peaceful spot is an inviting place for a break and an impressive place to explore. A multitude of birdcalls rang through the air and we drank in the serenity and watched Brookside Creek below. A Sacred Kingfisher landed on a nearby branch, its beautiful blue-green colours glistening in the light. The shy Eastern Spinebill also darted to and fro. This seemed like a birdwatcher’s paradise and as we made our way back along the creek a confident Noisy Friarbird gave us its performance. The frogs, hiding in the creek lined with ferns, croaked along with the birds. A bright Eastern Yellow Robin and a Golden Whistler also came and perched nearby and the ever-present Laughing Kookaburra watched with us as a large Eastern Water Dragon sunned itself on a warm rock.

This walk which should have taken us at most one hour, took about two as we couldn’t help but stop and watch the amazing wildlife around us, making this somewhat ordinary trail into a wonderful walk.

DH 

This article has been published in the November 2010 edition of The Mountains Blueberry.