Springwood to Martins Falls

Download & Print Map and Notes

4 hrs

9 km Return

413 m

Hard track

This walk to Martins Falls follows the Magdala Gully down from Springwood. The valley is cool and dark, and the track is never far from water. Martins Falls are a great place to hang out for lunch, or sit and enjoy the cool of the falls from the rocks. A great walk with a lush waterfall to explore.

Overview Map of Magdala and surrounding gullies

Springwood

Springwood, along the Great Western Highway, is the second largest town in the Blue Mountains. Springwood also takes the title for the oldest railway station in the Blue Mountains. 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. 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.

(0km) Springwood Station → Int. Springwood Ave and Fairy Dell Reserve

270 m

5 mins

-11m Very easy

From Springwood Station, the walk crosses the road at the pedestrian crossing and turns left. The walk continues past the shop front for about 150 metres before turning right at a quadrangle, which leads the walk down through a car park. The walk passes through the car park and crosses Macquarie Rd, to the 'Fariy Dell' sign[4].

(0km) Int. Springwood Ave and Fairy Dell Reserve → Fairy Dell Reserve picnic area

150 m

3 mins

-21m Easy track

Continue straight: From the 'Fairy Dell, 49 Springwood Ave' sign[5], the walk heads downhill into the reserve (along the smaller road), past the signs. The walk winds down past the units (on the left) to the bottom of the road. The walk continues on the left side of the cul-de-sac, to a grassy area with picnic tables.

Fairy Dell Reserve picnic area

Fairy Dell Reserve picnic area is a quiet and shady terraced garden at the head of the Magdala Gully. Fairy Dell is situated just south of Springwood in the Lower Blue Mountains. The picnic area has numerous tables, parking and a grassy area for the kids to play. The Fairy Dell Reserve Picnic area is also the starting point for a number of walks down to Magdala Creek, Picnic Point and nearby Lawson Lookout.

(0km) Fairy Dell Reserve picnic area → Int. Fairy Dell and Picnic Point Tracks

390 m

9 mins

-44m Hard track

Veer left: From the picnic area, the walk follows the 'Sassafras Gully' sign down the stairs. The walk quickly passes the vandalised building (which has since been reported as demolished by another walker), then a map sign before meeting a creek. The walk keeps the creek on the right and soon comes to a bridge with direction signs.

(1km) Int. Fairy Dell and Picnic Point Tracks → Picnic Point

160 m

6 mins

33m

-2m Hard track

Turn right: From the intersection, the walk crosses the bridge, following the 'Picnic Point' signs[6]. The walk immediately climbs many stairs which wind up to a the picnic shelter and grass area of Picnic Point. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

Picnic Point

Picnic Point, in Springwood, Blue Mountains, is a quiet, grassy clearing tucked behind the houses above Magdala Creek. The area has a gazebo, picnic table and water tank (water needs to be treated). The clearing has a track leading down to many popular walks, with Lawson's Lookout and Fairy Dell Reserves nearby.

(1km) Int. Fairy Dell and Picnic Point Tracks → Int. Lawsons Lookout Trk and Fairy Dell Trk

140 m

3 mins

-13m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection at the bridge, the walk heads in the direction of the 'Perch Ponds' arrow[7], keeping the creek on the right of the track. The walk soon comes to a 'Lawson's Lookout' sign[ref img=146352, above a cascade in the creek.

(1km) Int. Lawsons Lookout Trk and Fairy Dell Trk → Lawsons Lookout

410 m

11 mins

39m

-11m Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the direction of the 'Lawsons Lookout' signs[8], up the hill. The track heads up to a rocky outcrop, where the track turns back on itself and steps through some bushes to the rocky surface of the lookout. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.

Lawsons Lookout

Lawsons Lookout, in Springwood, Blue Mountains, is an unfenced rockshelf overlooking the wonderful Magdala Creek valley. The lookout is most easily accessed from Raymond Rd.

(1km) Int. Lawsons Lookout Trk and Fairy Dell Trk → Int. Magdala Ck and Magdala Falls trks

3.2 km

1 hr 7 mins climb

92m

-181m Hard track

Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the direction of the 'Perch Ponds' sign, keeping the creek on the right. The track crosses the creek many times, passing a number of caves. The track passes a burnt 'Perch Ponds' sign[9] as it crosses a creek to immediately come to an intersection (with arrows engraved in the rocks[10]).
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the arrows engraved in the rock, keeping the creek to the right. The walk winds down the hillside then crosses the creek, continuing to follow the creek (now on the left) to a 'Magdala Falls' sign.

Magdala Falls

Magdala Falls is a disappointing set of falls. The view from the steep hillside doesn't show any of the falls, but instead lets you hear the water cascade into the pool below. A red-stained rock above the pool can be seen through the dense foliage of the trees.

(4km) Int. Magdala Ck and Magdala Falls trks → Int. Martins Falls and Magdala Ck trks

300 m

7 mins

13m

-25m Hard track

Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk keeps the creek on the left as it heads down the gully. The walk winds down the hill, passing a few rock overhangs as it leads to a 'Martins Lookout' sign.

