This is an enjoyable walk through the valleys joining Faulconbridge and Springwood. Using the Victory and Sassafras Gully tracks, the walk stays close to water as it descends into the valley, returning up through the changing vegetation.
Cross sectional view of the Faulconbridge to Springwood via Sassafras Gully bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Faulconbridge to Springwood via Sassafras Gully 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
6km
Time
3 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
3.6km of this walk has short steep hills and another 1.3km is very steep. The remaining (1.2km) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
3.6km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 1.6km follows a smooth and hardened path. The remaining (900m) follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.
Signs
Around 3.1km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 3km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 6km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 6km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
3km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) and another 2.2km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced). The remaining (900m) has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).
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Faulconbridge, in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, was named after the maiden name of Sir Henry Parkes' mother[1]. Faulconbridge sits on the Great Western Highway and is surrounded by valleys of lush bushland. This picturesque town was a home, and final resting place, for Sir Henry Parkes', heralded as the 'Father of Federation'[2]. Faulconbridge was originally explored by non-indigenous Australians in 1813, by Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson who were searching for a route over the Blue Mountains [3].
(0 km)
Faulconbridge Station
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No. 10 Sir Henrys Pde Track: Moderate - road
Length = 414 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 10 m
Descent = -16 m
From the top of Faulconbridge Station, the walk heads off the station overpass to the bushland side of the station (if you come to a car park, you have gone to the wrong side of the station). The walk then keeps the rail line on the left as it follows the footpath down to the road. After a while, the walk comes to an intersection with Sir Henrys Pde, opposite house number 10.
Victory Track
Alt = 442 m
The Victory Track is more formally know as the 'Sir Henry Parkes Victory Track'[4] and is called the 'Victoria Track' in many guide books. The track starts near Sir Henry Parkes' grave[5] in Faulconbridge and leads to Sassafrass Gully Creek. Sir Henry Parks (1815-1896) was a politician and journalist, born in England. He is considered to be the 'Father of Federation' for Australia, although he died of natural causes 5 years before Australia's federation. Parkes was the premier of New South Wales five times. The town Parkes was named in his honour[6]. Parkes would sometime write under the pseudonym 'Faulconbridge'[7] (his mothers maiden name)[8] for the Sydney Morning Herald and other papers and Faulconbridge (the township) was named after his mother when Parkes purchased 600 acres[9] in 1877. More info
(0.41 km)
No. 10 Sir Henrys Pde
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Int. Victory Trk and Clarinda Falls Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 1.32 km
Time = 38 mins
Climb = 15 m
Descent = -173 m
Turn right: From 10 Sir Henrys Pde (bushland side), the walk follows the 'Victory Track' sign down into the bush. The walk passes under a few rock overhangs and then crosses a creek. Passing a smaller track (on the left, which leads to the top of the falls), the walk soon comes down to a 'Clarinda Falls' sign[10].
(1.74 km)
Int. Victory Trk and Clarinda Falls
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Clarinda Falls Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 25 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -4 m
Turn left: From the intersection, the track follows the 'Clarinda Falls' sign[11] towards the log fallen on the rock. The track tends left around the hillside, coming to Clarinda Falls. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then continue straight to continue along this walk.)
Clarinda Falls
Alt = 283 m
Clarinda Falls is a charming waterfall on Sassafras Creek. The water cascades over a near-vertical wall, into a sandy pool below. The falls are signposted from the main track and provide a nice cool detour, especially on warmer days. The falls are named for the first wife of Sir Henry Parkes, 'Father of Australian Federation'[12].
(1.74 km)
Int. Victory Trk and Clarinda Falls
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Victory Trk camping area Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 630 m
Time = 18 mins
Climb = 23 m
Descent = -72 m
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Sassafras Gully' sign[13] down the hill. The track keeps the creek on the left as it continues down the gully then crosses a creek junction. The walk meanders down the hillside and soon crosses a larger creek junction, before entering a campground clearing (beneath power lines).
