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School excursion

Grand Canyon: Environmental change and management

Stage 5 (Years 9-10), Geography, Blackheath area in Blue Mountains National Park

Affected by closures, check current alerts 

Current alerts in this area

Last reviewed: Tue 16 July 2024, 10.51am

Applies from Sat 9 Apr 2022, 1.03pm. Last reviewed: Tue 16 Jul 2024, 10.51am.

Closed areas: Parts of Blue Mountains National Park closed

Many roads, fire trails and walking tracks within Blue Mountains National Park are closed due to infrastructure upgrades or damage caused by wet weather including subsidence, rockfalls, landslides and fallen trees.

The following areas are closed:

Katoomba and Leura

  • Honeymoon Bridge is closed due to rockfall risk.
  • Leura Falls lookout is closed for upgrade works.
  • Fern Bower track between Prince Henry Cliff walk (Grand Cliff Top walk) and Amphitheatre track is closed due to multiple landslides.
  • Federal pass between the Cooks Crossing (Kedumba River) and Dardanelles Pass (near the Giant Staircase) is closed due to a landslide. There is no access along Federal Pass from the bottom Giant Stairs to Scenic World. Visitors can access Scenic World bottom stations via Furber Steps only. Fares apply. 
  • Ruined Castle, Golden Stairs, Solitary Loop and Federal Pass west of Scenic World are closed due to multiple landslides.
  • Glenraphael Drive (Narrow Neck) will be closed to all traffic including walkers and cyclists from Monday 15 July until Friday 19 July 2024 for the upgrade of the road safety barrier.  There will be no access to Castle Head or the Kanangra to Katoomba walk.
  • Glenraphael Drive (Narrow Neck) will be closed to all traffic including walkers and cyclists from Monday 22 July until Friday 26 July 2024 between Cliff Drive and Miners Track.  Walkers and cyclists can still access Narrow Neck via Miners Track from Narrow Neck Lookout.
  • Lone Lyrebird track is closed between Gordon Road and the War Memorial, due to subsidence. Detour is in place.
  • Prince Henry Cliff walk (part of Grand Cliff Top walk) is closed between Gordon Falls picnic area and Elysian Rock lookout, due to a landslide. Visit the Blue Mountains City Council website for information.
  • Prince Henry Cliff walk (part of Grand Cliff Top walk) is closed between Fern Bower track, Echo Tree and Flat Rock lookout, due to a landslide. Please use Cliff Drive as short detour. 
  • Prince Henry Cliff walk (part of Grand Cliff Top walk) is closed between Leura Cascades and top of Fern Bower, due to landslide and tree fall.  Please use Cliff Drive as a short detour.  
  • Part of Lindeman Pass is closed due to a major landslide below Gladstone lookout. Roberts Pass is closed due to rockfall and landslide hazards.
  • Mount Hay Road is closed from Lockley Pylon walking track due to road conditions.  No vehicle access to Mt Hay and Butterbox Point.  Pedestrians and cyclists are permitted.
  • Six Foot track is affected by closures at Jenolan Caves.

Wentworth Falls and Woodford   

  • Valley of Waters track is closed below Sylvia Falls. There is no access to Roberts Pass, Vera Falls, Hippocrene Falls or Wentworth Falls from Valley of the Waters.
  • Charles Darwin walk (part of the Grand Cliff Top walk) is closed between Fletcher Street and Weeping Rock. Detours are in place to provide directions to Wentworth Falls picnic area. Visit the Blue Mountains City Council website for information.
  • Part of National Pass (west of Wentworth Falls middle crossing) is closed due to a major landslide and ongoing risks.
  • Wentworth Pass and Slack Stairs are closed due to multiple landslides.
  • Bedford Creek trail will be closed Monday to Friday until Friday 26 July 2024 due to road repairs. There will be no access from Anderson fire trail or Murphys Road to Ingar campground. There is also no exit to Woodford from Andersons fire trail. Trials and campgrounds will be open on Saturday and Sunday. Ingar campground is open on Saturday night only.

