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<\/a>\nThe following is information from the Tourist Booklet.<\/p>\n
The tourist booklet said:<\/strong><\/p>\n “In issuing this booklet, descriptive of the enchanting \u2018New Walk across the \u2018Blue Mountains, the \u2018Railway\u00a0Commissioners invite special attention to the fast and frequent train services available to Tourists for visits to these world famous mountain resorts. these train services are fully set out in the \u2018Railway \u2018Public Timetable, a handy work of reference indispensable to train travellers.<\/p>\n It will be seen that the \u2018New Walk can be traversed readily, even in one day, by a selection of convenient trains,\u00a0any one of which will set down Tourists at any chosen station, from which they may visit any one or all of the beauty spots\u00a0of the New Walk, via the roadways shown on the key diagram presented herewith.”<\/p>\n In connection with the bulk supply of electricity by the\u00a0Railway Commissioners of New South Wales to the Blue\u00a0Mountains Shire Council, a high-tension transmission\u00a0line erected between the Commissioners\u2019 power station\u00a0at Lithgow and substation at Lawson, a distance of\u00a028 miles, was officially placed in service on Ist July, 1931.<\/p>\n The line has been erected along, or in close proximity to, the Great Western railway between Lithgow and Blackheath, and across rugged virgin country, almost in a direct line, between Blackheath and Lawson. The distance along the latter section (12 miles) is 4 miles less than the distance by rail.<\/p>\n All timber within 50 feet of the line has been cleared\u00a0as a protection from bushfires, and access along the line\u00a0has been made easy for the Chief Electrical Engineer\u2019s\u00a0maintenance staff by the construction of graded tracks\u00a0and the erection of bridges over creeks.<\/p>\n The line passes many natural beauty spots for which\u00a0the Blue Mountains are famed, and, incidentally, a unique\u00a0tourist walk has been established simultaneously with the\u00a0completion of an important engineering undertaking. The\u00a0idea was recently conceived of increasing the popularity\u00a0of the Blue Mountains as a tourist resort, by giving\u00a0publicity to the walk as a new scenic attraction. To assist\u00a0in achieving this object, it has been decided to publish this\u00a0guide, in which endeavour lias been made, with the aid of\u00a0pictured representations, to describe in some measure the\u00a0region traversed between Blackheath and Lawson, designated \u201c Bruce\u2019s Walk.\u201d This name has been applied as\u00a0a tribute to the departmental surveyor who selected the\u00a0route for the transmission line, and carried out all the\u00a0necessary survey work in connection therewith.<\/p>\n At the\u00a0instance of the Blue Mountains Shire Council, the names\u00a0of some of its councillors, residents of the shire, administrative staff, and certain officers of the Railway Department immediately connected with the work of construction,\u00a0have been associated with several outstanding beauty spots.<\/p>\n The walk should make a special appeal to \u201c hikers.\u201d It\u00a0is easily reached along made roads or trafficable bush\u00a0tracks from Lawson, Bullaburra, Wentworth Falls, Leura,\u00a0Katoomba, Medlow Bath, and Blackheath. It leads through\u00a0a succession of mountain brooks, fern gullies, and prominent peaks commanding extensive panoramic views. Over the whole region is a dense growth of native flowering shrubs which, in season, present a wealth of colouring\u00a0and fill the air with that fragrant charm which is peculiar\u00a0to the Australian bush.<\/p>\n Animal and bird life indigenous to the Blue Mountains\u00a0are present in greater numbers in this undisturbed region\u00a0than in the more frequented tourist resorts.