THE GRAND CANYON BLACKHEATH BLUE MOUNTAINS NSW AUSTRALIA
.jpg)
Blackheath’s Grand
Canyon is one of the Blue Mountains’ icons. The track through it was opened
by the Premier of NSW (Mr JH Carruthers)
in February 1907. This was a period when the competition between the Blue
Mountains communities to attract tourists and their spending money was at a
peak. Blackheath, Katoomba and Wentworth Falls in particular were constructing
new tracks and lookouts and the Grand Canyon track is one of the best.
Walking conditions were a lot tougher in those days.
Ladders, where required, were constructed out of bush timber on the spot. Steps
were hewn out of the sandstone along hundreds of tracks. Lookout railings were
made of whatever could be found cheaply, often
.jpg)
bush timber but sometimes old
water pipes and odd bits of scrap iron were called into service.
While many well-made steps from those days remain in the
Grand Canyon, the rough and ready railings and ladders have gone. In recent
years, the National Parks and Wildlife
Service has done a remarkable job replacing steps, ladders and railings
while preserving the wild character of this beautiful place.
At the time the track through the canyon was completed, it
linked up several existing tracks – at the
Fernery on the Rodriguez Pass (just above Beauchamp Falls), at Neate’s Glen and at Wall’s Cave.
.jpg) |
| The Tunnel |
The Wall’s Cave connection
was severed years ago by the construction of a water supply dam on Greave’s
Creek so that today the round trip takes in Evan’s Lookout, the descent to the
canyon via the Fernery, the canyon proper, the ascent through Neate’s Glen and
the track alongside the road back to the lookout. There were also connections
with roads built from Medlow Bath in
the heyday of the Hydro Majestic Hotel, but these have become obscure with the
passage of time.
When you read old newspaper reports, it is extraordinary to
discover how many people have been lost or injured in the vicinity. There have
also been a number of fatalities. There are numerous complaints about poor signposting
leading to visitors
.jpg)
getting lost, though you could hardly say that about
today’s track.
.jpg) |
| Going Down? |
A
modern hazard for some is the rise of
canyoning, a sport which takes intrepid groups down into the narrow and
often water-filled places which abound in parts of the Blue Mountains. The
Grand Canyon, where Greave’s Creek vanishes into the depths for some
considerable distance, is one of the best known, so do not be surprised if
you encounter canyoners wearing wet suits and carrying ropes as you pass
through on the walking track.
Here are some links to sites which will help you appreciate
this exciting walk even more.
From the Sydney Morning Herald, 18th February 1907.
"The Premier, in reply, said he took a great interest
in developing the traffic to the tourist resorts. New South Wales was the best of
all the States. The people did not recognise that they had the best climate and
scenery in Australasia at their own doors. He was glad to see the trustees had
done good work with limited means. He appreciated the beautiful canyon, and
hoped it would be visited by thousands of people."
https://johnsbluemountainsblog.blogspot.com/2013/12/links-to-all-blog-entries-and-relevant.html All Blue Mountains blogs and videos
All New England and other Geology blogs and videos
Limestone Caves of NSW
Song Studies. Bible studies based on hymns and songs
Shoalhaven District Geology
