Machins Crater

Download & Print Map and Notes

15 mins

466 m Return

29 m

Moderate track

This short walk follows a fairly faint track down into the Machins Crater. The crater was created about 200 million years ago by a volcanic explosion. Today the hole is a very lush environment with a steep sided valley, and an old dam wall. An enjoyable short walk.

Looking towards the road from Machins Crater track

Machins Crater track near old fire place

Machins Crater track nearing crater edge

Machins Crater track heading along side of crater edge

Machins Crater track heading down the hill

(0km) Machins Crater car park → Machins Crater

230 m

5 mins

-29m Moderate track

From the Machins Crater car park (2.6km further along Nepean Lookout Fire Trail from the Oaks Picnic Area), this walk follows the narrow bush track initially keeping the 'Machins Crater' sign on the right. The track then turns right then left onto the more distinct track. The walk follows the track down the hill passing an old fire place on the left. As the track comes to the edge of the crater (looks like a steep sided valley). The track turns turns left and gently heads down into the crater, as the track heads down the hill it tends to the right. Just near the bottom of the gully the walk heads up the creek bank to the earthen dam wall, the centre of the crater.

Machins Crater

Machins Crater, in the Glenbrook area of the Blue Mountains National Park is an amphitheatre formation created by a volcanic diatreme. The explosion 200 million years ago created a big hole, now after many years of erosion the unusual formation is home to a lush forest. On the walk down the the bottom of the crater, you can make out the basic shape. The crater in reportedly named in honour of Machin Hall a bushwalker from the early 1900's. More info.

Maps for the Machins Crater 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.

Penrith	1:25 000 Map Series	90303N PENRITH	NSW-90303N
Penrith	1:100 000 Map Series	9030 PENRITH	9030

Cross sectional view of the Machins Crater bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Machins Crater

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	466 m
		Time	15 mins
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
		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

This whole walk, 230m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 230m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

This whole walk, 230m has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 230m requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 230m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 230m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Machins Crater walk.

Attic Cave

2 km Return, 1 Hr

This walk visits Attic Cave, a camping cave in the lower Blue Mountains. The cave is large enough to sleep a small party, providing a great shelter to rest. The walk first visits Pisgah Rock, by walking along an old management trail, and includes a very short side trip to the great view up Erskine

Total climbing: 74m

Experienced only

Dadder Cave

6 km Return, 4 hrs

A great day or overnight walk along Erskine Creek to the Dadder Camping Cave. This cave has a long history of use for overnight camps. The lovely Erskine Creek provides plenty of opportunities to cool the feet down. The climb down to Erskine Creek is steep, and the walk along the banks of Erskine

Total climbing: 375m

Very experienced only

Dadder Cave and Jack Evans track

10.3 km Circuit, 2 Days

This fairly short overnight walk is a great way to explore Erskine Creek. The walking along Erskine creek is mostly off track, and is through thick scrub in places. Although this walk could be done in a day, an overnight walk gives more time to explore the creek and enjoy the caves in the area.

Total climbing: 535m

Very experienced only

Erskine Creek via Pisgah Rock

2.8 km Return, 3 hrs

This walk takes a steep climb down from Pisgah Rock to the Junction of Erskine and Lincoln Creeks. There are optional side trips to a rock platform further downstream, or to the campsite just up from the junction (you can make a weekend of the walk). This remote Creek junction is a lovely spot to r

Total climbing: 261m

Very experienced only

Erskine Creek via Pisgah Rock and Jack Evans

7.1 km Circuit, 4 hrs 30 mins

This walk visits some great lookouts and explores the lower section of Erskine Creek. Most of the walk along Erskine Creek is off track and the bush is quite thick in places. A great walk for people wanting to explore a remote area of the lower Blue Mountains National Park. You could make this an

Total climbing: 421m

Very experienced only

Pisgah Rock

1.6 km Return, 45 mins

Starting at the signposted car park, this walk mostly follows an old management trail through the She Oak forest. The walk then brings you to a rock platform on a high cliff top, with fantastic views right up the middle of Erskine Creek gorge. There are also views up Lincoln Creek and further down

Total climbing: 43m

Moderate track

Erskine Lookout

648 m Return, 20 mins

This short walk enjoys sculptured sandstone rocks, grass trees, wildflowers and great views of Erskine Gorge. The walk starts from the car park at the end of Nepean Lookout fire trail and heads past some information signs before coming to this unfenced informal lookout on the Jack Evans track. Gre

Total climbing: 30m

Moderate track

Jack Evans track to Erskine Creek

2.6 km Return, 2 hrs

This walk explores the Jack Evans Track, from the end of Nepean Lookout fire trail to Erskine Creek. The walk boasts fantastic rock formations, great views, grass trees and mosses, and gets up close to Erskine Creek. Erskine Creek is a great place to rest, and wet the toes, before the climb back up

Total climbing: 241m

Experienced only

Nepean Lookout

1.3 km Return, 30 mins

This walk is along the old road, which is now a management trail, making navigation easy. The walk brings you to the top of the Nepean Gorge escarpment, with great views up and down the gorge. This is a short walk after a fairly long drive, but if you are in the area, it is well worth getting the c

Total climbing: 41m

Moderate track

The Oaks Picnic area to Woodford Station

18.1 km One way, 7 hrs

The Oaks Picnic Area is the starting point for this long walk across the ridge line linking to Woodford. The Oaks Fire Trail winds its way over the hills, with many views into the surrounding valleys and bush land. This is a great walk to start extending your walking distance and stamina, while enjo

Total climbing: 800m

Hard track

Euroka to Red Hands Cave

4.3 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

The walk to Red Hands Caves is quite a heritage walk, with both Indigenous art and grinding grooves to see. The walk leaves Euroka camping area and heads down through the valleys, passing the heritage areas. The walk finishes at Red Hands Cave picnic area, a perfect spot for lunch. As an alternative

Total climbing: 269m

Experienced only

Euroka Nepean River Circuit

2.8 km Circuit, 1 hr 15 mins

This circuit walk starts from the Euroka Clearing and follows a track beside Euroka Creek then fairly steeply to the Nepean River. The river is a great spot to enjoy the sandy bank, large surrounding hills and the passing boats. The walk returns along Bennetts Ridge trail. The wildfowers in spring

Total climbing: 156m

Hard track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Machins Crater walk starts and ends at the Machins Crater car park (gps: -33.831150, 150.57463)

Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.<br /> (get details)

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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