Map of Walk

Location

               
Map of Perrys Lookdown to Blue Gum Forest
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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

Mount Wilson

1:25 000 Map Series

NSW-89301N

Katoomba

1:100 000 Map Series

8930

Photo Gallery

Terrain

Please note: This is a 'return' style walk and therefore these graphs only show the terrain for the first half of the walk (until the turn around point.)

Cross sectional view of the Perrys Lookdown to Blue Gum Forest bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Perrys Lookdown to Blue Gum Forest 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	4.3km
		Time	4 hrs
		.
Grade 4/6 Track: Hard	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)

*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
Around 1.8km of this walk is very steep, whilst the remaining 350m has short steep hills.

Quality of track
Around 1.8km of this walk follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely, whilst the remaining 350m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs
Around 2.1km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 75m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required
This whole walk, 2.1km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

Weather
This whole walk, 2.1km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure
Around 1.8km of this walk has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged), whilst the remaining 350m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Track Notes

Since this is a 'return' style walk once you have had enough of the walk, turn around and retrace your steps back to the start.

Wildwalks
The State Goverment is allowing Recreational Hunting in our National Parks This poses a serious threat to the environement and visitor safety Help stop the madness by writing a quick letter. Thanks for your help

Drive to Perry's Lookdown car park and camping area
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|

Perrys Lookdown campground	Alt = 926 m
Perrys Lookdown offers a simple campsite, close to some spectacular lookouts and well located as starting point for longer walks exploring the Grose Valley. There are 5 tent sites and a non-flush toilet, but no water available. This area allows fuel stoves only (no camp fires). The camping area is a short walk from the car park. Limit to one night stay (sites cannot be reserved).

(0 km) Perry's Lookdown car park and camping area to Perry's Lookdown Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 77 m	Time = 3 mins
	Climb = 0 m	Descent = -16 m
From the car park, the walk follows the sign 'Perry's Lookdown Track' down the hill to a railed lookout.

Perry's Lookdown	Alt = 907 m
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.

(0.08 km) Perry's Lookdown to Int. Perry's and Dockers Lookout Tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 41 m	Time = 2 mins
	Climb = 0 m	Descent = -15 m
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'.

(0.12 km) Int. Perry's and Dockers Lookout Tracks to Dockers Lookout Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 19 m	Time = 1 mins
	Climb = 0 m	Descent = -13 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk leads for a short distance down the railed path to the visible lookout area, Docker's Lookout. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then veer left to continue along this walk.)

Dockers Lookout	Alt = 878 m
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.

(0.12 km) Int. Perry's and Dockers Lookout Tracks to Blue Gum Forest intersection Track: Hard - bushtrack	Length = 2.02 km	Time = 1 hr 31 mins
	Climb = 22 m	Descent = -603 m
Turn sharp right: 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	Alt = 311 m
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

(2.14 km) Blue Gum Forest intersection to Acacia Flats Camping Ground Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 606 m	Time = 10 mins
	Climb = 4 m	Descent = -4 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign 'Camping only at Acacia Flats', heading downstream. The track tends right, away from the Grose River and towards the hills on the right. The walk then heads downhill and across a small creek, after which it meanders for approximately 100m before arriving at Acacia Flats camping area.

Acacia Flats Camping Ground	Alt = 312 m
Acacia Flats Camping Ground, Blue Mountains NP, is situated on the floor of the Grose Valley between Perrys Lookdown and Lockley Pylon. The camp ground is approximately 50m from Govetts Creek and approximately 500m upstream from Blue Gum Forest. Acacia Flats Camping Ground is appropriately named after the dense population of Acacias found in this area. Acacia Flats is a wonderful area to camp with tall shady Blue Gums and level grass clearings which make for a great place to pitch a tent. There is a pit toilet and sitting logs to make camping more comfortable, and plenty of room for large groups. Water is available from Govetts Creek (treat before drinking).

