Dardenelles Pass

Echo Point Information Centre

This modern building at Echo Point is a great source of information. It is open daily from 9am-5pm (except Christmas Day). There is a large range of books, maps and information about the area (and ice creams). There are toilets opposite the entrance

[Toilet Accessible]

, and mobility parking opposite

[Parking Accessible]

. For more information, phone 1300 653 408. More info.

(0km) Echo Point Archway Intersection → Oreades Lookout

430 m
12 mins
19m
-47m

Easy track

From the archway, this walk follows the lower of the two footpaths heading away from Echo Point, for approximately 30m, before coming to the intersection of the Spooners Lookout track.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Three Sisters’ arrow[1] gently uphill along the concrete path, keeping the main valley behind and to the left. The track then leads up, past a short fence, to a clear intersection with the Three Sisters Walk[2].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Three Sisters 400m’ arrow[3] downhill along the concrete path, keeping the valley to the right. After about 15m the walk leads past a stone seat

[Seat]

(on the left), with a blue tongue lizard sculpture[4]. The walk continues gently downhill for another 60m to pass another sandstone seat (on the left)

[Seat]

. From here the path winds gently downhill for another 70m to find yet another sandstone seat (on the left)

[Seat]

. The path continues downhill for another 45m to find a clear intersection marked with a large ‘Three Sisters Walk’ sign[5]. On the right is a small flat loose gravel area with two seats

[Seat]

.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Three Sisters, Giant Stairway’ sign[6] moderately steeply downhill

[Trip Hazard]

along the smooth concrete path[7]. After about about 90m[8] this path leads past stone seat

[Seat]

(on the left) in a small sandstone overhang[9]. Check the miniature cicada sculptures[10] above the overhang. From here this walk continues downhill along the path for about 30m to find the fenced Oreades Lookout[11] (on the right).

(0.43km) Oreades Lookout → Int of Prince Henry Cliff Track and the Three Sisters Footpath

20 m
1 mins
0m
-11m

Easy track

Continue straight: From Oreades Lookout platform, this walk follows the main path down the steps, keeping the valley views to the right. At the bottom of the first set of steps the walking comes to an intersection with a track (on the left).

(0.45km) Int of Lady Game Lookout Track and the Three Sisters Footpath → Top of the Giant Staircase

20 m
1 mins
0m
-10m

Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the footpath down the gentle hill towards the Three Sisters, passing under a rock archway and coming to the top of the Giant Staircase.

(0.46km) Top of the Giant Staircase → Lady Game Lookout

10 m
1 mins
0m
-12m

Very easy

Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the footpath down the hill towards the Three Sisters for about 10m before coming to the Lady Game Lookout. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

Lady Game Lookout

Lady Game Lookout is a narrow, fenced lookout above the Three Sisters. The track to this lookout starts just near the archway which marks the start of the Giant Staircase. Lady Game Lookout provides a bird’s-eye view over the Three Sisters and is a popular stop whilst exploring the area.

(0.46km) Top of the Giant Staircase → The Three Sisters Bridge Intersection

40 m
4 mins
0m
-31m

Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the steep stairs, winding down the side of the cliffs, to the intersection next to the bridge (which goes across to the overhang under the First Sister).

(0.5km) The Three Sisters Bridge Intersection → The Three Sisters

10 m
0m
0m

Very easy

Turn right: From the intersection, the walk crosses the bridge over to the Three Sisters. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer right.

The Three Sisters

This well-known rock formation can be found just south of Katoomba, and can be viewed from many of the cliffside lookouts, from Narrow Neck all the way around to Sublime Point. Historically, this formation appears in Aboriginal ‘Dream Time’ stories, where three sisters were transformed into stone. This iconic rock formation is popular amongst tourists and bushwalkers alike. More info.

(0.5km) The Three Sisters Bridge intersection → Leura Forest (Int of Federal Pass and Dardenelles Tracks)

1.1 km
46 mins
109m
-259m

Hard track

Veer left: From the bridge, the walk goes steeply down the cliff using the metal Giant staircase with handrails. Along the way there are magnificent views of the valley, with chairs to help enjoy various outlooks. The walk continues to descend steeply until coming to an intersection with a flat bush track, signposted as the ‘Dardenelles Walking Track’.
Turn left: From the bottom of the Giant Staircase, this walk follows the Dardanelles Pass sign towards ‘Leura Forest’, keeping the main cliff face on the left. There are occasional good views out over the valley to the east. Gradually, the track begins to descend and becomes more shady. In this section of track, there are often fallen logs across the track, which will need to be climbed over. Gradually, the track descends down behind the pergola at Leura Forest.