Victory Track camping area
Alt = 236 m
Victory Track camping area is a fairly large, informal camping place at the junction of Sassafras and Numantia Creeks. The clearing is in a moist section of forest with plenty of shade. Water from the creek should be treated before use.
(2.37 km)
Victory Trk camping area
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Victory Trk pool Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 878 m
Time = 24 mins
Climb = 61 m
Descent = -78 m
Continue straight: From the campground clearing, the walk follows the creek, keeping it to the left. The track winds up the hill and back down to the creek a few times and soon comes to an intersection with a faint track on the left (which leads to a pool in the creek).
Victory Track pool
Alt = 219 m
The Victory Track pool is an unofficially-named pond in Sassafras Creek. The pond is deep in parts but not adequate for a swim. It does, however, offer a chance to rest and gaze over the water. There is a small sandy beach, some moss-covered rocks and a lovely grove of Sassafras trees around the pool. This is a nice spot to stop, catch your breath and soak up your surroundings.
(3.24 km)
Victory Trk pool
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No. 18 Sassafras Gully Rd Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 1.68 km
Time = 39 mins
Climb = 191 m
Descent = -46 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads down the valley, keeping the creek on the left. The walk soon turns left, crosses the creek and continues down the valley, with the creek now on the right. Leading down the valley, the track then crosses a gully to arrive at a blue 'Faulconbridge Station' sign (pointing back the way you came)[14]. Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Sassafras Gully Rd' sign[15] up the stairs. The walk crosses a large creek junction and continues up the gully, passing under numerous rock overhangs. Moving away from the creek and its rocky outcrops, the walk steeply climbs the hillside. The walk comes below a rocky outcrop, which it follows around to the right, keeping the outcrop on the right (ignoring the track which leads up the outcrop). The walk comes to an unsignposted intersection with another track. Turn right: From the intersection, the walk heads up the hill, keeping the rock outcrop to the right. The track tends left towards a house fenceline (house No. 18), which it follows to the end of Sassafras Gully Rd.
(4.92 km)
No. 18 Sassafras Gully Rd
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Springwood Station Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 1.19 km
Time = 23 mins
Climb = 38 m
Descent = -35 m
Veer right: From the end of Sassafras Gully Rd, the walk heads to the top of the road and turns right onto Valley Rd. The walk follows the footpath on Valley Rd, passing Bee Farm Rd before turning left onto Homedale St. The walk continues along Homedale St then turns right onto Macquarie Rd. Macquarie Rd is followed to the train station, where the walk crosses the road using the pedestrian crossing.
Springwood
Alt = 369 m
Springwood, along the Great Western Highway, is the second largest town in the Blue Mountains[16]. Springwood also takes the title for the oldest railway station in the Blue Mountains[17]. There are a variety of shops in Springwood, with quite a few cafes, bakeries and two historic hotels. Springwood was named by Governor Macquarie, when his wife and he stopped for water from a deep glen spring, in 1815[18]. It seems aptly named, with many springs and creeks leading away from the ridge at Springwood, including Sassafras Gully, Magdala Creek and Glenbrook Creek. More info
Fire Danger This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a NONE rating and No Ban in place. (Downloaded 26 minutes ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban status, this rating is based on information from the RFS and BOM.
Blue Mountains National ParkLink 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 feesCampingFacilities Current Park Closure information for Blue Mountains National Park Closure information last downloaded Monday 20th of May 2013 04:00 AM CLOSED AREAS ATTENTION - Helicopter Operation affecting Katoomba Walking Tracks The following walking tracks in the Katoomba area will be closed on Monday 20th May2013 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.
NPWS Heritage Centre is open 7 days a week for information. Tel: 4787 8877
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 29th 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 NationalPark 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
Hiking near Sydney 
NEW
Track: Hard
1 km
not too much longer now :)