Blackheath, Mount Victoria and Bells Line of Road

  • Perrys Lookdown Road will be closed to vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists from Monday 5 August to Friday 16 August 2024 for roadworks. The road will be open weekends. Alternative access to Acacia flat is available via Horse track (via Grand Canyon track) or Lockley Pylon.
  • Williams track (Govetts descent) and Rodriguez Pass are closed due to rockfalls and landslides.
  • Pulpit Rock Reserve, lookouts and walking track are closed. Visit the Blue Mountains City Council website for information. Pulpit Rock walking track from Popes Glen is open as far as the NPWS boundary (as shown on Google maps).

Adventure recreation, canyons, abseiling and rock climbing

Some adventure recreation areas and routes are specifically closed where the access or exit road/track is mentioned above.  

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the local office.

Nearby alerts

Applies from Thu 18 Apr 2024, 2.25pm. Last reviewed: Wed 17 Jul 2024, 9.51am

Closed areas: Six Foot track partial closure

Six Foot track is closed past Binda Bush cabins while Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve is closed for repairs to flood-damaged roads and landslips.

There is no access to Jenolan Caves.

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877.

Applies from Sat 9 Apr 2022, 1.03pm. Last reviewed: Tue 16 Jul 2024, 10.51am

Closed areas: Parts of Blue Mountains National Park closed

Many roads, fire trails and walking tracks within Blue Mountains National Park are closed due to infrastructure upgrades or damage caused by wet weather including subsidence, rockfalls, landslides and fallen trees.

The following areas are closed:

Katoomba and Leura

  • Honeymoon Bridge is closed due to rockfall risk.
  • Leura Falls lookout is closed for upgrade works.
  • Fern Bower track between Prince Henry Cliff walk (Grand Cliff Top walk) and Amphitheatre track is closed due to multiple landslides.
  • Federal pass between the Cooks Crossing (Kedumba River) and Dardanelles Pass (near the Giant Staircase) is closed due to a landslide. There is no access along Federal Pass from the bottom Giant Stairs to Scenic World. Visitors can access Scenic World bottom stations via Furber Steps only. Fares apply. 
  • Ruined Castle, Golden Stairs, Solitary Loop and Federal Pass west of Scenic World are closed due to multiple landslides.
  • Glenraphael Drive (Narrow Neck) will be closed to all traffic including walkers and cyclists from Monday 15 July until Friday 19 July 2024 for the upgrade of the road safety barrier.  There will be no access to Castle Head or the Kanangra to Katoomba walk.
  • Glenraphael Drive (Narrow Neck) will be closed to all traffic including walkers and cyclists from Monday 22 July until Friday 26 July 2024 between Cliff Drive and Miners Track.  Walkers and cyclists can still access Narrow Neck via Miners Track from Narrow Neck Lookout.
  • Lone Lyrebird track is closed between Gordon Road and the War Memorial, due to subsidence. Detour is in place.
  • Prince Henry Cliff walk (part of Grand Cliff Top walk) is closed between Gordon Falls picnic area and Elysian Rock lookout, due to a landslide. Visit the Blue Mountains City Council website for information.
  • Prince Henry Cliff walk (part of Grand Cliff Top walk) is closed between Fern Bower track, Echo Tree and Flat Rock lookout, due to a landslide. Please use Cliff Drive as short detour. 
  • Prince Henry Cliff walk (part of Grand Cliff Top walk) is closed between Leura Cascades and top of Fern Bower, due to landslide and tree fall.  Please use Cliff Drive as a short detour.  
  • Part of Lindeman Pass is closed due to a major landslide below Gladstone lookout. Roberts Pass is closed due to rockfall and landslide hazards.
  • Mount Hay Road is closed from Lockley Pylon walking track due to road conditions.  No vehicle access to Mt Hay and Butterbox Point.  Pedestrians and cyclists are permitted.
  • Six Foot track is affected by closures at Jenolan Caves.

