The Fairfax Heritage Track is an easy stroll and a wheelchair accessible walk through a lovely open forest. The walk leads from the NPWS visitor information centre downhill to the stunning views from George Phillips and Govetts Leap lookouts. There are bench seats to rest on and wonderful sheltered picnic areas at the lookouts. Parking and toilets at the start and end. Let us begin by acknowledging the Dharug & Gundungurra people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
National Parks and Wildlife Service Heritage Centre. | Photo by adminStart of Fairfax Track. | Photo by adminZig-zag in Fairfax Track. | Photo by adminFairfax Track. | Photo by adminScribbly Gum Fairfax Track. | Photo by adminFairfax Track. | Photo by adminRed flower on Fairfax Track. | Photo by adminGrose Valley from George Phillips Lookout. | Photo by adminFairfax Track. | Photo by adminGovetts Leap car park. | Photo by adminGovetts Leap Lookout. | Photo by adminBridal Veil Falls from Govetts Leap Lookout. | Photo by admin
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
Getting started From the front of the NPWS Heritage Centre, Blackheath, this walk heads along the concrete footpath gently downhill keeping the car park (and Govetts Leap Rd) to your right. The path leads to a 'Fairfax Heritage Track' sign at the lower end of the car park. The track leads left (following the sign), then immediately turns right at the 'The Fairfax Heritage Track' map signto follow the asphalt path. After 40m the path leads past a faint intersection with a dirt track and continues straight ahead winding through the wooded forest for another 100m to find a bench seat. The path bends sharply right and leads gently downhill for 140m where the track bends sharply left. The walk continues to gently meander for about 125m to another bench seat (on your left). Then the track bends sharply right and gently undulates up and down for another 330m to find another bench seat (on the left), just before a three-way intersection with a small dirt track (on the left) and a 'Woodland Retreat' sign. (The 'Woodland Retreat' side track leads about 15m to a small seat, this is a rough dirt track).....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
After another 10 m veer right.
Find the Toilet Accessible at the start.
Toilet Accessible
Toilet Accessible
Signposted accessible and general use male and female toilets inside the National Parks Visitor Center. Access (whilst the center is open) via concerete ramp.
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Signposted accessible and general use male and female toilets inside the National Parks Visitor Center. Access (whilst the center is open) via concerete ramp.
Find the NPWS Heritage Centre at the start.
NPWS Heritage Centre
NPWS Heritage Centre
National Parks and Wildlife Service Heritage Centre, Blackhealth, is a hub for the Blue Mountains National Park. It is signposted on Govetts Leap Road (past McLean Cr). Drop into the Heritage Centre to get advice and learn about the history of the park. You will also find information displays about the traditional owners, thing to do and the local flora and fauna. The heritage centre also has 2 signposted accessible car parks, a shop with souvenirs, toilets and snack food. There is a picnic area out the back and plenty of general parking.
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National Parks and Wildlife Service Heritage Centre, Blackhealth, is a hub for the Blue Mountains National Park. It is signposted on Govetts Leap Road (past McLean Cr). Drop into the Heritage Centre to get advice and learn about the history of the park. You will also find information displays about the traditional owners, thing to do and the local flora and fauna. The heritage centre also has 2 signposted accessible car parks, a shop with souvenirs, toilets and snack food. There is a picnic area out the back and plenty of general parking.
Find the sign at the start.
Find the Picnic Table at the start.
Picnic Table
Picnic Table
A series of picnic tables on flat grassy area behind the Visitor centre. No shade. Ramp access via back door of visitor centre. Seats are about 45cm high and tables are 75cm high.
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A series of picnic tables on flat grassy area behind the Visitor centre. No shade. Ramp access via back door of visitor centre. Seats are about 45cm high and tables are 75cm high.
After another 25 m continue straight.
After another 120 m find the "Seat" (on your left).
Seat
Seat
Timber slat bench seat on outside bend of path. The seat is 41cm high (2.1m wide, 30cm deep) with a 39cm high backrest.
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Timber slat bench seat on outside bend of path. The seat is 41cm high (2.1m wide, 30cm deep) with a 39cm high backrest.
After another 240 m find the "Seat" (on your left).
Seat
Seat
Timber slat bench seat on outside bend of path. The seat is 41cm high (2.1m wide, 30cm deep) with a 39cm high backrest.
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Timber slat bench seat on outside bend of path. The seat is 41cm high (2.1m wide, 30cm deep) with a 39cm high backrest.
After another 380 m find the "Seat" (6 m on your left).
Seat
Seat
Timber slat bench seat on outside bend of path. The seat is 41cm high (2.1m wide, 30cm deep) with a 39cm high backrest.
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Timber slat bench seat on outside bend of path. The seat is 41cm high (2.1m wide, 30cm deep) with a 39cm high backrest.
Continue straight.
After another 170 m find the "Seat" (on your left).
Seat
Seat
Timber slat bench seat on outside bend of path. The seat is 41cm high (2.1m wide, 30cm deep) with a 39cm high backrest.
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Timber slat bench seat on outside bend of path. The seat is 41cm high (2.1m wide, 30cm deep) with a 39cm high backrest.
After another 125 m find the "Seat" (20 m on your left).
Seat
Seat
Timber slat bench seat on outside bend of path. The seat is 41cm high (2.1m wide, 30cm deep) with a 39cm high backrest.
