Trail out of the camping area +

	Trail to Ironbarks Picnic Area +

	Ironbarks Picnic Area +

	Trail down to Grinding Grooves +

	View from Track above Grinding Grooves +

	Rock ponds around grinding grooves +

	Grinding Grooves +

	To Link Track intersection +

	Red Hands Cave protective cage +

	Red Hands Cave +

	Track above Red Hands Cave +

	Track up to Red Hands Cave picnic area +

	Steps in track near Red Hands Cave car park +

	Red Hands Cave car park +

	Red Hands Cave Picnic Area +

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Drive to Nioka Campsite
A park entry fee is required for driving into the park. 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 --> Sorry there are no driving directions, but you can see the start of this walk on this map

Euroka Campground - Nioka	Alt = m
The Nioka campground offers 20 sites to choose from. There is tap water at the park entrance.

(0 km) Nioka Campsite to The Ironbark Picnic Area Track: Moderate - servicetrail	Length = 1.31 km	Time = 25 mins
	Climb = 94 m	Descent = -4 m
From the intersection below Nioka, this walk heads up the hill and around the locked gate. The track then passes the toilet and the 'no exit' sign. The walk then continues to follow this clear track as it heads uphill, away from the campsites. The management trail takes a few sharp bends and before long, the hill flattens out a little. As the track meanders up the hill, it widens into a clearer management trail. Just before the Oaks Fire Trail, this walk steps over the locked gate into the Ironbark Picnic Area.

Ironbark Picnic Area	Alt = 171 m
Ironbark Picnic Area is a basic picnic area on the Oaks Fire Trail, about 450m south of Euroka Rd. The picnic area has a low bench that acts as both a table and seat, and there is also a wood-fired barbecue provided. The picnic area is at the top of a gated management trail, which leads down to campsites at Euroka. There are plenty of car parking spaces provided and it is a fairly popular starting point for people cycling the Oaks Cycleway.

(1.31 km) The Ironbark Picnic Area to Int of Oaks Cycleway and Campfire Creek access track Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 257 m	Time = 4 mins
	Climb = 4 m	Descent = -6 m
Continue straight: From the Ironbark picnic area, this walk crosses the road to the car park (opposite the end of the management trail and gate). At the car park, the walk steps over the log and follows the track. The track soon leads to a 'T' intersection with Oaks cycleway. Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the wide track as it heads downhill to the north. After crossing the gully, the track then heads up the hill. On top of the small hill, the track comes to a intersection with a narrow track on the left (through the dense bush).

(1.57 km) Int of Oaks Cycleway and Campfire Creek access track to Axe Grinding Grooves Route: Hard - undefined	Length = 709 m	Time = 15 mins
	Climb = 2 m	Descent = -84 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the narrow track west into the dense bush. The bush soon thins out and the track leads down the ridge line, passing over a few rocky outcrops. The track continues along the spur as it narrows, ending at the junction of two small creeks. From here, the walk continues a short distance downstream to an intersection with the red hands cave track, at the axe grinding site.

Axe Grinding Grooves	Alt = 87 m
These well-defined axe grinding groves are found on the sandstone bed of Camp Fire Creek. The grooves were formed by Aboriginal people when sharpening axes (or forming axe blanks). Rubbing the axe blanks would sharpen the stone into a more useful tool, and the process would also wear the sandstone, leaving these markings. These sites are typically found near water, as the water was added to make the stone more abrasive. Sites like this will fade in time due to erosion of the sandstone - please help them last as long as possible by not walking on, or close to the grooves. More info

(2.28 km) Axe Grinding Grooves to Red Hands Cave Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 1.48 km	Time = 37 mins
	Climb = 128 m	Descent = -40 m
Veer right: From the grinding grooves at the creek junction, the walk heads across the side creek, keeping the larger creek on the left. The track immediately passes a sign with information about the grinding grooves, then continues above the creek. The track undulates above the creek and over a log bridge to tend right, down to a signposted intersection above a creek. Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Red Hands Cave' sign down across the creek. The track leads over a small rise across another smaller creek, then follows the hillside for a short while, passing a bench seat and then a small log bridge. The track then starts tending left, heading up to a rocky outcrop where the walk arrives at the metal verandah of Red Hands Cave.

Red Hands Cave	Alt = 178 m
Red Hands Cave, in the Glenbrook area of the Blue Mountains National Park, is found near the end of Red Hands Cave fire trail. The cave has quite a few hand stencils and prints of various colours (including red). The cave is well protected, with a perspex and steel cage. There are some information signs and some artifacts to help visitors learn more about the people who made these prints over 1600 years ago. In 1913, when searching for a lost child, this cave was found by Europeans and is now protected.

(3.76 km) Red Hands Cave to Red Hands Cave car park Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 503 m	Time = 12 mins
	Climb = 41 m	Descent = -10 m
Continue straight: From Red Hands Cave, the walk heads up the stairs, winding to be above Red Hands Cave. The track then continues across the rocky surface, slowly climbing through the bush and leading away from the rock outcrop. The track winds through a few rocky outcrops, tending right, before coming to a car park and 'Red Hands Cave' sign (pointing back to the cave).

Red Hands Cave Picnic Area	Alt = 208 m
Red Hands Cave Picnic Area is found at the end of the Red Hands Cave Fire Trail in the Glenbrook area of the Blue Mountains National Park. The small picnic area is next to the car park and has a couple of platforms (to act as both a table and seat) as well as a fire place and toilet. The toilet itself is wheelchair accessible, but access to the toilet is over moderately rough terrain. A good spot to rest when exploring Red Hands Cave.

Drive from Red Hands Cave car park
A park entry fee is required for driving into the park. 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 --> Sorry there are no driving directions, but you can see the end of this walk on this map

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)
Summit Gear	11 Ross St , Glenbrook	(02) 4739 4373	3.6 km
Boots Great Outdoors	Shop 25 Home Centre Wolseley St , Penrith	(02) 4733 5744	6 km
Kangaroo Tent City	Cnr Mulgoa & Blaikie Rds, Penrith	(02) 4733 4111	6.5 km
Getaway Disposals	549 High St , Penrith	(02) 4732 2285	8.9 km
Mitchell Adventure	24 Henry St , Penrith	(02) 4731 8482	9.6 km

A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Euroka to Red Hands Cave.

Channel	Call sign (more info)	Site	Distance and dir from Euroka to Red Hands Cave Click to re-center search
4	RIV04	Fire Service Rusden Road MT RIVERVIEW	8 km (to the N)
7	SYD07	7 Glamorgan St BLACKTOWN	27 km (to the E)
2	KUR02	Miles Comms Site 1 1 246 Burralow Road KURRAJONG HEIGHTS	28 km (to the N)
5	SYD05	Sydney Adventist Hospital 185 Fox Valley Rd WAHROONGA Emergency use only	45 km (to the E)
1	SYD01	12/14 Ormonde Parade HURSTVILLE	49 km (to the ESE)

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.

Weather and Climate
Weather and Climate summary detailed weather and climate information here

°C (feels like °) km/h from the % humidity     (as at ) Wed       34° Showers. Storms developing. Thu 20°|30° Possible shower. Fri 19°|35° Partly cloudy. Sat 17°|28° Possible late shower.

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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