<\/p>\n The most charming spots along the walk will be found\u00a0in the gullies, but bush lovers will observe interesting\u00a0features on every hand. LAWSON<\/strong><\/p>\n Commencing at Lawson, the first attraction is WILSON\u00a0PARK, situated directly opposite the Commissioners\u2019 substation. This is a delightful spot, embracing an area of\u00a020 acres of bushland, improved by the Blue Mountains Shire Council by the construction of paths, the planting\u00a0of ornamental trees, shrubs, and grasses, the erection of\u00a0shelter sheds, tables and seats, and the provision of a\u00a0domestic water supply.<\/p>\n Nestling in a natural depression in the centre of the park, and distant approximately 300 yards from the railway station, is a fine SWIMMING POOL 100 yards in length, 70 yards in width, and 6 to 12 feet in depth. All necessary conveniences are provided for bathers, e.g., club house, dressing sheds, showers, springboards, sunbaking platform, lifesaving apparatus, large enclosed safety area for children, and a measured racing track 50 yards in length.<\/p>\n There is also a refreshment\u00a0kiosk from which, also, bathers\u2019 requisites are obtainable,\u00a0and a large area has been set aside for the parking of\u00a0motor cars. The park is named after Councillor Percy\u00a0Wilson, the President of the Shire, at whose instance both\u00a0the above work and many others in the shire were initiated and developed.<\/p>\n BULLABURRA<\/strong><\/p>\n Passing Wilson Park the transmission line follows along\u00a0Hay Street to pole No. 305 in Wallis Street, where a track\u00a0turning sharply left follows a gentle descent into\u00a0WALKER\u2019S GLEN, which is distant three quarters of a\u00a0mile from Bullaburra Railway Station along Bullaburra Road, and a short length of bush track. Open spaces, shady\u00a0trees, and good drinking water make this a natural picnic\u00a0and camping ground within fifteen minutes\u2019 walk from\u00a0the station. Forty yards north along the creek is a small\u00a0cave suitable for temporary shelter in an emergency.<\/p>\n From Walker\u2019s Glen the track ascends a hill to pole 300.\u00a0A bush road, trafficable by car, leads to Bullaburra from\u00a0this point, the distance being three quarters of a mile.<\/p>\n Descending the hill onward from pole 300 (section \u201cA\u201d),\u00a0CLAIRE GLEN, named after the wife of the Shire\u00a0President, a picturesque spot at the junction of two creeks,\u00a0is approached. Here the track winds among overhanging rocks, tall blue gums and giant tree ferns. A feature\u00a0of this and other gullies crossed is the bird life, which is\u00a0not apparent along the ridges. Good drinking water and\u00a0camping sites are available in the glen.<\/p>\n The track then zigzags up the hill through a mass of\u00a0ferns and undergrowth to pole 299, from which point\u00a0striking echoes are obtained facing eastward.<\/p>\n From pole 298 the track leads into PODGER\u2019S GLEN\u00a0(section \u201cB\u201d), a secluded narrow glen walled in by precipitous mountainsides clad with a luxuriant growth of\u00a0a native flora. A bridge is crossed just below the junction of two crystal brooks, bordered with a mass of beautiful ferns and tall coachwood and sassafras trees, whose\u00a0overhanging foliage interlaced with vines provide sheds\u00a0and shelter to the ferns and mosses below. The water\u00a0here is good for drinking, and there is sufficient shelter\u00a0for a small party under an overhanging rock nearby (western side, about 50 feet north of bridge).<\/p>\n WENTWORTH FALLS.<\/strong><\/p>\n Ascending the western side of Podger\u2019s Glen (past\u00a0WILSON\u2019S PEST, which overlooks the glen from a prominent point halfway up the mountain side), the highlands are again reached at pole 297. From this point a\u00a0car road leads to Wentworth Falls Station, distant 2 miles.