Vera Falls track takes experienced walkers to the end of the Valley of the Waters. The last half of this track is indistinct and rough in places, following a historic route. Vera Falls is a spectacular waterfall that can be viewed from the top or bottom. This track may become impassable after rain. A hot chocolate at Conservation Hut can be a nice way to finish off this walk.
Please note: This is a 'return' style walk and therefore these graphs only show the terrain for the first half of the walk (until the turn around point.)
Cross sectional view of the Vera Falls Track bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Vera Falls Track bushwalking track
Overview of this walks Grading - Based on the AS 2156.1 - 2001
These details are new. This new feature still requires more testing and refining. Please use the 'Walker Feedback' for report specific issues. Please e-mail Matt if you have any general comments. Hope you find it helpful.
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
Length
3.8km
Time
4 hrs
.
Grade 5/6
Route: Hard
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
Quality of track
Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Signs
No directional signs (5/6)
Experience Required
Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather
Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
Infrastructure
No facilities provided (5/6)
*This summary of grading information is new and still in testing
Some more detail of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining the grading looking at sections of the walk. Gradient
1km of this walk has short steep hills and another 750m is very steep. The remaining (140m) has gentle hills with occasional steps.
Quality of track
1.1km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 590m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely. Whilst another 190m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and the remaining 55m follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
680m of this walk is clearly signposted and another 620m has directional signs at most intersection. The remaining (590m) Has no directional signs.
Experience Required
920m of this walk requires some bushwalking experience and another 590m requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience. The remaining (380m) requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
Around 1km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 870m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
920m of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 590m has no facilities provided. The remaining (390m) is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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Conservation Hut is a small cafe perched above the Valley of the Waters, Blue Mountains National Park. The hut was opened in 1963 as a meeting place for the local conservation movement. Rebuilt, Conservation Hut opened as a cafe in 1993, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week. Around the Conservation Hut is a small parking area, public toilets, picnic shelters, town water and B&B's. For further information or bookings call (02) 4757 3827. More info
(0 km)
Conservation Hut
to
Int of Valley of the Waters and Queen Victoria Tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 324 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -75 m
From Conservation Hut, this walk follows the 'Valley of the Waters' sign down some timber and dirt steps passing a couple of picnic shelters. The track soon leads to the signposted intersection with the 'Short Cut Track' (still in view of the Conservation Hut). Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Valley of the Waters' sign down the steps, passing an information sign. After the handrail and more signs, the track passes a couple of faint tracks (on the left, leading to an old picnic area). Further down the steps, the walk comes the end of another handrail and a three-way intersection (signposted 'Overcliff Track' and 'National Pass'). Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'National Pass - Valley of the Waters' sign down the timber steps. The track passes a few faint tracks (on the left, that lead to an unfenced view point). The walk continues down the steps, soon coming to an unsignposted intersection with the Lyrebird Cliff track (on a small sandstone rock platform). Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down the wooden steps to almost immediately come to the signposted intersection with 'Queen Victoria Lookout' track.
(0.32 km)
Int of Valley of the Waters and Queen Victoria Tracks
to
Queen Victoria Lookout Optional sidetrip: Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 24 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -17 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Queen Victoria Lookout' sign down the steps towards the handrail. Soon the track passes a small lookout on the left and, shortly afterwards, the fence leads to the rock platform and fenced 'Queen Victoria Lookout'. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn left to continue along this walk.)
Queen Victoria Lookout
Alt = 803 m
The Queen Victoria Lookout is perched above the Valley of the Waters, south-west of Conservation Hut. The fenced lookout has views into the narrow section of the valley. The views are made more dramatic by the roar of the waterfalls below and the mists which frequent the area. Empress Falls are only just visible - the main views extend down Jamison Valley. Kings Tableland (left) and Sublime Point(right) dominate the views and the eastern edge of Mount Solitary and beyond is also visible.
(0.32 km)
Int of Valley of the Waters and Queen Victoria Tracks
to
Empress Lookout Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 57 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -18 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads down the steps away from 'Queen Victoria Lookout' keeping the rock face to the right. The track soon passes under a sandstone overhang and then down more steps to come to the fenced and signposted 'Empress Lookout'.