Leura Forest

Leura Forest is a great picnic area in the Jamison Valley at the junction of the Federal Pass and Dardenelles Tracks. This place was home to a popular tea house (also known as ‘Lady Carrington Dining Hall’) from the late 1800’s[13]. Today walkers can still enjoy the historic rotunda and the foundations of the original tea house[14]. The picnic area provides a great rest spot under the shade of the lilli pilli and coachwood forest.

(1.58km) Leura Forest → Lower Linda Creek Falls

300 m
10 mins
9m
-50m

Moderate track

Turn left: From the gazebo, this walk follows the wide bush track past the information sign and through the forest, passing a few picnic tables and coming to the Leura Forest signpost. From here the walk continues along the wide track to cross Linda Creek in a timber foot bridge with a handrail[15]. On the other side of the creek this walk comes to an intersection with a faint track, marked with a ‘Federal Pass’ sign[16].

(1.88km) Lower Linda Creek Falls → Marguerite Cascades

20 m
1 mins
5m
0m

Hard track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Prince Henry Cliff Walk’ sign[17] up the timber steps keeping the cascade to your left[18]. The track leads steeply uphill for a short while, to come to the signposted ‘Marguerite Cascades’[19].

Marguerite Cascades

Marguerite Cascades are a series of small cascades finishing with a taller waterfall of a few metres height, dropping into a shallow sandy pool. The cascades are on Linda Creek and a small bridge crosses the creek at the base of the falls as part of the Federal Pass walking track. The cascades are a nice place to sit and listen to the water running and the local birds in this cool shady area.

(1.9km) Marguerite Cascades → Lila Falls crossing

180 m
11 mins
90m
-37m

Hard track

Continue straight: From Marguerite Cascades, this walk climbs steeply up the wooden steps, then turns left and crosses Linda Creek. These steps climb to a bridge, where the walk passes the tall and slender Linda Falls. From Linda Falls the walk heads up the wooden and metal staircases. The walk then follows the wooden boardwalk that hugs the side of a rock wall under a shallow overhang before heading up some more steps and soon coming to a small bridge crossing Linda Creek in front of Lila Falls.

Lila Falls

Lila Falls is a thin waterfall on Linda Creek. The Federal Pass crosses the creek (on a bridge) in front of these falls, just below the intersection with the amphitheatre. The waterfall is not the most spectacular one in this valley, but it is a nice cool spot to catch your breath.

(2.08km) Lila falls crossing → Fern Bower

340 m
14 mins
168m
-10m

Hard track

Continue straight: From the Lila Falls, this walk crosses the bridge and heads up the metal staircase. At the top of this climb the walk comes to signposted intersection with the ‘Amphitheatre track’.
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘Prince Henry Cliff Walk’ sign up the timber steps, keeping the valley on the right. The walk winds up the long wooden steps through the rainforest, until it reaches the Fern Bower information sign.

Fern Bower

Fern Bower is an especially pleasant part of the Blue Mountains National Park, protected from heat and providing a great environment for fern trees, bracken ferns and moss to thrive. Fern Bower is a signposted area along the Federal Pass walking track, just below Jamieson Lookout and next to Linda Creek. This is a nice place to stop, rest and enjoy the bird noises.

(2.42km) Fern Bower → Int of Federal Pass and Jamieson Lookout Tracks

90 m
3 mins
36m
0m

Hard track

Continue straight: From the information sign, this walk follows the bush track, heading up the long set of wooden steps that wind up through the forest. The walk passes a picnic chair under a rocky overhang on the right, and continues up to the top of the valley, where it comes to the intersection with the Jamieson Lookout track.

(2.51km) Int of Federal Pass and Jamieson Lookout Tracks → Jamieson Lookout

20 m
1 mins
0m
-6m

Easy track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Jamieson Lookout’ sign along the short bush track to the rock shelf at the Jamieson Lookout. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn sharp right.

Jamieson Lookout

Jamieson Lookout is a fenced lookout at the east end of the Federal Pass track, and just off Prince Henry Cliff Walk. The lookout has a bench seat and provides great views up the Jamison Valley, along Kings Tableland escarpment and past Mount Solitary. The lookout is perched up on a large rock buttress, giving views unobscured by trees.

(2.51km) Int of Federal Pass and Jamieson Lookout Tracks → Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Leura Forest Track

40 m
1 mins
3m
-3m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads up the wooden steps and follows the bush track, winding up the gentle hill to the signposted intersection with the ‘Prince Henry Cliff Walk’.

(2.56km) Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Leura Forest Track → Int of Cliff Drive and Prince Henry Cliff Walk

90 m
3 mins
3m
-6m

Easy track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Leura Cascades’ sign along the well-defined bush track, winding through the bush to the signposted intersection of the Echo Tree track at the bottom of the short set of stairs.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the short set of wooden steps up to Cliff Drive, opposite the car park behind Solitary Restaurant. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.

Solitary Kiosk and Restaurant

Solitary Restaurant offers fine dining in a heritage-listed building overlooking the beautiful Jamison Valley, as well as housing a kiosk for a more casual lunch. The kiosk is open for lunch 7 days a week, from 10am to 4pm (opens 11am weekdays in winter). The kiosk provides a casual dinning experience, with breakfast foods from $10 and lunches around $15 per dish. The restaurant is open for lunch 7 days from 12-4.30pm, and dinner on Fridays and Saturdays from 6pm. Light lunches start from $14, and dinners from $55 for a mouth-watering 2 course meal. Contact details – 90 Cliff Drive, Leura Falls Ph: 02 4782 1164. More info.

(2.56km) Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Leura Forest Track → Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Burrabarroo Lookout Tracks

350 m
9 mins
18m
-29m

Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, the track follows the ‘Echo Point’ sign along the bush track, winding through the forest for a short while before climbing up a set of wooden steps, to the intersection with the Carrington Park Track (not signposted).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Skyway’ sign along the track heading through the forest, steadily winding down a long and gentle hill. Soon, the walk comes to the top of a set of wooden steps, which it follows down to the signposted intersection of the ‘Burrabarroo Lookout’ track.

(2.91km) Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Burrabarroo Lookout Tracks → Burrabarroo Lookout

50 m
1 mins
0m
-8m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Burrabarroo’ sign along the track, passing a picnic seat and climbing up a short set of rock steps to the top of a rock platform. The walk continues down the steps on the other side, around the base of a rock platform and along the bush track for a short while longer, to the Burrabarroo lookout. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn sharp left.

Burrabarroo Lookout

This small, fenced lookout is just off the Prince Henry Cliff Walk, near Carrington Park. The view looks over the valley and out to Sublime Point and Kings Tablelands in the distance. The lookout is perched on the top of a rocky buttress at the end of a small point, giving great views.

(2.91km) Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Burrabarroo Lookout Tracks → Lomandra Lookout

330 m
9 mins
23m
-25m

Easy track

Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘Echo Point’ sign down the wooden steps to the bottom, and continues along the bush track that winds through the forest along the side of the hill to the signposted ‘Lomandra Lookout’.

Lomandra Lookout

Lomandra Lookout is a fenced lookout along Prince Henry Cliff Walk, near Katoomba. Unlike other lookouts in the area, there are no sweeping distant views, but atop this cliff there is a great close-up view of the canopy of the surrounding bush. There is a bench seat on the rock platform, making a nice place for a rest.

(3.24km) Lomandra Lookout → Honeymoon Point

260 m
3 mins
10m
-22m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the Lomandra Lookout, this walk follows the bush track, keeping the valley and the cliffs down the hill to the left as it winds along the side of the hill, passing a picnic seat and continuing down a set of wooden steps to the Banksia Streamlet.
Continue straight: Keeping the valley down the hill to the left, this walk leaves the Banksia Streamlet, climbing up to the top of the wooden steps and continuing along the bush track for a short while before coming to the signposted Honeymoon Point.

(3.5km) Honeymoon Point → Banksia Lookout

30 m
2 mins
0m
-36m

Easy track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads out to the cliffs along the track, until coming to an intersection signposted as ‘Banksia Lookout’. The view is largely blocked by trees. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.

Banksia Lookout

Banksia Lookout is a fenced lookout along the Prince Henry Cliff Walk, down a few steps from Honeymoon Point. The lookout provides views of Sublime Point and Kings Tableland. The clearing for the old sewage treatment plant, down in the valley on the Sublime Point Trail, is still visible from this lookout.

(3.5km) Honeymoon Point → Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Honeymoon Lookout Tracks

100 m
2 mins
16m
-1m

Easy track

Veer right: From the lookout, the walk follows the bush track, keeping the valley and the cliffs down the hill to the left as it winds up the gentle hill through the forest. The walk then comes to an intersection with the Honeymoon Lookout track, just before the concrete structure on the right.

(3.6km) Int of Prince Henry Cliff and Honeymoon Lookout Tracks → Honeymoon Lookout

30 m
1 mins
8m
0m

Easy track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the short hill to the concrete platform just off Cliff Drive, signposted as ‘Honeymoon Lookout’. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

Honeymoon Lookout

Honeymoon Lookout is a fenced lookout on Cliff Drive, just north of Katoomba High School. There is a short track that links this lookout to Prince Henry Cliff Walk. There is a bus stop at the lookout. The area is shaded by a few trees and provides views out to Sublime Point and Kings Tableland.

