Tues, 20th October, 2015 Lake Wallace, Wallerawang (Blue Mountains exploring)

Mist had risen off the lake but was still hanging around the hills, after the rain last night. Lovely day with the sun shining and clear over the lake but a few clouds in the other direction.

A paraglider buzzed over us.

The old video camera has now started to play up but the old one is still going sort of so between the two of them hopefully we will get some photos today.

Heading off to explore the bits of the Blue Mountains National Park we missed out on last year.

Firstly though I got a photo of the ‘Correctional Centre’ before we head into Lithgow. Thought it was interesting that we could see down onto it.

Lots of road works as we head down the highway – even saw them spraying concrete on the hillside. Up through Victoria Pass 850m elevation to 1050m.

Into Mount Victoria to Sunset Rock Lookout – unfortunately it was morning tea time but it was still a great view. Looking across to Victoria Pass where you could see the traffic.

Fabulous view down over Kanimbla Valley (great name!!) and Kanimbla Mountain.

Steve resting on Sunset Rock.

Further around to Pulpit Rock – there is one in the Grose Valley which was more spectacular. There are a lot of walks around here down to caves but we gave them a miss.

A bit further around was Mt Piddington at 1092m.

Just up from that is One Tree Hill which is the highest point in the Blue Mountains at 1111m. It was established in 1878. More than one tree now and there are two big water tanks.

Into Blackheath where I tried to find the road to Hanging Rock. Ended up at the Campbell Rhododendron Gardens so stopped and asked the chap there. He gave me directions and said it was a 2km walk when you get to the end of the road. Might check it out on the way back. The flowers in the entrance garden were so beautiful I got Steve and we headed in to check out the 45 acre block that is planted with many varieties of Rhododendrons, Azaleas and lots of other plants and flowers. 

It looked so beautiful and the perfume was lovely as we wandered out onto the lookout platform.

Wandered around checking out all the varieties. Found out the purple hanging plant I saw at Jenolan Caves is Wisteria – love that one.

These Rhododendrons are Dame Nellie Melba and Scarlet King.

They were all so lovely.

There were a few Waratahs too.

Passed the Explorer Tree as we headed into Katoomba. It is beside the 6 Foot Track that leads down to Jenolan Caves where we saw the sign at the other end of the track.

Into another section of the Blue Mountain National Park where the site of an historic Conservation Hut used to be – now there is a café and information about the walks around here.

Decided to walk down to the Queen Victoria Lookout – oh we had forgotten about the steps. These ones are not spaced nicely at all! Spotted a lyrebird – saw one yesterday too.

Fabulous views into Jamison Valley.

Took a photo for another couple then forgot to ask them to take one of us. Luckily I am getting good at these selfies!

Unreal escarpments.

Passed a few people coming up and they said the walk down to Empress Falls was worth it – it’s just the coming back up part we are worried about!! Stopped at the Lookout and we could see down to the falls.

Down the old steps carved into the rocks years ago. Even old stepping stones as we make our way past a little waterfall.

Further around under the cliff edge.

Down some metal stairs then down this older wooden ones (camera just hanging in there).

The Empress Falls were beautiful and the pool at the bottom looking inviting.

The water keeps flowing down the creek where the track continues down on the valley floor and around to other areas.

A new love lock – I presume the little one is for a baby.

Steve pointed out the other waterfall was coming from a hole in the rock off to the side of the main falls.

Now for the climb back up – should have counted the steps!! Halfway up we checked out the start of the Nature Walk that is part of the Valley of the Waters which was created in 1894. Can’t imagine carrying down a picnic to have here though. The small cascading waterfall behind Steve goes down to the one we walked over on the stepping stones.

Puffed our way back up – we keep thinking we are getting fitter. Two guys came by carrying climbing ropes and they were going to abseil down the waterfall – would be great to watch but I am not going back down those stairs. I hope he will be ok as he slipped onto his backside when he missed the step talking to us. 

