Upper Blue Mountains Bushwalking Club. The Greater Blue Mountains National Park- Blue Mountains National

Park- Loop walk Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Federal Pass - Monday 3rd February 2020- Track Notes

At Cliff View Lookout, L to R, Noel, Brian, Yidan, Michael, John A, Suzanne, John C, and Richard. Photo: John Fox.

Title Loop walk Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Federal PassDate Monday 3 February 2020Leader Brian FoxMaps etc Department of Lands, topographic map, Katoomba 8930-1S, 1:25,000,

Third edition, GPS setting WGS 84Walk description and route

This walk will also be a trial to ascertain post bush fires, what other walks are available in the area. Route - Prince Henry Cliff Walk, Giant Stairway, Federal Pass and Furber Steps or choice of Scenic Railway

Star rating and Membership status

3M

Gear issues First aid kit, 2 litres of water, electrolytes, GPS PLB, appropriate head and footwear.

Numbers Max 12, Meeting point We will meet at Old Katoomba Kiosk / Cliff Drive / opposite Katoomba

Caravan Park at 8am Transport Club Cars Close of Bookings

Contact leader

Enquiries Brian Fox brianandelaine@aapt.net.au

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The Party

Brian Fox, leader, Michael Keats, John Fox, John Anderson, Noel Rath, Richard Florczak, Jan Atkins, John Cooper, Suzanne Barr and Yidan Saladine, 10.

The Weather

Morning drizzle with classic mist in the valleys, clearing and developing into a fine day with rising humidity. Temperature range 18 to 29 degrees C

Local Place Names

Prince Henry Cliff Walk is a 9.5km walking track which follows the top of the escarpment from Gordon Falls Reserve in Leura to the Scenic Railway in Katoomba. Named after Prince Henry William Frederick Albert, Duke of Gloucester, a son of King George V. He visited Katoomba for 20 minutes at the railway station in 1934. The Katoomba Daily, 9 August 1934, p. 1 records, “Royal Permission Granted… to bear Prince Henry’s name.” The first section, Katoomba to Leura, was opened by Eric Sydney Spooner, assistant treasurer and Minister for Local Government, on Saturday 20 October 1934. The second section of the track was opened at Elysian Rock, Leura by Ernest Albert Buttenshaw, Minister for Lands, on the 16 May 1936. There are more than 20 points to access the walk and see some of the most popular sights between Katoomba and Leura. Ref: The Katoomba Daily, 9 August, 23 and 25 October 1934 and 19 May 1936. K 528 650 to 500 647.

The iconic 3 Sisters and the Kedumba Valley. Photo: John Fox.

ledge before the last steps to ascend to Lynes Point and Queen Victoria Lookout, Katoomba. The lookout gives views to The Three Sisters and Katoomba Falls. Named after Thomas Frederick Furber (1855-1924), an employee of the Department of Lands (1869-1914). On the 6 February 1875, Furber qualified as a Licensed Surveyor and in 1877, he was appointed to the triangulation staff as draftsman and Chief Computer. In 1914, he was elected honorary

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member of the NSW Institution of Surveyors. Ref: The Katoomba Daily, 18 December 1920, p. 11. Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves Illustrated Tourist Guide, c.1922, p. 51. K 501 646.

Furber Steps connected the existing walking track from Veras Grotto to Queen Victoria Lookout, Katoomba. These 220 steps give walking access from the Federal Pass to the top of the escarpment via Witches Leap to Katoomba. The base of the track work is located between the Scenic Railway and Katoomba Falls, Katoomba. Named after Thomas Frederick Furber (1855-1924). The people who constructed the steps are unknown, but the construction took five months and involved a lot of blasting. The steps were completed in November 1908. One of the top lookouts on these steps is called Furber Lookout. Furber, the government surveyor was instrumental in obtaining a government grant for the work. Total cost £140. Ref: Lithgow Mercury, 24 June 1908, p. 4 records, District Surveyor Furber recommends grants. Lithgow Mercury, 27 November 1908, p. 3 records, "Tourists will now be pleased to know that the steep ladder to the bottom of Katoomba Falls is now a thing of the past, a flight of 130 or 140 steps modelled on the principle of the great Zig Zag have been cut out of solid

rock." K 501 647.

Refurbishment of Prince of Wales Lookout at Echo Point. Photo: John Fox.

Furbers Lookout is located on a now closed side track, halfway up the cliff face off The Grand Stairway, National Pass, Wentworth Falls. Named after Thomas Frederick Furber (1855-1924), District Surveyor. The information about this lookout was researched and supplied by historian Jim Smith, 7 April 2001. Ref: Barrow, Isaac, Wentworth Falls Map, 1919; (note, map completed after

Barrow’s retirement in 1914). Recorded on the rear of the map. “Soon the stone stairway is reached at various stages rest platforms are provided, the most important being Furbers Lookout, from which point the best view of the upper falls is to be had." Both Barrow and Furber were employees of the Lands Department. K 567 649.

Artists impression of the new Prince of Wales Lookout at Echo Point. Photo: John Fox.

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Mount Solitary in a mist filled Jamison Valley. Photo: John Anderson

Katoomba Falls Reserve1 is bounded by Peckmans Road, Cliff Drive, Katoomba Falls Road, and has Neale Street, bisecting it. Officially named by Blue Mountains City Council on 26 February 1974. The Geographical Names Board records that reasons given by council for this name are that the area is already developed with two playing fields and a council camping area. Locally known by this name from at least 1880. Ref: Sydney Morning Herald, 24 July 1880, p. 13 records, “Katoomba Falls Reserve is within a few minutes’ walk. (from railway station).” Also known as Katoomba Park. K 502 649.

Cliff View Lookout1 is located on top of the escarpment on the Prince Henry Cliff Walk, 125m south east of Katoomba Falls, Katoomba. Overlooks the cliffs at Katoomba Falls, Scenic Skyway and Orphan Rock. Ref: Katoomba Times, 6 July 1889, p. 2 records, “Cliff View.” K 503 647.

Harrys Amphitheatre1 is a prominent semi-circular escarpment in Katoomba, with Katoomba Falls in the centre. Named by Philip Hammon on the 22 June 2001, after his father Henry James (Harry) Hammon (1911-2000). Name submitted to Geographical Names Board by Brian Fox and approved; Gazette No. 158, 19 October 2001. The Scenic Skyway cables cross this amphitheatre. The associated Scenic Railway has operated as a tourist venture from the early 1930s, when it was called The Mountain Devil. The Skyway has operated from the later part of 1958. The name honours Harry Hammon’s contribution to this world famous tourist destination. K 502 648.

Orphan Rock1 is a large isolated rock formation below the main cliff line on the eastern side of the Scenic Railway, Katoomba. A photo by Nicholas Caire, 1879 titled The Orphan Tower and records, "situated on the estate of J. H. Neale so named on account of the solitary mass of Basaltic rock (the rock is sedimentary) standing on end surrounded with trees and foliage

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it being on private property but few persons are aware of its existence." The walking track up to the top of Orphan Rock was constructed by Jack Miller and Arthur Joseph McKenzie. The track opened in October 1934 and was closed c.1958 due to the fear of falling rocks. Ref: Plan of Reserve at Katoomba, 20 May 1880. The Mountaineer Tourists' Guide to the Blue Mountains, 1898, p. 53 description reads, "about 200 feet deep on one side and 600 or 700 feet deep on the other side and about 100 feet across at the top." K 500 645.

Orphan Rock Lookout is located on top of Orphan Rock, Katoomba. Walking access (now denied) was via the Round Walk, branching off near Juliets Balcony. There are lower and upper lookouts on and near the summit. The upper lookout gives views to Katoomba Falls. Ref: The Katoomba Daily, 18 October 1934, p. 1 records, “see the new lookout and Stairway that has been constructed on Orphan Rock.” Tourist Guide, Spend your Holidays at Katoomba Leura, 1934. K 500 645.

Federal Pass is a 6.5km walking track around the bottom of the escarpment from the base of the Golden Stairs at Narrow Neck to the base of Leura Falls. The original pass connected the base of Katoomba Falls to the base of Leura Falls. The pass was extended to the bottom of the Golden Stairs in 1936. Access points are via the Golden Stairs, Scenic Railway, Furber Steps, Giant Stairway and Fern Bower, Leura. William Frederick Goyder, Mayor of Katoomba, was one of the main instigators to promote the construction of this walking track. Duncan McKillop (Alderman) and ranger Charles Diews were the two men who worked hard to find a route which could be easily travelled in a couple of hours to connect Katoomba and Leura. Officially opened by Sir William Lyne, NSW Premier, 3 November 1900. The name commemorates the Federation of Australia, which was proclaimed on the 1 January 1901. Ref: The Mountaineer, 12 October 1900, p. 2. Smith, Jim. Walking the Federal Pass The First 100 years, 1900-2000, 2001. K 483 636 to 517 651.

