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Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Fairfax Heritage Track are found in each of the tabs below
Fairfax Track Circuit
Time: 1 Hr Walking time
Please allow extra time to rest and to explore
2.2 km ENE of Blackheath
Length: 2.3 km Walk Length
As this is a Circuit style walk, the 2.3 km includes the walking distance from the start around the loop and back to the start again
Blue Mountains National Park
Climb: 68 m Total Climbing
This walk has a total cumulative climb of 68 m, this is the total of the elevation gains made in each of the walks uphill sections
There is car access and parking near the start and end of this walk There is a bus stop within 2km of the start and end of this walk
Style: Circuit
Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible

The Fairfax Track is an easy circuit walk that wanders through the forests behind the cliffs of the Grose Valley. The track passes George Phillips lookout, with its magnificent views over the Grose Valley. There are also similar views from the more popular Govetts Leap Lookout. The track has many bench seats for walkers to stop and enjoy the surrounding bush.


There are closed areas in Blue Mountains National Park
Fire rating NONE (No Ban)
  Bushwalking track notes photographs, maps and camping spots for Fairfax Heritage Track

Map of Walk

Location

                Sponsor of Fairfax Heritage Track bushwalking tracknotes
Map of Fairfax Heritage Track
Problem loading PDF Try here
Map Controls - Show Contours | Hide Path | Hide Distances | Hide Names
Map Scale 500 meters
NPWS Heritage Centre car park
Woodland Retreat
George Phillips Lookout
Govetts Leap Lookout Picnic Area
Govetts Leap Lookout
Govetts Leap Lookout Picnic Area
Starting point for this hiking track: NPWS Heritage Centre car park

Base maps are used under licence and is © Department of lands   Panorama Avenue Bathurst 2795   www.lands.nsw.gov.au

Maps that cover the walk area (please always carry maps of the area)

Print a map and track notes here
 Katoomba 1:25 000 Map Series NSW-89301S 
 Katoomba 1:100 000 Map Series 8930 

Photo Gallery

 
National Parks and Wildlife Service Heritage Centre
 
National Parks and Wildlife Service Heritage Centre +
 
Start of Fairfax Track
 
Start of Fairfax Track +
 
Zig-zag in Fairfax Track
 
Zig-zag in Fairfax Track +

 
Fairfax Track
 
Fairfax Track +
 
Scribbly Gum Fairfax Track
 
Scribbly Gum Fairfax Track +
 
Fairfax Track
 
Fairfax Track +

 
Red flower on Fairfax Track
 
Red flower on Fairfax Track +
 
Pulpit Rock from George Phillips Lookout
 
Pulpit Rock from George Phillips Lookout +
 
Horseshoe shaped valley from George Phillips lookout
 
Horseshoe shaped valley from George Phillips lookout +

 
Fairfax Track
 
Fairfax Track +
 
Fairfax Track from Govetts Leap picnic area
 
Fairfax Track from Govetts Leap picnic area +
 
Bridal Veil Falls from Govetts Leap Lookout
 
Bridal Veil Falls from Govetts Leap Lookout +

Terrain

Cross sectional view of the Fairfax Heritage Track bushwalking track

Cross Section of the Fairfax Heritage Track bushwalking track



Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Fairfax Heritage Track bushwalking track

Summary of the gradients over the the lenght of the Fairfax Heritage Track 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 2.3km
Time 1 Hr
.


Grade 1/6

Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible
AS 2156.1 Gradient Flat, no steps (1/6)
Quality of track Smooth and hardened path (1/6)
Signs Clearly signposted (1/6)
Experience Required No experience required (1/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Infrastructure Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
*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
This whole walk, 2.3km is flat with no steps.

