Federal Pass Walking Track

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Safer Bushwalks

Tips on staying safe on track

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.

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Getting There

Transport options and directions

Start	(-33.7203399,150.3174495)
Mode	Bus Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From Great Western Highway, A32 Turn on to Great Western Highway, A32 then drive for 19.4 km Keep right and drive for another 175 m Turn sharp left onto Station Street and drive for another 10 m Turn right onto Great Western Highway, A32 and drive for another 3.9 km Keep left onto Alexandra Terrace and drive for another 500 m At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Leura Mall, BMD and drive for another 165 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Leura Mall, BMD and drive for another 215 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Leura Mall, BMD and drive for another 1 km Turn right onto Gordon Road, BMD and drive for another 1.9 km
Finish	(-33.7344207,150.2823585)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Car (There is free parking available.)

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Track Notes

Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From Carrington Park, the walk crosses Cliff Drive and goes down the stairs and past the sign for 'Blue Mountains National Park'. The walk continues down the stairs until reaching an intersection signposted with the way to 'Echo Point' or 'Leura Cascades'.
From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Leura Cascades 1km' sign down the wooden steps and along the bush track, winding through the forest until coming to the signposted intersection of the 'Leura Forest' Track.
From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Leura Forest' sign along the bush track, winding down the hill for a short while before dropping down a set of wooden steps, to the signposted intersection with the 'Jamieson Lookout' track.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. There is a picnic table (about 25 m back from the start). There is a seat (about 20 m back from the start). Carrington Park (about 7 m back from the start). Carrington Park Carrington Park Carrington Park is a medium-sized park on a traffic island, at the junction of Cliff Road and Merriwa St, Katoomba. The park is partially fenced and has a picnic shelter, picnic tables, garbage bins and children's play equipment. + - Carrington Park is a medium-sized park on a traffic island, at the junction of Cliff Road and Merriwa St, Katoomba. The park is partially fenced and has a picnic shelter, picnic tables, garbage bins and children's play equipment.
	After another 40 m turn sharp left, to head along Prince Henry Cliff Walk. After another 50 m pass a seat (on your right).
	After another 125 m turn right.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Jamieson Lookout. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip veer left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 30 m turn right, to head along Federal Pass. After another 30 m pass the "Federal Pass" (on your right). After another 60 m pass a seat (on your left). After another 85 m come to the "Fern Bower". Fern Bower Fern Bower Fern Bower is an especially pleasant part of the Blue Mountains National Park, protected from heat and providing a great environment for fern trees, bracken ferns and moss to thrive. Fern Bower is a signposted area along the Federal Pass walking track, just below Jamieson Lookout and next to Linda Creek. This is a nice place to stop, rest and enjoy the bird noises. + - Fern Bower is an especially pleasant part of the Blue Mountains National Park, protected from heat and providing a great environment for fern trees, bracken ferns and moss to thrive. Fern Bower is a signposted area along the Federal Pass walking track, just below Jamieson Lookout and next to Linda Creek. This is a nice place to stop, rest and enjoy the bird noises. After another 115 m pass a seat (on your left). After another 80 m pass the "Lila Falls" (9 m on your right).
