Last updated: July 26, 2022
The Leura Cascades walking track is a short but scenic bushwalk along Leura Falls Creek, leading up to a beautiful lookout point with amazing views of the Jamison Valley.
Make a day of it and enjoy lunch outdoors at the Leura Cascades picnic area, one of the most scenic Blue Mountains picnic spots.
Read on, and learn more about this beautiful area in the Blue Mountains.
| Leura Cascades Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 1 km (return) |
| Time: | 1 hour (including stops) |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Dogs: | Not allowed |
How to Get There
The Leura Cascades picnic area and car park are located along Chelmsford Drive in Leura (see map location).
The car park can be accessed via Cliff Drive, which links Echo Point, Scenic World and eventually Cahill’s Lookout further west in Katoomba.
Although the car park is quite large, it can fill up quickly on busy days and weekends, so it’s best to get there early to secure a parking spot.
Please note that the Leura Cascades picnic area has partially been reopened following an extended closure due to storm damage and associated hazards. The car park, walking track, and toilets are still closed. You can find the latest updates on the Blue Mountains City Council website.
Leura Cascades Walking Track
The Leura Cascades walking track is an easy, picturesque walk that follows Leura Falls Creek through the rainforest, with several small waterfalls and bridges along the way.
The start of the walking track can be found at the southern end of the picnic area, near the artificial cave-like shelters and arch.
The absolute highlight of this walk is the beautiful lookout point right at the end. The views of the Jamison Valley from this lookout are nothing short of stunning.
This lookout point is right above Leura Falls, where Leura Falls Creek drops into the Valley. Some refer to this waterfall as Bridal Veil Falls, even though there is supposedly also a Bridal Veil Falls at the Govetts Leap Lookout near Blackheath.
From the lookout point, there are two ways to head back to the picnic area and car park. You can either return via the same path or go up the metal stairs from the lookout and turn this into an extended circuit walk.
The second option is slightly longer than the first, but you will enjoy a different path with a couple more lookout points, such as the Majestic Lookout.
This path is essentially part of the famous Prince Henry Cliff Walk, a 7km bushwalk between Katoomba Falls at Scenic World and Gordon Falls in Leura.
This popular hike follows the cliff edge overlooking Jamison Valley, past various beautiful lookout points that offer some of the best views in the Blue Mountains.
Leura Cascades Picnic Area
The picnic area has excellent facilities, such as toilets, tables, seating, and tree-shaded sections. It’s the perfect spot to have lunch in beautiful surroundings after completing the walking track.
It’s recommended to wander around and explore the area a bit more. Did you know, for example, that part of what is now a scenic picnic area was once a public swimming bath?
The Katoomba Municipal Baths were opened in 1913 by the Hon. Arthur Griffiths, Minister for Public Works, with separate sections for women and men.
The baths were part of a larger development project to make the Katoomba area more appealing to locals and tourists.
This project also involved building Chelmsford Avenue, connecting Leura and Katoomba, and the concrete arched Chelmsford Bridge.
Numerous trees were also planted, and a picnic ground was created at the baths to further enhance the area as a popular recreational destination.
A lot has changed since then, but on a warm sunny day, one could only wish the baths were still there.
