The steep walking track from Perrys Lookdown near Blackheath to the Blue Gum Forest in the Grose Valley is a challenging yet rewarding bushwalking adventure.
Just 500 metres from the forest is the Acacia Flats campground, where you can pitch a tent and stay overnight in peaceful natural surroundings.
| Perrys Lookdown to Blue Gum Forest | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 5 km (return) |
| Duration: | 3-4 hours |
| Grade: | Hard (very steep) |
| Dogs: | Not allowed |
Getting There
From Blackheath, drive along Hat Hill Road and follow the signs to Perrys Lookdown.
Hat Hill Road becomes Perrys Lookdown Road, which was sealed in 2024, so a 4WD vehicle is not required.
There’s a sizeable car park and a campground at the start of the walking track to Perrys Lookdown, the Blue Gum Forest, and Acacia Flats.
Map
The below map gives you an idea where this track is located, but click here for the exact location of the car park on Google Maps.
A: Perrys Lookdown
B: Blue Gum Forest
C: Acacia Flats Camping Ground
Track Notes
The walking track to the Blue Gum Forest begins at the “Perrys Lookdown Track” signpost next to the car park.
While it’s not a particularly long walk, it’s very steep, and you should allow at least 3 to 4 hours to complete the return trip.
Perrys Lookdown
The first highlight is Perrys Lookdown, a viewpoint offering panoramic views of the Grose Valley and the striking sandstone cliffs that surround it.
Looking down into the valley gives you a sense of just how far the track descends to reach the Blue Gum Forest.
Dockers Lookout
Not far from Perrys Lookdown is Dockers Lookout, which offers similar views, but from a slightly different angle.
From here, you can catch your first glimpses of the Blue Gum Forest at the bottom of the valley.
Blue Gum Forest
From the two lookouts, the track gradually zigzags down into the valley, leading to the Blue Gum Forest.
Located at the junction of the Grose River and Govetts Creek, the Blue Gum Forest is an impressive collection of majestic eucalyptus trees.
If not for the efforts of local bushwalkers, the forest would have been cleared in the 1930s.
A farmer named Clarrie Hungerford had secured a lease on the land, with plans to clear the gum trees for farming. When local bushwalkers learned of his intentions, they urged him to reconsider. Hungerford agreed to sell the lease back for £130, a significant amount at the time.
The money was eventually raised, the lease was returned, and the Blue Gum Forest was saved from destruction.
The government soon declared the area a protected reserve named Blue Gum Forest, and in 1962, it was officially incorporated into the Blue Mountains National Park.
Acacia Flats Camping Ground
Located at the base of the Grose Valley, Acacia Flats is a peaceful camping ground surrounded by tall acacias and blue gums.
There are plenty of flat areas where campers can pitch their tents for the night.
As you’d expect, facilities are minimal, with a single pit toilet and some old tree logs to sit on. Water can be collected from Govetts Creek, which runs alongside the campground.
The Blue Gum Forest and Acacia Flats sit at a junction where several walking tracks meet, making the campground an ideal base for bushwalking in the area.
More Hiking
From the campground, you can continue hiking southeast to Lockleys Pylon and Du Faur Head.
Alternatively, you can head southwest to Evans Lookout via Junction Rock, or north towards Pierces Pass and Victoria Falls.
It’s fascinating how so many walks in the Blue Mountains are connected through the Grose Valley. Keep in mind, though, that these hikes usually require some bushwalking experience, as they can be quite challenging.
