The Six Foot track in the stunningly beautiful Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia, is one track worth every step, every hill and a scary swing bridge to experience.

This is a challenging 3 Day walk and goes for 45 km along a historical Bridle trail which connects Katoomba to Jenolan Caves. The Six Foot Track will take you along some diverse terrain, from the very steep climb down of Nellies Glen through a lush tropical canyon, over rivers and creeks, through grassy farmlands, up lots of steep hills, on old dirt farm roads as well as across the Bowtell’s swing bridge.

Keep your eyes out as there are many different animals to be spotted along the way. There are Swamp Wallabies, Wallaroos, Kangaroos, Echidnas, Wombats, Possums both Ring-tail and Brush-tail. Many lizards like the Blue tongue and Mountain Dragon can be seen as well as lots of different birds like lyrebirds, cockatoos, honey eaters and over 150 other species.

Dragonfly and Butterflies were everywhere and we were lucky enough to spot the ‘Nellies Glen Butterfly’ with its markings of brown, orange and Yellow. You must keep watch for snakes in these parts during the warmer months you will most likely come across the Red-Bellied Black Snake, the Copperhead as well as the Brown Snake. Don’t touch them, leave them alone as they are protected and will bite!

With a variety of terrain comes a vast array of vegetation. There are the Peppermint gums and the stunning Mountain Ash found up on the high sandstone plateau where in the lower areas like Nellie’s Glen you will find the Cedar Wattle, King Fern and Black Wattle.

Other sections along the way there are plenty of Banksia, Hakea, Acacia and the distinctive and funny Scribbly Gum. Other gums found are the Manna Gum, Forest Red gum, Grey Gum and Stringybark as well as some River Oak. There are plenty more plants to find and slowly we are learning more names as we travel.

Brief History of the track

This area of NSW in the Blue Mountains was the original home to the Gundungurra, Daruk, Darkinjung and Wiradjuri people. These tribes lived a nomadic life along these valleys. The aboriginal name of Megalong is thought to mean “Valley under the Rock”

The Jenolan Caves were discovered back in 1838 and the access to them were quite difficult. In 1884 the NSW Premier, Hon. Alexander Stuart, appointed a survey team to find a bridle route between Katoomba and Jenolan Caves. On the 24th March 1884 the team set out from Sydney to Katoomba then 11 days later ended at the Jenolan Caves. The track was constructed and made it possible for travellers to get to the caves in less than 8 hrs.

By the 1930’s motor vehicles became a popular choice of transport and a road was constructed so the bridle trail was left and parts reclaimed by farmers or converted into fire trails. In 1985 the Orange Lands Office remarked the track and made it possible for walkers to follow and enjoy the walk, though not all of this new track is the original a better part of it is.

Interesting places to note along they way

• Explorers Tree– This is the remains of a tall eucalyptus at the start of the trail at Pulpit Hill and has the initials of the great Australian Explorers- Lawson, Wentworth and Blaxland carved into it reportedly from their 1813 crossing of the Blue Mountains.

• Nellies Glen Starts at the top of the trail near the Explorers Tree and takes you down through lush rain-forest to the Bonnie Doon Falls. This Glen was named after the daughter of a local Katoomba business man.

• Megalong Village This site is on Private land that runs along side the Six Foot Track in the Megalong Valley. There is a plaque in memory of the village that popped up for the short time between 1885 – 1904 to accommodate the workers of the Gen Shale Mine.

• Megalong Cemetery just a bit further down the track from the old village site. There is a small obelisk structure with the names of those buried there including the early settlers and aboriginal people. The last known burial was back in 1931.

• Bowtell’s Swing Bridge was named after Corporal Robert Walter Bowtell and constructed by the 1st Field Squadron of the Royal Australian Engineers back in 1992. This is a swing bridge made of cable and wire that stretches across the Cox River for the times the river is high and flowing fast. If you don’t like heights or swing bridges then maybe take the alternative route.

Maps and guidebooks

Always important to have up to date maps on any trail you walk as trails do change for various reasons from time to time. The other important thing that everyone should do is keep up to date with the weather and any alerts that maybe in the area of the trail you are walking. With the Six Foot Track you can find this information on the National Parks site  www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au. You should also check out www.sixfoottrack.com as they have lots of information on the trail including interactive and printable maps and you can even purchase the book through them. The other map we picked up from a local outdoor store in Katoomba was really good and had helpful information on it. This has been put out by NSW Government Crown Lands.

Signage

We found the walk to be a well-marked trail even though there isn’t a lot of signs there is enough as the trail its self is well-defined. Never did we feel confused in any way to where to go, though we always recommenced you carry up to date maps and have some basic navigational skills.

Campsites and Accommodation

There are 3 campsites on this trail as well as an Eco Lodge, a homestead/lodge as well as some cottages.

The campsites available along the way don’t need to be booked and you will find they all now have the basic facilities of picnic shelters, drop toilets and water tanks, with Alum Creek just adding in a toilet and water tank, (though quite a small one).