(3.6km) Int of Prince Henry Cliff and Honeymoon Lookout Tracks → Millamurra Lookout

390 m
10 mins
26m
-26m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track past the base of the Honeymoon Lookout and continues along the track, keeping the valley down the hill to the left as it winds around the side of the valley until it coming to the signposted ‘Millamurra Lookout’.

Millamurra Lookout

Millamurra Lookout is on a fenced, elevated rock platform on the side of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk. There are views of the Jamison Valley, including the Leura Falls Creek and Sublime Point. There is also a great view along the Kings Tableland escarpment to the right.

(3.99km) Millamurra Lookout → Tallawarra Lookout

60 m
2 mins
3m
-6m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From Millamurra Lookout, this walk follows the bush track, keeping the valley down to the left as it continues along through the open forest for a short, while before coming to the signposted ‘Tallawarra Lookout’ (marked on some maps as ‘Tallawalla Lookout’).

Tallawarra Lookout

Tallawarra Lookout[20] is a small, fenced lookout near Silver Mist Picnic Area, along Prince Henry Cliff walk. The lookout provides an excellent view of Sublime Point and Kings Tableland. Leura Falls and Gordon Creek both flow through the valley below. There are a few bench seats just near the lookout. (Note: the lookout is marked as ‘Tallawalla Lookout’ on some maps.)

(4.05km) Tallawarra Lookout → Int of Prince Henry Cliff and Lady Carrington Lookout Tracks

170 m
4 mins
17m
-6m

Easy track

Veer right: From the lookout, this walk follows the bush track as it winds through the bush, keeping the cliffs and the valley to the left. Gradually, the track drops down a long and steady hill, winding around to the intersection with the Lady Carrington bush track.

(4.22km) Int of Prince Henry Cliff and Lady Carrington Lookout Tracks → Lady Carrington Lookout

20 m
1 mins
0m
-12m

Easy track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads out to the cliffs, going down a small flight of stairs and following the metal railing. Shortly after, the walk breaks out onto a fenced-off rockshelf, signposted as Lady Carrington Lookout. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.

Lady Carrington Lookout

Lady (Cecelia) Carrington was wife of Lord (Charles Robert Wynne) Carrington. The couple explored parts of the Blue mountains in the late 1800’s and had a number of places named in their honour. Lady Carrington Lookout is long, narrow and fenced (twice). The lookout is perched up on a sandstone block and provides views over Jamison Valley.

(4.22km) Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Lady Carrington Lookout Tracks → Int of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Lady Game Bushtrack

260 m
6 mins
18m
-16m

Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘Echo Point’ sign along the bush track as it follows the cliffs (down the hill to the left) around the valley. The track turns to the right and winds up to the intersection with the Lady Game bush track.

(4.48km) Int of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Lady Game Bushtrack → Int of Prince Henry Cliff Track and the Three Sisters Footpath

50 m
1 mins
6m
-1m

Easy track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the Echo Point signpost along the wide track that winds through the bush for about 50m, before coming down to the signposted intersection of the Three Sisters path.

(4.53km) Int of Prince Henry Cliff Track and the Three Sisters Pathway → Echo Point Archway Intersection

300 m
7 mins
19m
-8m

Easy track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the large ‘Echo Point’ sign[21] uphill along the smooth concrete path. The path leads uphill for about 45m to find a sandstone seat (on the right)

[Seat]

. From here the path continues winding gently uphill for another 70m to pass another sandstone seat (on the right)

[Seat]

. From this seat the path continues gently uphill for another 60m past yet another similar stone seat

[Seat]

(on the right), this seat has a blue tongue lizard sculpture[22]. After another 15m this walk comes to a clear signposted Y-intersection[23].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Katoomba & Echo point’ arrow [24] uphill along the concrete path, initially keeping the metal fence to the left. The path leads uphill for about 80m then over a rise to head downhill for short distance to an intersection with a track[25] (on the left) just before the stone archway[26] near Echo Point.

Maps for the Dardenelles Pass 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 Dardenelles Pass bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Dardenelles Pass

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	4.8 km
		Time	3 hrs
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
		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

3km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 940m has short steep hills. Whilst another 440m is very steep and the remaining 410m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

2.2km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 1.3km follows a smooth and hardened path. Whilst another 1.3km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and the remaining 20m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

Around 3.7km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 1.1km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

Around 4.4km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 450m requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 4.6km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 200m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 4.4km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 410m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Dardenelles Pass walk starts and ends at the Echo Point Archway Intersection (gps: -33.731966, 150.31271)
Your main transport option to Echo Point Archway Intersection is by;

Car. Parking fees apply in the area.
(get details)

Fire Danger

Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather Forest

This walk starts in the Central Tablelands weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.

Forecast snapshot

Park Information & Alerts

Download Pdf

Open iPhone app

Short URL = http://wild.tl/dp

Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)

Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