Empress Lookout
Alt = 801 m
Empress Lookout is a fenced and signposted lookout, perched on a sandstone overhang above the Valley of the Waters Creek. There is a view down to part of the Empress Falls and into the canyon. The views are filtered through the surrounding trees. It makes for a good spot to catch your breath when walking into, or out of, the Valley of the Waters.
(0.38 km)
Empress Lookout
to
Int of Valley of the Waters and Nature Tracks Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 92 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 12 m
Descent = -20 m
Turn right: From Empress Lookout, this walk heads down the wooden steps, keeping the handrail and valley to the left. Soon the walk heads downs a series of steep metal staircases that zigzag down the hill. At the bottom of the staircases, the walk follows the handrail through a long sandstone overhang. The track then heads down some steps to come to an intersection with the 'Nature Track' and a sign pointing back to 'National Pass - Tea Rooms'.
(0.47 km)
Int of Valley of the Waters and Nature Tracks
to
Empress Falls Crossing Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 87 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -14 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'National Pass - Valley of the Waters' sign down the lower track (with the valley initially to the right). The walk heads down the steps following the handrail and, soon after the sharp right bend, the walk crosses Isabel Creek using the stepping stones. Soon, the walk heads down a timber staircase, through a sandstone overhang and winds down the stone steps. After passing a great view of Empress Falls, the track crosses the Valley of the Waters Creek in front of Empress Falls using the stepping stones. (These creeks may not be passable after rain)
Empress Falls
Alt = 780 m
Empress Falls is a spectacular waterfall in the Valley of the Waters. The Valley of the Water Creek comes out of the slot in the cliff and tumbles down a series of cliffs to a sandy pool. The fall is the site of the last abseil in a popular canyon, making a great site for walkers in the area. Stepping stones help walkers cross below the falls. There is a small overhang next to the falls, giving the area shade and offering a great place to rest.
(0.56 km)
Empress Falls Crossing
to
Lodore Falls Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 73 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -9 m
Continue straight: From in front of Empress Falls, this walk heads downstream along the track, keeping the creek to the left. After passing the 'Track' sign (pointing back up to the falls), the walk heads down the steps (with handrail). Soon the steps lead to the base of a wide cascade - Sylvia Falls.
From Sylvia Falls, this walk heads downstream along the track, keeping the creek and handrail to the left. Soon after heading down a staircase, the walk comes to a creek crossing at the base of Lodore Falls.
Lodore Falls
Alt = 768 m
Lodore Falls are a lovely set of falls on the Valley of the Waters Creek. The narrow falls have a staircase on one side and stepping stones (and handrail) crossing the bottom, making it easier for walkers to appreciate this waterfall from many angles. Just beyond the handrail, the water falls over another cliff, providing a great view down the valley.
(0.63 km)
Lodore Falls
to
Int of Valley of the Waters and National Pass Tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 22 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -14 m
Continue straight: From Lodore Falls, this walk crosses the Valley Of the Waters Creek, keeping the handrail and main valley to the right (This creek may be impassable after rain). The walk then heads down the stairs under a small overhang to soon come to an intersection with Wentworth Pass and a 'National Pass - Conservation Hut' sign pointing back up.
(0.66 km)
Int of Valley of the Waters and National Pass Tracks
to
Int of Valley of the Waters and Wentworth Pass Tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 99 m
Time = 9 mins
Climb = 21 m
Descent = -114 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads down the stone steps following the 'Wentworth Pass' sign passing the metal railing as the track winds around the side of the hill. The track makes a 'U' bend and continues steeply down towards a waterfall, where it crosses at the large rocks to the bush track on the other side. The walk follows this track, passing a sign pointing back to the Conservation Hut, and continues down the valley, winding down rock steps and following the creek (which is visible through the trees to the left) until it comes to the signposted intersection of the Wentworth Pass track.
(0.75 km)
Int of Valley of the Waters and Wentworth Pass Tracks
to
Int of Robert's Pass and Vera Falls Tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 549 m
Time = 17 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -168 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Vera Falls' sign along the bush track, winding around the side of the hill. After a short distance, the track turns left, down the hill, along an indistinct track (the wrong way is marked with a dead-end track signpost). Continuing steeply down the hill, the walk follows the bright ribbons tied to trees along the bush track down the hill until crossing a small stream. On the other side of this, the walk heads up along the bush track, winding through the forest for a short distance until coming to a signposted intersection of the Roberts Pass track.
