Elysian Rock Lookout and the Buttenshaw Bridge

The Elysian Rock Lookout is a beautiful viewing point in the Leura area of the Blue Mountains, offering panoramic views over the Jamison Valley.

Elysian Rock consists of two sandstone viewing platforms (with seating) that are connected by the historic Buttenshaw Bridge.

A short walking trail leads to this lookout, with various other lookouts and walks nearby to make a day of it.

Getting There

Elysian Rock is located in the Leura area of the Blue Mountains and can be very easily reached via a short walking trail.

The start of this short walking trail is on Olympian Parade close to Gordon Falls Reserve (see map location).

You can park your car alongside the road and make your way to the lookout via that walking trail. The nearest bus stop is only a few hundred metres away on Gordon Rd.

Below is a map of the short trail to the lookout from Olympian Parade.

Map of Elysian Rock Lookout

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About the Lookout

Once you’ve parked your car or arrived from the nearest bus stop, it’s time to visit the lookout via the access walk.

Access Walk

The access walking trail can be found between two properties with a recognisable white fence on the right side of the trail.

Access to Elysian Rock
Access to Elysian Rock

The Elysian Rock access walk is approximately 150 metres long and is mostly downhill. There are quite a few steps, but it’s not overly steep.

Elysian Rock access trail
Elysian Rock access trail

At the intersection with the Prince Henry Cliff Walk, you keep going straight ahead to visit Elysian Rock.

Elysian Rock

Elysian Rock consists of two small lookouts, both with fencing and comfortable bench seating.

The lookouts are natural sandstone platforms facing the Jamison Valley and are connected by the Buttenshaw Bridge.

Elysian Rock Lookout
Elysian Rock Lookout

The views are fantastic, and you should be able to recognise a few Blue Mountains landmarks if you look closely.

Mount Solitary is straight ahead, Narrow Neck and the Three Sisters are visible on the right, and Sublime Point can be seen on the left.

If you have the chance, go and visit Elysian Rock at sunrise on a clear day. It’s quite a unique experience, with the best views you can imagine.

Jamison Valley views
Jamison Valley views

When visiting Elysian Rock, we encourage you to go and see a few more lookouts nearby. Gordon Falls Lookout is only a few hundred metres away at the Olympian Parade and Lone Pine Avenue junction.

Going the other way, westbound, Olympian Rock and Tarpeian Rock are two fantastic lookouts that can be accessed by walking a bit further along the Prince Henry Cliff Walk.

Elysian Rock is one of the many highlights along the Prince Henry Cliff Walk, a popular 7 km one-way hike between Gordon Falls Lookout in Leura and Scenic World in Katoomba.

Buttenshaw Bridge

The Buttenshaw Bridge is a small footbridge between the two viewing platforms of the Elysian Rock Lookout.

The original bridge was built in 1936, but in 2015, the Blue Mountains City Council replaced it with a modern 14-metre long steel bridge.

Buttenshaw Bridge
Buttenshaw Bridge

The Jamison Valley views from this fascinating piece of engineering, across a deep rock chasm on the cliff edge, are pretty special!

Read our guide to the best things to do in Leura for more exciting attractions and activities in this beautiful part of the Blue Mountains.

 

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Author:

AJ Mens

AJ Mens is a digital publisher based in Sydney, Australia, and the editor-in-chief of Sydney Uncovered and Blue Mountains Uncovered.

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