George Phillips Lookout walk

Download & Print Map and Notes

30 mins

588 m Return

18 m

Very easy

On this short and easy walk, you will explore two lookouts with stunning views down the Grose Valley. Starting from the car park, you really should make the short side trip through the stone arch to Govetts Leap Lookout. The main walk follows the well-formed footpath through the bush up to the less visited George Phillips Lookout. There are a pleasant stone shelter and picnic tables here. Around the car park are plenty of picnic facilities and a toilet block. A great walk giving you a sense of the scale of the breathtaking Grose Valley.

Pulpit Rock from George Phillips Lookout

(0km) Govetts Leap Lookout Picnic Area → Govetts Leap Lookout

40 m

1 mins

-7m Very easy

From the large stone shelter[1] at the edge of the turning circle (and car park)[2] at the end of Govetts Leap Rd, this walk heads 35m towards the valley views[3] to head through the stone arch[4] then down the ramp[5] to the large flat gravel and fenced 'Govetts Leap' lookout platform[6].

Govetts Leap Lookout

Govetts Leap Lookout is named after the first European man to have enjoyed this view, William Govett, as an assistant surveyor in June 1831. Govetts Leap Lookout offers wonderful views over the Grose Valley and the spectacular Bridal Falls. The word `leap` is an old Scottish word meaning waterfall. The lookout is easily accessed from the car park[9], there are also toilets[10]

[Toilet Accessible]

and picnic shelters[11]

[Picnic Shelter]

nearby.

(0km) Govetts Leap Lookout Picnic Area → George Phillips Lookout

290 m

6 mins

11m

-7m Very easy

Turn right: From the large stone shelter[12]

[Picnic Shelter]

[Wheelchair Rough]

at the edge of the turning circle (and car park)[13] at the end of Govetts Leap Rd, this walk heads for about 60m across the dirt/gravel[14] car park, away from the main cliff views, keeping the road to the left. The walk then heads between the timber bollards[15]

[Trip Hazard]

, to follow the 'The Fairfax Heritage Trail' asphalt path[16] and continues gently uphill for 180m to where path bends sharply left, then right. Here the walk continues along the path for another 25m to the signposted[17] 'George Phillips Lookout'[18] (on your right).

George Phillips Lookout

George Phillips Lookout, Blue Mountains National Park, provides stunning views east into the Grose Valley. The lookout offers views to Pulpit Rock, the horseshoe-shaped gorge and over the deep, green gorges of the Grose Valley to Mount Banks. The lookout is fenced and has a wheelchair accessible ramp. There are a series of picnic tables including a stone shelter

[Picnic Shelter]

just behind the lookout.

Maps for the George Phillips Lookout walk 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.

Katoomba	1:25 000 Map Series	89301S KATOOMBA	NSW-89301S
Katoomba	1:100 000 Map Series	8930 KATOOMBA	8930

Cross sectional view of the George Phillips Lookout walk bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the George Phillips Lookout walk

Altitude analysis for George Phillips Lookout walk

Accessibility Profile

This page is designed to give you a sense of the facilities that help improve access for people with disabilities or mobility restrictions. See tracknotes and map for navigation, point of interest and other information. See the Accessibility Details below for specific information about each facility.

Slope: This walk leads gently uphill to the main lookout, there is a ramp bypassing the steps at the lookout.

Surface: About 30m of the walk leads across a rough section of dirt car park, the rest of the walk follows a smooth asphalt footpath.

Toilets: There is 1 toilet on this walk.

Seats: There are 2 seats (including picnic tables) on this walk. They are 280m apart.

Access hazards: There are 2 access hazards on this walk (such as pinch points, trip hazards or steep sections). See the Accessibility Details and track notes for specifics.

Accessibility Details

1 Toilet Accessible (0m)

Signposted accessible and general use male and female toilets. Access via concrete ramp, however, the top of the ramp is accessed via loose gravel carpark with some steep eroded sections.

2 Picnic Shelter (14m)

Picnic shelters at the end of Govetts Leap Road. Seats are ~45cm high and benches 75cm high. Most shelters have an entrance ~1.2m wide with, and similar gap between table and wall. The largest shelter has an entrance wider than 4m, bench seating but no tables.

3 Wheelchair Rough (34m)

This walk leads through a gravel carpark for about 60m. The surface in unevean and erroded in places. The gravel is mostly compressed but the surface may soften after prolonged rain.

4 Trip Hazard (69m)

A 5 to 10cm step between carpark and track. Access is between bollards that are 110cm apart.

5 Picnic Shelter (290m)

Stone shelter at George Phillips Lookout. Timer slat bench seat (46cm high) around the inside wall. Two picnic tables (75cm high) with wheelchair access (no seats on one side). Access to shelter via 1.37cm gap in concrete wall.

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	588 m
		Time	30 mins
		.
Grade 1/6 Very easy	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Flat, no steps (1/6)
		Quality of track	Smooth and hardened path (1/6)
		Signs	Clearly signposted (1/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

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

Gradient

This whole walk, 290m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 290m follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

This whole walk, 290m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 290m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 290m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 290m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the George Phillips Lookout walk walk.

