Springwood to Faulconbridge

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Time 5 hrs
One way 11.5 km One way
Climb 633 m
Grade 4 Hard track
Train Bus Car
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This pleasent walk takes in the sights of two fantastic Blue Mountains valleys. The walk down from Springwood Station uses Magdala Gully to pass a number of waterfalls before visiting Perch Ponds. The walk then follows Glenbrook Creek valley up to Faulconbridge Station for the return home. A quiet walk with a sense of remoteness. If you want to make this an overnight walk you can camp at Perch Ponds where there is a simple bushcamp, a good introduction to overnight walking.

Springwood

Springwood, along the Great Western Highway, is the second largest town in the Blue Mountains. Springwood also takes the title for the oldest railway station in the Blue Mountains. There are a variety of shops in Springwood, with quite a few cafes, bakeries and two historic hotels. Springwood was named by Governor Macquarie, when his wife and he stopped for water from a deep glen spring, in 1815. It seems aptly named, with many springs and creeks leading away from the ridge at Springwood, including Sassafras Gully, Magdala Creek and Glenbrook Creek. More info.

(0km) Springwood Station → Int. Springwood Ave and Fairy Dell Reserve

distance 270 m time 5 mins climb 4m descent -11m Very easy
From Springwood Station, the walk crosses the road at the pedestrian crossing and turns left. The walk continues past the shop front for about 150 metres before turning right at a quadrangle, which leads the walk down through a car park. The walk passes through the car park and crosses Macquarie Rd, to the 'Fariy Dell' sign[4].

(0km) Int. Springwood Ave and Fairy Dell Reserve → Fairy Dell Reserve picnic area

distance 150 m time 3 mins climb 0m descent -21m Easy track
Continue straight: From the 'Fairy Dell, 49 Springwood Ave' sign[5], the walk heads downhill into the reserve (along the smaller road), past the signs. The walk winds down past the units (on the left) to the bottom of the road. The walk continues on the left side of the cul-de-sac, to a grassy area with picnic tables.

Fairy Dell Reserve picnic area

Fairy Dell Reserve picnic area
Fairy Dell Reserve picnic area is a quiet and shady terraced garden at the head of the Magdala Gully. Fairy Dell is situated just south of Springwood in the Lower Blue Mountains. The picnic area has numerous tables, parking and a grassy area for the kids to play. The Fairy Dell Reserve Picnic area is also the starting point for a number of walks down to Magdala Creek, Picnic Point and nearby Lawson Lookout.

(0km) Fairy Dell Reserve picnic area → Int. Fairy Dell and Picnic Point Tracks

distance 390 m time 9 mins climb 5m descent -44m Hard track
Veer left: From the picnic area, the walk follows the 'Sassafras Gully' sign down the stairs. The walk quickly passes the vandalised building (which has since been reported as demolished by another walker), then a map sign before meeting a creek. The walk keeps the creek on the right and soon comes to a bridge with direction signs.

(1km) Int. Fairy Dell and Picnic Point Tracks → Picnic Point

distance 160 m time 6 mins climb 33m descent -2m Hard track
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk crosses the bridge, following the 'Picnic Point' signs[6]. The walk immediately climbs many stairs which wind up to a the picnic shelter and grass area of Picnic Point. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

Picnic Point

Picnic Point
Picnic Point, in Springwood, Blue Mountains, is a quiet, grassy clearing tucked behind the houses above Magdala Creek. The area has a gazebo, picnic table and water tank (water needs to be treated). The clearing has a track leading down to many popular walks, with Lawson's Lookout and Fairy Dell Reserves nearby.

(1km) Int. Fairy Dell and Picnic Point Tracks → Int. Lawsons Lookout Trk and Fairy Dell Trk

distance 140 m time 3 mins climb 1m descent -13m Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection at the bridge, the walk heads in the direction of the 'Perch Ponds' arrow[7], keeping the creek on the right of the track. The walk soon comes to a 'Lawson's Lookout' sign[ref img=146352, above a cascade in the creek.

(1km) Int. Lawsons Lookout Trk and Fairy Dell Trk → Lawsons Lookout

distance 410 m time 11 mins climb 39m descent -11m Hard track
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the direction of the 'Lawsons Lookout' signs[8], up the hill. The track heads up to a rocky outcrop, where the track turns back on itself and steps through some bushes to the rocky surface of the lookout. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.

Lawsons Lookout

Lawsons Lookout
Lawsons Lookout, in Springwood, Blue Mountains, is an unfenced rockshelf overlooking the wonderful Magdala Creek valley. The lookout is most easily accessed from Raymond Rd.

