McKeown Valley walking track is a 2.6km, grade 3 hike located in the Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve, New South Wales. The hike should take around 1.5 hrs to complete.
Hike summary
For a bushwalk incorporating a scenic combination of karst features, diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife, you can't go past McKeown Valley walking track.
This track, also known as Healing Waters walk, takes in a range of different settings, and leads you into the incredible Devil's Coach House cave, through the pretty McKeowns Valley, and onto the historic Old Playing Fields, where you can check out the old concrete cricket pitch.
As you follow this bushwalking track, you'll see some amazing surface karst features, including a blind valley. You may want to stop at the campground at the end of the walk for a snack, or reward yourself with a terrace lunch at Caves House.
Plenty of wildlife can also be spotted on this easy walk around Jenolan Caves. Kangaroos, wallabies and lyrebirds are just some of the area's daytime visitors, while an evening walk allows you to see and hear owls, sugargliders and possums.
Route and GPX file
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Gear you might need
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Location
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Getting there
To Jenolan Caves. McKeown Valley walking track is in Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve. To get there from Sydney:Take M4 Motorway, then Great Western Highway over Blue Mountains to Hartley.Turn off at Hartley onto Jenolan Caves RoadIt's approximately 45 minutes from here to Jenolan Caves Park entry points Jenolan Caves See on map Parking Parking is available at any of the 3 main carparks at Jenolan Caves. