Faulconbridge to Springwood via Sassafras Gully

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Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	(-33.6966275,150.5349004)
Mode	Bus Car (There is free parking available.) Train
Directions	From Turn on to then drive for 6 m Turn left and drive for another 50 m Turn left and drive for another 80 m Turn left onto The Northern Road, A9 and drive for another 640 m Keep left onto Western Motorway Onramp, M4 and drive for another 24.6 km
Finish	(-33.6991398,150.5635589)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Bus Car (There is free parking available.)

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the top of Faulconbridge Station, the walk heads off the station overpass to the bushland side of the station (if you come to a car park, you have gone to the wrong side of the station). The walk then keeps the rail line on the left as it follows the footpath down to the road. After a while, the walk comes to an intersection with Sir Henrys Pde, opposite house number 10.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Then cross the Centenary Bridge (about 85 m long)
	Continue straight. After another 55 m pass the "Faulconbridge Cemetery" (15 m on your left).
	After another 20 m turn right. After another 105 m find the "Faulconbridge" (20 m on your left). Faulconbridge Faulconbridge, in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, was named after the maiden name of Sir Henry Parkes' mother. Faulconbridge sits on the Great Western Highway and is surrounded by valleys of lush bushland. This picturesque town was a home, and final resting place, for Sir Henry Parkes', heralded as the 'Father of Federation'. Faulconbridge was originally explored by non-indigenous Australians in 1813, by Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson who were searching for a route over the Blue Mountains . After another 150 m pass the "Browett Park" (190 m on your left).
	Turn left. After another 150 m pass the playground (180 m on your left).
	Continue straight. After another 160 m pass the car park (80 m on your left). Then pass the car park (100 m on your left).
	After another 60 m turn right. After another 25 m pass the "Corridor of Oaks Park" (25 m on your left).
	After another 2 m turn right. After another 10 m find the "Victory Track" (8 m on your right). Victory Track The Victory Track is more formally know as the 'Sir Henry Parkes Victory Track' and is called the 'Victoria Track' in many guide books. The track starts near Sir Henry Parkes' grave in Faulconbridge and leads to Sassafrass Gully Creek. Sir Henry Parks (1815-1896) was a politician and journalist, born in England. He is considered to be the 'Father of Federation' for Australia, although he died of natural causes 5 years before Australia's federation. Parkes was the premier of New South Wales five times. The town Parkes was named in his honour. Parkes would sometime write under the pseudonym 'Faulconbridge' (his mothers maiden name) for the Sydney Morning Herald and other papers and Faulconbridge (the township) was named after his mother when Parkes purchased 600 acres in 1877.
	After another 190 m turn right.
	After another 55 m continue straight. After another 45 m come to the viewpoint (10 m on your left). After another 55 m cross the ford. After another 175 m pass the "Corridor of Oaks Park" (245 m on your left). After another 290 m cross the ford. After another 185 m cross the ford. After another 255 m pass the "Clarinda Falls" (15 m on your left). Then find the "Clarinda Falls" (8 m on your left). Clarinda Falls Clarinda Falls is a charming waterfall on Sassafras Creek. The water cascades over a near-vertical wall, into a sandy pool below. The falls are signposted from the main track and provide a nice cool detour, especially on warmer days. The falls are named for the first wife of Sir Henry Parkes, 'Father of Australian Federation'.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Clarinda Falls. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 10 m turn right. After another 110 m cross the ford.
	After another 370 m continue straight.
	After another 110 m veer left. After another 55 m find the "Victory Track camping area" (8 m on your right). Victory Track camping area Victory Track camping area is a fairly large, informal camping place at the junction of Sassafras and Numantia Creeks. The clearing is in a moist section of forest with plenty of shade. Water from the creek should be treated before use. After another 860 m find the "Victory Track pool" (15 m on your right). Victory Track pool The Victory Track pool is an unofficially-named pond in Sassafras Creek. The pond is deep in parts but not adequate for a swim. It does, however, offer a chance to rest and gaze over the water. There is a small sandy beach, some moss-covered rocks and a lovely grove of Sassafras trees around the pool. This is a nice spot to stop, catch your breath and soak up your surroundings.
	After another 175 m continue straight. After another 1.4 km pass the sign (on your left).
	After another 205 m turn right. After another 245 m continue straight.
	After another 145 m turn left. After another 350 m find the "Picnic Point" (190 m on your right). Picnic Point 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. Then pass the "Fairy Dell Reserve" (230 m on your right). Continue straight.
	After another 115 m turn right. After another 305 m pass the "Birdwood Gully Park" (180 m on your left). Then pass the "Rest Park" (25 m on your right).
	Turn right. After another 45 m pass the car park (45 m on your left). After another 115 m pass the car park (45 m on your left). After another 20 m pass the "The Baker's Wife - Juicery & Salad Bar" (15 m on your right). After another 20 m pass the "Springwood Thai Kitchen" (15 m on your right). After another 170 m pass the "Tidswell Reserve" (215 m on your left). Then pass the "DHL Ristretto" (20 m on your right).
	After another 4 m turn left. After another 40 m pass the "Bunker" (190 m on your right). Then pass a seat (60 m on your right). Then pass the car park (50 m on your right). Then pass a seat (70 m on your right). Then pass the water tap (85 m on your right). Then pass the "2 Blondes Cafe" (105 m on your right). Then pass the "Michel's Patisserie" (115 m on your right). About 230 m past the end is a car park.
	Turn left. After another 20 m pass the car park (5 m on your right).
	After another 10 m continue straight. Then pass the "Manners Park" (on your right). After another 70 m pass the pay phone (on your right).
	Continue straight. About 170 m past the end is "Fairy Dell Reserve". Then find the "Springwood" (on your right). Springwood Springwood, along the Great Western Highway, is the second largest town in the Blue Mountains. Springwood also takes the title for the oldest railway station in the Blue Mountains. There are a variety of shops in Springwood, with quite a few cafes, bakeries and two historic hotels. Springwood was named by Governor Macquarie, when his wife and he stopped for water from a deep glen spring, in 1815. It seems aptly named, with many springs and creeks leading away from the ridge at Springwood, including Sassafras Gully, Magdala Creek and Glenbrook Creek. Then head through the tunnel
	After another 15 m come to the end.

