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Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Scenic Railway to Golden Staircase Circuit are found in each of the tabs below
Scenic Railway to Golden Staircase Circuit
Time: 3 hrs 30 mins Walking time
Please allow extra time to rest and to explore
3.2 km S of Katoomba
Length: 5.9 km Walk Length
As this is a Circuit style walk, the 5.9 km includes the walking distance from the start around the loop and back to the start again
Blue Mountains National Park
Climb: 723 m Total Climbing
This walk has a total cumulative climb of 723 m, this is the total of the elevation gains made in each of the walks uphill sections
There is car access and parking near the start and end of this walk There is a bus stop within 2km of the start and end of this walk
Style: Circuit
Track: Hard

Exploring below the cliffs on the western side of the Scenic Railway, this walk passes some spectacular lookouts, especially the view from the Landslide. In addition to this, it goes through beautiful shrouded forest before climbing steeply up the Golden Staircase. Once out of the valley, be prepared for a long walk back along dirt and asphalt roads to Scenic World. (open in app)


There are Closed areas in Blue Mountains National Park
Today's Fire rating
LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
  Bushwalking track notes photographs, maps and camping spots for Scenic Railway to Golden Staircase Circuit

Map of Walk

Location

                Sponsor of Scenic Railway to Golden Staircase Circuit bushwalking tracknotes
Map of Scenic Railway to Golden Staircase Circuit
Problem loading PDF Try here
Map Controls - Show Contours | Hide Path | Hide Distances | Hide Names
Map Scale 1 km
Scenic World
Scenic Railway (Bottom Platform)
Int of Scenic Railway Boardwalk and Landslide Bush Track
Landslide
Bottom of Golden Staircase
Bottings Lookout
Golden Staircase car park
Sydney Water pipe service trail
Int of Glenraphael and Cliff Drives
Starting point for this hiking track: Scenic Railway (Bottom Platform)

Base maps are used under licence and is © Department of lands   Panorama Avenue Bathurst 2795   www.lands.nsw.gov.au

Maps that cover the walk area (please always carry maps of the area)

Print a map and track notes here
 Six Foot Track 1:50 000 Map Series NSW-six-foot-track 
 Katoomba 1:25 000 Map Series NSW-89301S 
 Katoomba 1:100 000 Map Series 8930 

Photo Gallery

 
Entrance to Scenic World
 
Entrance to Scenic World +
 
The Scenic Railway
 
The Scenic Railway +
 
Bottom Platform of the Scenic Railway
 
Bottom Platform of the Scenic Railway +

 
A small miners hut at the bottom platform of Scenic World
 
A small miners hut at the bottom platform of Scenic World +
 
The track between the Railway and the Landslide
 
The track between the Railway and the Landslide +
 
Looking up at Malaita Point
 
Looking up at Malaita Point +

 
The shrouded track below the cliffs
 
The shrouded track below the cliffs +
 
bottom of the Golden Stairs
 
bottom of the Golden Stairs +
 
winding up and along the cliffs
 
winding up and along the cliffs +

 
view across the valley
 
view across the valley +
 
Botting's lookout
 
Botting's lookout +
 
The Golden Staircase Carpark
 
The Golden Staircase Carpark +

Terrain

Cross sectional view of the Scenic Railway to Golden Staircase Circuit bushwalking track

Cross Section of the Scenic Railway to Golden Staircase Circuit bushwalking track



Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Scenic Railway to Golden Staircase Circuit bushwalking track

Summary of the gradients over the the lenght of the Scenic Railway to Golden Staircase Circuit bushwalking track

Overview of this walks Grading - Based on the AS 2156.1 - 2001
These details are new. This new feature still requires more testing and refining. Please use the 'Walker Feedback' for report specific issues. Please e-mail Matt if you have any general comments. Hope you find it helpful.

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
Length 6km
Time 3 hrs 30 mins
.


Grade 4/6

Track: Hard
AS 2156.1 Gradient Very steep (4/6)
Quality of track Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Signs Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Experience Required Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
*This summary of grading information is new and still in testing

Some more detail of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining the grading looking at sections of the walk.
Gradient
4.7km of this walk has short steep hills and another 570m has gentle hills with occasional steps. Whilst another 490m is flat with no steps and the remaining 430m is very steep.

Quality of track
3.3km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 2.4km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (490m) follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs
Around 4.1km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 2.1km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required
Around 4.6km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.6km requires some bushwalking experience.

