Plateau Pde to Blaxland Station via Florabella Pass
Download & Print Map and Notes
2 hrs
2.9 km One way
224 m
Hard track
(0km) No. 14 Plateau Pde → Int. Florabella Pass Trk and Plateau Pde Trk
730 m
26 mins
21m
-137m
Hard track
From the Plateau Parade the track heads to the right of No. 14 Plateau Pde. The track heads down the tarmac road turning right around behind hte houses to opposite a green metal fence. From here the track heads down the hill to turn right down a rocky outcrop to a sign ‘300m to Plateau Parade’. The track zig zags down the hillside with many rocky steps to come onto a rocky surface where the track sharply turns left down some stairs. The track at the bottom of the stairs turns right and continues under an orange rock overhang to the sign posted intersection.
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.
(0.73km) Int. Florabella Pass Trk and Plateau Pde Trk → Int. Florabella Pass and Pippas Pass Trks
450 m
16 mins
57m
-65m
Hard track
Turn left: From the intersection the track follows the ‘Exit via Ross Cres’ sign down the hill. The track winds steeply down through rocky outcrops to drop onto a creekbed. From here the track climbs right, out of the creek to wind up the hill for a short time. The track then follows the rocky hillside to an intersection surrounded by rock outcrops and boulders.
(1.18km) Int. Florabella Pass and Pippas Pass Trks → Boulder pool
280 m
6 mins
2m
-35m
Hard track
Turn right: From the intersection[1], 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[2].
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 sharp right.
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 sharp right.
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.
(1.18km) Int. Florabella Pass and Pippas Pass Trks → Blaxland Library Carpark
1.2 km
29 mins
118m
-25m
Hard track
Continue straight: From the intersection[3], this walk heads along the mostly flat track along the side of the hill, keeping the valley to your right. Soon the track leads to another intersection at the base of more stone steps, and a rock wall (on the left) that has ‘Florabella Pass’ engraved in it[4].
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads around the boulder (which is on the left) and soon meets a set of stairs, to the left of a ‘Pippas Pass’ sign[5] in a tree.
Turn right: From the intersection[6], this walk follows the ‘Pippas Pass’ sign[7] (that is about 2m up a tree) gently downhill along the track, directly away from the rockface, keeping the main valley to your right. The track winds along the side of the hill for about 100m to then climb up a set of sandstone steps just past a shallow sandstone overhang[8]. From here the track gently undulates along the side of the hill (with a steep valley to your right[9]) for about 300m to lead gently down and cross the usually small creek in the shaded valley[10]. Just after crossing this creek[11], the track bends left to head gently up through the valley along the base of a few natural sandstone walls[12] for about 200m, where the the track becomes rocky and starts to climb a bit more steeply. The track then leads up through a cleft in the rock[13] then about 60m later comes to a unsignposted three-way intersection (with the track on the left crossing the creek), marked with a smooth bark Angophera[14].
Turn left: From the intersection[15], this walk crosses the sandstone platform and creek[16]. Here the track winds gently uphill for about 40m to cross a smaller often dry creek [17] where the track continues uphill for another 30m to pass a grafittied sandstone overhang (on your left)[18]. The track continues gently uphill and bends right to cross a sandstone rock platform and small creek[19] to almost immediately come to a faint intersection with a track in the tall heath[20]. Here the walk turns left and heads uphill for for about 50m where the track then leads up some steps to come to the base of a sandstone cliff and smaller overhang[21]. Here the track bends left and and continues along the side of the hill for another 15m to pass a larger and more grafittied sandstone overhang[22]. From here the track continues to wind more steeply uphill for about 80m before turning left and following a wider track (away from the houses) and into the lower car park of Blaxland library just past the ‘Bushcare site’ information sign[23]. Here this walk turns right to head up to the library and main car park[24].
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads around the boulder (which is on the left) and soon meets a set of stairs, to the left of a ‘Pippas Pass’ sign[5] in a tree.