Two iconic blue Mountains features, Orphan Rock and Mount Solitary as viewed from the Prince Henry Cliff Walk. Photo: John Fox.

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Juliets Balcony is on a 19m long rocky balcony, located by climbing 22 steps off the Round Walk below Vanimans Lookout and before turning down to Furber Steps, Katoomba. A descriptive name from Shakespeare's play, Romeo and Juliet. Juliets Balcony was named when the Federal Pass was officially opened on 3 November 1900. The balcony gives a good view of Katoomba Falls. At the base of the steps is where the track to Orphan Rock branched off to Orphan Rock Lookout (access is now denied). Ref: The Mountaineer Illustrated Tourists' Guide to the Blue Mountains, 1903, p. 73. K 500 646.

The group at the top of the Giants Staircase. Photo: John Fox.

Watch Tower refers to a lookout on top of the cliff line, at the end of a 45m side track off Prince Henry Cliff Walk between Reids Plateau and Duke and Duchess of York Lookout, Katoomba. A descriptive name given to this small, near round rock formation standing like a watch tower over the valley. Views towards Mount Solitary, and in the foreground, the Scenic Skyway. Ref: The Mountaineer, 18 June 1897, p. 4. Australian Town and Country Journal, 26 November 1898, p. 33 records, “a fine lookout known as the Watchtower.” K 502 648

Lady Darleys Lookout is on the Prince Henry Cliff Walk between Allambie Lookout and Kedumba View. This lookout has views towards Mount Solitary, Ruined Castle and the Scenic Railway. It is accessed via Katoomba Park or Echo Point, Katoomba. Named after Lucy Forest Darley née Brown (1839-1913), wife of Sir Frederick Darley, who administered the Colony of NSW in 1893, 1895, 1899, 1900-1902. The Darleys had Lilianfels built in 1899, and as well they owned 33ac of land in this area. Ref: The Mountaineer, 24 December 1908, p. 3 records, “If the trustees have no objection I (Frederick Darley) would like them to perpetuate the name Lady Darley and I gave the spot.” Subdivision plan for auction,

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Lilianfels Park, 9 January 1909. Current 2017 signage is spelled as Lady Darley Lookout. K 507 645.Lady Darley Point is the point of land on top of the cliff line at Lady Darleys Lookout, Katoomba. Ref: The Blue Mountains Advertiser, 19 August 1949, p. 2 records, “the land at Eagle Hawk Point and Lady Darley Point, Katoomba, for purpose of erecting a Cableway.” K 507 645.

Kedumba View is a lookout between Lady Darleys Lookout and Queen Elizabeth Lookout, Katoomba. Named due to the view to Kedumba Valley in the distance. Fencing and paving from Echo Point to Kedumba View was reconstructed as a joint project of National Parks & Wildlife Service and the Blue Mountains City Council in 1996. Ref: Signage at the lookout noted by Brian Fox, 2017. K 508 645

Echo Point is located at the southern end of Echo Point Road, Katoomba. This location overlooking Jamison Valley and The Three Sisters would have to be one of the most popular and best known tourist sites in the Blue Mountains. A descriptive name to this geographical feature. Ref: Evening News, 1 September 1891, p. 6 records, “to fence off the most dangerous portion of the cliffs at Echo Point.” K 510 643.

An overfed Water Dragon who has adapted to handfeeding. Photo: John Anderson.

Oreades Lookout2 is located on the track to The Three Sisters, midway between the archway at the Tourist Information Centre and Lady Game Lookout, Katoomba. Named by the National Parks & Wildlife Service in 1992 after the Blue Mountain Ash, Eucalyptus oreades growing in this area by the Ref: The Blue Mountains of Australia, produced by the Blue Mountains Tourism Authority and NPWS, 1992, p. 29. Painter, Keith. Prince Henry Cliff Walk, 1994, p. 51. K 512 640.

Giant Staircase is the stairway leading from the cliff top adjoining The Three Sisters down the escarpment to link up to the Dardanelles Pass and the Federal Pass Walking Tracks, Katoomba. There are just under 1000 steps from the base to car park. The idea was conceived by James McKay, a municipal ranger, in 1914. Katoomba Council approved the idea in 1916.