Weather
This whole walk, 6km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure
Around 3.1km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 3.1km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Track Notes


Catch the bus to Scenic World
Public transport (bus) available to this Bushwalk You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
Use these links to plan your Bus (and train) trip to the end of this walk.
(Links currently not working sorry)
Plan your trip from --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|
Drive to Scenic World
You can drive or ride to this start of this Bushwalk There is free parking available.
You can drive or ride to the start of this walk
Use these links to plan your trip to the start of this walk.
Plan your trip from --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

Scenic World Alt = 951 m
Scenic World is one of the most renowned tourist attractions of Katoomba and the Blue Mountains. Located on the cliffs of the Jamison Valley [1], visitors can enjoy a ride on the Scenic Railway (the world's steepest incline railway) or the Scenic Cableway, into the Jamison Valley, and explore the Scenic Walkway from the base. Alternatively, the Scenic Skyway offers a bird's eye view over the valley, with a glass floor to enhance the experience. Scenic World also features a revolving restaurant, a cafe and a kiosk, in addition to the documentary theatre and souvenir shop. Rides can be purchased, starting from $16 for adults and $10 for children, and combination or family passes are available. More info

(0 km) Scenic World to Scenic Railway (Bottom Platform)
Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - transport
Length = 299 m Time = 26 mins
Climb = 8 m Descent = -210 m
From Scenic World, this walk goes down the cliffs using the Scenic Railway. Hang on tight! This 415m-long journey is the world's steepest railway. At the bottom, the track comes to a great viewing platform of the valley. Use of the railway costs $10 for adults and $5 for children one-way. Last train normally at 4:45pm (opens at 9am) More info
Note: The distance and altitude change for this ride is not included in the total for this walk.

(0.3 km) Scenic Railway (Bottom Platform) to Int of Scenic Railway Boardwalk and Landslide Bush Track
Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - duckboard
Length = 186 m Time = 6 mins
Climb = 25 m Descent = -17 m
Turn left : From the bridge over the bottom of the Scenic Railway, this walk follows the signs to 'scenic walkway', passing a replica of a mining cart, as well as an old mine. Just past this, the walk comes to a pipeline that runs down the hill collecting fresh water, signposted as drinkable. Continuing past the old mine shafts along the boardwalk, this walk comes to an intersection with a bush track going slightly off to the right. This is signposted as the way to the Landslide.

(0.49 km) Int of Scenic Railway Boardwalk and Landslide Bush Track to Landslide
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.16 km Time = 40 mins
Climb = 150 m Descent = -161 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the wide track and signposts towards the 'landslide'[2] (keeping the cliffs on the right). The walk winds along a bush track with small boulders strewn along it. There are a number of old mine shafts just off the track and some interesting historical items. The track continues under Malaita Point before breaking out of the vegetation to a worthy view of the valley, just before the landslide. As the track comes to the old landslide site, it become rougher with plenty of boulders over the track. There are also excellent views of the cliffs above and the landslide as the vegetation is quite sparse here.

The Landslide Alt = 742 m
'The Landslide' is a large rockfall going into the valley approximately 100m. There is a good vantage point for the landslide from under the cliffs to the east, and a great but more distant view from Narrow Neck lookout. The landslide occurred in 1931 after a few days of rumbling. There has been much debate as to whether this event was helped along by erosion and coal mining in the area at the time.

(1.64 km) Landslide to Bottom of Golden Staircase
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.55 km Time = 42 mins
Climb = 128 m Descent = -123 m
Continue straight: From the eastern side of the Landslide, the walk heads across the face of the landslide (keeping the cliff on the right). At this point, the track is quite rough, with frequent boulders making it a slight scramble. On the other side of the landslide, the track narrows and becomes a flat bush track that follows the base of the cliffs. The surrounding trees become quite dense again, adding quite an ambiance to the area. The walk heads along the bottom of the Narrow Neck escarpment, until coming to an intersection with a set of stairs off to the right, signposted as the 'Golden Staircase'.

(3.19 km) Bottom of Golden Staircase to Bottings Lookout
Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 429 m Time = 19 mins
Climb = 177 m Descent = -41 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Golden Stairs car park' sign[3] uphill past the termite mound[4] then past the 'Warning - Sections of the Golden Stairs are unfenced and can be slippery when wet' sign[5]. The walk heads up the broad spur along a narrow track, and before long, starts to climbs the first set of rock and metal stairs. After this climb, the track is relatively flat for a little while before another climb up similar stairs[6]. Then the walk makes its way around a gully[7] to the base of a cliff. From here the track is flat for a while, heading between the cliff and the fence for about 100m[8], (passing a 'Caution Rockfall Hazard' sign[9]) before another, smaller climb, up through a gap in the rock[10] to the fenced and signposted 'Botting's L.O.'[11].

