WENTWORTH FALLS
Wentworth Falls is one of the most beautiful towns within the Blue Mountains offering possibly the most spectacular bushwalks and views. Originally called ‘Weatherboard’ after the ‘Weatherboard Hut’ built in 1814, one year later the town was named ‘Jamison’s Valley’ by Governor Macquarie. In July 1867 the historic first railway journey in the Blue Mountains left Penrith station and travelled through to Weatherboard Station where the train terminated. It wasn’t until 1879 that the name was changed to Wentworth Falls in honour of William Charles Wentworth, one of the three famous explorers. When travelling from Bullaburra to Wentworth Falls you ascend Boddington Hill.
At the top of the hill you can turn left into Tableland Road and turn left into Queen Elizabeth Drive. At the end of the sealed road there is a fork in the road. Take the left hand fork for a 10 km drive to one of the most remote and beautiful picnic grounds in the Blue Mountains, Ingar Picnic Ground. The area known as ‘Kings Tableland’ offers almost haunting views. Kings Tableland is recognised as traditional land of the Gundungurra people. Care must be taken within this area to preserve the ancient Aboriginal site, Kings Table. It has been calculated via carbon dating that the land was occupied some 22,000 years ago! Back on Tableland Road, a further quarter hour drive takes you to Sunset Lookout or McMahon’s Lookout providing views of Lake Burragorang.
Along the Great Western Highway travelling west towards Katoomba, as you reach the village, on the left hand side you will see the historic Grandview Hotel. Here you can turn right at the lights into the main centre of Wentworth Falls.
Along Station Street you will find many fine coffee shops and you are guaranteed to experience the local community atmosphere. Continue over the railway bridge into Blaxland Road and turn left into Sinclair Crescent which will lead you through a corridor of trees to the beautiful, ‘must see’ Wentworth Falls Lake.
The lake offers something for everyone including picnic and BBQ facilities, safe swimming, shelter and a children’s playground. Take some time to enjoy the beauty of the wild ducks on the lake. However, we would ask that you do not feed them, as they need to eat the foods that grow naturally in their environment in order to maintain good health.
Further North along Blaxland Road the golf enthusiast will find the 18 hole golf course of Wentworth Falls Country Club where you can experience a round of golf in the fresh clean air of Wentworth Falls.
Further west along the Great Western Highway you will reach the next set of traffic lights. On the north side of the highway is Pitt Park and the Wentworth Falls School of Arts. ‘The Bathurst Traveller’, later renamed ‘Weatherboard Inn’ was an inn Built in 1826 at Pitt Park. Charles Darwin, the renowned scientist was reported to have stayed here around 1836. The School of Arts is a popular venue for stalls and markets.
On the south side you can turn into Falls Road. On the corner you will see a hardware store as well as the Wentworth Falls Bowling Club. From Falls Road you can start the Charles Darwin Walk. This walk can also be entered from the streets behind the Grandview Hotel. Further down Falls Road you will find Central Park and Murray Park. On the right before the Falls there is Falls Gallery, specializing in work by contemporary Australian artists such as Garry Shead and Wendy Sharpe. At the end of the road is Sir H. Burrell drive with a picnic ground.
A walk into the Blue Mountains National Park from this point will take you to many spectacular natural attractions including Breakfast Point Lookout, Princes Rock Lookout, the Wentworth Falls, Queens Cascades and Rocket Point Lookout. Entering the bush further north you can walk to Empress Falls, Sylvia Falls, Lodore Falls, Valley of the Waters Picnic Area, Queen Victoria Lookout, Lyre Bird Lookout, Vera Falls as well as Flat Rock and Brittania Red Rock.
Conservation Hut, winner of "Tourism Restaurant" in the 2008 & 2009 Regional Awards for Excellence is a great place to relax and experience light snacks & hearty meals to suit all tastes with delicious seasonal house specials offered most weekends.
With the numerous spectacular walks and views within Wentworth Falls, visitors should allow at least a day to leisurely enjoy the area.