(1.3 km)
Int of Robert's Pass and Vera Falls Tracks
to
Int of Vera Falls and Top Falls tracks Route: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 467 m
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 8 m
Descent = -125 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the track heading down the hill, winding down past a large square boulder in the middle of the track. The walk continues down, crossing Valley of the Waters Creek to the eastern bank along the way. The track bends around to the left as the gully opens out and comes down to an intersection of the top of the falls track.
(1.77 km)
Int of Vera Falls and Top Falls tracks
to
Top of Vera Falls Optional sidetrip: Route: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 66 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -15 m
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the bush track heading west, up along the side of the hill, keeping the valley down to the left. The track drops steeply down the hill to the rock platform at the top of the waterfall. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then veer right to continue along this walk.)
(1.77 km)
Int of Vera Falls and Top Falls tracks
to
Int of Vera Falls and Bottom Falls track Route: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 76 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -36 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the track, with the valley down to the right. The walk heads around the side of the hill for a short while before turning downhill and winding through the thick forest. At the bottom of the valley, the track comes to the intersection with the bottom falls track.
(1.85 km)
Int of Vera Falls and Bottom Falls track
to
Hippocrene Falls Optional sidetrip: Route: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 375 m
Time = 11 mins
Climb = 38 m
Descent = -27 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the track heading south-east through the dense forest, following the frequently placed ribbon markers. The walk crosses a small creek and continues up through the bush, winding up the long, gentle hill until coming to an intersection with the Hippocrene Falls track. Veer right: From the intersection, the walk heads down the hill towards the visible falls, soon coming to the pool at the base of the Hippocrene Falls. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn left to continue along this walk.)
(1.85 km)
Int of Vera Falls and Bottom Falls track
to
Bottom of Vera Falls Route: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 46 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = -5 m
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk heads west through the dense forest, following the sometimes indistinct track and the brightly coloured ribbon markers. The walk soon comes to the Valley of the Waters Creek, which it follows upstream along the large boulders on the edge of the creek bed, to the bottom of the falls.
Vera Falls
Alt = 352 m
This spectacular waterfall is in the Valley Of The Waters, near Wentworth Falls. The water falls from a rock platform above (there is a track accessing the top of the falls) onto a rock bulb at the base, where the water cascades into the rock-filled pool at the bottom. The waterfall is on the Valley Of The Waters Creek, about 150m north of the junction with Jamison Creek. The falls are named after the 9 year old daughter of Frederick Moore, a member of the Wentworth Falls Trustees and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society in 1898. The Wentworth Falls Trustees were tasked with naming all the falls in the area at the time.
Fire Danger This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a NONE rating and No Ban in place. (Downloaded 39 minutes ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban status, this rating is based on information from the RFS and BOM.
Blue Mountains National ParkLink to official closures and fire bans page 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. Region: Sydney & Surrounds Park feesCampingFacilities Current Park Closure information for Blue Mountains National Park Closure information last downloaded Friday 24th of May 2013 02:00 PM CLOSED AREAS Attention: helicopter operation affecting Katoomba walking tracks - Sunday 26th May 2013 The following walking tracks in the Katoomba area will be closed on Sunday 26th May 2013 due to helicopter lifting in the new replacement for Honeymoon Bridge. This work is necessary on Sunday due to the favourable weather forecast The following walking tracks in the Katoomba area will be closed duringhelicopter lifting in the new replacement for Honeymoon Bridge:-
Federal Pass (from Katoomba Falls [Cook’s Crossing] to intersection with Dardanelles Pass below Leura.
Federal Pass from Golden Stairs intersection, below Narrow Neck, to the Scenic Railway bottom station.
Giant Stairs
Dardanelles
There will be no access to the top of the Three Sisters, beyond the Prince Henry Cliff Walk junction. Glenraphael Drive at Narrow Neck will also be closed at the national park boundary – 1.5km from Cliff Drive. There will be no access to Narrow Neck for vehicles or pedestrians. Access to and from Scenic World will be open via Furber Steps. For further information please call 02 4787 8877.
