Mermaids Cave Walk in Blackheath

Mermaids Cave is a large sandstone rock overhang set in a scenic forest environment, complete with a small waterfall.

A very short walking trail leads to the cave via a steep staircase with over 100 steps, winding through uniquely beautiful natural surroundings.

Although the staircase is long and steep, the walk is fairly easy and family-friendly, perfect for a quick Blue Mountains adventure.

Mermaids Cave is located in a quieter part of the Blue Mountains, along Megalong Road, a long, winding route that leads into the Megalong Valley.

To reach the starting point of the walk, turn onto Megalong Road from Shipley Road in Blackheath. After approximately 1 km, you’ll see a parking lot on the right side of the road (see map).

The walk begins on the opposite side. Use caution when crossing, as the parking lot sits between two bends, and approaching cars may have limited visibility.

The walking trail to Mermaids Cave is short, well-signposted, well-maintained, and easy to follow. However, the staircase is quite steep and uneven, so keep a close eye on children if they’re joining you.

Here is a map of the walk including the parking lot on the opposite side of the road:

Start of the Walk

After parking your car, look for the signpost on the opposite side of the road, which marks the start of the walking track.

The first part of the trail is a bush path that slopes gently downhill before reaching the first set of stairs, which have metal handrails.

The track then curves around a corner and leads to the main staircase, cut between two high sandstone cliff walls.

Staircase

It’s a beautiful old staircase in a surreal setting, adding to the sense of curiosity about what awaits at the cave.

The staircase is in reasonably good condition, but watch your step, especially in wet weather, as the steps can be quite uneven in places.

As you near the bottom, a small amphitheatre-like valley opens up, with Mermaids Cave and the waterfall visible on your left.

At the base of the stairs, you can either turn left to enter the cave and walk behind the waterfall, or continue straight across the creek for a better vantage point.

Mermaids Cave

Mermaids Cave was first named in 1882 and has also been referred to as Mermaid’s Glen.

The location is so distinctive that it was used as one of the filming sites for the third Mad Max movie, Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome.

The waterfall is small but charming and unpretentious. We recommend visiting after rainfall, otherwise, there may not be much water flowing over the cave at all.

Note that the walking track continues beyond the waterfall, but it appears overgrown and we can’t vouch for its condition.

Once you’ve finished admiring the waterfall and the atmospheric setting of Mermaids Cave, simply retrace your steps back up the staircase to the car park.

If you’re keen to do another walk, we recommend the Coachwood Glen Nature Trail. This is an easy 1 km loop trail through a rainforest landscape.

You can find the start of the Coachwood Glen Nature Trail approximately 2 km further south on Megalong Road.