An optional side trip to Clarinda Falls.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start.
	After another 35 m come to the end. "Clarinda Falls". Clarinda Falls Clarinda Falls is a charming waterfall on Sassafras Creek. The water cascades over a near-vertical wall, into a sandy pool below. The falls are signposted from the main track and provide a nice cool detour, especially on warmer days. The falls are named for the first wife of Sir Henry Parkes, 'Father of Australian Federation'. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 35 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

Start.

After another 35 m come to the end.

"Clarinda Falls".

Clarinda Falls

Clarinda Falls is a charming waterfall on Sassafras Creek. The water cascades over a near-vertical wall, into a sandy pool below. The falls are signposted from the main track and provide a nice cool detour, especially on warmer days. The falls are named for the first wife of Sir Henry Parkes, 'Father of Australian Federation'.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 35 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Faulconbridge to Springwood via Sassafras Gully

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	6.3 km
Time	2 h 30 min to 3 h

Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route

Campsite: There is one 2.4 km from the start.

Seat: There are 2 on route, on average they are 2.1 km apart with the largest gap of 6.2 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Campsite	2.4 km	Victory Track camping area
Seat	6.2 km	[seat]
Seat	6.2 km	[seat]

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Faulconbridge
Faulconbridge, in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, was named after the maiden name of Sir Henry Parkes' mother. Faulconbridge sits on the Great Western Highway and is surrounded by valleys of lush bushland. This picturesque town was a home, and final resting place, for Sir Henry Parkes', heralded as the 'Father of Federation'. Faulconbridge was originally explored by non-indigenous Australians in 1813, by Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson who were searching for a route over the Blue Mountains .

