Grand Cliff Top Walk – Katoomba Section
KATOOMBA SECTION
GRAND CLIFF TOP TRACK
Grade 3
Time: 2.5-3 hours (excluding side trips)
Distance: 5 km
Ascent: TBA m -
Map: 8930-1S Katoomba
PRINCE HENRY CLIFF WALK
The Prince Henry Cliff Walk links the Gordon Falls Picnic Area in Leura to the Scenic Railway in Katoomba. As the name suggests, the track follows the top of the cliffs for about 7 km. It is a convenient track which can be accessed from different locations between Leura and Katoomba. When the track was built, it must have offered outstanding views. Today the slopes are vegetated and views can only be obtained from some lookouts
Officially opened n 20 October 1934 by the Hon. E. S. Spooner, Minister for Local Government, the track is named in honour of Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, who spent 20 minutes at Katoomba railway station during his visit in November 1934. He never set foot on the track but he did receive an album which included views of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk…
YARUNGA means “extensive view,” and has been applied to the balcony-like lookout that previously formed part of Baker’s estate,”Silvermist.”
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SUNKEN FERNERY
This is the name given to the large hanging swamp near the track to Burrabarro Lookout.
BURRABARROO LOOKOUT
Burrabarro is an Aboriginal word for “very large stone”. An 80 m side track leads to the lookout which is located on a rock outcrop.
LOMANDRA LOOKOUT
The lomandra plants growing nearby give its name to this lookout.
BANKSIA LOOKOUT
This small lookout is named after Banksia Park which is above the lookout. The views are obscured by the trees.
HONEYMOON POINT
Another lookout with views of the Jamison Valley.
HONEYMOON LOOKOUT
Further along is Honeymoon Lookout with views across to Sublime Point.
MILLAMURRA LOOKOUT
Millamurra (Aboriginal word for “Many Eyes”) Lookout is on a fenced, elevated rock platform. There are views of the Jamison Valley, including the Leura Falls Creek and Sublime Point. There is also a great view along the Kings Tableland escarpment to the right.
TALLAWALLA (TALLAWARRA) LOOKOUT
Tallawalla (Aboriginal word for “Forest Country”) Lookout provides a view of Sublime Point and Kings Tableland.
LADY CARRINGTON LOOKOUT
This lookout located on two large rocks is named after Lady Carrington.
Continue along the track. At the track intersection continue straight along the Three Sisters Track if you do not wish to go to the Giant Stairway.
SIDE TRIP: THE GIANT STAIRWAY
The 900 or so steps attract many visitors. You can wisely remain at the top and take in the views or challenge yourself to go down the steps!
THE GIANT STAIRWAY
The Giant Stairway was the brainchild of Chief Ranger Jim McKay. While building the Dardanelles track he conceived the idea of a stairway from the top of the cliff down to Federal Pass. In 1916, the Council approved the project and McKay set out to cut the steps but stopped in 1918 after completing a quarter of the distance due to the expensive nature of this endeavour. In early 1932, after lobbying from photographer Harry Phillips, the Council decided to complete the track and Jim McKay was put in charge of the project. On 01 October 1932 the Giant Stairway was officially opened by Mr Stevens, Premier of NSW.
HONEYMOON BRIDGE LOOKOUT
LADY GAME LOOKOUT
Located on top of the Giant Stairway, this lookout has views on the first sister and the Jamison Valley.
It is named after Gwendolen Margaret Game, wife of NSW Governor, Sir Philip Woolcott Game.
Follow the Three Sisters Track
OREADES LOOKOUT
Eucalyptus oreades is the scientific name of the Blue Mountain ash. National Parks gave its name to this lookout.
THREE SISTERS TRACK
The Three Sisters track leads to Echo Point and to the Visitor Information Centre.
SPOONERS LOOKOUT
I think these are the best views of the Three Sisters.
The lookout is named after Eric Sydney Spooner, Minister for Local Government.
ECHO POINT
This is the busiest part of the tracl. There are several lookouts including the famous Echo Point Lookout.
ECHO POINT LOOKOUT
This is where you can take the classic photograph of the Three Sisters.
From Echo Point Lookout follow the cliff line and catch the Prince Henry Cliff Walk track. More lookouts await you!
PRINCE HENRY CLIFF WALK
This is the last leg of the Grand Cliff Top Walk: it will ultimately deliver you to Scenic World. The track has many lookouts which give different points of view of the Jamison Valley.
QUEEN ELIZABETH LOOKOUT
KEDUMBA VIEW
LADY DARLEY LOOKOUT
ALLAMBIE LOOKOUT
LITTLE MILOU LOOKOUT???
WOLLUMAI LOOKOUT
CLIFF VIEW LOOKOUT
SKYWAY EAST STATION
Continue along the track until you arrive to the Katoomba Cascades.
KATOOMBA CASCADES
A bridge fords the creek for those who do not want to cross the creek on the stepping stones. The Council has done an outstanding job laying tracks.
KEDUMBA RIVER: CHAIN OF FALLS
DUKE AND DUCHESS OF YORK LOOKOUT
No point in guessing who the lookout is named after! But which Duke and Duchess of York? Albert and Elizabeth of the House of Windsor, then Duke and Duchess of York, visited Echo Point in 1927. This lookout is named after them. Albert would later become King George VI and Elizabeth, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
The lookout is next to the ledge over which the creek leaps in the void. Although you can see the water, the vegetation prevents you from seeing the falls. The cliff walls are impressive.
THE WATCHTOWER
The Watchtower Lookout offers expansive views of the Jamison Valley, Mount Solitary and Orphan Rock.
Continue along the track to the intersection with Reid’s Plateau.
SIDE TRIP: REID'S PLATEAU LOOP
>Reids Plateau is a small plateau overlooking the Jamison Valley. Since the 2017 upgrade this is a luxurious walk: concreted paths, benches, iron wrought signage, …. The only giveaway this is Council land is the presence of weeds: blackberry, dandelions, buttercups, etc.
SO WHO WAS REID?
George Houston Reid (1845-1918) was another politician. He was a NSW Premier for five years and went on to become the Prime Minister of Australia in 1904 for 10 months and 17 days, after which he resigned. He then enjoyed the perks of political life: King’s Counsel, High Commissioner to the UK. He even was elected in the UK House of Commons serving till his death.
Without further ado, up the flight of stairs and right!
SOLITARY LOOKOUT
As the name suggests, the lookout offers expansive views of Mount Solitary in the Jamison Valley. You can also see the Scenic Skyway going back and forth.
KATOOMBA FALLS LOOKOUT
One of the best views of Katoomba Falls!
ORPHAN ROCK LOOKOUT
Orphan Rock is a rock outcrop which touristically used to be more popular than the Three Sisters.
WITCHES LEAP LOOKOUT
Lovely views of Witches Leap, a small waterfall in the rainforest.
Ignore the short track on the left: this delivers you to the faux-rock cave and Solitary Lookout.
PRINCE HENRY CLIFF WALK
At the intersection with Reid’s Plateau, walk north 20 m towards Cliff Drive: the Prince Henry Clif Track is on the left.
Follow the track to Scenic World!
SCENIC WORLD
The track finishes at Scenic World. You can go to the cafe and grab a well-deserved beverage!
Congratulations: you have completed the Grand Cliff Top Walk.