<\/p>\n Continuing along the walk the grade is fairly level to\u00a0pole 295. Here the track hears to the right into BURGESS GLEN (section \u201cC\u201d). From the glen it turns\u00a0back to the left and follows upward for some distance along the foot of a line of cliffs to a bridge crossing a\u00a0rapid stream, swishing over waterworn holes and boulders. On each side of the creek are precipitous cliffs. The walk\u00a0through the glen is a pleasant one, and good views are\u00a0obtained from all points along the track. After crossing\u00a0the bridge the track curves round a number of huge\u00a0boulders up a fairly steep gradient to MILLER\u2019S LOOKOUT near pole 294.<\/p>\n A permanent supply of good drinking water is available in Burgess Glen, and several caves\u00a0adjacent to the track on the eastern side of the glen would,\u00a0if required, afford temporary shelter.<\/p>\n From Miller\u2019s Lookout onward along SKARRATT\u2019S\u00a0TRACK to LEE\u2019S VIEW (pole 289) the gradient is\u00a0easier. From Lee\u2019s View a fine panoramic vista is obtainable, extending away as far as the heights north of Sydney and the sandhills at Botany Bay. In the foreground,\u00a0the lowlands beyond Penrith are seen, and on a clear day\u00a0the Sydney Harbour Bridge can be discerned with the\u00a0naked eye.<\/p>\n Onward from this point the transmission line has been erected along Lawson ViewRoad and Lurline Street, Wentworth Falls, to pole 279. Thence it crosses ASHCROFT CANYON and FRANKI\u2019S GLEN (between poles 277 and 276). From pole 276, FORREST LOOKOUT, a panoramic view similar to that from Lee\u2019s Lookout is obtained, whilst on the left Mount Hay and Mount Tomah are to be seen shrouded in a light blue haze. Tourists are advised to take theRoad turning to the left at pole 282 and thence along Blaxland Road to Forrest Lookout, as no track has been made across Ashcroft Canyon and Franki\u2019s Glen.<\/p>\n From Forrest Lookout to Medcalf\u2019s Lookout (pole 265)\u00a0the route is mainly along Blaxland Road.<\/p>\n MEDCALF\u2019S LOOKOUT overlooks Heffernan\u2019s Valley,\u00a0and from here a comprehensive view of the transmission\u00a0line is obtained as it sweeps across the valley in long\u00a0symmetrical spans to Gloria Lookout. Tourists intending\u00a0to proceed onward from this point are recommended to\u00a0retrace their steps back to BlaxlandRoad, turning to the\u00a0right and at a point one quarter of a mile towards Leura\u00a0following the track leading to the right off BlaxlandRoad. This will provide easy walking to pole 262.<\/p>\n From\u00a0here the track bears to the right and curves around a\u00a0steep, rocky spur which slopes into a clear mountain\u00a0stream flowing through HEFFERHAH\u2019S VALLEY (section \u201cD\u201d), This stream comprises excellent drinking\u00a0water, and higher up the slopes of the valley suitable\u00a0camping sites will be found. Boy Scouts or other parties\u00a0requiring extensive camping space should specially note\u00a0this. Those fond of rambling will delight in exploring\u00a0the stream down among beautiful pools, miniature cascades, moss covered rocks and clumps of ferns nestling in\u00a0shady nooks. Overhead the towering blue gums add to\u00a0the surrounding beauty and provide shelter to the ferns\u00a0below. About 200 yards down the stream from the bridge is a NATURAL SWIMMING POOL containing crystal\u00a0clear water and a sandy bottom. Opposite the bridge just\u00a0above the creek bed on the western side is a good shelter\u00a0cave.<\/p>\n Leaving the creek the track continues on to Gloria\u00a0Lookout at pole 259. The gradient to this point is fairly\u00a0steep, but if the tourist proceeds quietly over this region\u00a0he may hear or see the Lyre Bird, noted for its beautiful\u00a0tail and extraordinary powers of mimicry, this valley being\u00a0one of its most favoured haunts.