Back in the car and around to the next carpark of the next lot of falls etc. Walked out onto the platform of Jamison’s Lookout. The area further out on the point was covered in snow in July then a few weeks later was all burnt out – started by someone – what a shame.

Checked out the various walks.

Headed off to check out Wentworth Falls from the lookout. Found a water soak from the old days so that travellers could get water along the way. It used to have a door on the front but only the hinges are left now.

Could just see Wentworth Falls. Then zoomed in. 

The escarpments are fabulous – hard to imagine what the explorers thought when they came across this country.

Walked down to a point – Princes Rock Lookout – which gave a better view of Wentworth Falls. Enough water to be spectacular but the photo on the board had a lot more water coming over it.

Loved the old style lock.

The Princes Rock Lookout was on an area of sandstone which created interesting formations.

On the escarpment on the other side we could see hikers climbing up the stairs – looks scary. Around the edge.

Then across over the top of Wentworth Falls.

Amazing.

Looking down to the bottom where the path goes.

The water flows down and meets the water from Empress Falls and flows down the valley.

The sun came out and created a beautiful rainbow.

Back in the truck and back to Leura and Gordon Falls Lookout. Only a small waterfall.

 Zoomed in to get the falls cascading down the side of the escarpment.

Wow.

A shower of rain is heading across the valley. Behind us though the dark clouds are building and thunder is starting to rumble.

Some caves on the other side.

The other side of the Three Sisters.

The Katoomba and Leura walks.

Drove out to Sublime Point Lookout  (990m) past lots of fancy homes and gardens and two golf clubs. Down a concrete path which we thought was easy then the stairs and over a bridge out onto the sandstone point. It offered the best view yet but the march flies decided to join us!! Took 180 degree panoramic view.

Looking back to Katoomba.

Looking back to the Gordon Falls Lookout.

Back through Leura and down to Leura Cascades. There are the upper cascades.

The picnic tables were covered with fake rocks. Even the toilet looked like it was out of the Flintstones.

Followed the track along the creek as it flowed over the flat rocks.

Around to the cascade lookout under the overhanging rocks.

Certainly was a lovely cascading falls.

Followed the path further down to where the creek becomes a waterfall tumbling down into the valley.

The walls are so imposing.

A cockatoo screeched its way up from the valley to sit in the tree top.

Back up the path to where the two creeks meet under the old bridge.

The streets look so lovely with the green maples and the scent of all the flowers is lovely. Enjoying having the windows down as we drive along. Back onto the highway to Medlow Bath where the Hydro Majestic Hotel reopened in January this year. It has a Casino but I couldn’t work out how to get in!!

As we drove through Blackheath we saw some amazing lightning flashes – hope the storm is going away from us. Turned off at Mt Victoria onto Darling Causeway which links the Great Western Highway to Bells Line of Road past Mt York (1061m). I thought it would be a different way home and someone mentioned the views were wonderful from Bell down to Mt Tomah. Unfortunately we caught up to the storm as we reached Bell so we turned left and headed to Lithgow. Before we got to Clarence the rain got harder then it turned into pea sized hail. Pulled over under a tree with a couple of other cars but the tree didn’t help. Sat there for 10 minutes getting pelted. Well we didn’t get hailed on in Bathurst like last year – it was just a couple of weeks later!!

The road was white with all the hail.

Will get those photos onto Facebook –we have to put up with whatever the weather gives us!!

Slowly crawled down the road. Luckily the rain stopped before we did the big descent into Lithgow (1150m to 970m). Passed the POW camp but didn’t stop as we think the storm is heading for the van!!

Into Lithgow and it looks like they only had a shower of rain and at Lake Wallace it was all good.

Rang Steve’s cousin, Andrea, to see when they are free for a visit. School senior exams will finish Friday so we will see them next week.

Rang Mum and Dad to tell them all about the hail storm!! There was still lightning in the distance but no more rain at Lake Wallace.