Wentworth Falls and Woodford   

  • Valley of Waters track is closed below Sylvia Falls. There is no access to Roberts Pass, Vera Falls, Hippocrene Falls or Wentworth Falls from Valley of the Waters.
  • Charles Darwin walk (part of the Grand Cliff Top walk) is closed between Fletcher Street and Weeping Rock. Detours are in place to provide directions to Wentworth Falls picnic area. Visit the Blue Mountains City Council website for information.
  • Part of National Pass (west of Wentworth Falls middle crossing) is closed due to a major landslide and ongoing risks.
  • Wentworth Pass and Slack Stairs are closed due to multiple landslides.
  • Bedford Creek trail will be closed Monday to Friday until Friday 26 July 2024 due to road repairs. There will be no access from Anderson fire trail or Murphys Road to Ingar campground. There is also no exit to Woodford from Andersons fire trail. Trials and campgrounds will be open on Saturday and Sunday. Ingar campground is open on Saturday night only.

Blackheath, Mount Victoria and Bells Line of Road

  • Perrys Lookdown Road will be closed to vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists from Monday 5 August to Friday 16 August 2024 for roadworks. The road will be open weekends. Alternative access to Acacia flat is available via Horse track (via Grand Canyon track) or Lockley Pylon.
  • Williams track (Govetts descent) and Rodriguez Pass are closed due to rockfalls and landslides.
  • Pulpit Rock Reserve, lookouts and walking track are closed. Visit the Blue Mountains City Council website for information. Pulpit Rock walking track from Popes Glen is open as far as the NPWS boundary (as shown on Google maps).

Adventure recreation, canyons, abseiling and rock climbing

Some adventure recreation areas and routes are specifically closed where the access or exit road/track is mentioned above.  

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the local office.

Affects 1 park and 43 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 10 Apr 2024, 12.15pm. Last reviewed: Mon 15 Jul 2024, 5.01am

Closed parks: Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve is closed until further notice due to heavy rainfall and flooding.

Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve is closed until further notice due to heavy rainfall and flooding.

This area will re-open as soon as it is safe.

Access to Six Foot track is not possible via Jenolan Caves

Remember, it’s never safe to drive, ride or walk through flood waters, so you’ll need to reschedule your visit and avoid travel through areas in this park. Check Live Traffic NSW for up-to-date information about road closures. For assistance during severe weather visit the NSW SES website. In life-threatening situations call emergency services on Triple Zero (000).

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.

Applies from Mon 1 Jul 2024, 6.00am. Last reviewed: Fri 12 Jul 2024, 10.44am

Closed areas: Mount Hay Road closed

Mount Hay Road is closed from the Lockleys Pylon walking track intersection due to road conditions.  No access to Mt Hay and Butterbox Point. Pedestrian access and cyclists are permitted.

For more information please call the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877.

Affects 1 park and 5 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Mon 1 Jul 2024, 9.04pm. Last reviewed: Mon 1 Jul 2024, 9.14pm

Closed areas: Prince Henry Cliff Walk - Leura

Prince Henry Cliff Walk (Grand Cliff Top walk) within Blue Mountains National Park is closed between Leura Cascades and Fern Bower walking track due to major tree fall. The alternative route is along Cliff Drive from Leura Cascades.   For for further information please call the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on (02) 47878877.  

Affects 1 park and 5 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 21 Mar 2023, 11.53am. Last reviewed: Tue 16 Jul 2024, 9.51am

Closed areas: Six Foot track - Bowtells Bridge closure

Bowtells swing bridge on Six Foot track is closed to protect public safety. An upgrade is being planned and the bridge is expected to reopen in  Mid August 2024. Signs and barriers are in place to prevent access onto the bridge.

Crown Lands, which manages the bridge, is advising track users not to attempt to cross Coxs River. Any attempts to cross the river are at your own risk and are discouraged due to the potential for slips or falls, rainfall and risk of flash flooding.

For further information visit the Six Foot track website.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/education/stage-5-geography-grand-canyon-environmental-change-management/local-alerts

Park info

See more visitor info

Emergency services

For all NSW fires visit the Rural Fire Service

For the latest information on wildfires in your area please contact the NSW Rural Fire Service.

View all alerts for NSW