This walk to Baltzer Lookout rewards you with excellent scenery and a view over the stunning Hanging Rock (aka the Finger). The track is mainly management trail, and would be great on a mountain bike (to the end of the management trail). The large cliff edges are unfenced and quite exposed, so do take care. Although short and relatively unchanging in scenery, the walk to Baltzer Lookout is well worth it. 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.
Baltzer Lookout car park gate. | Photo by admin, 2008.Baltzer Lookout service trail. | Photo by admin, 2008. Photo by admin, 2008. Photo by admin, 2008. Photo by admin, 2008.Baltzer Lookout service trail. | Photo by admin, 2008.Sunset from Baltzer Lookout service trail. | Photo by admin, 2008.Bushtrack after cul-de-sac. | Photo by admin, 2008.Bushtrack to Baltzer Lookout. | Photo by admin, 2008. Photo by admin, 2008.View over the Grose Valley. | Photo by admin, 2008. Photo by admin, 2008.Cliffs around the Grose Valley. | Photo by admin, 2008. Photo by admin, 2008.
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.
Turn left onto Simpson Avenue and drive for another 105 m
Turn right onto St Elmo Avenue and drive for another 200 m
Turn left onto Robb Avenue and drive for another 215 m
Turn left onto Bettington Road and drive for another 1.4 km
Turn sharp right onto Burramoko Fire Trail and drive for another 560 m
Keep left onto Burramoko Fire Trail and drive for another 540 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From the car park, the walk passes around a gate and follows the management trail. The management trail winds through the bush for some time before arriving at a large clearing with a fence and warning/danger sign. There is a great view from this point.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
After another 7 m continue straight, to head along Burramoko Fire Trail.
After 3.6 km come to the viewpoint (10 m on your left).
After another 175 m find the "Baltzer lookout" (20 m on your right).
Baltzer lookout
Baltzer lookout
Baltzer Lookout, Blue Mountains NP, is the best place for viewing and accessing Hanging Rock. It also offers spectacular views over the Grose Valley. The lookout is named after W.J. Baltzer, who was part of a group created by Myles J Dunphy to recommended that the Grose Valley become a wildlife sanctuary, in 1933. The Grose Valley and much of the surrounding area is now protected.
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Baltzer Lookout, Blue Mountains NP, is the best place for viewing and accessing Hanging Rock. It also offers spectacular views over the Grose Valley. The lookout is named after W.J. Baltzer, who was part of a group created by Myles J Dunphy to recommended that the Grose Valley become a wildlife sanctuary, in 1933. The Grose Valley and much of the surrounding area is now protected.
After another 130 m find the "Hanging Rock" (15 m on your right).
Hanging Rock
Hanging Rock
Hanging Rock, Blue Mountains NP, sits high on the southern side of Grose Valley. It is a spectacular example of 'geological time is now', with this large spire of sandstone precariously hanging out from the cliff. The cliff is popular with rock climbers and other recreationists, while walkers can best view Hanging Rock from Baltzer Lookout.
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Hanging Rock, Blue Mountains NP, sits high on the southern side of Grose Valley. It is a spectacular example of 'geological time is now', with this large spire of sandstone precariously hanging out from the cliff. The cliff is popular with rock climbers and other recreationists, while walkers can best view Hanging Rock from Baltzer Lookout.
Continue another 80 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 3.9 km to get back to the start.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Baltzer Lookout, Hanging Rock
Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length
7.9 km
Time
2 h 30 min to 3 h 30 min
Quality of track
Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
Signage
Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
Experience Required
Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Bushwalk
2 h 30 min to 3 h 30 min
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After 3.6 km come to the viewpoint (10 m on your left).
After another 130 m find the "Hanging Rock" (15 m on your right).