Quality of track
This whole walk, 2.3km follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs
This whole walk, 2.3km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required
This whole walk, 2.3km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

Weather
This whole walk, 2.3km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure
This whole walk, 2.3km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Track Notes


Catch the bus to NPWS Heritage Centre car park
Public transport (bus) available to this Bushwalk You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
Use these links to plan your Bus (and train) trip to the end of this walk.
(Links currently not working sorry)
Plan your trip from --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|
Drive to NPWS Heritage Centre car park
You can drive or ride to this start of this Bushwalk There is free parking available.
You can drive or ride to the start of this walk
Use these links to plan your trip to the start of this walk.
Plan your trip from --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

NPWS Heritage Centre Alt = 1024 m
National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Heritage Centre, Blue Mountains National Park, is an information hub for the Blue Mountains National Park. The Heritage Centre provides the history of the park, with information displays about the traditional owners, recreational exploits and the local flora and fauna. The Heritage Centre also has a shop with souvenirs, toilet facilities and food.

(0 km) NPWS Heritage Centre car park to George Phillips Lookout
Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - bushtrack,footpath
Length = 1.51 km Time = 26 mins
Climb = 11 m Descent = -49 m
From the far end of the NPWS Heritage Centre car park, this walk heads along the tarmac track with the 'Fairfax Heritage Track' sign. The track winds through the bush in large zigzags then heads straight, passing a 'Geebung Grove' and 'Conestick Corner' sign and coming to a seat and 'Woodland Retreat' sign.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk continues down the track, leaving the seat and sign behind on the left. The track winds for a short time to a bench to then turns right, downhill. The track tends right for approximately 500m as it comes to the fenced 'George Phillips Lookout'.

George Phillips Lookout Alt = 985 m
George Phillips Lookout, Blue Mountains National Park, provides scenic views into the Grose Valley. The lookout offers views to Pulpit Rock, the horseshoe-shaped gorge and over the deep, green gorges of the Grose Valley.

(1.51 km) George Phillips Lookout to Govetts Leap Lookout
Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 341 m Time = 7 mins
Climb = 9 m Descent = -20 m
Veer right: From George Phillips Lookout, this walk continues along the railed track, keeping the views of the valley on the left. The track follows the railing for approximately 200m to a stone building (on the left). The track leads up the hill a short distance further to Govetts Leap Picnic Area, at the rear of the Govetts Leap car park.
Veer left: From Govetts Leap Picnic Area, this walk heads towards the railed end of the car park. The walk passes a toilet block on the left, and leads up the platform above the valley. The platform with the pointy stone monument is Govett's Leap Lookout.

Govetts Leap Lookout Alt = 975 m
Govetts Leap Lookout is named after the first white man to have come to the spot, William Govett, as an assistant surveyor in June 1831. Govetts Leap Lookout offers scenic views over the Grose Valley and the spectacular Bridal Falls. The lookout is easily accessed from the car park, which has toilets and picnic facilities.

(1.85 km) Govetts Leap Lookout to NPWS Heritage Centre car park
Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath,road
Length = 487 m Time = 10 mins
Climb = 48 m Descent = 0 m
Turn around: From Govetts Leap Lookout, this walk heads away from the valley, leading up through the car park. The path passes a toilet block on the right of the car park, and heads to the right end of the white concrete bollards which are near numerous track signs.
Continue straight: From Govetts Leap Picnic Area, this walk heads up the hill of the road, away from the lookouts and valley. The walk continues for a short time along the road, passing a few speed bumps, and turns to the right into the NPWS Heritage Centre car park.

Catch the bus from NPWS Heritage Centre car park
Public transport (bus) available from this Bushwalk You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
Use these links to plan your Bus (and train) trip from the end of this walk.
(Links currently not working sorry)
Plan your trip to --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|
Drive from NPWS Heritage Centre car park
You can drive or ride from this end of this Bushwalk There is free parking available.
You can drive or ride from the end of this walk
Use these links to plan your trip from the end of this walk.
Plan your trip to --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

Getting there

Plan your trip to the start of the walk and back from the end of the walk

Public Transport links currently not working, sorry
Public Transport Timetables

To the start of the walk

From
Castle Hill
Chatswood
Dural
Epping
Gosford
Hornsby
Katoomba
Manly
Parramatta
Penrith
Strathfield
Sutherland
Sydney
From the end of the walk

