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Hike Perry's Lookdown to Govetts Leap Lookout

Blue Mountains National Park, New South Wales

4.0/5
based on 1 reviews

Details

Distance

10.8 miles

Elevation Gain

3608.9 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Zoe Scott-King

This is an incredibly scenic walk through the Blue Gum Forest in the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains National Park. Picture vast sweeping views of the Blue Mountains, towering beautiful Blue Gum trees, walking alongside a pretty creek until the finale of climbing up under a waterfall towards arguably one of the finest lookouts in the region, Govetts Leap.

Starting at Perry's Lookdown car park, the track takes you to a railed lookout, stop here and take in the magnificent Grose Valley infront of you and the Blue Gum Forest below you. 

The track descends down and contours around the hill, passing Dockers Lookout, the track is quite steep in places and worth taking time to not rush this section. The valley is on your left as it winds it way down, there is a handrail for some of the earlier stages in the track. Eventually the track flattens out as you enter the Blue Gum Forest at just over 2km, it feels like you have walked a lot further by this stage!

The Blue Gum Forest is a large stand of Eucalyptus deanei trees and is now a protected area within the Blue Mountains National Park. The trees tower up overhead and are a truely impressive sight and it feels good to know this area is valued and protected.  

You reach an intersection with a sign to Acacia Flats Camping Ground, heading right and follow the track away from the river, cross a small creek and just after 100m you arrive at the campsite clearing, perfect spot for a rest and refuel.  You are now at the 2.8km point. 

Leaving the campsite, the river will be on your far left, most camping sites and on your right and follow the track as it meanders around the hill on your right, approximately 700m past you will get great views of Pulpit Rock high above you on the cliff edge. For a further 2km the track contours around the hill with the creek just below you until you get to a signpost saying No Camping, turn left here and you will come down to Junction Rock intersection in the middle of the creek, 5.8km mark.

This is a great spot for another break, re-fuel and photos. You shall most likely meet other walkers and it's a lovely area to hang out and take it all in.

The track now follows the sign to Govetts Leap, The track meanders now for 2.5km, crossing the creek a couple of times and heading up the spur towards the foot of Govetts Leap falls, make sure you have a stop here to get some fantastic photos of the falls right above you! This is now approximately 8.2km into the walk. 

The track now heads north-west following the signs up the hill. It is quite steep in places and alternates between stairs cut into the rock and metal staircases which can be slippery in the wet. It is a challenging but rewarding climb up with 2 viewpoints on your way to the top. Keep following the signs for Govetts Leap carpark as you get close to the top.  When you reach the top there is a monument dedicated to Govett, a surveyor from Europe who spent considerable amount of time working in the Blue Mountains.  

This lookout is consistently voted as one of the best in the entire national park and it's not hard to see why. This is also one of my favourite day walks in this region, it's simply spectacular and leaves you feeling extremely inspired to do more!

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Features

Hiking
Easy Parking
Forest
Picnic Area
River
Scenic
Waterfall
Wildflowers

Hike Perry's Lookdown to Govetts Leap Lookout Reviews

Blackheath is so known as a climbing spot to me, it was lovely to discover this hiking/camping route also existed. The first part down to the falls is super steep and there were a handful of people using the up and down stint as a fitness track. The trail makers are a bit hidden in parts if its your first time on the trail, so pay attention, especially once it's getting darker (earlier since you're often under so much tree cover). We stopped by the ranger station beforehand and grabbed an emergency radio to return at our arrival to Katoomba. Wildlife is never ending, making more lots of entertainment at the campsite. Definitely a nice day out in the Blue Mountains.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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