Map of Walk

Location

               
Map of Megalong Rd to Bowtells Swing Bridge (Coxs River)
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Map Scale 5 km
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

Six Foot Track

1:50 000 Map Series

NSW-six-foot-track

Hampton

1:25 000 Map Series

NSW-89304S

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 Megalong Rd to Bowtells Swing Bridge (Coxs River) bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Megalong Rd to Bowtells Swing Bridge (Coxs River) 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	13km
		Time	5 hrs 30 mins
		.
Grade 4/6 Track: Hard	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

*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
3.4km of this walk is very steep and another 1.9km has short steep hills. Whilst another 900m has gentle hills with occasional steps and the remaining 95m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track
Around 5km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 870m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs
Around 5km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 870m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required
Around 3.4km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 2.8km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

Weather
Around 3.4km of this walk is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 2.8km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure
Around 3.4km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 2.8km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

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
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Drive to Int of 6 Foot Track and Megalong Rd
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|

(0 km) Int of 6 Foot Track and Megalong Rd to Megalong Cemetery Walk: Easy - servicetrail	Length = 96 m	Time = 2 mins
	Climb = 0 m	Descent = -5 m
From the car park on Megalong Road (about 400m south of Megalong Creek), this walk follows the 'Six Foot Track' sign[1] over the cattle grate[2] or stile[3] and goes beside the large sheltered 'Six Foot Track' information sign[4]. Here the walk heads gently downhill along the dirt road[5] for about 80m to come beside a stone memorial[6], marking 'Megalong Cemetery'[7] (on your left).

Megalong Cemetery (historical)	Alt = 566 m
The Megalong Cemetery became the final resting place for at least 14 people who died between 1894 and 1931[8]. Many of the grave sites[9] are in poor repair or can no longer be easily found - please take care in the area to avoid any further damage. A tall stone monument[10] marks the edge of the cemetery on the Six Foot Track, about 100m west of Megalong Road. This cemetery is currently under the management of the Blue Mountains City Council, and is recognised by the National Trust.[11]

(0.1 km) Megalong Cemetery to Int Near Guyver Bridge Walk: Easy - servicetrail	Length = 770 m	Time = 15 mins
	Climb = 14 m	Descent = -34 m
Continue straight: From beside 'Megalong Cemetery'[12], this walk heads gently downhill along the dirt road[13] for about 80m to pass through gate with a 'No Through Road' sign[14]. Just shy of 300m later, this walk passes a few driveways, beside the farmland[15] to cross another cattle grate[16]. Then about 150m later, the road leads close to Megalong Creek[17], where a sign reminds visitors this is private land[18]. About 30m further on, the main dirt road veers right at a Y-intersection[19] then crosses a cattle grate[20]. Here the walk heads uphill along the dirt road for just over 200m (with views of the escarpment behind[21]) to cross another grate and come to an intersection marked with a 'Six Foot Track' sign pointing right into the valley[22].

(0.87 km) Int Near Guyver Bridge to Euroka back gate Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 1.85 km	Time = 41 mins
	Climb = 69 m	Descent = -122 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Six Foot Track' sign[23] downhill along the narrow track into the valley. The walk now crosses a small creek on the timber 'Guyver Bridge'[24], named in honour of Jon Guyver who worked hard to redevelop the 6FT as the track coordinator/administrator until 2010. Here the walk heads up the timber steps[25] and over a rise[26]. The track now follows a wire fence down through the farmland[27] and across a valley (above a dam) for almost 100m to metal stile just before a dirt trail[28]. Here the walk turns right and crosses the fence using the stile[29], then follows a 'Six Foot Track' sign along the track as it undulates over a series of hills[30] for about 300m before crossing another fence using another metal stile[31] beside a large tree. The track now leads uphill for 200m to pass a 'Private Land - No Camping before Coxs River Reserve' sign[32], then winds along the side of the hill for a further 150m before heading into a wooded forest and down some timber steps[33]. The walk then crosses a steep gully and winds along the side of the hill for just over 100m to pass a '35km' 6FT arrow post[34], then 150m later, crosses another fence using a metal stile[35]. Here the walk continues for another 600m through a mix of farmland and open forest, crossing a few more steep gullies with timber steps to head through a closed gate[36], marked with a few 'Private Property' signs[37].

(2.72 km) Private Gate to Bowtells Bridge East Track: Hard - bushtrack	Length = 3.43 km	Time = 1 hr 25 mins
	Climb = 157 m	Descent = -348 m
Continue straight: From the gate, this walk heads downhill along the narrowing track, keeping the valley to your right. After about 120m, this walk crosses a timber fence on a metal stile[38], then continues down the track over a few large rocks for just over 200m, to an intersection with a wide trail. Here the walk turns right then immediately left[39], to continue along the track as it narrows again. The track then leads down along the side of the valley for about 600m and passes through another usually closed gate[40], then about 250m later, the track passes a few granite boulders[41] and heads down a few timber steps. About 400m after this, this walk heads down a 100m-long series of timber steps[42] to cross a gully and find a series of large granite boulders[43] - one of the small overhangs is home to a wild bee hive[44]. The track leads out of the valley and gently down along the side of the hill for about 1km, where the valley opens up with wider views down to the Coxs River[45], then heads down some more timber steps[46]. About 250m later, the track leads down another set of timber steps[47] to then head through a pleasant lush gully with views close to the river[48]. The track then heads along the hillside for another 150m to an intersection (just above the swing bridge, to your right), marked with a 'Six Foot Track' and 'Alternative Bridge' signs[49].

