A new Blue Mountains walk has opened and it’s a nature-lover’s dream

Taylah DarnellBy Taylah Darnell
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The Grand Cliff Top Walk in the Blue Mountains has opened following years of trail closures and restoration efforts.

The Blue Mountains has added another incredible walk to its list, with the opening of the Grand Cliff Top Walk after four years of track closures and restoration efforts.

If you’ve ever been to the Blue Mountains, you know it’s got more than one claim to fame. There are quaint towns with historic buildings, industry-leading restaurants pushing the envelope and unique stays rivalling accommodation around the world.

But the region’s pièce de résistance has to be its over one million hectares of pristine, protected wilderness. And now, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has revealed a new walk showcasing the best of it.

 

Grand Cliff Top Walk, Blue Mountains, NSW
Soak in views over the Jamison Valley along the way. (Image: RBrand/DCCEEW)

Officially launched on 24 March by the NSW NPWS and Blue Mountains City Council, the Grand Cliff Top Walk connects the charming towns of Wentworth Falls and Katoomba.

Traversing 19 kilometres, the trek begins at Darwins Walk from the Wilson Park picnic area, follows a path past gushing Wentworth Falls, through majestic ancient forest and along cliff-edge tracks, ending at Scenic World in Katoomba.

Grand Cliff Top Walk, Blue Mountains, NSW
Admire Wentworth Falls as it gushes into the valley. (Image: RBrand/DCCEEW)

The walk blends older tracks with newly built trails that offer a different perspective, now connected by missing links. The NPWS has been opening it in stages as they’re completed, but it is now available as one continuous two-day hike.

Throughout the build and restoration of the walk, safety has remained a high priority. Timber steps along the track have been replaced with sandstone ones, ensuring bushfire resistance and supporting the region’s heritage values. Handrails have also been installed where necessary for safety.

Grand Cliff Top Walk, Blue Mountains, NSW
Handrails have been installed for safety. (Image: RBrand/DCCEEW)

Although the Grand Cliff Top Walk is designed to be completed across two days, there are plenty of adjoining tracks that allow hikers to come and go as they please. But for those going all the way, you won’t have to rough it.

The Grand Cliff Top Walk has been purposefully built close to nearby towns. Why not spend the night at one of many cute country stays in Leura, which roughly marks halfway? This means camping equipment and heavy rucksacks can be left at home, too.

Orchard Cottage in Leura
Spend a luxe countryside stay at the Orchard Cottage.

Visitors travelling to the region can also extend their trip to experience everything else the Blue Mountains has to offer.

“We urge visitors and walkers who experience the Grand Cliff Top Walk, on a guided tour or self-guided walk, to explore our villages along the way with their unique Art Deco buildings, colourful boutique cafes, restaurants and shops," says Trish Doyle, Blue Mountains MP.

There are many things to do in Katoomba, the charming town where the hike ends. Put some time aside to visit Scenic World, hit the shops or treat yourself to a luxurious stay at Lilianfels. Or head to a Blue Mountains spa to soak away those post-hike aches and pains.

Scenic Skyway cabin at Scenic World Katoomba passing over the Jamison Valley in the Blue Mountains
Pass through the Jamison Valley on the Scenic Skyway cabin. (Image: Destination NSW)

Whatever you choose to do, you’ll be supporting an industry that needs it.

“The walk will boost the economic value of nature-based tourism in the region by attracting more domestic and international visitors and more overnight stays," says Penny Sharpe, Minister for Climate Change and the Environment.

The project, which cost the NSW Government a cool $10 million, is anticipated to increase visitation to the region by 50,000 per year. It may seem like a lot of money, but it’s a huge investment for a region so deserving. And the views along the way – well, they’re priceless.

Taylah Darnell
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to visit places like Norway and New Zealand, her favourite place to explore will forever be her homeland.
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Dive into summer with hikes, great bites and wellness in The Tweed

    Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
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    Warmer days call for slowing down and relaxing in nature. Discover why The Tweed is the ultimate destination to do just that.

    As the end of the year draws near, the need for rest and restoration grows ever more prominent. For many, that means heading into nature – and there’s plenty of science to back up the benefits of doing so. It quite literally makes us happier as it reduces stress hormones, lowers our blood pressure and more. And what better place to lean into this feel-good effect than during summer in The Tweed (in the Northern Rivers region of NSW)? Blending sparkling beaches, riverside towns and hinterland villages, this area has nature covered, while also offering top activities and dining options.

    Slip, slop, slap.

    And of course, pack your SPF. We Are Feel Good Inc’s Ultra-Light Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 is a lightweight and fast-absorbing formula that keeps your skin hydrated and shielded, thanks to nourishing Coconut Oil and Vitamin E. But it’s also helping preserve the natural beauty around you on your Tweed vacation, thanks to 30 per cent ocean waste packaging.