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The stairway was officially opened 3pm Saturday 1 October 1932 by The Hon. Bertram Sydney Barnsdale Stevens, Premier of NSW (1932-1939). Walter Botting, another ranger, also played a significant role, along with William Carey Soper, a local real estate agent and Alderman, who helped to promote the stairway. Ref: Lithgow Mercury, 3 October 1932, p. 2. Cranney, William. Tourist Map of Katoomba and Leura, 1933. In a phone call interview with the late Ben Esgate, October 1998, he recalled his father Reubin Esgate worked with James McKay on the planning of the Giant Stairway prior to WWI. Also known as The Three Sisters Stairway. K 513 641.

Jamison and Kedumba Valleys showing burnt areas. Photo: John Fox

Turpentine Tree is located off an 8m side track from the Federal Pass, midway between the base of Furber Steps and Cooks Crossing, which crosses the base of Katoomba Falls. A raised platform has signage, “Syncarpia Glomulifera Turpentine Tree.” Ref: NPWS signage Katoomba Falls Reserve, noted in 2017. K 502 645.

Reids Lookout is located on Reids Plateau, opposite Katoomba Park, off Cliff Drive, Katoomba. Named after George Houstoun Reid (1845-1918), Premier of NSW, 3 August 1894 to 14 September 1899; Prime Minister of Australia, 18 August 1904 to 5 July 1905. Ref: The Mountaineer, 7 July 1905, p. 7. K 502 649.

Reids Plateau is a small plateau opposite Katoomba Park, bounded by Cliff Drive and cliffs to the east, south and west. It divides the watercourses of Witches Leap and Katoomba Falls. Named after George Houstoun Reid (1845-1918), Premier of NSW, 3 August 1894 to 14 September 1899; Prime Minister of Australia, 18 August 1904 to 5 July 1905. Reids Plateau contains a number of lookouts. Nearby is the start/finish of several walks to Katoomba Falls. Ref: The Blue Mountains Katoomba Leura Tourist Guide, September 1905, p. 10 records,

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“Reids Platform.” The Katoomba Daily, 15 March 1932, p. 4 records, “Reid’s Plateau.” Singleton, Cyril. Tourist Map of Katoomba and Leura, 1942 records, “Reids Point.” The pathway to this area was upgraded in 2017. K 502 649.

Base of the Giants Staircase. Photo: John Fox.

Track Notes

These notes have been prepared for the record. The whole walk was on track and due to the Corona virus scare, which has decimated international tourism, the normally crowded walkways were virtually empty. There was something quite eerie to be at Echo Point and have the location completely to ourselves.

The walk was also an opportunity to assess the bushfire damage and how long it is likely to be before we can venture down into the Jamison Valley to continue our archaeological work at Ruined Castle.

The walk was designed as a loop starting and ending at the Old Katoomba Kiosk (closed). The Prince Henry Cliff Walk is crowded with historic place names and it seems every few metres there is a lookout or

point with a name on it. Brin’s encyclopaedic memory was challenged at times, but he always came up trumps. The place name recorded in this report are only a handful of what could be quoted. Keen readers will open their copy of the Blue Mountains Geographic Encyclopaedia, and follow the journey into history step by step. Map 1 pages 22 and 23 refers.

On the day the writers body let him down so detailed track notes are incomplete. Pictures say a lot and I thank John Fox and John Anderson for telling the story in photos

Michael KeatsBush Explorer4th February 2020

UBMBWC Loop walk Prince Henry Cliff walk Track Notes 030220/MK

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This track commemorates the ANZACs at Gallipoli during WWI. Dardanelles Pass was constructed by ranger Jim McKay and others in 1915. Ref: Lithgow Mercury, 27 August 1915, p. 4 records, “The Dardanelles Deviation.” Sketch Map Katoomba and Leura, 1919 records, “The Dardanelles. McKay is immortalised by a lookout bearing his name and is located off Cliff Drive on the eastern side of Kiah Lookout and opposite 90 Cliff Drive (in 2017, known as Solitary Restaurant), Leura. Named after James Henry McKay (1869-1947), who was a council ranger from 1901 and helped build the Giant Stairway, 1916-1932. He was also involved in the construction of Prince Henry Cliff Walk. McKay retired from council in 1939 after 38 years of service. Ref: The Blue Mountain Echo, 4 August 1916, p. 6 records, “Mc Kays Lookout.” The Blue Mountains Times, 24 July 1936 records, “that Mc Kays Outlook be repaired.” K 515 656.

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Yidan at the big Turpentine Tree. Photo: John Fox.

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