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Time 30 mins
One way 1.1 km One way
Climb 42 m
Grade 3 Moderate track
Car
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While not as spectacular as other walks in the Wentworth Falls area, this walk is not without it's charm. Going from Conservation Hut to the Falls Picnic Area, this track does provide a great access route between two popular picnic and eating locations, and access to many of the walks in the area.

Conservation Hut

Conservation Hut
Conservation Hut is a small cafe perched above the Valley of the Waters, Blue Mountains National Park. The hut was opened in 1963 as a meeting place for the local conservation movement. Rebuilt, Conservation Hut opened as a cafe in 1993, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week. Around the Conservation Hut is a small parking area, public toilets, picnic shelters, town water and B&B's. For further information or bookings call (02) 4757 3827. More info.

(0km) Conservation Hut → Int of Valley of the Waters Track and Shortcut Track

distance 40 m time 1 mins climb 0m descent -6m Easy track
From Conservation Hut, this walk follows the 'Valley of the Waters' sign down some timber and dirt steps passing a couple of picnic shelters. The track soon leads to the signposted intersection with the 'Short Cut Track' (still in view of the Conservation Hut).

(0km) Int of Valley of the Waters Track and Shortcut Track → Int of Shortcut and Lyrebird Lookout Tracks

distance 250 m time 6 mins climb 11m descent -15m Easy track
Turn left : From the intersection, the walk heads along the 'Short Cut Track' following the arrow to 'Wentworth Falls picnic area'. The track gradually heads downhill with small log steps. After a short distance, the walk crosses a small creek using a bridge. The track then bends to the right and continues along till comes to a signposted intersection with another track (on the right).

(0km) Int of Shortcut and Lyrebird Lookout Tracks → Int of Shortcut and Breakfast Point Lookout Tracks

distance 110 m time 2 mins climb 2m descent -3m Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the sign to 'Wentworth Falls picnic area' that heads south-east along the flat bush track. Soon the walk comes to a 4-way intersection marked with signs pointing to Breakfast Pt Lookout, Murphy's Lane and to the Falls Picnic Area.

(0km) Int of Shortcut and Breakfast Point Lookout Tracks → Sir H. Burrell Drive Carpark (Nth)

distance 620 m time 13 mins climb 22m descent -38m Easy track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to the 'Falls Picnic Area', heading east along a flat track. The wide track gently winds through the bush, tending to the right - there are a number of anti-erosion systems in place to step over. Just before opening out into the car park, the track turns right. At the car park is a large 'Short Cut Track' sign, pointing back.

Wentworth Falls Picnic Area

Wentworth Falls Picnic Area
The Wentworth Falls Picnic Area is in the Blue Mountains National Park on Sir H Burrell Drive (Wentworth Falls). The picnic area is host to a couple of wonderful lookouts and some good facilities. A large car park, toilets (wheelchair accessible), picnic tables, free electric BBQs, town water and information signs. This is a great spot to relax between walks in the area.

(1km) Sir H. Burrell Drive Carpark (Nth) → The Falls Picnic Area

distance 100 m time 2 mins climb 7m descent 0m Easy track
Veer left: From the car park on Sir H. Burrell Dr, this walk heads up the steps, passing the toilets, into the Wentworth Falls Picnic Area.

Maps for the The Shortcut Track 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.

Katoomba1:25 000 Map Series89301S KATOOMBANSW-89301S
Katoomba1:100 000 Map Series8930 KATOOMBA8930

Cross sectional view of the The Shortcut Track bushwalking track

Terrain profile for The Shortcut Track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the The Shortcut Track

Altitude analysis for The Shortcut Track

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.

Length1.1 km
Time30 mins
.




Grade 3/6



Moderate track
AS 2156.1GradientGentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Quality of trackClear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
SignsClearly signposted (1/6)
Experience RequiredNo experience required (1/6)
WeatherWeather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
InfrastructureLimited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

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

Gradient

Around 720m of this walk is flat with no steps, whilst the remaining 390m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

Around 720m of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 390m follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

This whole walk, 1.1km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 1.1km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 1.1km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 1km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 110m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the The Shortcut Track walk.

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the The Shortcut Track walk.

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The The Shortcut Track walk starts at the Conservation Hut (gps: -33.720216, 150.36290)

The The Shortcut Track ends at the The Falls Picnic Area (gps: -33.724911, 150.37000)

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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