(1km) Int. Lawsons Lookout Trk and Fairy Dell Trk → Int. Magdala Ck and Magdala Falls trks

distance 3.2 km time 1 hr 7 mins climb 92m descent -181m Hard track
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the direction of the 'Perch Ponds' sign, keeping the creek on the right. The track crosses the creek many times, passing a number of caves. The track passes a burnt 'Perch Ponds' sign[9] as it crosses a creek to immediately come to an intersection (with arrows engraved in the rocks[10]).
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the arrows engraved in the rock, keeping the creek to the right. The walk winds down the hillside then crosses the creek, continuing to follow the creek (now on the left) to a 'Magdala Falls' sign.

Magdala Falls

Magdala Falls
Magdala Falls is a disappointing set of falls. The view from the steep hillside doesn't show any of the falls, but instead lets you hear the water cascade into the pool below. A red-stained rock above the pool can be seen through the dense foliage of the trees.

(4km) Int. Magdala Ck and Magdala Falls trks → Int. Martins Falls and Magdala Ck trks

distance 300 m time 7 mins climb 13m descent -25m Hard track
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk keeps the creek on the left as it heads down the gully. The walk winds down the hill, passing a few rock overhangs as it leads to a 'Martins Lookout' sign.

(4km) Int. Martins Falls and Magdala Ck trks → Behind Martins Falls

distance 30 m time 1 mins climb 1m descent -2m Hard track
Turn left : From the intersection, the walk heads to the left of the 'Martins Falls' sign (towards the falls). The walk skirts around the edge of the valley, coming under the rock overhang of the falls, and then arriving behind the falls. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.

Martins Falls

Martins Falls
Martins Falls are at a rock overhang on Magdala Creek, near Springwood, almost 400m upstream from the Glenbrook Creek junction. The water falls off a rock platform, over the overhang into a large pond. There is a faint track leading behind the falls, giving a different perspective of the pond and falls - extra care is required. This is a lovely area to enjoy the cool temperatures on warmer days, and is more spectacular after recent rain.

(4km) Int. Martins Falls and Magdala Ck trks → Perch Ponds camping area

distance 380 m time 10 mins climb 14m descent -63m Hard track
Continue straight: From the 'Martins Falls' intersection[11], the track heads up a small hill, then downhill with the creek on the left. The walk meanders above the creek for a short time then opens out onto the 'Perch Ponds' campground clearing[12].

Perch Ponds Campsite

Perch Ponds Campsite
Perch Ponds is a lovely waterhole, with a clearing suitable to pitch a tent, located at the junction of Magdala Creek and Glenbrook Creeks. The meeting of the two creek provides a relaxing sound of rushing water and a cool spot to rest on warmer days. The campsite is a flat area above the pool marked with a fire scar. A great shady and quiet area for a camp. There are no facilities and water from the creek needs to be treated.

(5km) Perch Ponds camping area → Victory Trk pool

distance 3.4 km time 1 hr 11 mins climb 165m descent -85m Hard track
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Sassafras Gully Rd' sign, keeping the creek on the left. The walk leads up the hill, passing a track (on the left, which leads to an overhang). The walk continues up the hill, then down across a junction of two creeks, immediately entering a clearing with a fireplace in the middle.
Continue straight: From the campground clearing, the walk exits the clearing, keeping the creek on the right. The track follows the creek, undulating and meandering for some time, and passing through a steeply banked creek junction. The walk tends left and slightly uphill to a 'Perch Ponds' sign[13] (pointing back the way you came).
Veer left: From the intersection, the track heads across the hillside in the opposite direction to the 'Perch Ponds' sign[14] . The track winds for some time, crossing a creek and passing a blue track marker[15] on the other side. The track follows the creek, now on the left, up to a 'To Wiggins Track' sign[16] (pointing back the way you came).
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Faulconbridge Station' sign[17] across a gully. The track winds and undulates above the creek (keeping the creek to the left) and soon drops down and crosses the creek. The walk continues, now with the creek on the right, to an intersection with a faint track (which leads to a pool in the creek).

Victory Track pool

Victory Track pool
The Victory Track pool is an unofficially-named pond in Sassafras Creek. The pond is deep in parts but not adequate for a swim. It does, however, offer a chance to rest and gaze over the water. There is a small sandy beach, some moss-covered rocks and a lovely grove of Sassafras trees around the pool. This is a nice spot to stop, catch your breath and soak up your surroundings.

(8km) Victory Trk pool → Victory Trk camping area

distance 880 m time 24 mins climb 78m descent -61m Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads up the hill, keeping the creek on the right. The track winds up and away from the creek and back down to the creek a few times before arriving at a campground clearing (directly under power lines).

