The Sassafras Gully loop is an excellent walk setting out from Springwood Station. The walk uses the gullies to navigate past some wonderful rock features, dense bushland and waterfalls. A nice cool walk in the shade and never too far from water.
(open in app)
There are Closed areas in Blue Mountains National Park Today's Fire rating LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
Cross sectional view of the Sassafras Gully Loop bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Sassafras Gully Loop 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
11km
Time
4 hrs 15 mins
.
Grade 4/6
Track: Hard
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
Quality of track
Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Signs
Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Experience Required
No experience required (1/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
*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
5km of this walk is very steep and another 3.8km has short steep hills. Whilst another 1.5km is flat with no steps and the remaining 150m has gentle hills with occasional steps.
Quality of track
6km of this walk follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and another 3.3km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (1.6km) follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
4.6km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 4.2km has minimal directional signs. The remaining (1.7km) is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 11km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 11km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
5km of this walk has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) and another 3.2km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced). The remaining (2.1km) is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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(0 km)
Springwood Station
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No. 18 Sassafras Gully Rd Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 1.19 km
Time = 23 mins
Climb = 35 m
Descent = -38 m
From Springwood Station, the walk crosses the pedestrian crossing and turns right, passing the shop fronts. The walk continues along Macquarie Rd and turns left onto Homedale St. At the bottom of Homedale St, the walk turns right onto Valley Rd, and then left onto Sassafras Gully Rd. The walk continues to the bottom of Sassafras Gully Rd, in front of house number 18.
(1.19 km)
No. 18 Sassafras Gully Rd
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Perch Ponds camping area Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 4.5 km
Time = 1 hr 38 mins
Climb = 108 m
Descent = -333 m
Veer left: From the end of Sassafras Gully Rd, the walk heads down the hill along the fenceline of house No. 18. The walk passes two signs for 'Sassafras Gully' as it winds to the right at a rock outcrop and down to an unsignposted intersection. Turn left: From the intersection, the walk heads down the hill, keeping the rock outcrop on the left. The walk passes a track on the left (which heads over the rock outcrop) and turns down the hill. As the walk winds down the hill, a few smaller tracks are passed before nearing a creek. The walk crosses the creek a few times as it heads down the gully to a larger creek junction. The walk crosses the junction, then follows the larger gully, soon coming to a 'Sassafras Gully Rd' sign (pointing back the way you came)[1]. Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads down across the creek in the direction of the 'To Wiggins Track' sign[2]. The walk winds along the hillside, keeping the creek on the right, passing a blue track marker[3] which directs the walk to the other side of the creek. The walk now keeps the creek on the left as it winds up to a 'Perch Ponds, Springwood Stn' sign[4]. Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the direction of the 'Perch Ponds' sign[5] across the hillside. The walk soon nears the creek on the left, then undulates above it for a short while. The track crosses a steeply banked creek junction, then continues following the main creek (which is on the left). The walk stays near this creek, coming into a campground clearing with large boulders. Continue straight: From the campground clearing, the walk exits the clearing, keeping the main creek to the right, and immediately crosses a side creek. The walk keeps the main creek on the right as it slowly climbs the hillside. The track then heads downhill, passing under a few rock overhangs and soon entering the campground clearing of 'Perch Ponds'.
Perch Ponds Campsite
Alt = 138 m
Perch Ponds is a lovely waterhole, with a clearing suitable to pitch a tent, located at the junction of Magdala Creek and Glenbrook Creeks. The meeting of the two creek provides a relaxing sound of rushing water and a cool spot to rest on warmer days. The campsite is a flat area above the pool marked with a fire scar. A great shady and quiet area for a camp. There are no facilities and water from the creek needs to be treated.
(5.69 km)
Perch Ponds camping area
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Int. Martins Falls and Magdala Ck trks Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 382 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 63 m
Descent = -14 m
Turn left : From Perch Ponds, the walk follows the 'Magdala Gully-Fairy Dell' sign[6], up the hill. The track winds up the hillside for a short time, keeping the creek on the right, then comes to a 'Martins Falls' sign[7].
(6.08 km)
Int. Martins Falls and Magdala Ck trks
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Behind Martins Falls Optional sidetrip: Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 29 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -2 m
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk heads to the left of the 'Martins Falls' sign (towards the falls). The walk skirts around the edge of the valley, coming under the rock overhang of the falls, and then arriving behind the falls. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn right to continue along this walk.)
Martins Falls
Alt = 185 m
Martins Falls are at a rock overhang on Magdala Creek, near Springwood, almost 400m upstream from the Glenbrook Creek junction. The water falls off a rock platform, over the overhang into a large pond. There is a faint track leading behind the falls, giving a different perspective of the pond and falls - extra care is required. This is a lovely area to enjoy the cool temperatures on warmer days, and is more spectacular after recent rain.
(6.08 km)
Int. Martins Falls and Magdala Ck trks
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Int. Lawsons Lookout Trk and Fairy Dell Trk Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 3.54 km
Time = 1 hr 14 mins
Climb = 206 m
Descent = -105 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads up the gully, keeping the creek to the right. The track winds for a short time, passing a few rocky overhangs as it climbs to a 'Magdala Falls' sign. Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk keeps the valley on the right as it heads up the hill. The walk winds up the hill, crossing the creek after some time. The walk continues up the hill, now with the creek on the left, to an intersection, with arrows engraved in the rock. Turn left : From the intersection engraved with arrows[8], the walk heads down across the creek. The track then keeps the Magdala Creek on the left before crossing for the first of many times. The walk continues up along Magdala Creek and crosses a rock shelf below some small falls, coming to a 'Lawson's Lookout' sign[9].