Botting's Lookout Alt = 878 m
Botting's Lookout[12] offers great views over the Jamison Valley and the cliff line, including the Landslide, Malaita Point and the Golden Stairs. A plaque at the lookout states that the lookout was named after Walter Botting (1887-1985)[13], a pioneer trail-maker of the Katoomba District. More info

(3.62 km) Bottings Lookout to Golden Stairs Track carpark
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 209 m Time = 8 mins
Climb = 80 m Descent = -9 m
Turn left: From Botting's Lookout[14], the walk heads up the hill where the track then turns left. The walk continues, steeply in a couple of places, up some eroded sections of track[15] and through a couple of switchbacks. Soon the narrow track mostly flattens out. leading to the signposted 'Golden Stairs'[16] car park[17] on Glenraphael Dr[18].

(3.83 km) Golden Staircase car park to Sydney Water pipe service trail
Track: Moderate - road
Length = 856 m Time = 22 mins
Climb = 30 m Descent = -81 m
Veer right: From the Golden Stairs car park, this walk follows the dirt road north, down the gentle hill and along the ridge as it undulates up and down for about 1km, before reaching the Sydney Water management trail - this is closed to the public at all times.

(4.68 km) Sydney Water pipe service trail to Int of Glenraphael and Cliff Drives
Track: Moderate - road
Length = 970 m Time = 26 mins
Climb = 126 m Descent = -48 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the dirt road heading up the hill and undulating along the ridge for about 1km, before it climbs up to the intersection with Cliff Drive.

(5.65 km) Int of Glenraphael and Cliff Drives to Scenic World
Walk: Easy - road
Length = 566 m Time = 11 mins
Climb = 7 m Descent = -34 m
Turn sharp left: From the intersection, this walk heads up Cliff Drive briefly, then follows the management trail on the right, just past the house. At the end of the trail, this walk turns right onto Violet Street, following this to the front entrance of Scenic World.

Catch the bus from Scenic World
Public transport (bus) available from this Bushwalk You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
Use these links to plan your Bus (and train) trip from the end of this walk.
(Links currently not working sorry)
Plan your trip to --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|
Drive from Scenic World
You can drive or ride from this end of this Bushwalk There is free parking available.
You can drive or ride from the end of this walk
Use these links to plan your trip from the end of this walk.
Plan your trip to --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

Getting there

Plan your trip to the start of the walk and back from the end of the walk

Public Transport links currently not working, sorry
Public Transport Timetables

To the start of the walk

From
Castle Hill
Chatswood
Dural
Epping
Gosford
Hornsby
Katoomba
Manly
Parramatta
Penrith
Strathfield
Sutherland
Sydney
From the end of the walk

To
Castle Hill
Chatswood
Dural
Epping
Gosford
Hornsby
Katoomba
Manly
Parramatta
Penrith
Strathfield
Sutherland
Sydney

Driving Directions
To the start of the walk

Drive from:
From the end of the walk

Drive to:


Near by


Campsites in the park
Acacia Flat
Burralow Creek camping ground
Coxs River Camping Area
Euroka campground - Appletree Flat campervan and camper trailer area
Euroka campground
Ingar campground
Mount Werong campground
Murphys Glen campground
Perrys Lookdown campground
Euroka Campground - Darug
Euroka Campground - Red Gum
Euroka Campground - Nioka
Euroka Campground - Bennetts Ridge


Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk
Store Address Phone Distance (straight line)
Paddy Pallin 166 Katoomba St , Katoomba (02) 4782 4466 1.7 km
Summit Gear 80- Bathurst Rd , Katoomba (02) 4782 3018 2 km
Summit Gear 11 Ross St , Glenbrook (02) 4739 4373 30 km
Simdra Pet & Hobby Mart 45 Main St , Lithgow (02) 6352 4422 30.5 km
Lithgow 4WD Centre 281 Main St , Lithgow (02) 6353 1899 30.8 km