Victory Track
The Victory Track is more formally know as the 'Sir Henry Parkes Victory Track' and is called the 'Victoria Track' in many guide books. The track starts near Sir Henry Parkes' grave in Faulconbridge and leads to Sassafrass Gully Creek. Sir Henry Parks (1815-1896) was a politician and journalist, born in England. He is considered to be the 'Father of Federation' for Australia, although he died of natural causes 5 years before Australia's federation. Parkes was the premier of New South Wales five times. The town Parkes was named in his honour. Parkes would sometime write under the pseudonym 'Faulconbridge' (his mothers maiden name) for the Sydney Morning Herald and other papers and Faulconbridge (the township) was named after his mother when Parkes purchased 600 acres in 1877.

Clarinda Falls
Clarinda Falls is a charming waterfall on Sassafras Creek. The water cascades over a near-vertical wall, into a sandy pool below. The falls are signposted from the main track and provide a nice cool detour, especially on warmer days. The falls are named for the first wife of Sir Henry Parkes, 'Father of Australian Federation'.

Victory Track camping area
Victory Track camping area is a fairly large, informal camping place at the junction of Sassafras and Numantia Creeks. The clearing is in a moist section of forest with plenty of shade. Water from the creek should be treated before use.

Victory Track pool
The Victory Track pool is an unofficially-named pond in Sassafras Creek. The pond is deep in parts but not adequate for a swim. It does, however, offer a chance to rest and gaze over the water. There is a small sandy beach, some moss-covered rocks and a lovely grove of Sassafras trees around the pool. This is a nice spot to stop, catch your breath and soak up your surroundings.

Springwood
Springwood, along the Great Western Highway, is the second largest town in the Blue Mountains. Springwood also takes the title for the oldest railway station in the Blue Mountains. There are a variety of shops in Springwood, with quite a few cafes, bakeries and two historic hotels. Springwood was named by Governor Macquarie, when his wife and he stopped for water from a deep glen spring, in 1815. It seems aptly named, with many springs and creeks leading away from the ridge at Springwood, including Sassafras Gully, Magdala Creek and Glenbrook Creek.

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Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Springwood Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
  
  Saturday 12 October
  
  17°C
  Shower or two clearing.
  50% chance of rain
  
  Mostly clear. Slight chance of a shower about the Blue Mountains, most likely later tonight. The chance of a thunderstorm on and east of the ranges, possibly severe. Winds westerly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light in the evening.
  
  Sunday 13 October
  
  10°C → 21°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Cloudy. High chance of showers about the Blue Mountains, slight chance elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm in the north in the morning and afternoon. Winds south to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h turning easterly 20 to 30 km/h during the morning. Overnight temperatures falling to between 7 and 11 with daytime temperatures reaching between 13 and 22.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 9:20am to 4:10pm, UV Index predicted to reach 8 [Very High]
  
  Monday 14 October
  
  11°C → 23°C
  Showers increasing.
  90% chance of rain
  1 → 15mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower in the north at night. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. Winds east to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h tending north to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the late afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between 3 and 9 with daytime temperatures reaching between 18 and 24.
  
  Tuesday 15 October
  
  13°C → 18°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 10mm
  
  Cloudy. Very high chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds northwest to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h tending west to northwesterly during the day then becoming light during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 8 and 12 with daytime temperatures reaching between 17 and 22.
  
  Wednesday 16 October
  
  10°C → 22°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 5mm
  
  Cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds easterly 15 to 25 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 8 and 12 with daytime temperatures reaching between 15 and 21.
  
  Thursday 17 October
  
  11°C → 23°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Friday 18 October
  
  14°C → 21°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 10mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Blue Mountains National Park alerts
  Closed areas: Parts of Blue Mountains National Park closed
  Many roads, fire trails and walking tracks within Blue Mountains National Park are closed due to infrastructure upgrades or damage caused by wet weather including subsidence, rockfalls, landslides and fallen trees.
  The following areas are closed:
  Katoomba and Leura
  
  Honeymoon Bridge is closed due to rockfall risk.
  