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Timber slat bench seat on outside bend of path. The seat is 41cm high (2.1m wide, 30cm deep) with a 39cm high backrest.
After another 195 m continue straight.
After another 300 m come to the "George Phillips Lookout".
Then find the "George Phillips Lookout" (9 m on your right).
George Phillips Lookout
George Phillips Lookout
George Phillips Lookout, Blue Mountains National Park, provides stunning views east into the Grose Valley. The lookout offers views to Pulpit Rock, the horseshoe-shaped gorge and over the deep, green gorges of the Grose Valley to Mount Banks. The lookout is fenced and has a wheelchair accessible ramp. There are a series of picnic tables including a stone shelter just behind the lookout.
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George Phillips Lookout, Blue Mountains National Park, provides stunning views east into the Grose Valley. The lookout offers views to Pulpit Rock, the horseshoe-shaped gorge and over the deep, green gorges of the Grose Valley to Mount Banks. The lookout is fenced and has a wheelchair accessible ramp. There are a series of picnic tables including a stone shelter just behind the lookout.
Then find the "Picnic Shelter" (10 m on your right).
Picnic Shelter
Picnic Shelter
Stone shelter at George Phillips Lookout. Timer slat bench seat (46cm high) around the inside wall. Two picnic tables (75cm high) with wheelchair access (no seats on one side). Access to shelter via 1.37cm gap in concrete wall.
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Stone shelter at George Phillips Lookout. Timer slat bench seat (46cm high) around the inside wall. Two picnic tables (75cm high) with wheelchair access (no seats on one side). Access to shelter via 1.37cm gap in concrete wall.
After another 200 m find the "Trip Hazard" (7 m on your right).
Trip Hazard
Trip Hazard
A 5 to 10cm step between carpark and track. Access is between bollards that are 110cm apart.
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A 5 to 10cm step between carpark and track. Access is between bollards that are 110cm apart.
Then find the "Parking Accessible" (15 m on your right).
Parking Accessible
Parking Accessible
There are two signposted parking places at the lower end of the sealed Fairfax track. Specific parking bays are not marked with lines. The carpark has a loose gravel surfaces with some eroded sections.
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There are two signposted parking places at the lower end of the sealed Fairfax track. Specific parking bays are not marked with lines. The carpark has a loose gravel surfaces with some eroded sections.
After another 30 m come to "Wheelchair Rough".
Wheelchair Rough
Wheelchair Rough
This walk leads through a gravel carpark for about 60m. The surface in unevean and erroded in places. The gravel is mostly compressed but the surface may soften after prolonged rain.
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This walk leads through a gravel carpark for about 60m. The surface in unevean and erroded in places. The gravel is mostly compressed but the surface may soften after prolonged rain.
Continue straight.
After another 10 m pass the water tap (15 m on your left).
Then to find the car park.
About 15 m past the end is "Toilet Accessible".
Toilet Accessible
Toilet Accessible
Signposted accessible and general use male and female toilets. Access via concrete ramp, however, the top of the ramp is accessed via loose gravel carpark with some steep eroded sections.
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Signposted accessible and general use male and female toilets. Access via concrete ramp, however, the top of the ramp is accessed via loose gravel carpark with some steep eroded sections.
The end.
About 25 m past the end is a toilet.
About 15 m past the end is "Picnic Shelter".
Picnic Shelter
Picnic Shelter
Picnic shelters at the end of Govetts Leap Road. Seats are ~45cm high and benches 75cm high. Most shelters have an entrance ~1.2m wide with, and similar gap between table and wall. The largest shelter has an entrance wider than 4m, bench seating but no tables.
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Picnic shelters at the end of Govetts Leap Road. Seats are ~45cm high and benches 75cm high. Most shelters have an entrance ~1.2m wide with, and similar gap between table and wall. The largest shelter has an entrance wider than 4m, bench seating but no tables.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Fairfax Heritage Track
Grading
Class 1/6
Smooth & flat
Length
1.7 km
Time
40 min to 45 min
Quality of track
Smooth and hardened path (1/6)
Gradient
Flat, no steps (1/6)
Signage
Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure
Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
Experience Required
No experience required (1/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Naturally Accessible Slope summary: Mostly flat or gentle slopes. No section steeper then 1:12.
Surface summary: Smooth & Hard the majority of the way. There is a 60m section of compacted gravel in the lower carpark.
Some facilities on route
Toilet: There is one 1.7 km from the start.
Seat: There are 5 on route, on average they are 290 m apart with the largest gap of 710 m.
Bushwalk
40 min to 45 min
45 min to 1 h 8 min
Toilet: There is one 1.7 km from the start.
Seat: There are 5 on route, on average they are 290 m apart with the largest gap of 710 m.
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Find the Toilet Accessible at the start.
Find the NPWS Heritage Centre at the start.
Find the sign at the start.
Find the Picnic Table at the start.
After another 300 m come to the "George Phillips Lookout".
Then find the "Picnic Shelter" (10 m on your right).
After another 200 m find the "Trip Hazard" (7 m on your right).
Then find the "Parking Accessible" (15 m on your right).
After another 30 m come to "Wheelchair Rough".
After another 10 m pass the water tap (15 m on your left).
Then to find the car park.