A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Scenic Railway to Golden Staircase Circuit.
Channel Call sign
(more info)
Site Distance and dir from Scenic Railway to Golden Staircase Circuit
Click to re-center search
5 BIN05 Fire Tower MT BINDO
Emergency use only
28 km (to the WNW)
7 VMC7 Fire Tower MT BINDO 28 km (to the WNW)
6 LGW06 Lithgow Council Site HASSANS WALLS 29 km (to the NNW)
4 RIV04 Fire Service Rusden Road MT RIVERVIEW 30 km (to the E)
2 KUR02 Miles Comms Site 1 1 246 Burralow Road KURRAJONG HEIGHTS 35 km (to the NE)

Weather and Park info

Fire Danger
This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a LOW MODERATE rating and No fire ban in place.
(Tomorrow the Fire Danger Rating is LOW MODERATE, No fire ban.) (Downloaded 7 years ago)
Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather and Climate
Weather and Climate summary detailed weather and climate information here
°C (feels like °)
km/h from the
% humidity     (as at )
Wed      27°Showers. Likely storm developing.
Thu16°|26°Shower or two.
Fri15°|28°Mostly sunny.
Sat12°|22°Possible late shower.
A graph displaying the average daily temperature range for the year

Blue Mountains National Park Link to official closures and fire bans page
Attracting over 3 million visitors annually, Blue Mountains National Park holds some of Australia's most spectacular and diverse wilderness areas. Explore the Grose Valley, with its sheer sandstone cliffs, waterfalls and scenic walking, or enjoy the famous views of the Three Sisters. Easy access makes a day trips very worthwhile, but with such diversity it would be great to stay in one of the many B&B's and spend a few days soaking up the region.
Region: Sydney & Surrounds
Park fees Camping Facilities
Current Park Closure information for Blue Mountains National Park
Closure information last downloaded Sunday 27th of September 2015 07:00 AM
Closed areas: Grand Canyon walking track
The Grand Canyon walking track will be closed from Wednesday 14 October 2015 to mid-June 2016. The closure is necessary to allow work to continue on improving the walking track. Access for canyoners will be on weekends only. Access from Evans Lookout via Beauchamp Falls to the Grose Valley will remain open. Evans Lookout carpark, Loop carpark, and Neates Glen carpark will remain open. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact NPWS Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on (02) 47878877 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.

Closed areas: Waratah Native Gardens
Waratah Native Gardens picnic area is closed for maintenance. This includes the Gorge Walking track. No access to the area is permitted.Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact NPWS Hawkesbury area office on (02) 4588 2400 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.

Closed areas: Prince Henry cliff walk, Leura
Blue Mountains City Council wishes to advise that Prince Henry cliff walk between Majestic lookout and the junction with the Leura Cascades walk is currently closed due to a landslip. Detours will be in place and clearly signposted around the affected area. Access from the Leura picnic area to the cascades is unaffected. For more information, please contact Blue Mountains City Tourism on 1300 653 408 or Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on (02) 4787 8877, or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.

Closed areas: Butterbox Swamp track
The traditional access to Butterbox Canyon via the endangered swamp is now closed and rehabilitated. No access permitted. Canyoners should use the new track provided. Temporary signage is in place.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on (02) 4787 8877 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.

Closed areas: Claustral canyon access change
Access to Claustral canyon via the previous route across private land at Mount Tomah is no longer possible due to landholders denying access. Canyoners should respect the rights of Mount Tomah residents and avoid using private land. Alternative access from the west side of Mount Bell has been identified. For more information, please contact the Blue Moauntains Heritage Centre on (02) 4787 8877, open seven days 9am to 4.30pm, or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.

Closed areas: Cahills lookout - Katoomba
As a result of a recent bushfire, Cahills lookout remains closed until further notice. For more information, please contact Blue Mountains City Council on (02) 4780 5000.

Closed areas: Waratah Native Gardens
Waratah Native Gardens Some areas of this park are closed due to a major landslip event occurring across The Gorge Walking Track. Closed areas include The Gorge Walking Track in the Blue Mountains National Park. A full assessment is underway to determine the extent of damage and to ensure the area is made safe. The Gorge Walking Track is closed at the entry trackhead however the Waratah Native Gardens Day Use and Picnic Area located off Valley Ridges Road Berambing (west of Bilpin) has now been reopened. This closure may be extended and any extension will be posted as soon as possible. For more information, please contact NPWS Heritage Centre on (02) 4787 8877, open seven days 9am to 4.30pm, or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines


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