Katoomba - Furber Steps to 'Witches Leap'

Witches Leap, Katoomba

There are numerous bush walks around the Echo Point and Scenic World area. My ‘Echo Point’ post mentioned one, the Prince Henry Cliff walk.

This current post shows a few photos taken on a walk from the Katoomba Falls Kiosk on Cliff Drive, down the Furber Steps  past 'Witches Leap' into the rainforest at the base of the cliff. A sign along the way informed us that a ‘leap’ is a Scottish term for waterfall

The Three Sisters

The familiar silhouette of the Three Sisters is seen (from a distance) from a lookout below Katoomba Falls Park.

Location map for the walk

Katoomba Falls

'Wild Walks' site gives details of many bush walks in the area including 'Witches Leap Circuit' starting at Scenic World.  

Parramatta Park (1)

Parramatta Park

Parramatta Park is one of the largest parks in Western Sydney. It was proclaimed in August 1858 and is one of Australia's most important cultural landscapes.

Old Government House, Parramatta

Old Government House (Australia's oldest surviving public building) and Domain is included in the ‘Australian Convict Sites World Heritage Property’
It has been undergoing major restoration this year, which is the bicentenary of Governor Lachlan Macquarie.

The Bath House, Parramatta

Although it seems an upmarket Restaurant, Lauchlan’s at Old Government house has a cafe menu available for morning tea, light lunch and afternoon tea. 

A grape vine seen on the left of the photo should add to the ambiance when it is in leaf.

 The Bath House was built in 1822 with a Roman style bath for Governor Brisbane.
It was later converted into a bandstand pavilion for public use.


Parramatta can be reached from Sydney by Cityrail train (~30 minutes) or by Rivercat ferry, see my Circular Quay to Parramatta post.



For more about Parramatta Park, please is my second post on the park.

Wattle Day

Australia's Wattle Day centenary (1910-2010) is being celebrated on Wednesday 1 September 2010.
This wattle (Acacia amoena) was photographed on a recent walk in the Blue Mountains near Hazelbrook. Australia's national floral emblem is the Golden Wattle.

Hazelbrook (2)

Aboriginal Wells, Hazelbrook

These rock holes, known as the Aboriginal wells, are adjacent to the Great Western Highway just west of the Hazelbrook village shops. The rock holes, which vary in size are natural or formed holes in the rock.

The rock holes, near Gloria Park, are the remaining group of a larger cluster of holes said to be rainwater catchment wells used by travelling Darug and Gundungurra people. Smaller holes could be covered with capping stones to reduce evaporation.
The elevated pedestrian  footpath goes around the wells which can be seen in the bottom right-hand corner of the above photo.

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Blue Mountains Gazette reported (Nov 19 2013) that: "Selwood Science and Puzzles is closing down after 16 years following the sudden and unexpected death in May of its creator David Thomson".