	At the intersection of Amphitheatre Track & Federal Pass turn right, to head along Federal Pass. After another 240 m find the "Lila Falls" (15 m on your right). Lila Falls Lila Falls Lila Falls is a thin waterfall on Linda Creek. The Federal Pass crosses the creek (on a bridge) in front of these falls, just below the intersection with the amphitheatre. The waterfall is not the most spectacular one in this valley, but it is a nice cool spot to catch your breath. + - Lila Falls is a thin waterfall on Linda Creek. The Federal Pass crosses the creek (on a bridge) in front of these falls, just below the intersection with the amphitheatre. The waterfall is not the most spectacular one in this valley, but it is a nice cool spot to catch your breath.
	At the intersection of Federal Pass & Track to Leura Falls continue straight, to head along Federal Pass. After another 50 m pass a seat (6 m on your left). After another 85 m find the "Marguerite Cascades" (15 m on your left). Marguerite Cascades Marguerite Cascades Marguerite Cascades are a series of small cascades finishing with a taller waterfall of a few metres height, dropping into a shallow sandy pool. The cascades are on Linda Creek and a small bridge crosses the creek at the base of the falls as part of the Federal Pass walking track. The cascades are a nice place to sit and listen to the water running and the local birds in this cool shady area. + - Marguerite Cascades are a series of small cascades finishing with a taller waterfall of a few metres height, dropping into a shallow sandy pool. The cascades are on Linda Creek and a small bridge crosses the creek at the base of the falls as part of the Federal Pass walking track. The cascades are a nice place to sit and listen to the water running and the local birds in this cool shady area.
	After another 60 m veer left, to head along Federal Pass.
	After another 160 m (at the intersection of Federal Pass & Dardanelles Pass) turn left, to head along Federal Pass. After another 45 m pass the shelter (10 m on your right).
	After another 890 m continue straight, to head along Federal Pass. After another 910 m (at the intersection of Federal Pass & Dardanelles Pass) continue straight, to head along Federal Pass. After another 35 m pass a seat (20 m on your right). After another 30 m pass the "Dardanelles Pass" (on your right). After another 200 m come to the viewpoint. After another 370 m pass a seat (5 m on your left). After another 430 m pass a seat (6 m on your left). After another 100 m pass a seat (on your left). After another 110 m pass a seat (on your right). After another 350 m cross the Cooks Crossing (about 15 m long) After another 40 m pass a seat (on your right). After another 10 m come to the "Katoomba Falls View" (on your right).
	After another 60 m continue straight, to head along Federal Pass. After another 135 m pass a seat (6 m on your right).
	At the intersection of Furber Steps & Federal Pass continue straight, to head along Federal Pass. After another 175 m head through/around the gate. Then cross the bridge (about 4 m long) After another 6 m come to the "Scenic Railway" (10 m on your left).
	After another 5 m continue straight, to head along Federal Pass Walking Track. After another 65 m (at the intersection of Federal Pass Walking Track & Scenic Walkway) continue straight, to head along Federal Pass Walking Track. After another 10 m pass the artwork (on your right). After another 160 m pass a seat (8 m on your left)., has no backrest. After another 50 m pass a seat (15 m on your left)., has no backrest.
	After another 2.7 km (at the intersection of Federal Pass & Golden Stairs) turn right, to head along Golden Stairs. After another 70 m pass the sign (on your left). After another 460 m find the "Botting's Lookout" (5 m on your right). Botting's Lookout Botting's Lookout Botting's Lookout offers great views over the Jamison Valley and the cliff line, including the Landslide, Malaita Point and the Golden Stairs. A plaque at the lookout states that the lookout was named after Walter Botting (1887-1985), a pioneer trail-maker of the Katoomba District. + - Botting's Lookout offers great views over the Jamison Valley and the cliff line, including the Landslide, Malaita Point and the Golden Stairs. A plaque at the lookout states that the lookout was named after Walter Botting (1887-1985), a pioneer trail-maker of the Katoomba District. After another 160 m to find the "Golden Stairs Car Park".
	After another 2 m come to the end. A sign.

