Blaxland Station Florabella Pass Loop
Download & Print Map and Notes
2 hrs 30 mins
4.3 km Circuit
249 m
Hard track
(0km) Blaxland Station → Blaxland Library Carpark
530 m
10 mins
9m
-28m
Very easy
From the station, this walk heads up to the pedestrian bridge and turns right, crossing over the Great Western Highway. The walk then uses the stairs or ramp to descend to the footpath below.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads down along the pedestrian lane way, under the foot bridge[1] and away from the highway. Here the walk crosses the car park entrance[2] and follows the footpath downhill to turn left onto ‘Hope St’[3]. This walk then crosses another car park entrance[4], then turns right to cross Hope St[5] at the traffic calming device[6]. Here the walk turns left and continues down along the footpath beside Hope St for about 150m to turn right at the ‘Blaxland Civic Centre’[7] sign. Now the walk follows this footpath downhill then along the back deck of the library[8] to the car park on the far side of the building.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads down along the pedestrian lane way, under the foot bridge[1] and away from the highway. Here the walk crosses the car park entrance[2] and follows the footpath downhill to turn left onto ‘Hope St’[3]. This walk then crosses another car park entrance[4], then turns right to cross Hope St[5] at the traffic calming device[6]. Here the walk turns left and continues down along the footpath beside Hope St for about 150m to turn right at the ‘Blaxland Civic Centre’[7] sign. Now the walk follows this footpath downhill then along the back deck of the library[8] to the car park on the far side of the building.
(0.53km) Blaxland Library Carpark → Int of Pipas Pass and Bates Ave tracks
350 m
7 mins
1m
-38m
Hard track
Turn right: From the Blaxland Library car park[9], this walk heads to the lower left corner of the car park to find a ‘Bushcare site’ information sign[10]. Here the walk follows the track towards the houses[11] for a few meters to then turn right and heading down the narrower track and timber steps[12]. This track winds downhill for about 80m to pass a grafittied sandstone overhang[13]. Here the track continues along the side of the hill for another 15m to a smaller overhang[14] where the track bends right and downhill[15] for about 50m to come to a T-intersection[16] in the heath. Here the walk turns right to almost immediately cross over a sandstone rock platform and small creek[17] then after another 30m the track passes another grafittied sandstone overhang (on your right)[18]. From this overhang this walk continues to wind gently downhill for another 40m to cross a small often dry creek[19] then after another 70m the track leads across a sandstone platform and larger creek[20] to come to a T-intersection[21] with another track on the opposite bank.
(0.88km) Int of Pipas Pass and Bates Ave tracks → Int. Ross Cres Trk East and Pippas Pass
770 m
18 mins
17m
-62m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the track gently downhill initially keeping the creek to your right. The heath soon becomes thicker (and the creek is not visible for a while), after about 60m the track leads down through a cleft in the rock[22]. The track leads down through a rocky section then leads along through a pleasant and shaded valley for about 200m where the track passes along the base of a few natural sandstone walls[23] before leading down to cross the usually small and pleasant creek[24].
The track then bends left to begin a gently climb out of the valley by undulating along the side of the hill. Soon the valley on your left[25] becomes quiet steep then track leads down a short set of sandstone steps then past a a shallow sandstone overhang[26]. Here the track winds along the side of the hill for another 100m
to head up a small hill and come to a T-intersection just before a rock face. Here there is a ‘Pippas Pass’ sign[27] pointing back where you came from (about 2m up a tree on your right).
(1.65km) Int. Ross Cres Trk East and Pippas Pass → Int. Beneath rock Trk and Ross Cres Trk
220 m
13 mins
95m
-13m
Hard track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the stone steps uphill. The steps zig zag[28] a couple of times for about 30m before passing between two boulders[29], where the track flattens out and comes to a Y-intersection (with more steps on the right, and a flatter track on the left).
Veer right: From the intersection[30], this walk heads up the stone steps[31]. The track winds fairly steeply uphill at first, then leads a little more gently for just over 100m to come to an intersection at the base of a few rock walls. Here this walk ignores the stone step track (on the left) and veers right following the other stone steps up between the two rock walls[32]. This track winds up the stone steps then bends left to flatten out at the top of the hill at an intersection with a wider track. Here there is a large unfenced rock platform (on your left). At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.
Veer right: From the intersection[30], this walk heads up the stone steps[31]. The track winds fairly steeply uphill at first, then leads a little more gently for just over 100m to come to an intersection at the base of a few rock walls. Here this walk ignores the stone step track (on the left) and veers right following the other stone steps up between the two rock walls[32]. This track winds up the stone steps then bends left to flatten out at the top of the hill at an intersection with a wider track. Here there is a large unfenced rock platform (on your left). At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.
Ross Cres rock outcrop
This rocky outcrop below Ross Crescent, stands like a number of large sandstone foundations in the side of the hill. They are worth an explore, with a numerous views over the bush and little cracks and overhangs to look through.
(1.65km) Int. Ross Cres Trk East and Pippas Pass → Int. Florabella Pass and Pippas Pass Trks
70 m
4 mins
7m
-18m
Moderate track
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk heads right, around a boulder, and soon meets a set of stairs, with arrows and place names scratched into the rock either side.
Continue straight: From the intersection[33], this walk follows ‘Florabella Pass’ arrow engraved in rock face[34] along the mostly flat track around the side of the hill, keeping the valley to your left. The track soon comes to another intersection with a set of stone steps (on the right)[35].
