Grose Valley Just west of the Blackheath shopping centre, running off the Great Western Highway, is Hat Hill Road which has a number of interesting walking tracks which lead to Anvil Rock, Perrys Lookdown and the Grose Valley. These offer more unusual views across the Grose Valley to Mount Banks, Walls Lookout and Pierce's Pass. The Campbell Rhododendron Gardens in Bacchante Street Blackheath's festival highlight is the Rhododendron Festival which is held annually in the second week in November when the entire region is a riot of colour with the flowers, which seem to be in every garden, in full bloom. The highlight of any trip at this time is the remarkable 18. 5 ha Campbell Rhododendron Gardens in Bacchante Street (at the northern end of Blackheath) is open from 9. 00am - 4. 00pm daily and has established a balance between natives and rhododendrons. As they proudly declare: "It is a garden unique in the world – no other garden has attempted to plant exotics underneath their existing native bush on such a large scale. "
There was a surveyor named William Romaine Govett who had arrived in Sydney in 1827 when he was only nineteen. He was surveying the old road to Bathurst when he 'discovered' the place now known as Govett's Leap In 1835, having returned to England the previous year, he wrote "The most remarkable of these cascades is the one near the Weatherboarded Hut [Wentworth Falls] and that which falls into the head of the Grose River; which the surveyor general named 'Govett's leap' from the circumstance of my first having come upon the spot when surveying with Mr Rusden. " The bushranger story is simply a myth. Bushwalking in the Area and the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre and National Parks Shop The best place to start exploring the area around Blackheath is the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre and National Parks Shop at the end of Govetts Leap Road. It has information about all the walks in the area and there is a ranger in attendance who can offer specific and specialist advice. The centre also has displays relating to the local walking tracks and natural attractions and camping areas as well as gifts, souvenirs, videos, an art exhibition, an interactive educational display and books.
By public transport Regular trains run from Sydney Central Station to Blackheath and Mount Victoria. The trip takes about 2 hours. Visit Transport for NSW to plan your trip. Daily buses run between Katoomba and Blackheath, including wheelchair-accessible services. Buses run Monday to Friday from Katoomba to Mount Victoria. Visit the Blue Mountains transit website for information. Best times to visit Blackheath area spoils you with its diverse attractions all year. Here are some highlights. Autumn Autumn brings crisp mountain air and clear blue skies tempting you to get back to nature. Set out on a gentle stroll, heart-pumping hike, exhilarating mountain bike ride or trail run. The steep descents and challenging climbs to Grand Canyon or Blue Gum Forest will soon warm you up. Camp under the stars and fall asleep to the whispers of the wilderness. You'll find it hard to believe Sydney is only 2hrs away. Spring Spring is prime time for wildflowers and birdwatching. Spot pink boronias, heath banksia and yellow conesticks that look like ice cream cones.
Read our waterfall safety tips. Please stay on tracks and be aware of your surroundings and footing. Adventure sports Adventure sports like climbing, caving, canyoning and abseiling offer a thrilling opportunity to explore our unique environments. Before you head out, be aware of the risks and stay safe during adventure sports. Bushwalking safety If you're keen to head out on a longer walk or a backpack camp, always be prepared. Read these bushwalking safety tips before you set off on a walking adventure in national parks. Fire safety During periods of fire weather, the Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service may declare a total fire ban for particular NSW fire areas, or statewide. Learn more about total fire bans and fire safety. Mobile safety Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you'll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).
There are more than 1500 rhododendrons in the gardens. Check out for comprehensive information. ^ TOP Other Attractions in the Area Megalong Valley Check out the Megalong Valley Aussie Towns entry for details of a rare opportunity to drive into one of the three main valleys - the Jamison, Grose and Megalong - which are central to the Blue Mountains. ^ TOP History * The area had been occupied by the Dharug Aboriginal people for an estimated 40, 000 years before Europeans arrived. There is some evidence that the Blackheath area was an annual meeting place for the Dharug and the Gundungurra from the south and Wiradjuri from the west. * The first Europeans into the area were Blaxland, Wentworth, Lawson and their party who, successfully traversing the Blue Mountains, reached Mount Blaxland on 31 May, 1813. They had reached the location where Blackheath now stands on 27 May. * On 28 April, 1815 Governor Lachlan Macquarie and his party passed through the area on their way to the new settlement at Bathurst.
Permitted Walking and cycling groups in the Grose Wilderness are limited to 8 people. Camp fires and solid fuel burners Campfires are permitted only in the fire pits provided. Bring your own firewood. Campfires and solid fuel burners may be prohibited during high fire season. Camping In designated campgrounds only. Contact in Blue Mountains National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region Blackheath area is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger. Blue Mountains Heritage Centre and Blackheath office 02 4787 8877 Contact hours: 9am to 4. 30pm daily. Closed Christmas Day. 270 Govetts Leap Road, Blackheath NSW 2785 Email: More Visitor centre Blue Mountains Heritage Centre 9am to 4. Closed Christmas Day. Nearby towns Lithgow (28 km) Hassans Walls Lookout, near Lithgow, is the highest in the Blue Mountains. Admire Mt Wilson, Mt York, Mt Tarana and Mt Blaxland as well as the pretty Hartley Valley below. To the south are the Kanimbla and Megalong valley and Mt Bindo.
Amusingly as he passed through on his way west, Macquarie declared 'it having a rather wild heath-like appearance, I have named it Hounslow' but when he returned sixteen days later he declared 'This place having a black wild appearance I have this day named it Black-heath. ' * The first road through the area was completed by Captain William Cox in 1817 and officially surveyed in 1823. * By 1831 a Scottish farmer named Andrew Gardiner had built the Scotch Thistle Inn which, five years later, achieved a brief moment of fame when Charles Darwin visited it. * In 1844 a convict stockade was built in the area. * The main western railway line came through in 1869 and the Blackheath railway station was completed in 1883. * In 1885 Blackheath was gazetted. It was absorbed into the City of Katoomba and Shire of the Blue Mountains in 1947. * Throughout the 1920s the walks in the area became a popular tourist attraction and in 1934 Govetts Leap Lookout was named. * Today the town is a popular tourist destination which is famous for its superb rhododendron displays, the magnificent northerly views at Govett's Leap, the bushwalks around the edges of the Grose Valley.