  Prince Henry Cliff walk (part of Grand Cliff Top walk) is closed between Gordon Falls picnic area and Elysian Rock lookout, due to a landslide. Visit the Blue Mountains City Council website for information. Detours will also be in place via Olympian Parade. Parts of Cliff Drive near Leura Cascades will also be closed. See Blue Mountains City Council website for information.
  
  Prince Henry (& Grand Cliff Top Walk) will also be closed between Lady Darley and Wollumai Lookouts from the 14-15th October for a NSW Police exercise.
  
  Fern Bower track between Prince Henry Cliff walk (Grand Cliff Top walk) and Amphitheatre track is closed due to multiple landslides. Access to Leura Forest and Jamison Valley is via Amphitheatre track.
  
  Ruined Castle, Golden Stairs, Solitary loop and Federal Pass, west of Scenic World are closed due to multiple landslides.
  
  The Kedumba & Cox's River Valleys are closed from 7am Monday 14th October and 5pm Friday 1st November for feral animal control (aerial shooting). This includes: McMahons Point, Mt Solitary and Ruined Castle accesses, Kedumba River Campground and all accesses south of Sublime Point Ridge Trail, Tarros Ladders and Mt Debert routes.
  
  Lone Lyrebird track is closed between Gordon Road and the War Memorial, due to subsidence. Detour is in place.
  
  Part of Lindeman Pass is closed due to a major landslide below Gladstone lookout. Roberts Pass is closed due to rockfall and landslide hazards.
  
  Six Foot track from Katoomba (Explorers Tree) to Alum Creek campground will be closed on the Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 November 2024 to allow for aerial pest works.
  
  Six Foot track is affected by closures at Jenolan Caves.
  
  Wentworth Falls and Woodford
  
  Charles Darwin walk (part of Grand Cliff Top walk) is closed between Fletcher Street and Weeping Rock. Detours are in place to provide directions to Wentworth Falls picnic area. Visit the Blue Mountains City Council website for information.
  
  Part of National Pass (west of Wentworth Falls middle crossing) is closed due to a major landslide and ongoing risks.
  
  Wentworth Pass and Slack Stairs are closed due to multiple landslides. No access to Roberts Pass and Vera Falls.
  
  The Kedumba & Cox's River Valleys are closed from 7am Monday 14th October and 5pm Friday 1st November for feral animal control (shooting). This includes: McMahons Point, Mt Solitary and Ruined Castle accesses, Kedumba River Campground and all accesses south of Sublime Point Ridge Trail, Tarros Ladders and Mt Debert routes.
  
  Blackheath, Mount Victoria and Bells Line of Road
  
  Mount Banks Road will be closed to vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists until Tuesday 15 October 2024 for fire trail maintenance. No access to Mount Banks Summit walk will be permitted from Monday to Friday. The picnic area and Mount Banks Summit walking track will be open during weekends and public holidays.
  
  Williams track (Govetts descent) and Rodriguez Pass are closed due to rockfalls and landslides. The Grose Valley can be accessed from Perrys Lookdown.
  
  Pulpit Rock Reserve, lookouts and walking track are closed. Visit the Blue Mountains City Council website for information. Pulpit Rock walking track from Popes Glen is open as far as the NPWS boundary (as shown on Google maps).
  
  Adventure recreation, canyons, abseiling and rock climbing
  Some adventure recreation areas and routes are specifically closed where the access or exit road/track is mentioned above.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877.
  
  Closed areas: Red Hands Cave walking track - partial closure for repairs to Link Track section
  Red Hands Cave walking track (also known as Campfire Creek walking track) is undergoing a partial closure to repair extensive flood damage.
  
  Repairs are underway for the lower section between Link track and Red Hands Cave through the gully.
  
  The rest of Link track and Red Hands Cave/Campfire Creek walking track is open, with pedestrian access available all the way from Red Hands Cave through to the causeway.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.
  