Coxs River Campsite

Black Range Campsite

Black Range Campsite

As follows are the campsites. Most people take the three days of walking staying at Coxs River and Black Range though now I wish we slowed down even more and stayed at all 3 campsites as it would of been nice to explore more of the surrounding areas.

• Coxs River Campsite – 15.7 km from the Explorers tree.
• Alum Creek Campsite – 6 km from Coxs River Campsite and 21.7 km from the Explores Tree.
• Black Range Campsite – 13 km from Alum Creek Campsite and 19 km from Coxs River Campsite.

Eco Lodge 

Great place to stop and very close to the Coxs River Campsite. The lodge is being developed as a true Eco Lodge and the new owners, Pavel and Lucie are doing a fantastic job.

Facilities are

• Kitchen, well equipped with all cookware, utensils, cutlery and glassware.
• A gas top stove, BBQ as well as a Pizza Oven!
• Fridge with soft drinks, wine and beer you can purchase.
• Drinking water is fresh from the rain tanks.
• There is a composting toilet and a camp shower as well.
• Two cabins that accommodate up to 28 people with bunks beds, bedding, a slow combustion fire and lounge area.
• Also a private campground for a cheaper rate on the Cox River itself.

For information and current costs to stay visit their website www.6fttracklodge.com.

Other accommodation is the Dryridge Homestead Lodge, www.dryridge.com.au, and the Jenolan Caves Cottages, www.jenolancaves.org.au.

Water

We found it hard to get information before we left about the water availability on this trail so we carried a fair bit with us. There is water but do be aware you can not ever guarantee how much would be in the tanks, especially after a long dry summer. We were walking in April after summer and the rivers were still flowing, not hugely but enough. DO TREAT THE WATER! This is extremely important whether you get the water from the tanks or the rivers. To get sick while out on the trail is not a nice thing and there are no towns nearby. There is quite a range of water purifiers available on the market to use and the price can range from relatively cheap to very expensive, it’ your personal choice and do your research on what works best for you. We use the Micropur Forte Water purifier tablets (approx $38/per 100) or even just boiling the water, do make sure if boiling it is a rolling boil for around 3 minutes.

Best time to go and weather

It is important on any trail that you may attempt to check current weather conditions and more so when you start walking in areas like the Blue Mountains where it can change quite quick. The creeks and rivers in the Blue Mountains are prone to flash flooding without warning so be aware of this and please camp in allocated areas and not next to rivers, you might have a wet awakening.

Seasons in Australia are

• Summer – December to February
• Autumn – March to May
• Winter – June to August
• Spring – September to November

Do not attempt this track in Summer as it is just too hot and risk of fire danger and dehydration is high. Winter you must be aware it can get quite cold and has been known to snow. As with most hiking the shoulder seasons of Autumn and Spring are the best times.

Check out for weather warnings and track alerts www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au and www.bom.gov.au.

Safety on the trail

It is important to take responsibility for yourself when you embark on any journey. Take the time to Plan, Research and be Prepared. Don’t become a News Headline!

Steps you can follow for your safety

• Plan, Research and Prepare. There is enough information available on the internet for you to find so take the time to find it.
• Register your planned route with the proper authorities, family and friends. Write down your itinerary and give it to them. Stick to the planned itinerary where possible. Register with the local police go to www.police.nsw.gov.au.
• Take an emergency Beacon (PLB) These can be borrowed for free from the local police stations if you don’t have your own. If you have your own please be sure to update your travel details on-line.
• Have a clear plan of the route and up to date maps as trails do change from time to time for various reasons.
• Carry sufficient drinking water and be sure to treat any water collected along the way correctly.
• Check and recheck track conditions and weather as these can change suddenly. You can find this information on www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au as well as www.bom.gov.au.
• Carry and wear correct gear for the type of journey you are on.
• Carry sufficient food as there are no shops along the way.
• Be aware that a far bit of this trail DOES NOT have mobile phone coverage.

Transport

For transport at each end of the trail we found very good although the trail head is approx 2.5 km out of Katoomba itself so be sure to count that part of the walking in when planning your trip.

Getting to Katoomba 

Trains run hourly from Sydney Central and go to Katoomba, get on the Blue Mountains Train Line (T1), this is approximately a 2 – 2 .5 hr trip. Check out the timetable www.sydneytrains.info.

Driving from Sydney you can take the M4 and Great Western Highway. This is approximately 100 km and would take about 1 hr 45 mins.

To get to and from Jenolan Caves to Katoomba you can book a one way trip with Trolley Tours. You must book ahead and they do a one way rate for the walkers. Go to www.trolleytours.com.au.

Driving from Sydney to Jenolan Caves you can take the A32 and Great Western Highway. This is approximately 190 km and would take nearly 3 hrs.

Hope you find the information we provided on this trail helpful to get you on your way to Discovering The Six Foot Track.

Check out some of our other walks like

 Cape to Cape. and

 West Highland Way  as well as 

Railway Walks Western Australia and many more.

♥ Happy Walking