<\/p>\n LEURA<\/strong><\/p>\n GLORIA LOOKOUT, named after the daughter of the\u00a0Shire President, is one of the highest points of observation. Looking eastward an expansive view across the\u00a0Dividing Range is obtained, Eastwood to Botany Bay\u00a0being visible along the horizon. From this point a trafficable bush road (Mount Hay Road) connects with the Great\u00a0Western Road at the Leura Public School, distant about 2 miles proceeding onward from Gloria Lookout past\u00a0MAIDER\u2019S VIEW (looking west from pole 258) and\u00a0ROSS DELL (looking north from pole 252) a tract of\u00a0very barren country is crossed, the soil being too poor in\u00a0places to support timber growth.<\/p>\n Good water and shelter are available near pole 255, and there is a large area in this locality suitable for camping.<\/p>\n From pole 252 a good bush road on the left connects with\u00a0the Mount Hay road leading to Leura<\/p>\n GRACE\u2019S GLEN lies between poles 252 and 251. It\u00a0comprises a broad, exposed gully, the lower part of which\u00a0is either timberless or sparsely timbered with stunted gum.<\/p>\n A permanent supply of good drinking water is available\u00a0in Govett\u2019s Leap Creek, which flows through the glen.\u00a0Some clear pools and small cascades are to be seen along\u00a0the creek.<\/p>\n KATOOMBA<\/strong><\/p>\n From pole 248 on the eastern side of DELAHEY\u2019S VALLEY (section \u201c E \u201d) onward to Green\u2019s Lookout is\u00a0one of the most delightful sections. A winding path leads\u00a0into a deep walled gorge through which flows Katoomba\u00a0Creek. Along the creek are many beautiful pools, fantastically shaped rocks and numerous varieties of ferns. Beyond the ferns are stately blue gums and stringybark\u00a0trees intermingled with a thick undergrowth of wattle and\u00a0other flowering shrubs. In the background is a precipitous\u00a0line of cliffs forming an almost impassable barrier.<\/p>\n THE WATER IN KATOOMBA CREEK IS NOT SUITABLE FOR DRINKING<\/strong>, but if the creek is followed upward along the eastern side a small stream of\u00a0good drinking water will be found about 150 yards from\u00a0the bridge. On the opposite side of the creek, and 50\u00a0yards from the bridge, there is a good shelter cave.<\/p>\n MEDLOW BATH<\/strong><\/p>\n After crossing Katoomba Creek the climb is steep in\u00a0places until GREER\u2019S LOOKOUT is reached, about 70 yards to the left of pole 247. From this point a fine\u00a0view across the valley is obtained, and the head of\u00a0Katoomba Creek is seen glistening in the sunlight as it\u00a0flows over a stretch of bare rocks. Lower down its course\u00a0is broken by the famous Minne-lla-Ha Falls, which can\u00a0be clearly seen from this point. To the left of the falls\u00a0is a long line of those perpendicular cliffs for which the\u00a0district is famous, forming a crescent shaped bay in the mountainside.<\/p>\n From Green\u2019s Lookout the track gently ascends, bears\u00a0to the right near pole 244, meeting the transmission line\u00a0again near pole 240. Here a more fertile tract of country\u00a0is encountered, and a multifold variety of wildflowers\u00a0and a wealth of beautiful foliage are its outstanding features. The visitor may be fortunate enough to catch a\u00a0glimpse of a few kangaroos, now practically exterminated in the more frequented tourist resorts.<\/p>\n BLACKHEATH<\/strong><\/p>\n If the tourist desires to return from this point the road\u00a0straight ahead leads to Medlow Bath Station. It is traffiable by car, the distance being 2J miles. If it is intended\u00a0to continue along the walk, turn sharply to the right along\u00a0the bush track, distant about half a mile from pole 240\u00a0towards Medlow Bath. This track, which is trafficable by\u00a0car, meets the transmission line again at pole 231, the distance thereto being about half a mile from the turn off.<\/p>\n Alternatively, the transmission line may be followed from\u00a0pole 240. There is no made track along this route, but\u00a0the walking is fairly good, being along a gentle slope\u00a0downwards to the GRATED CARYOR (section \u201cF\u201d).<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nTHE NEW WALK, LAWSON TO MOUNT VICTORIA<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n