Echo Point to Katoomba Falls

Download & Print Map and Notes

Tap again to allow map panning

Time 1 hr 30 mins
Return 3.1 km Return
Climb 310 m
Grade 3 Moderate track
Bus Car
no_pets
From one magnificent lookout to more magnificent lookouts of the Jamison Valley this walk just gets better as it heads from the highly popular Echo Point, to Katoomba Falls. Hidden below Katoomba Park these falls are enchanting to watch as the water cascades down the rocks and along the stream. From here, the walk continues for a short distance to another great lookout before returning to Echo Point.

Echo Point

Echo Point
Echo Point is the Blue Mountains' most famous and popular lookout, home to one of the best photo opportunities for the Three Sisters[1]. Visited by over two million tourists each year, this popular spot also serves as the starting point for many great walks in the area. The lookout is well fenced[2], has information signs[3][4] and stunning views across the valley to the Three Sisters[5] and Mount Solitary[6]. There are mounted binoculars and seats nearby.

(0km) Echo Point → Lady Darley Lookout

distance 480 m time 18 mins climb 54m descent -66m Moderate track
From the main lookout area at Echo Point, this walk heads across the concrete, keeping the view to the left, and then follows the concrete ramp down the gentle hill to the intersection of the Queen Elizabeth Lookout path.
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the footpath heading away from Echo Point, winding through the bush for a short while until coming to the Kedumba View at the information sign, near the end of the footpath.
Turn right: From the Kedumba View, the walk heads off the footpath and follows the bush track, keeping the valley to the left while winding through the bush and along the side of the hill, climbing up to the 'Lady Darley Lookout'.

Lady Darley Lookout

Lady Darley Lookout
Lady Darley Lookout is a moderately-sized, fenced lookout, found on the Prince Henry Cliff Track. The lookout can also be accessed directly by a track from Panorama Drive. There is an information sign describing the view and the traditional naming of the natural features. The panoramic views from the lookout are great, from Kings Tableland on the left to Mount Solitary, Narrow Neck and parts of Scenic World on the far right.

(0km) Lady Darley Lookout → Allambie Lookout

distance 140 m time 4 mins climb 11m descent -19m Moderate track
Veer left: From Lady Darley Lookout, the walk heads down the metal staircase to the bush track, which it follows down the long set of wooden steps to the bottom, then continues through the bush until it climbs up a few more wooden steps to the Allambie Lookout.

Allambie Lookout

Allambie Lookout
Allambie Lookout is a small, fenced lookout on the side of the Prince Henry Cliff Track. The lookout provides an opportunity to enjoy the valley view and the sights of the Three Sisters, Kings Tablelands and Mount Solitary.

(1km) Allambie Lookout → Wollumai Lookout

distance 100 m time 3 mins climb 13m descent -10m Moderate track
Continue straight: With the lookout and the valley to the left, the walk follows the bush track, winding along the side of the hill with the cliff's edge visible (down the hill to the left), as the track passes through a patch of tall gum trees and winds up some concrete steps, continuing along through thick scrub to Wollumai Lookout.

Wollumai Lookout

Wollumai Lookout
Wollumai Lookout is a small, fenced lookout on the side of the Prince Henry Cliff Track. The lookout is on a sandstone platform at the base of a cliff, and looks over a much larger drop into the Jamison Valley. There is a bench seat to enjoy the views over the valley, including Mount Solitary, Narrow Neck and glimpses of the Three Sisters.

(1km) Wollumai Lookout → Cliff View Lookout

distance 240 m time 8 mins climb 29m descent -25m Moderate track
Continue straight: Keeping the lookout and the valley to the left, the walk follows the bush track through the scrub and across the short wooden walkway, winding past a wooden picnic bench, and continues through the dense scrub until it drops down some wooden steps and comes to Cliff View Lookout.

Cliff View Lookout

Cliff View Lookout
This large, fenced wheelchair accessible lookout provides great mountain views[7] of Mt Solitary[8], Kedumba Valley, Narrow Neck[9] and across to Scenic World[10]. There's a bench seatat the back of the lookout to enjoy the views from. The lookout fence is 1.2m high, the platform is 7.8x5.5m wide.

(1km) Cliff View Lookout → Katoomba Falls Park

distance 280 m time 7 mins climb 28m descent -10m Very easy
Turn right: From the lookout[11], this walk follows the concrete path gently up and over a rise keeping the fence and the valley on the left[12]. This walk continues for about 40m to come to a 3-way intersection[13] with the 'Skyway East Station' staircase (on the right).
Continue straight: From the intersection[14], this walk follows the stenciled concrete path gently downhill[15], keeping the view and handrailing to your left. After about 90m this walk flattens and comes to a second handrail[16] (on the right) at the start of a slightly steeper uphill section. After about 45m this walk flattens a bit and continues to meander along following the path gently downhill for about 120m to come to 3-way intersection[17], marked by a signposted mobility parking baybeside Cliff Drive.

(1km) Katoomba Falls Park → Katoomba Cascades

distance 130 m time 3 mins climb 1m descent -18m Moderate track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the 'Cliff View Lookout' sign, keeping the road on the right of the footpath. The path heads into open parkland, around the edge of the park and down the wooden steps to the bottom, where the walk comes to the Kedumba River crossing, just downstream of the Katoomba Cascades.

Katoomba Cascades

Katoomba Cascades
Popular with locals and visitors alike, these picturesque cascades are on the Kedumba River. The cascades are nestled in the bend on Cliff Drive, near Katoomba Park. There are stepping stones across the creek at the bottom of the falls and a bench seat in the shade. There are a few small clearings where visitors can sit and enjoy the falls.

(1km) Katoomba Cascades → Kedumba River lookout

distance 180 m time 4 mins climb 4m descent -22m Moderate track
Continue straight: From the cascades, this walk crosses the creek to the western side, where it passes a picnic bench. The track continues downstream, winding through the forest for a short while until climbing up a gentle hill to the Kedumba River lookout.

Kedumba River lookout

Kedumba River lookout
This unnamed, fenced lookout is at the bend in the track along Kedumba River, at the top of Katoomba Falls. The lookout gives great views across the valley to Mount Solitary and Narrow Neck. There are also glimpses of the Katoomba Falls as it drops away, far into the valley below.

Maps for the Echo Point to Katoomba 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.

Six Foot Track1:50 000 Map SeriesSix Foot TrackNSW-six-foot-track
Katoomba1:25 000 Map Series89301S KATOOMBANSW-89301S
Katoomba1:100 000 Map Series8930 KATOOMBA8930

Cross sectional view of the Echo Point to Katoomba Falls bushwalking track

Terrain profile for Echo Point to Katoomba Falls

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Echo Point to Katoomba Falls

Altitude analysis for Echo Point to Katoomba 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.

Length3.1 km
Time1 hr 30 mins
.




Grade 3/6



Moderate track
AS 2156.1GradientGentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Quality of trackFormed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
SignsDirectional signs along the way (3/6)
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 990m of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 560m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

Around 990m of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 560m follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

Around 990m of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 560m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 1.5km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 1.5km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 1.3km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 240m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Echo Point to Katoomba Falls walk.

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Echo Point to Katoomba Falls walk.

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Echo Point to Katoomba Falls walk starts and ends at the Echo Point (gps: -33.732682, 150.31200)

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.

Comments