Farnell Road to Explorers Tree

Download & Print Map and Notes

2 hrs

4 km Return

302 m

Moderate track

This short walk takes you from the western end of Katoomba, initially following the cliff line, then following Pulpit Hill Road to the Explorers Tree. There are optional side trips to lookouts, providing great views across the Megalong Valley. In addition to the great views, the walk provides the opportunity to see a piece of Australian heritage.

Sign near the start of the Six foot track

(0km) Int of Farnells Rd and Cliff Track → Intersection of Cliff Track and Therabulat Lookout Track

230 m

5 mins

-16m Moderate track

From the intersection of Farnells Rd and the bush track marked by the signpost saying 'Cliff Track' (approximately 30m west of the end of Stuarts Rd), this walk heads north down the bush track until coming to an intersection with another bush track. This corner is marked by a large cairn and an orange banner wrapped around the tree on the corner.

(0km) Intersection of Cliff Track and Therabulat Lookout Track → Therabulat Lookout

140 m

5 mins

-49m Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads west along the bush track until coming to a lookout over the valley, which has great views to the south and south-west. Railings have been installed at this lookout. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn sharp left.

(0km) Intersection of Cliff Track and Therabulat Lookout Track → Int of Cliff Track and Norths Lookout Trail

790 m

25 mins

86m

-94m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads south-east along the flat bush track. As the walk turns to the west and crosses a small creek using a bridge, the track begins to climb steadily around the side of the hill. This continues until reaching an intersection with a wide track, marked by a signpost saying 'Bonnie Doon Fauna Study Being Conducted at this Site'.

(1km) Int of 6 Foot Track and Norths Lookout Trail → Norths Lookout

60 m

2 mins

-15m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the track downhill towards the open views[1]. After about 50m the track comes to the fenced[2] and signposted 'Norths Lookout'[3] with great views over Nellie's Glen and into the valley[4]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.

(1km) Int of Cliff Track and Norths Lookout Trail → Int of 6 Foot Track and Norths Lookout Trail

150 m

4 mins

17m

-1m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection[5], this walk follows the clear track gently uphill, keeping the main views to your left. The track leads up a series of timber steps for just shy of 150m to then head through a gap in large metal gate[6]. Here the track leads to a clear three way intersection with a wide management trail marked with several 'Six Foot Track' signposts[7].

(1km) Int of 6 Foot Track and Norths Lookout Trail → Six Foot Track Info Shelter

550 m

12 mins

68m

-2m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Six Foot Track' sign[8], uphill along the wide management trail. The walk continues up this trail, fairly steeply in places, for about 500m until the walk leads around a locked metal gate and flattens to find a dirt car park[9], shelter[10] and the large 'Six Foot Track' information sign[11], on Nellies Glen Rd.

(2km) Six Foot Track Info Shelter → Explorers Tree

260 m

5 mins

-8m Easy track

Continue straight: From the car park, this walk follows the sealed 'Nellies Glen Rd'[12][13] gently uphill and over the small rise. After just over 200m, this walk leads past another small car parking area[14] and comes to the Explorers Tree[15], just before the intersection with the Great Western Hwy.

Explorers Tree (Katoomba)

In 1813, the explorers Gregory Blaxland, William Wentworth and William Lawson, on their historic crossing of the Blue Mountains, engraved their names not only into the history books, but also reportedly into this tree on the side of Pulpit Hill. The tree now long dead was caged[16] in 1884 in an attempt to preserve the engravings[17]. The engravings are no longer visible[18] and there is even debate over the last 100+ years as to the authenticity of the engravings.

Maps for the Farnell Road to Explorers Tree 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 Track	1:50 000 Map Series	Six Foot Track	NSW-six-foot-track
Katoomba	1:25 000 Map Series	89301S KATOOMBA	NSW-89301S
Katoomba	1:100 000 Map Series	8930 KATOOMBA	8930

Cross sectional view of the Farnell Road to Explorers Tree bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Farnell Road to Explorers Tree

Altitude analysis for Farnell Road to Explorers Tree

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	4 km
		Time	2 hrs
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited 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

1.3km of this walk has short steep hills and another 380m has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (260m) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

Around 1km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 960m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 1km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 960m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 1km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 960m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 2km 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 940m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Farnell Road to Explorers Tree walk.

Nellie's Glen Lookout

2 km Return, 1 Hr

This walk has heritage interest and views, starting at the famous Explorers Tree and finishing with views of the cliffs from Nellie's Glen lookout. The briefness of this walk makes it a great way to finish your 6 Foot Track walk if you have come from Jenolan. It's also a great way to start the 6 Foo

Total climbing: 117m

Moderate track

Farnell Road to Nellies Glen Lookout return

2.2 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

This short walk explores the Blue Mountains National Park just west of Katoomba, winding around the cliff tops to the Nellies Glen lookout, and offering a side trip to the Therabulat Lookout, both of which provide great views across the Megalong Valley. This walk can be enjoyed by the whole family a

Total climbing: 215m

Moderate track

Devil's Hole Trail

7 km One way, 3 hrs 30 mins

Enjoying a variety of different environments, Devil's Hole trail descends into the valley below Katoomba via the Six Foot Track, before rising up through the difficult, and often slippery, Devil's Hole. This is definitely one of the more difficult trails in the area. Walkers can enjoy great views fr

Total climbing: 572m

Very experienced only

Six Foot Track

44.8 km One way, 3 Days

This classic walk takes you from Katoomba to Jenolan Caves via a historic horse route. The walk travels mainly along well-maintained service tracks and explores Nellie's Glen, Megalong Valley, Cox's River, Black Range, and Jenolan. There are well established and popular campsites along the way.

Total climbing: 2066m

Hard track

Six Foot Track (Alum Creek Reserve)

44.8 km One way, 2 Days

The Six Foot Track is a classic walk which takes you from the Explorers Tree in Katoomba out to the amazing Jenolan Caves. This walk stays the night in Alum Creek Reserve before tackling the long hill up to Black Range Road. The walk is a classic and normally done in 3 days, this two day option is f

Total climbing: 2066m

Hard track

Cox's River return via Narrowneck

47.8 km One way, 2 Days

This walk is a great, two day walk that drops down from Katoomba to Cox's River in the Megalong Valley. From the scenic Cox's River, the walk returns to Katoomba via Dunphy's campsite and Narrowneck. The trip is two solid days of walking that takes in some breathtaking views of the Blue Mountains. T

Total climbing: 2390m

Very experienced only

Cox's River return via Dunphy's campsite

47.8 km One way, 3 Days

This tough, three day walk descends from Katoomba to the peaceful Megalong Valley. It uses the Six Foot Track to navigate its way down to the Cox's River from where it returns to Katoomba via Dunphy's campsite and Narrowneck. The walk has some stunning panoramas which are complemented by the close-u

Total climbing: 2390m

Very experienced only

This classic trail follows along the base of the cliffs from Leura to the Golden Stairs, passing many of the more popular sights of the Katoomba region. Travelling through beautiful forest environments, this is one of the longer walks in the area. Leura Forest and Kedumba Falls are both great places

Total climbing: 989m

Hard track