Victory Track camping area

Victory Track camping area
Victory Track camping area is a fairly large, informal camping place at the junction of Sassafras and Numantia Creeks. The clearing is in a moist section of forest with plenty of shade. Water from the creek should be treated before use.

(9km) Victory Trk camping area → Int. Victory Trk and Clarinda Falls

distance 630 m time 18 mins climb 72m descent -23m Hard track
Continue straight: From the clearing, the walk crosses the creek junction. The walk then leads up the hill away from the creek for a short time, before dropping to the creek again and crossing it at a junction. The walk leads up the valley, keeping the creek on the right, arriving at a 'Clarinda Falls' sign[18].

(10km) Int. Victory Trk and Clarinda Falls → Clarinda Falls

distance 30 m time 1 mins climb 1m descent -4m Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, the track follows the 'Clarinda Falls' sign[19] towards the log fallen on the rock. The track tends left around the hillside, coming to Clarinda Falls. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

Clarinda Falls

Clarinda Falls
Clarinda Falls is a charming waterfall on Sassafras Creek. The water cascades over a near-vertical wall, into a sandy pool below. The falls are signposted from the main track and provide a nice cool detour, especially on warmer days. The falls are named for the first wife of Sir Henry Parkes, 'Father of Australian Federation'.

(10km) Int. Victory Trk and Clarinda Falls → No. 10 Sir Henrys Pde

distance 1.3 km time 38 mins climb 173m descent -15m Hard track
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Faulconbridge Station' sign[21] up the hill. The walk steeply climbs up the hill and passes a smaller track (on the right, which leads to the top of the falls), and then crosses the creek and leads under a few rock overhangs. The walk comes up the hill beside No. 10 Sir Henrys Pde (marked with a 'Victory Track' sign).

Victory Track

Victory Track
The Victory Track is more formally know as the 'Sir Henry Parkes Victory Track'[22] and is called the 'Victoria Track' in many guide books. The track starts near Sir Henry Parkes' grave in Faulconbridge and leads to Sassafrass Gully Creek. Sir Henry Parks (1815-1896) was a politician and journalist, born in England. He is considered to be the 'Father of Federation' for Australia, although he died of natural causes 5 years before Australia's federation. Parkes was the premier of New South Wales five times. The town Parkes was named in his honour. Parkes would sometime write under the pseudonym 'Faulconbridge' (his mothers maiden name) for the Sydney Morning Herald and other papers and Faulconbridge (the township) was named after his mother when Parkes purchased 600 acres in 1877. More info.

(11km) No. 10 Sir Henrys Pde → Faulconbridge Station

distance 410 m time 8 mins climb 16m descent -10m Moderate track
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk heads towards the power pole (if you come to a rail line, you have taken the wrong road). The walk continues along the road, keeping the rail line above on the right for some time to where the road turns left. The walk then continues along the management trail, with Faulconbridge Station in sight. Soon, the walk arrives at the entry to train station.

Faulconbridge

Faulconbridge, in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, was named after the maiden name of Sir Henry Parkes' mother. Faulconbridge sits on the Great Western Highway and is surrounded by valleys of lush bushland. This picturesque town was a home, and final resting place, for Sir Henry Parkes', heralded as the 'Father of Federation'. Faulconbridge was originally explored by non-indigenous Australians in 1813, by Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson who were searching for a route over the Blue Mountains .

Maps for the Springwood to Faulconbridge 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.

Springwood1:25 000 Map Series90304S SPRINGWOODNSW-90304S
Penrith1:100 000 Map Series9030 PENRITH9030

Cross sectional view of the Springwood to Faulconbridge bushwalking track

Terrain profile for Springwood to Faulconbridge

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Springwood to Faulconbridge

Altitude analysis for Springwood to Faulconbridge

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.

Length11.5 km
Time5 hrs
.




Grade 4/6



Hard track
AS 2156.1GradientVery steep (4/6)
Quality of trackRough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
SignsMinimal directional signs (4/6)
Experience RequiredNo experience required (1/6)
WeatherWeather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
InfrastructureLimited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

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

Gradient

6km of this walk is very steep and another 4.6km has short steep hills. Whilst another 270m is flat with no steps and the remaining 150m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

7km of this walk follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and another 4.1km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (830m) follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

5km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 4.2km has minimal directional signs. The remaining (2.1km) is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 11km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 11km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

6km of this walk has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) and another 2.8km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced). The remaining (2.5km) 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 Springwood to Faulconbridge walk.

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Springwood to Faulconbridge walk.

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Springwood to Faulconbridge walk starts at the Springwood Station (gps: -33.699102, 150.56380)

The Springwood to Faulconbridge ends at the Faulconbridge Station (gps: -33.696620, 150.53487)

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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