    Discover eight experiences that make The Tweed the perfect place for summer.

    1. Underwater worlds

    two people swimming after turtle on the tweed
    Get a chance to swim with the locals.

    There’s something about the ocean that calls to us as humans, and what’s below the surface is even more magical.

    Green, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles (not to mention an abundance of other marine life) all use the protected waters around Cook Island, near Fingal Head, as their foraging ground, making it the perfect place to dive and snorkel to spot these adorable creatures.

    Join Cooly Eco Adventures on a guided snorkelling tour that combines unforgettable turtle encounters with an inspiring look into marine conservation.

    2. Farm-to-table dining

    table spread at Potager restaurant
    Treat your taste buds at Potager. (Image: Cara Sophie)

    Respecting the land and nature also means appreciating its abundance of food. From farm-to-table cafes and boutique breweries to river cruises and restaurants championing local produce, dining around The Tweed often means engaging with the best local producers.

    The award-winning Potager Restaurant , part of The Hinterland Collection , is the perfect example; beginning life as a kitchen garden, the passion to champion local producers is woven into every dish. Vegetables, fruit and herbs are picked from the garden or sourced from other local producers, the seafood comes from the Northern Rivers, and meat is sourced from ethical local producers. Even the cocktail list features local distillers.

    Extend your stay with a night (or several) at boutique on-site accommodation, Potager House . This French-inspired country four-bedroom retreat boasts stunning views of the surrounding hills and nearby ocean, as well as a large pool, outdoor entertaining area and infrared sauna.

    3. Water wellness

    Waterguru Mindfulness in the Mangroves summer on the tweed
    Find mindfulness in mangroves. (Image: Matt Johnson)

    You’ll find mindfulness while floating around the mangroves of Kingscliff’s Cudgen Creek at any time, but Watersports Guru offers an immersive experience to help guests do so with more intent. Join a 90-minute guided session on a stand-up paddleboard to reconnect with nature and relax through breathwork, gentle movement and sensory awareness.

    If you’re feeling more adventurous, Watersports Guru also offer Kayak fishing adventures or join a Sea Turtle Odyssey experience.

    4. Restorative seaside stays

    woman relaxing in spa at Halcyon Wellness, halcyon house
    Unwind at Halcyon Wellness.

    The Tweed encourages locals and visitors alike to slow down. To really indulge, a seaside stay is a must. Halcyon House has understood the assignment, blending a wellness philosophy centred on balance and self-discovery with luxurious surrounds. Stay in one of 22 rooms and suites (each individually designed by eclectic interior designer Anna Spiro) right on the beachfront. Book restorative treatments at the onsite spa, Halcyon Wellness, relax by the pool, dine at the hatted Paper Daisy restaurant and just let The Tweed work its magic.

    While Blue Water Motel offers a relaxed coastal escape, just steps from Kingscliff Beach. Settle in stylish rooms, recently restyled by Jason Grant, nodding to the cool of Kingscliff with a fun retro vibe. Hire a bike from reception to explore the surrounding area.

    5. Tasty drops

    Husk Farm Distillery
    Join a Farm to Bottle tour. (Image: Salsingh Photography)

    The owners at Husk Farm Distillery aren’t just about creating high-quality rum: they’re also farmers themselves. In fact, they create one of the world’s only single estate, farm-to-bottle spirits. Join a Farm to Bottle tour to discover the sustainable ‘full circle’ distilling practices used here, and even get hands-on with your own cane knife to help harvest and juice your own stalk of cane. And, of course, a welcome drink plus complimentary tastings along the way.

    6. Rail trail adventures

    Cycle the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.
    Cycle the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.

    Exploring the rolling green slopes and historic towns of the 24-kilometre Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail is one of the best ways to connect with the region’s lush hinterland and interesting heritage. In this section of the trail, discover the area’s railway history at heritage-listed Murwillumbah Railway Station, and traverse by 18 railway bridges and through two railway tunnels.

    Linking vibrant towns and villages with the larger hub of Murwillumbah, this section of the trail is covered in asphalt or compacted gravel, making it accessible for all ages and abilities, from prams to adaptive bikes. 

    7. Linger longer

    surfer at fingal heads the tweed
    Enjoy beachside locations, like Fingal Heads.

    Linger longer at one of the seven idyllic beach, river and creekside locations of Tweed Holiday Parks – including at Tweed Heads, Kingscliff Beach, Hastings Point and Pottsville South. All just steps from the water’s edge, they make the ideal base to unwind, or head out for exploration of The Tweed. Choose from luxury waterfront cabins, accessible cabins, surfari tents (yes, they are basically glamping tents) or spacious sites for caravans, motorhomes and campervans or tents.

    Tweed Holiday Parks
    Stay for longer and indulge in plat at Tweed Holiday Parks.

    Find your feel-good summer in The Tweed at visitthetweed.com.au .