(9.61 km)
Int. Lawsons Lookout Trk and Fairy Dell Trk
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Lawsons Lookout Optional sidetrip: Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 407 m
Time = 11 mins
Climb = 39 m
Descent = -11 m
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the direction of the 'Lawsons Lookout' signs[10], up the hill. The track heads up to a rocky outcrop, where the track turns back on itself and steps through some bushes to the rocky surface of the lookout. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn right to continue along this walk.)
Lawsons Lookout
Alt = 316 m
Lawsons Lookout, in Springwood, Blue Mountains, is an unfenced rockshelf overlooking the wonderful Magdala Creek valley. The lookout is most easily accessed from Raymond Rd.
(9.61 km)
Int. Lawsons Lookout Trk and Fairy Dell Trk
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Int. Fairy Dell and Picnic Point Tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 135 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 13 m
Descent = -1 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the direction of the 'Springwood Station' sign[11] up the hill, keeping the creek on the left of the track. The track stays close to the creek as it climbs the hill, soon coming to a signposted intersection next to the bridge.
(9.75 km)
Int. Fairy Dell and Picnic Point Tracks
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Picnic Point Optional sidetrip: Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 163 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 33 m
Descent = -2 m
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk crosses the bridge, following the 'Picnic Point' signs[12]. The walk immediately climbs many stairs which wind up to a the picnic shelter and grass area of Picnic Point. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn left to continue along this walk.)
Picnic Point
Alt = 331 m
Picnic Point, in Springwood, Blue Mountains, is a quiet, grassy clearing tucked behind the houses above Magdala Creek. The area has a gazebo, picnic table and water tank (water needs to be treated). The clearing has a track leading down to many popular walks, with Lawson's Lookout and Fairy Dell Reserves nearby.
(9.75 km)
Int. Fairy Dell and Picnic Point Tracks
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Fairy Dell Reserve picnic area Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 390 m
Time = 9 mins
Climb = 44 m
Descent = -5 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Fairy Dell' signs[13], keeping the creek on the left. The walk winds up the hill, passing a vandalised building (which has since been reported as demolished by another walker), and continuing up more stairs into a grassy area with picnic tables.
Fairy Dell Reserve picnic area
Alt = 339 m
Fairy Dell Reserve picnic area is a quiet and shady terraced garden at the head of the Magdala Gully. Fairy Dell is situated just south of Springwood in the Lower Blue Mountains. The picnic area has numerous tables, parking and a grassy area for the kids to play. The Fairy Dell Reserve Picnic area is also the starting point for a number of walks down to Magdala Creek, Picnic Point and nearby Lawson Lookout.
(10.14 km)
Fairy Dell Reserve picnic area
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Int. Springwood Ave and Fairy Dell Reserve Walk: Easy - road
Length = 145 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 21 m
Descent = 0 m
Veer right: From Fern Dell Reserve picnic area, the track heads up the hill in the opposite direction to the 'Sassafras Gully' arrow on the blue sign. The track reaches the end of a small road, and heads up this road to the intersection with Springwood Ave, next to house number 51.
(10.28 km)
Int. Springwood Ave and Fairy Dell Reserve
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Springwood Station Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 269 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 11 m
Descent = -4 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads across the road and up through the car park. The walk continues up to the main road, Macquarie Rd, and turns left. The walk follows the shop fronts for about 150 metres, then crosses the road at the pedestrian crossing opposite Springwood Station.
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 8 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.
Blue Mountains National ParkLink 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 feesCampingFacilities 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
I did the walk at the end of September 2010 and camped overnight. It is a nice place to visit, especially Glenbrook Creek near Martin's Lookout. The path however has lots of fallen trees on it and some erosion. This makes it extra hard with a pack on. It's really important too that when going along Magdalla Creek you pay attention to signs take the path East rather than following it straight ahead. Straight ahead will mean a very very steep climb uphill to Batman Cres. and a long walk through Springwood streets.
Rodos - Good notes
IP:58.173.138.xxx | 2012-04-09 11:45:59
Did this walk this morning, Easter Monday 2012. Parked at Picnic Point and did the circuit anti-clockwise from there. Also did the side track to Lawson's Lookout right at the end.
Total walking time was 3:55 plus the breaks. We stopped each hour for around 10 minutes with a longer 30 minute stop at the last one for lunch and a rest. There were some lovely spots on the creek.
Track notes were good at it was not hard to follow the trail.
admin - Good Notes
Super Administrator | 2012-04-11 14:30:10
Hi Rodos
Thanks for the feedback. Glad you enjoyed the walk, it is a great area. I love walks where you notes much.
Happy walking
Matt :)
Wanderer - Good notes - track is getting
IP:144.132.196.xxx | 2014-12-31 08:40:24
Really nice walk with some beautiful scenary as you walk along the creeks. Great notes!
NWPS have put alot of effort into the signage of the trail and all major junctions now have signage.
However the route from Perch Ponds to Lawsons Lookout intersection is getting fairly overgrown again. You can still see the track but dense overhanging branches and bushes mean the track is fairly faint in places if ur not looking at ur feet.
If your feeling a bit hemmed in by the foilage it helps to remember that your in a valley and the tracks out of the valley are signposted.
Also if your stopping at Perch Ponds .. remember your mosquito repellent !
Shazly - Great Walk
IP:113.197.9.xxx | 2015-07-27 05:53:39
Did the walk on 26 July 2015 and the walk is hard since overgrown in a lot of places and sometimes the track is not very obvious. A lot of creek crossings though all are fairly easy. Did the walk in the reverse, i.e. from Fairy Dell reserve to Sassafras Gully road and wouldn't recommend it since the climb upto Sassafras Gully road is a fairly big climb and would take a big toll on your knees.
The notes were great and needed to refer it at times.
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Hard
1 km
Check out the facilities at 
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
There is free parking available.
not too much longer now :)