Turn right: From the intersection[6], this walk follows the ‘Pippas Pass’ sign[7] (that is about 2m up a tree) gently downhill along the track, directly away from the rockface, keeping the main valley to your right. The track winds along the side of the hill for about 100m to then climb up a set of sandstone steps just past a shallow sandstone overhang[8]. From here the track gently undulates along the side of the hill (with a steep valley to your right[9]) for about 300m to lead gently down and cross the usually small creek in the shaded valley[10]. Just after crossing this creek[11], the track bends left to head gently up through the valley along the base of a few natural sandstone walls[12] for about 200m, where the the track becomes rocky and starts to climb a bit more steeply. The track then leads up through a cleft in the rock[13] then about 60m later comes to a unsignposted three-way intersection (with the track on the left crossing the creek), marked with a smooth bark Angophera[14].
Turn left: From the intersection[15], this walk crosses the sandstone platform and creek[16]. Here the track winds gently uphill for about 40m to cross a smaller often dry creek [17] where the track continues uphill for another 30m to pass a grafittied sandstone overhang (on your left)[18]. The track continues gently uphill and bends right to cross a sandstone rock platform and small creek[19] to almost immediately come to a faint intersection with a track in the tall heath[20]. Here the walk turns left and heads uphill for for about 50m where the track then leads up some steps to come to the base of a sandstone cliff and smaller overhang[21]. Here the track bends left and and continues along the side of the hill for another 15m to pass a larger and more grafittied sandstone overhang[22]. From here the track continues to wind more steeply uphill for about 80m before turning left and following a wider track (away from the houses) and into the lower car park of Blaxland library just past the ‘Bushcare site’ information sign[23]. Here this walk turns right to head up to the library and main car park[24].
(2.37km) Blaxland Library Carpark → Blaxland Station
530 m
10 mins
28m
-9m
Very easy
Turn left: From the Blaxland Library car park[25], this walk heads up the ramp on the side of the building[26] then follows the back deck behind the library and community centre[27]. On the far side of the building, this walk follows the bitumen footpath[28] footpath uphill to turn left at the ‘Blaxland Civic Centre’[29] sign onto the footpath beside Hope St. This walk follows the footpath uphill for about 150m before turning right to cross Hope St at the traffic calming device[30]. Here the walk bends left and crosses a car park entrance[31], then soon turns right into ‘Station St’[32]. Here the walk heads up the footpath to cross another car park entrance[33] then onto the pedestrian lane way that leads between the buildings, under the foot bridge[34] to the main footpath, just before the Great Western Highway, among the Blaxland shops.
Turn left: 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.
Turn left: 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 Plateau Pde to Blaxland Station via Florabella 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.
| Springwood | 1:25 000 Map Series | 90304S SPRINGWOOD | NSW-90304S |
| Penrith | 1:100 000 Map Series | 9030 PENRITH | 9030 |
Cross sectional view of the Plateau Pde to Blaxland Station via Florabella Pass bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Plateau Pde to Blaxland Station via Florabella 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 | 2.9 km | ||
| Time | 2 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 | 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
1.2km of this walk is very steep and another 1.1km has short steep hills. Whilst another 530m is flat with no steps 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 530m 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 530m is clearly signposted. The remaining (350m) has minimal directional signs.
Experience Required
Around 1.7km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.2km requires some bushwalking experience.
weather
Around 1.8km 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
1.3km 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 Plateau Pde to Blaxland Station via Florabella Pass walk starts at the No. 14 Plateau Pde (gps: -33.741536, 150.60015)Your transport options to No. 14 Plateau Pde are by;
Bus. (get details)
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Train. (get details)The Plateau Pde to Blaxland Station via Florabella Pass ends at the Blaxland Station (gps: -33.743785, 150.60987)
Your transport options to Blaxland Station are by;
Bus. (get details) Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/pptbsvfp
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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