Continue straight: From the intersection[33], this walk follows ‘Florabella Pass’ arrow engraved in rock face[34] along the mostly flat track around the side of the hill, keeping the valley to your left. The track soon comes to another intersection with a set of stone steps (on the right)[35].
(1.72km) Int. Florabella Pass and Pippas Pass Trks → Boulder pool
280 m
6 mins
2m
-35m
Hard track
Turn sharp left: From the intersection[36], this walk heads steeply down the stone steps and eroded track, winding steeply, in some sections over steep rocky surfaces. The track continues downhill until coming to an intersection where the track meets a large boulder which stretches towards the creek[37].
Turn left: From the intersection, the track keeps the creek on the right, as it heads down stream. The track winds to a creek junction where the track crosses a log to the right. From here the track meanders along the creek bed to a pool with a large boulder in it. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.
Turn left: From the intersection, the track keeps the creek on the right, as it heads down stream. The track winds to a creek junction where the track crosses a log to the right. From here the track meanders along the creek bed to a pool with a large boulder in it. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.
Boulder Pool
Boulder Pool, unofficially named, is a nice pool along the Glenbrook Creek with a boulder sitting in it. The pool is a great place to cool your feet, and sit on the sandy banks and grab a bite as you take in your surroundings.
(1.72km) Int. Florabella Pass and Pippas Pass Trks → Int. Florabella Pass Trk and Plateau Pde Trk
450 m
16 mins
65m
-57m
Hard track
Continue straight: From the intersection the track heads north around the rocky hillside to tend left, into a creek on the left. The track winds steeply up throguh rocky outcrops to a sign posted intersection next to a large orange rock overhang.
Florabella Pass overhang
This large and well coloured sandstone overhang is a feature of Florabella Pass. The overbearing nature of this overhang makes it a grand sight along the track. The steps and clearing below it also make for a good place to rest and grab a bite to eat.
(2.16km) Int. Florabella Pass Trk and Plateau Pde Trk → No. 14 Plateau Pde
730 m
26 mins
137m
-21m
Hard track
Turn right: From the intersection the track heads up the steps to head under the orange rock overhang. The track winds beneath a few rocky outcrops to turn left up some stairs to turn right sharply along the rocky surface. The track continues to wind up a few more rocky steps before zig zagging up the hill to a sign ‘300m to Plateau Parade’. The track turns right at the sign to contour along the hillside for a short time. The track turns left up steps beneath a rocky outcrop to turn right and continue up the hill to the road behind houses. At the road the track then turns right, with the houses on the left. The road soon turns left to continue up to Plateau Pde.
(2.89km) No. 14 Plateau Pde → Blaxland Station
1.4 km
24 mins
13m
-25m
Very easy
Continue straight: From the intersection the walk heads up Plateau Pde, keeping the powerline above on the right. The walk continues up to the intersection with Bridge Rd where it turns right. Then continues up Bridge Rd to come to the intersection with Glen St.
Continue straight: From the intersection the walkk heads up Bridge Rd passing No’s 14, 12, 8. Then continues up Bridge Rd to soon pass Bourke St on the right before coming to the intersection with the Great Western Highway.
Turn sharp right: From Bridge St the walk heads down the Great Western Highway, keeping the houses on the right of the footpath. The walk continues down the hill passing Taringha St then View St as it then heads past the shops. The walk continues to the stairs, and ramp, leading up to the pedestrian bridge.
Turn sharp right: From the footpath, the walk uses the stairs or ramp to climb onto the pedestrian bridge. The walk then crosses the bridge over the Great Western Highway and then heads down onto Blaxland Station.
Continue straight: From the intersection the walkk heads up Bridge Rd passing No’s 14, 12, 8. Then continues up Bridge Rd to soon pass Bourke St on the right before coming to the intersection with the Great Western Highway.
Turn sharp right: From Bridge St the walk heads down the Great Western Highway, keeping the houses on the right of the footpath. The walk continues down the hill passing Taringha St then View St as it then heads past the shops. The walk continues to the stairs, and ramp, leading up to the pedestrian bridge.
Turn sharp right: From the footpath, the walk uses the stairs or ramp to climb onto the pedestrian bridge. The walk then crosses the bridge over the Great Western Highway and then heads down onto Blaxland Station.
Maps for the Blaxland Station Florabella Pass Loop 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.
| Springwood | 1:25 000 Map Series | 90304S SPRINGWOOD | NSW-90304S |
| Penrith | 1:100 000 Map Series | 9030 PENRITH | 9030 |
Cross sectional view of the Blaxland Station Florabella Pass Loop bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Blaxland Station Florabella Pass Loop
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 | 4.3 km | ||
| Time | 2 hrs 30 mins | ||
| . | |||
| 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 | Minimal directional signs (4/6) | ||
| Experience Required | Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6) | ||
| Weather | Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6) | ||
| Infrastructure | Limited 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
1.9km of this walk is flat with no steps and another 1.2km is very steep. Whilst another 1.1km has short steep hills and the remaining 70m has gentle hills with occasional steps.
Quality of track
2km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 1.9km follows a smooth and hardened path. Whilst another 350m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and the remaining 55m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
2km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 1.9km is clearly signposted. The remaining (350m) has minimal directional signs.
Experience Required
Around 3.1km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.2km requires some bushwalking experience.
weather
Around 3.1km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 1.1km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
2.6km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) and another 1.2km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced). The remaining (450m) has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Blaxland Station Florabella Pass Loop walk starts and ends at the Blaxland Station (gps: -33.743785, 150.60987)Your transport options to Blaxland Station are by;
Train. (get details)
Bus. (get details)
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Train. (get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/bsfpl
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 🙂
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