To
Castle Hill
Chatswood
Dural
Epping
Gosford
Hornsby
Katoomba
Manly
Parramatta
Penrith
Strathfield
Sutherland
Sydney

Driving Directions
To the start of the walk

Drive from:
From the end of the walk

Drive to:


Near by


Campsites in the park
Acacia Flat
Burralow Creek camping ground
Coxs River Camping Area
Euroka campground - Appletree Flat campervan and camper trailer area
Euroka campground
Ingar campground
Mount Werong campground
Murphys Glen campground
Perrys Lookdown campground
Euroka Campground - Darug
Euroka Campground - Red Gum
Euroka Campground - Nioka
Euroka Campground - Bennetts Ridge


Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk
Store Address Phone Distance (straight line)
Summit Gear 80- Bathurst Rd , Katoomba (02) 4782 3018 9.1 km
Paddy Pallin 166 Katoomba St , Katoomba (02) 4782 4466 9.6 km
Simdra Pet & Hobby Mart 45 Main St , Lithgow (02) 6352 4422 21.6 km
Lithgow 4WD Centre 281 Main St , Lithgow (02) 6353 1899 22.1 km
Summit Gear 11 Ross St , Glenbrook (02) 4739 4373 32.8 km


A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Fairfax Heritage Track.
Channel Call sign
(more info)
Site Distance and dir from Fairfax Heritage Track
Click to re-center search
6 LGW06 Lithgow Council Site HASSANS WALLS 21 km (to the NW)
5 BIN05 Fire Tower MT BINDO
Emergency use only
28 km (to the W)
7 VMC7 Fire Tower MT BINDO 28 km (to the W)
2 KUR02 Miles Comms Site 1 1 246 Burralow Road KURRAJONG HEIGHTS 30 km (to the ENE)
4 RIV04 Fire Service Rusden Road MT RIVERVIEW 32 km (to the ESE)

Weather and Park info

Fire Danger
This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a NONE rating and No Ban in place. (Downloaded 43 minutes ago)
Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban status, this rating is based on information from the RFS and BOM.

Weather and Climate
Weather and Climate summary detailed weather and climate information here
Cloudy.
Cloudy.
2.2°C (feels like -2.6°)
15 km/h from the S (gusting 17)
88% humidity     (as at 20/01:34am)
A graph displaying the average daily temperature range for the year

Blue Mountains National Park Link 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 fees Camping Facilities
Current Park Closure information for Blue Mountains National Park
Closure information last downloaded Thursday 20th of June 2013 02:00 AM
CLOSED AREAS
ATTENTION Katoomba Walking Tracks
The following walking tracks in the Katoomba area will be closed on Thursday 20th June 2013 due to helicopter lifting in materials for the repair of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk between Cliff View Lookout and Lady Darley’s Lookout:
  • Federal Pass (from Katoomba Falls [Cook’s Crossing] to intersection with Dardanelles Pass below the Three Sisters.
  • Federal Pass from Golden Stairs intersection, below Narrow Neck, to the Scenic Railway bottom station.
  • Prince Henry Cliff Walk between Cliff View Lookout and Lady Darley’s Lookout
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.
ATTENTION Wentworth Falls Tracks
The following tracks will be closed on Friday 21st June due to helicopter lifting materials to the Den Fenella Walking Track for track upgrade work.
National Pass
Wentworth Pass
Vera Falls
Undercliff track
Den Fenella track
Rocket Point
Wentworth Falls Picnic Area, lookouts and the following tracks will remain OPEN:
Valley of the Waters to National Pass junction
Nature Track
Short Cut Track
Princes Rock Lookout
Princes Rock track (Undercliff Track to Wentworth Falls).
Queens Cascade
Fletchers Lookout
Wentworth Falls to Rocket Point Junction
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.
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

Walker Feedback

Comments
Add NewSearch
Gav - Fairfax track with kids IP:202.147.43.xxx | 2013-06-13 00:12:27
We did this walk with our nearly-2, nearly-4, and 6 year old boys and they walked it all with no trouble at all. Amazing views all along the cliff tops near Govetts Leap.
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