Fairfax Heritage Track

1.9 km One way, 45 mins

The Fairfax Heritage Track is an easy stroll, and wheelchair accessible walk, through the a lovely open forest. The walk leads from the NPWS visitor information centre downhill to the stunning views from George Phillips and Govetts Leap lookouts. There are bench seats to rest on and wonderful shelte

Total climbing: 17m

Very easy

Fairfax Heritage Circuit Track

2.4 km Circuit, 1 Hr

The Fairfax Track is an easy circuit walk that wanders through the forests behind the cliffs of the Grose Valley. The track passes George Phillips lookout, with its magnificent views over the Grose Valley. There are also similar views from the more popular Govetts Leap Lookout. The track has many b

Total climbing: 65m

Very easy

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the George Phillips Lookout walk walk.

Govetts Leap Descent

1.2 km Return, 1 hr 45 mins

Starting with spectacular views of Govetts Leap from Govetts Leap Lookout, this walk sweeps down to the base of the falls. The walk down is showered by drips from the moist moss hanging off the cliffs above. A spectacular track with equally awesome views across the Grose Valley, the walk is steep an

Total climbing: 366m

Hard track

Pulpit Rock Track

3.8 km One way, 2 hrs 30 mins

This walk takes you from Govetts Leap lookout, around the cliff tops, to Pulpit Rock lookout. The walk passes many lookouts, each giving their own unique perspective of the Grose Valley's dramatic cliff line and waterfalls. The walk down to the lower platform of Pulpit Rock is via a set of steep st

Total climbing: 506m

Hard track

Cliff Top Track

3.2 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

The Cliff Top Track is a breath-taking walk around the edge of the Grose Valley, between Govetts Leap and Evans lookouts. The many lookouts along this track show off the stunning Grose Valley. The track also showcases Govetts Leap from close up, at Barrows Lookout, and further away, from Govetts Lea

Total climbing: 224m

Hard track

Govetts Leap Falls (Bridal Veil Falls)

1.4 km Return, 1 Hr

This walks starts from the spectacular Govetts Leap Lookout and wanders along the cliff tops, before dropping through a creek, to reach the much smaller Barrow lookout, with equally spectacular views. Barrow lookout provides the bonus of clear views of Bridal Veil falls (Govetts Leap brook). You ca

Total climbing: 106m

Hard track

Popes Glen, Pulpit Rock, Govetts Leap and Braeside Walk

13.6 km Circuit, 8 hrs

This large circuit walk, from Popes Glen to Pulpit Rock, Govetts leap and along the Braeside Track, passes some of the most magnificent scenery in this part of the Blue Mountains National Park. From little, hidden places, like Boyds Beach, to the stunning Bridle Veil Falls and Govetts Leap Lookout,

Total climbing: 1068m

Hard track

Braeside Walk

2.5 km Return, 1 Hr

The Braeside Walk is an excellent connecting trail to the Cliff Top walk, between Evans and Govetts Lookouts. The track has its own quiet picnic area, which could make a nice spot for lunch along this creekside walk. The track builds up to its climax at Barrows Lookout, overlooking the Grose Valley

Total climbing: 72m

Hard track

Pulpit Rock, Boyd Beach to Govetts Leap Lookout

4.2 km One way, 2 hrs 30 mins

This section of the Cliff Top Track takes in the beautiful scenery east of Blackheath. The track leaves Pulpit Rock car park and drops into many lookouts with views over waterfalls and the Grose Valley. The track heads out to the secluded creek bank of Boyd Beach, and then continues, back along the

Total climbing: 445m

Hard track

Pulpit Rock car park to lower Lookout

816 m Return, 45 mins

This walk takes in the fabulous views across the Grose Valley. It covers the combination of the upper lookout, providing the easiest access, the middle lookout, and the lower lookout, which involves many more stairs. The upper lookout gives the best views across the valley, while the middle lookout

Total climbing: 145m

Hard track

Pulpit Rock car park to Middle Lookout

748 m Return, 30 mins

This track meanders down from the car park to take in the stunning views of the Grose Valley. The track passes a picnic shelter on its way to the upper and middle lookouts of Pulpit Rock (there is a lower lookout, with many more steps). The lookouts provide great views across the valley.

Total climbing: 96m

Moderate track

Pulpit Rock car park to Top Lookout

630 m Return, 30 mins

This walk follows a distinct track to the top lookout, the easiest of the three lookouts at Pulpit Rocks to visit. The track passes a picnic shelter on the way down from the car park. The lookout has stunning views across the Grose valley, and down onto Pulpit Rock.

Total climbing: 50m

Moderate track

Pulpit Rock to Evans Lookout Cliff Top Track

6.6 km One way, 4 hrs 15 mins

The Cliff Top Track is one of the longer walks near Blackheath, and has constant views. The track follows the rim of the Grose Valley, with a side trip to Boyds Beach, and passes numerous lookouts with views of the Grose Valley and it's waterfalls. This walk is an excellent one way trip from Pulpit

Total climbing: 619m

Hard track

Braeside, Govetts and Pope's Glen Track

8.7 km Circuit, 3 hrs 30 mins

This walk is an excellent way to see some of Blackheath's best views, without the big climbs in and out of the Grose Valley. The round trip from the station shows off Bridal Falls, and other cascades along the cliffs. A large part of this walk is near the cliff edge, with stunning views spanning out

Total climbing: 375m

Hard track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The George Phillips Lookout walk walk starts and ends at the Govetts Leap Lookout Picnic Area (gps: -33.628268, 150.31109)

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

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Central Tablelands weather district.

A detailed forecast for this walk isn't available yet.

Current Alerts

Live alerts aren't available for this walk. Check the NPWS website for closures and the RFS for current fire danger.

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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