An optional side trip to Jamieson Lookout.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start.
	Continue another 20 m to find Jamieson Lookout at the end. "Jamieson Lookout". Jamieson Lookout Jamieson Lookout Jamieson Lookout is a fenced lookout at the east end of the Federal Pass track, and just off Prince Henry Cliff Walk. The lookout has a bench seat and provides great views up the Jamison Valley, along Kings Tableland escarpment and past Mount Solitary. The lookout is perched up on a large rock buttress, giving views unobscured by trees. + - Jamieson Lookout is a fenced lookout at the east end of the Federal Pass track, and just off Prince Henry Cliff Walk. The lookout has a bench seat and provides great views up the Jamison Valley, along Kings Tableland escarpment and past Mount Solitary. The lookout is perched up on a large rock buttress, giving views unobscured by trees. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 20 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start.

Continue another 20 m to find Jamieson Lookout at the end.

"Jamieson Lookout".

Jamieson Lookout

Jamieson Lookout is a fenced lookout at the east end of the Federal Pass track, and just off Prince Henry Cliff Walk. The lookout has a bench seat and provides great views up the Jamison Valley, along Kings Tableland escarpment and past Mount Solitary. The lookout is perched up on a large rock buttress, giving views unobscured by trees.

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Jamieson Lookout is a fenced lookout at the east end of the Federal Pass track, and just off Prince Henry Cliff Walk. The lookout has a bench seat and provides great views up the Jamison Valley, along Kings Tableland escarpment and past Mount Solitary. The lookout is perched up on a large rock buttress, giving views unobscured by trees.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 20 m to the main route.

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Terrain

Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Federal Pass Walking Track

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	8.8 km
Time	4 h 30 min to 5 h

Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route

Shelter: There is one 1.3 km from the start.

Seat: There are 14 on route, on average they are 590 m apart with the largest gap of 3.4 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Seat	-5 m	[seat]
Seat	105 m	[seat]
Seat	345 m	[seat]
Seat	550 m	[seat]
Seat	910 m	[seat]
Shelter	1.3 km	[shelter]
Seat	3.1 km	[seat]
Seat	3.7 km	[seat]
Seat	4.1 km	[seat]
Seat	4.2 km	[seat]
Seat	4.3 km	[seat]
Seat	4.7 km	[seat]
Seat	5 km	[seat]
Seat	5.4 km	[seat]
Seat	5.4 km	[seat]

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Articles

Discover more details to thrive on track

Carrington Park
Carrington Park is a medium-sized park on a traffic island, at the junction of Cliff Road and Merriwa St, Katoomba. The park is partially fenced and has a picnic shelter, picnic tables, garbage bins and children's play equipment.

Jamieson Lookout
Jamieson Lookout is a fenced lookout at the east end of the Federal Pass track, and just off Prince Henry Cliff Walk. The lookout has a bench seat and provides great views up the Jamison Valley, along Kings Tableland escarpment and past Mount Solitary. The lookout is perched up on a large rock buttress, giving views unobscured by trees.

Fern Bower
Fern Bower is an especially pleasant part of the Blue Mountains National Park, protected from heat and providing a great environment for fern trees, bracken ferns and moss to thrive. Fern Bower is a signposted area along the Federal Pass walking track, just below Jamieson Lookout and next to Linda Creek. This is a nice place to stop, rest and enjoy the bird noises.

Lila Falls
Lila Falls is a thin waterfall on Linda Creek. The Federal Pass crosses the creek (on a bridge) in front of these falls, just below the intersection with the amphitheatre. The waterfall is not the most spectacular one in this valley, but it is a nice cool spot to catch your breath.

Marguerite Cascades
Marguerite Cascades are a series of small cascades finishing with a taller waterfall of a few metres height, dropping into a shallow sandy pool. The cascades are on Linda Creek and a small bridge crosses the creek at the base of the falls as part of the Federal Pass walking track. The cascades are a nice place to sit and listen to the water running and the local birds in this cool shady area.

Leura Forest
Leura Forest is a great picnic area in the Jamison Valley at the junction of the Federal Pass and Dardenelles Tracks. This place was home to a popular tea house (also known as 'Lady Carrington Dining Hall') from the late 1800's. Today walkers can still enjoy the historic rotunda and the foundations of the original tea house. The picnic area provides a great rest spot under the shade of the lilli pilli and coachwood forest.

The Landslide
'The Landslide' is a large rockfall going into the valley approximately 100m. There is a good vantage point for the landslide from under the cliffs to the east, and a great but more distant view from Narrow Neck lookout. The landslide occurred in 1931 after a few days of rumbling. There has been much debate as to whether this event was helped along by erosion and coal mining in the area at the time.

Botting's Lookout
Botting's Lookout offers great views over the Jamison Valley and the cliff line, including the Landslide, Malaita Point and the Golden Stairs. A plaque at the lookout states that the lookout was named after Walter Botting (1887-1985), a pioneer trail-maker of the Katoomba District.

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