Locations affected:Dardenelles Pass loop walking track, Federal Pass Breakfast Point Lookout closed - Breakfast Point Lookout
Breakfast Point Lookout at Wentworth Falls is closed until further notice. Campsites at Euroka - Euroka campground
Darug campsite now closed until further notice for maintenance and upgrade. Camping is available at other sites at Euroka Campground. For bookings you can book online or call 1300 072 757. For group bookings over 6 and to speak to the local Area office please call 02 4588 2400 Monday to Friday. Claustral Canyon access change
Access to Claustral Canyon via the usual route across private land at Mount Tomah is no longer possible due to landholders denying access. NPWS has sought alternative access through private land without success. Canyoners should respect the rights of Mount Tomah residents and avoid using private land.
Alternative access and parking from the west side of Mt Bell has been approved. For details please contact the NPWS Heritage Centre, phone 02 4787 8877; open seven days 9.00 am to 4.30 pm. Glenbrook precinct has re-opened
Access to Jellybean Pool via the road and the walking track is now open. Euroka walking track remains closed as does Ironbarks Firetrail and Portal Waterhole precinct. Honeymoon Bridge, Three Sisters, Katoomba - works occurring from Monday 29 April till early June NPWS will be starting work to replace the Honeymoon bridge at the Three Sisters on Monday 29 April. Work should be completed by early June. There will be no access to the bridge during this time. All walking tracks and other lookouts in the area, including the Giant Stairway, will remain open. Short term closures for helicopter operations during the work will be advised. NPWS Heritage Centre is open 7 days a week; for information call 02 4787 8877. Ingar camping areas - Ingar campground
Vehicle access along Ingar Road may be closed at the end of Queen Elizabeth Drive while private property development works are underway. NPWS requests that visitors respect private property closures.
When the gate is closed Ingar Camping Area will remain open to walkers who access around the private property. Walking distance approximately 13kms. Murphys Glen camping area closed - Murphys Glen campground
Murphys Glen is closed due to road damage and facilities maintenance. Wentworth Falls walking tracks
The Undercliff and Overcliff tracks are closed between Princes Rock access and Lyrebird Lookout due to recent landslides. This means visitors doing the National or Wentworth Pass loops will need to return via the Shortcut Track. The Den Fenella walking track will be closed 7 days per week during upgrade work which commenced 31 January 2013. The Den Fenella lookout remains closed due to structural damage on the bridge. All enquiries to the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877.
Locations affected:Overcliff-Undercliff track, Den Fenella walking track HAZARD REDUCTION BURNS Hazard reduction burn Wild Dog Mountains - CLOSED All walking routes in the Wild Dog Mountains will remain closed until further notice while hazard reduction burning operations are current. The W7 or Cedarland Ridge Rd from Green Gully to Medlow Gap section was re-opened on Monday 13 May 2013.
Anyone intending to walk in Wild Dogs during May should check the national parks website prior to setting off for any updates regarding affected areas. View a map of the hazard reduction burn planned for the Wild Dogs area (PDF 259KB). Hazard reduction burn
A hazard reduction burn has been completed along the Gingra Range and spur ridges leading off this range. The area is bounded by Cottage Rock, Arabanoo Creek, Gingra Creek and the Kowmung River. Access to this area is closed until further notice whilst there is a risk of limb or tree fall after the burn.’View a map of the hazard reduction burn in the Gingra Range area (PDF 192KB).
All enquiries to NPWS Oberon office on 02 6336 1972 or the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877.
Am wondering why you haven't covered the track from Vera and Hippocrene that continues back up Jamison's Creek to the bottom of Wentworth Falls and then Short Cut track back to Consevration Hut? Makes it a much more interesting Circuit trip, and, the view from the top of Slack Stairs is one of the best in the Mountains.
I have done this walk twice now and the views are still awesome to look at. Vera track is reasonably well signposted these days, if you could call a post with an arrow signposted. It gets the message across though.
Also Robert Pass intersection has a sign saying it is closed due to rockfall/landslide. Thought I'd mention it incase anyone wanted to walk that way.
With all the rain Vera falls has become quite spectacular, I've stopped for lunch at the top of the falls each time and the view is great, crossing the stream is a bit iffy as it is very slippery, the first time I took a involuntary dip in the stream, luckily it was a very hot day. Be ware of leeches!Sneaky buggers like to hide in the smaller still pools around the stream.
This website is fantastic, I take a copy of the map and track notes with me everytime I out on one of the walks listed. Great job!
Hiking near Sydney 
NEW
Route: Hard
1 km
not too much longer now :)