  Closed areas: Areas closed for aerial shooting for feral animal control
  The southern section of Blue Mountains National Park is closed between 7am Monday 14th October and 5pm Friday 1st November.
  The closed area is bounded by the Kowmung River downstream of the junction with the Dennis Ridge Trail to the Coxs River junction, east of Kelpie Point Trail and Mitchells Creek Trail, Narrow Neck Plateau south of the Carlon Head Track junction, Kedumba Valley south of Sublime Point Trail, McMahons Road south of junction with Erskine Range Trail and the Green Wattle and Butchers Creek catchments.
  The closed areas include:
  
  Kedumba campground
  
  Mt Solitary Walking Track Loop including all campsites
  
  Mount Derbert Walking Track including Tarros Ladders between Medlow Gap and Carlon Head track
  
  McMahons Point
  
  Scotts Main Range
  
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local park office.
  
  Fire bans: Park fire ban
  A park fire ban is in place in this park and remains in effect unless otherwise extended or removed.
  However, the following campgrounds in Blue Mountains National Park are exempt:
  
  Galong Cabins
  
  Dunphys Campground
  
  Murphys Glen
  
  Kedumba River Campground
  
  Burralow Creek
  
  Euroka campgrounds
  
  During park fire ban periods, all campfire and solid fuel (wood, heat beads, charcoal, briquettes, hexamine) barbecues and stoves are prohibited. Gas and electric barbecues and cookers are permitted as long as:
  
  They're under direct control of an adult
  
  The ground within 2m of the barbecue is cleared of all flammable materials
  
  There's an adequate supply of water (minimum of a bucket)
  
  If a Total Fire Ban is in place, different rules apply. Contact the local park office before bringing a gas or electric barbecue or cooker.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information about fire bans in parks and reserves including your responsibilities, visit the NSW National Parks fire safety page.
  
  Fires - Not Applicable: Blue Pool Hazard Reduction
  There is a fire in this park called Blue Pool Hazard Reduction. Refer to the Rural Fire Service for latest information. Do not enter any closed area or area with fire. If you see an unattended fire call Triple Zero (000). Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information about fire safety in parks and reserves, visit the NSW National Parks fire safety page for park safety guidelines.
  
  Other planned events: Notice of ongoing 1080 baiting program
  NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting ongoing ground baiting program from Thursday 2 May 2024 to Friday 1 November 2024 in the following areas:
  
  Abercrombie River National Park
  
  Abercrombie River State Conservation Area
  
  Kanangra-Boyd National Park
  
  Blue Mountains National Park (southern section)
  
  Wollemi National Park (Wolga)
  
  Gardens of Stone National Park
  
  Jenolan Karst Conservation Area
  
  Turon National Park
  
  Marrangaroo National Park
  
  The operation will use 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of wild dogs and foxes.
  The program is designed to minimise predator impacts on wildlife, especially threatened species, and to minimise impact of wild dogs on neighbouring stock.
  Signs will be placed at the entry to the baiting location. Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW National Parks managed lands. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.
  For more information, contact the NPWS Kanangra area office at Oberon on 02 6336 6200.
  
  Safety alerts: Remote walking track conditions
  Remote routes within the Kanangra Wilderness Area including Kanangra to Katoomba (K2K) trail have been impacted by heavy fire regrowth and flood damage.
  In some places, tracks are no longer visible and are not easy to navigate, taking longer to traverse than expected. Limited to zero water sources are currently available along routes.
  If you plan to walk in the area, please ensure you have an appropriate level of experience, navigation skills and equipment including Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).
  Mobile reception is limited so alternative communication methods are strongly recommended.
  For more information, contact the NPWS Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877.
  
  Closed areas: Waratah Native Gardens picnic area closed
  Waratah Native Gardens picnic area is closed until further notice. This includes Gorge walking track. No access to the area is permitted.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the NPWS Hawkesbury-Nattai area office on 02 4720 6200.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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