(4km) Int. Martins Falls and Magdala Ck trks → Perch Ponds camping area

380 m

10 mins

14m

-63m Hard track

Continue straight: From the 'Martins Falls' intersection[11], the track heads up a small hill, then downhill with the creek on the left. The walk meanders above the creek for a short time then opens out onto the 'Perch Ponds' campground clearing[12]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

Perch Ponds Campsite

Perch Ponds is a lovely waterhole, with a clearing suitable to pitch a tent, located at the junction of Magdala Creek and Glenbrook Creeks. The meeting of the two creek provides a relaxing sound of rushing water and a cool spot to rest on warmer days. The campsite is a flat area above the pool marked with a fire scar. A great shady and quiet area for a camp. There are no facilities and water from the creek needs to be treated.

(4km) Int. Martins Falls and Magdala Ck trks → Behind Martins Falls

30 m

1 mins

-2m Hard track

Turn left : From the intersection, the walk heads to the left of the 'Martins Falls' sign (towards the falls). The walk skirts around the edge of the valley, coming under the rock overhang of the falls, and then arriving behind the falls.

Martins Falls

Martins Falls are at a rock overhang on Magdala Creek, near Springwood, almost 400m upstream from the Glenbrook Creek junction. The water falls off a rock platform, over the overhang into a large pond. There is a faint track leading behind the falls, giving a different perspective of the pond and falls - extra care is required. This is a lovely area to enjoy the cool temperatures on warmer days, and is more spectacular after recent rain.

Maps for the Springwood to Martins Falls walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Springwood	1:25 000 Map Series	90304S SPRINGWOOD	NSW-90304S
Penrith	1:100 000 Map Series	9030 PENRITH	9030

Cross sectional view of the Springwood to Martins Falls bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Springwood to Martins Falls

Altitude analysis for Springwood to Martins Falls

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	9 km
		Time	4 hrs
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
		Signs	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
		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)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

3.7km of this walk is very steep and another 430m has short steep hills. Whilst another 270m is flat with no steps and the remaining 150m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

3km of this walk follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and another 1.1km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (410m) follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

2.7km of this walk has minimal directional signs and another 1.4km has directional signs at most intersection. The remaining (410m) is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 4.5km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 4.5km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

3km of this walk has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) and another 800m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats). The remaining (690m) has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Springwood to Martins Falls walk.

Lawson Lookout from Fairy Dell Reserve

2.7 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

This walk is a great way to go to Lawson Lookout, especially if you are coming from Fairy Dell Reserve picnic area. With Springwood just out of ear shot, the walk meanders down the Magdala Gully, then leads up to Lawson Lookout for a great view across the valley.

Total climbing: 149m

Hard track

Sassafras Gully Loop

10.5 km Circuit, 4 hrs 15 mins

The Sassafras Gully loop is an excellent walk setting out from Springwood Station. The walk uses the gullies to navigate past some wonderful rock features, dense bushland and waterfalls. A nice cool walk in the shade and never too far from water.

Total climbing: 501m

Hard track

Springwood to Faulconbridge

11.5 km One way, 5 hrs

This pleasent walk takes in the sights of two fantastic Blue Mountains valleys. The walk down from Springwood Station uses Magdala Gully to pass a number of waterfalls before visiting Perch Ponds. The walk then follows Glenbrook Creek valley up to Faulconbridge Station for the return home. A quiet w

Total climbing: 633m

Hard track

Springwood to Blaxland Station

13.5 km One way, 6 hrs

This walk offers a diverse range of vegetation and sights along its course. Passing Martins Falls and below Martins Lookout, the walk takes in some amazing views as it climbs up and down the ridge lines, above the many creeks and gullies. A walk to test your legs and your camera.

Total climbing: 628m

Experienced only

Martins Lookout Loop Walk

13.8 km Circuit, 6 hrs 30 mins

This walk offers a magnificent way to explore the Sassafras Gully, enjoying the lush valleys and deep bushland, as well as the panoramic Martins Lookout. This walk has much to offer, with many views to impress before returning to Springwood Train Station.

Total climbing: 842m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Springwood to Martins Falls walk.

Raymond Rd to Lawsons Lookout

202 m Return, 15 mins

This is short walk to a view across Magdala Gully. The walk follows a track that leads to a the moderately large clearing behind the lookout. The view from the lookout is not as spectacular as many other lookouts in the area, but can be quite intriguing with a morning mist lifting from the valley.

Total climbing: 20m

Moderate track

Faulconbridge to Blaxland

This is a great circuit walk, exploring a section of the Glenbrook Gorge from above, with an optional side trip down to the creek below. The walk has some very scenic areas and passes many interesting rock formations. Easily accessible by car or public transport, this is a great walk to start your w

Total climbing: 249m

Hard track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Springwood to Martins Falls walk starts and ends at the Springwood Station (gps: -33.699102, 150.56380)

Train. (get details)

Bus. (get details)

Car. There is free parking available.<br /> (get details)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Central Tablelands weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Blue Mountains National Park

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.

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