Drive from Perry's Lookdown car park and camping area
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

Driving Directions
	To the start of the walk                  Castle HillChatswoodDuralEppingGosfordHornsbyKatoombaManlyParramattaPenrithStrathfieldSutherlandSydney Drive from:		From the end of the walk                  Castle HillChatswoodDuralEppingGosfordHornsbyKatoombaManlyParramattaPenrithStrathfieldSutherlandSydney 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	13 km
Paddy Pallin	166 Katoomba St , Katoomba	(02) 4782 4466	13.4 km
Simdra Pet & Hobby Mart	45 Main St , Lithgow	(02) 6352 4422	21.7 km
Lithgow 4WD Centre	281 Main St , Lithgow	(02) 6353 1899	22.5 km
Richmond Camping Supplies	340 Windsor St , Richmond	(02) 4578 3004	37.3 km

A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Perrys Lookdown to Blue Gum Forest.

Channel	Call sign (more info)	Site	Distance and dir from Perrys Lookdown to Blue Gum Forest Click to re-center search
6	LGW06	Lithgow Council Site HASSANS WALLS	21 km (to the WNW)
2	KUR02	Miles Comms Site 1 1 246 Burralow Road KURRAJONG HEIGHTS	26 km (to the ENE)
4	RIV04	Fire Service Rusden Road MT RIVERVIEW	30 km (to the ESE)
5	BIN05	Fire Tower MT BINDO Emergency use only	32 km (to the WSW)
7	VMC7	Fire Tower MT BINDO	32 km (to the WSW)

Weather and Park info

Fire Danger
This walk passes Central Ranges fire area which currently has a NONE rating and No Ban in place. (Downloaded 7 minutes ago)
This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a NONE rating and No Ban in place. (Downloaded 7 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

Wind easing. Partly cloudy. 7.6°C (feels like -0.3°) 33 km/h from the W (gusting 39) 70% humidity     (as at 21/04:34am)

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 Tuesday 21st of May 2013 05:00 AM
CLOSED AREAS
ATTENTION - Helicopter Operation affecting Katoomba Walking Tracks postponed till Wed 22nd May
The following walking tracks in the Katoomba area will be closed on Wednesday 22nd May 2013 due to helicopter lifting in the new replacement for Honeymoon Bridge:-
Federal Pass (from Katoomba Falls [Cook’s Crossing] to intersection with Dardanelles Pass below Leura.)Federal Pass from Golden Stairs intersection, below Narrow Neck, to the Scenic Railway bottom station.
Giant Stairs
Dardanelles
There will be no access to the top of the Three Sisters, beyond the Prince Henry Cliff Walk junction.
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. 
For further information please call 0247 878877

Breakfast Point Lookout closed - Breakfast Point Lookout
Breakfast Point Lookout at Wentworth Falls is closed until further notice.
Campsites at Euroka - Euroka campground
Darug campsite now closed until further notice for maintenance and upgrade. Camping is available at other sites at Euroka Campground. For bookings you may book online at http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/online-bookings or call 1300 072 757.  For group bookings over 6 and to speak to the local Area office please call 024588 2400 monday to friday.
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.
Glenbrook precinct has re-opened
Access to Jellybean Pool via the road and the walking track is now open
Euroka walking track remains closed as does Ironbarks Firetrail and Portal Waterhole precinct.
Honeymoon Bridge, Three Sisters, Katoomba - Monday 29th April till early June
NPWS will be starting work to replace the Honeymoon bridge at the Three Sisters on Monday 29^th April.  Work should be completed by early June.
There will be no access to the bridge during this time.
All walking tracks and other lookouts in the area, including the Giant Stairway, will remain open.  Short term closures for helicopter operations during the work will be advised.
NPWS Heritage Centre is open 7 days a week for information.  Tel: 4787 8877
   
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
HAZARD REDUCTION BURNS
Hazard reduction burn
Wild Dog Mountains - CLOSED
All walking routes in the Wild Dog Mountains will remain closed until further notice while hazard reduction burning operations are current. The W7 or Cedarland Ridge Rd from Green Gully to Medlow Gap will be re-opened on Monday 13th May.
Anyone intending to walk in Wild Dogs during May should check the national parks website prior to setting off for any updates regarding affected areas. View a map of the hazard reduction burn planned for the Wild Dogs area (PDF 259KB).
Hazard reduction burn
An aerially ignited prescribed burn will be undertaken along the Gingra Range in Kanangra-Boyd National Park between Friday 17th and Monday 20th May 2013. Walkers are advised to avoid this area during these dates.
All enquiries to NPWS Oberon office on 02 6336 1972 or the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877

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