Bowtells Swing Bridge	Alt = 296 m
This suspension footbridge[50] spans the Coxs River and provides an alternate route for the Six Foot Track when the river is in flood[51]. Regardless of weather, this route is now becoming more popular with many walkers, wanting to avoid the river crossing. The bridge was built and opened in 1992 by the Royal Australian Engineers. The bridge is named after a fellow soldier of the builders, Corporal Bob Bowtell, who suffocated and died in foul air whilst attempting to clear a tunnel of the VC during the Vietnam war [52]. Bowtell grew up in Katoomba and is now buried in West Malaysia.

(6.15 km) Bowtells Swing Bridge to Bowtells Swing Bridge North Track: Moderate - duckboard	Length = 130 m	Time = 4 mins
	Climb = 15 m	Descent = -8 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Alternative Bridge When River High' sign[53] down the timber steps[54] to the southern end of the 'Bowtells Bridge'[55]. Here the walk climbs the ramp and crosses the Cox's River on the suspension bridge[56], observing the 'Only one Person at a time'[57] safety sign. This crossing can take some time with a large group - the bridge does swing a fair bit and people concerned by heights may find this challenging. The bridge spans 100m, giving great views of the river below[58]. On the far side, this walk steps off the bridge onto the large rock platform[59].

(6.28 km) Bowtells Bridge West to Six Foot Track Lodge Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 793 m	Time = 20 mins
	Climb = 49 m	Descent = -73 m
Continue straight: From the north side of the bridge, this walk heads up the timber steps through the dense forest[60] to soon pass the 'Bowtells Bridge' sign[61]. At the top of these steps, the track bends left then leads along the side of the hill for 500m, crossing a few gullies[62] and undulating up and down a series of timber steps to then pass between a couple of fences posts[63]. Here the walk continues down a series of timber steps[64] to a clearing and intersection marked with a 'Private Land - No Camping' sign[65]. Turn sharp right: From the intersection and clearing, this walk follows the 'Camping Ground-500mtrs' sign[66] north up the timber steps. The track soon bends left and follows the side of the hill[67] for about 130m to then head through a gate with a 'Welcome' sign[68]. The walk continues along the clear track for another 70m to the intersection with the timber path[69] just below the 'Six Foot Track Lodge'[70].

Six Foot Track Lodge	Alt = 291 m
The Six Foot Track Lodge is situated above the flats of the Coxs River along the Six Foot Track alternate route, not far north of Coxs River Campsite. The lodge consists of two cabins, each with the capacity to sleep twelve people in bunks[71]. The cabins are equipped with linen, warm blankets, log fire[72], pizza oven[73], tank water[74] and has its own outhouse toilet[75]. At $35[76] per person per night, this is a very pleasant way to spend an evening. Meal packs can also be organised for a fee. For more information, visit www.6fttracklodge.com or call Willi-Joy Sirks (owner) 0415 523 041. All bookings must be made before commencing your walk (the cabin is not staffed).

Drive from Int of 6 Foot Track and Megalong Rd
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

Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk

Store	Address	Phone	Distance (straight line)
Paddy Pallin	166 Katoomba St , Katoomba	(02) 4782 4466	7.4 km
Summit Gear	80- Bathurst Rd , Katoomba	(02) 4782 3018	7.6 km
Simdra Pet & Hobby Mart	45 Main St , Lithgow	(02) 6352 4422	29.2 km
Lithgow 4WD Centre	281 Main St , Lithgow	(02) 6353 1899	29.2 km
Summit Gear	11 Ross St , Glenbrook	(02) 4739 4373	36 km

A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Megalong Rd to Bowtells Swing Bridge (Coxs River).

Channel	Call sign (more info)	Site	Distance and dir from Megalong Rd to Bowtells Swing Bridge (Coxs River) Click to re-center search
5	BIN05	Fire Tower MT BINDO Emergency use only	22 km (to the WNW)
7	VMC7	Fire Tower MT BINDO	22 km (to the WNW)
6	LGW06	Lithgow Council Site HASSANS WALLS	27 km (to the NNW)
4	RIV04	Fire Service Rusden Road MT RIVERVIEW	37 km (to the E)
2	KUR02	Miles Comms Site 1 1 246 Burralow Road KURRAJONG HEIGHTS	41 km (to the ENE)

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 21 minutes ago)
This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a NONE rating and No Ban in place. (Downloaded 21 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

Early shower or two. 8.4°C (feels like 6.2°) 7 km/h from the S 86% humidity     (as at 25/09:00am) Sat       14° Early shower or two. Sun 3°|15° Light morning frost. Sunny. Mon 2°|14° Mostly sunny. Tue 6°|13° Partly cloudy.

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