Leura Cascades Walking Track (Waterfall and Lookout)

The Leura Cascades Walking Track is a family-friendly bush trail following Leura Falls Creek, ending at a lookout above a waterfall with beautiful valley views.

Extend your visit with a relaxing outdoor lunch at the Leura Cascades picnic area, one of the most scenic picnic spots in the Blue Mountains.

The Leura Cascades picnic area and car park are located on Chelmsford Drive in Leura.

You can access the car park via Cliff Drive, which connects Echo Point, Scenic World, and eventually Cahill’s Lookout further west in Katoomba.

While the car park is fairly large, it tends to fill up quickly on busy days and weekends, so arriving early is your best bet to secure a spot.

Below is a map of the area and the walking trail.

The Leura Cascades walking track is an easy, scenic walk that follows Leura Falls Creek through a lush rainforest, featuring several small waterfalls and bridges along the way.

You’ll find the start of the track at the southern end of the picnic area, near the cave-like shelters and arch.

The path is generally easy to follow, but you’ll encounter a few staircases and creek crossings along the way.

Overall, it’s a safe and manageable trail that kids will enjoy exploring.

There are plenty of spots where you can get closer to the creek and watch the water flowing gently over the rocks.

The main highlight, though, is the stunning lookout point waiting at the end of the walk.

Lookout

This lookout offers superb views of the Jamison Valley and the cliffs surrounding Leura Falls Creek.

Perched above Bridal Veil Falls, the lookout overlooks where Leura Falls Creek plunges into the valley. The lower tier of this waterfall is referred to as Leura Falls and can be reached by a walking track.

From the lookout, you have two options for returning to the picnic area and car park.

You can either retrace your steps along the same path or take the metal stairs from the lookout and enjoy an extended circuit walk.

Round Walk

This extended walking track, known as the Round Walk, is a great option for a family-friendly adventure.

It features a few additional lookout points, including the Majestic Lookout, which offers elevated views of the waterfall.

This alternative route back to the picnic area is part of the popular Prince Henry Cliff Walk, a 7 km trail stretching between Katoomba Falls at Scenic World and Gordon Falls in Leura.

The Prince Henry Cliff Walk hugs the cliff edge overlooking the Jamison Valley, passing several scenic lookout points that showcase some of the most spectacular views in the Blue Mountains.

Another excellent walk in the Leura Cascades area is the Bridal Veil Falls Circuit.

This 4 km loop includes the Bridal Veil View lookout and the base of Bridal Veil Falls. While it’s a more challenging walk, it’s well worth the effort.

Picnic Area

The picnic area is well-equipped, with toilets, tables, seating, and plenty of shaded spots under the trees. It’s the ideal place to enjoy lunch while soaking in the natural beauty after completing the walk.

Take some time to explore the area. You might be surprised to learn that part of this scenic picnic spot once housed 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 men and women.

The baths were part of a larger development project to make Katoomba more attractive to both locals and tourists.

This development included building Chelmsford Avenue, which links Leura and Katoomba, as well as the concrete arched Chelmsford Bridge.

Numerous trees were planted, and a picnic ground was created around the baths to further establish the area as a popular spot for recreation.

Much has changed since then, but on a warm, sunny day, it’s easy to wish the baths were still around.