Perrys Lookdown to Blue Gum Forest (Dharug & Gundungurra Country)

3 h 30 min, 4 h 30 min to 2 days 4

5.5 km ↑ 909 m Hard track Return ↓ 909 m

The wonderful walk from Perrys Lookdown into the Blue Gum Forest follows a clear an steep track into one of the region's bushwalking and conservation icons. Allow plenty of time to explore the majestic Blue Gum Forest, looking up the tall trees and enjoying the birds flying through the area. The track is steep and the valley tempts visitors to stay and enjoy for a long time. If you want to stay overnight, Acacia Flats campsite is only 500m from the forest. To return to the car park, retrace your steps up the hill. Let us begin by acknowledging the Dharug & Gundungurra people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

1,010

870

730

590

450

310 0 m 560 m 830 m 140 m 280 m 420 m 700 m 970 m 1x 1.1 km 1.3 km 1.4 km 1.5 km 1.7 km 1.8 km 1.9 km 2.1 km 2.2 km 2.4 km 2.5 km 2.6 km 2.8 km

Class 4 of 6 Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely

Quality of track Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)

Gradient Very steep (4/6)

Signage Directional signs along the way (3/6)

Infrastructure Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)

Experience Required No experience required (1/6)

Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Getting to the start: From Great Western Highway, A32

Turn on to Sturt Street then drive for 250 m Turn right onto Inconstant Street and drive for another 115 m Turn sharp left onto Carysfort Street and drive for another 310 m Turn right onto Cleopatra Street and drive for another 125 m Turn left onto Hat Hill Road and drive for another 6.4 km Keep right onto Perrys Lookdown Road and drive for another 850 m

Before you start any journey ensure you; • Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are late returning • Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge to undertake this journey safely • Consider weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers • Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point • Are healthy and fit enough for this journey Share If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help. Bushwalk.com /j/PRDBYY

Bushwalking is fun but also can be dangerous. All information here is general and your personal and specific situation needs to be considered. You need to be prepared to cope with all kinds of errors and/or omissions. Neither the authors nor publishers accept responsibility or liability for any inconvenience, loss or injury sustained. © bushwalk.com. The maps and some text in this document are generated using Open Database Licenced data © OpenStreetMap contributors and other sources. 0 0.5 1 km

S S E

E N

E E

S E

E E

W W

N W

N N

W W N S N S Start ←110 m→ ←2.5 km→ ←110 m→

i i

Sign Sign Sign Sign Campsite Campsite Down steps Down steps Down steps Down steps

1,010

870

730

590

450

310 0 m 0 m 560 m 970 m 140 m 420 m 700 m 830 m 280 m 420 m 560 m 700 m 830 m 140 m 970 m 280 m 1.1 km 1.3 km 1.4 km 1.5 km 1.7 km 1.8 km 1.9 km 2.2 km 2.6 km 2.8 km 2.1 km 2.4 km 2.5 km 1.3 km 1.5 km 1.8 km 1.9 km 2.1 km 2.2 km 2.6 km 2.8 km 1.1 km 1.4 km 1.7 km 1x 2.4 km 2.5 km Getting started: From the car park, the "Dockers Lookout". Blue Gum Forest (about 75 m back from the walk follows the sign 'Perry's Lookdown start).

Track' down the hill to a railed lookout.

S E E

Start.

W Dockers Lookout, Blue Mountains NP, has views N N Dockers Lookout, Blue Mountains NP, has views over the Grose Valley and Blue Gum Forest Blue Gum Forest, Blue Mountains NP, is a large Perrys Lookdown campground (about 20 m back below. Mt Banks can be seen standing proudly stand of Eucalyptus deanei trees on the junction from the start). to the north above the valley. of the Grose River and Govetts Creek. The Turn around and retrace your steps back the 20 magnificent trees stand tall on the flats with low m to the main route. vegetation beneath. The trees of Blue Gum Forest represent the protection efforts of Myles Back at the main route turn left and follow on Dunphy, who lead a group to raise the 130 from the 110 m waypoint. pounds required to buy the Blue Gum Forest -

quite a sum in 1931 during the depression - and S S save it from being cleared. The group were Perrys Lookdown offers a simple campsite, close

After another 45 m turn right, to successful and the Blue Gum Forest is now E

to some spectacular lookouts and well located E After another 45 m turn right, to to some spectacular lookouts and well located protected within the Blue Mountains National

as starting point for longer walks exploring the head along Perrys Track. as starting point for longer walks exploring the W

W Park. Grose Valley. There are 5 tent sites and a non-

Grose Valley. There are 5 tent sites and a non- After 90 m pass the sign (9 m on your right). N

flush toilet, but no water available. This area N i allows fuel stoves only (no camp fires). The i W allows fuel stoves only (no camp fires). The After another 380 m head down the steps W camping area is a short walk from the car park. (about 1.3 km long) Limit to one night stay (sites cannot be After another 390 m come to the end. N N S reserved). Then head down the steps (about 790 m long) S i After 20 m pass the sign (10 m on your left). E Start of an optional side trip: An optional side trip E After another 50 m turn right, to head along

to Acacia Flats Camping Ground. E

Perrys Track. E S S To start this optional side trip turn Start of an optional side trip: An optional side trip right here. at the intersection of Blue

to Dockers Lookout.

S Gum Forest Track & Shortridge Pass N N

Start heading along Blue Gum Forest W

To start this optional side trip continue W E

E To start this optional side trip continue Track (a walking track).

straight here. Start.

W W

E E

Continue another 20 m to find S

S Dockers Lookout at the end.

W W E

About 60 m past the end is "Acacia Flats E S Camping Ground". S After another 830 m (at the intersectionintersection ofof BlueBlue GumGum ForestForest TrackTrack &&

Perrys Track) turn left.

N N

W W After another 40 m pass the sign (10 m on your i right). After another 35 m find the "Blue Gum Forest" Acacia Flats Camping Ground, Blue Mountains (70 m on your right). 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 Blue Gum Forest, Blue Mountains NP, is a large with tall shady Blue Gums and level grass stand of Eucalyptus deanei trees on the junction clearings which make for a great place to pitch a of the Grose River and Govetts Creek. The tent. There is a pit toilet and sitting logs to make magnificent trees stand tall on the flats with low camping more comfortable, and plenty of room vegetation beneath. The trees of Blue Gum for large groups. Water is available from Govetts Forest represent the protection efforts of Myles Creek (treat before drinking). Dunphy, who lead a group to raise the 130 About 100 m past the end is "Acacia Flat". pounds required to buy the Blue Gum Forest - Acacia Flats Camping Ground, Blue Mountains quite a sum in 1931 during the depression - and NP, is situated on the floor of the Grose Valley save it from being cleared. The group were between Perrys Lookdown and Lockley Pylon. successful and the Blue Gum Forest is now The camp ground is approximately 50m from protected within the Blue Mountains National Govetts Creek and approximately 500m up Park. stream from Blue Gum Forest. Acacia Flats

Camping Ground is named appropriately after N the dense population of Acacias found in this the dense population of Acacias found in this E Continue another 35 m to find the area. Acacia Flats is a wonderful area to camp end. Then turn around here and retrace with tall shady Blue Gums and level grass the main route for 2.8 km to get back to W clearings which make for a great place to pitch a the start. tent. There is a drop toilet and sitting logs to S make camping more comfortable and plenty of room for large groups. (No camping in the Blue Gum Forest) About 115 m past the end is a toilet.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 480 m to the main route. Back at the main route veer right and follow on from the 2.7 km waypoint.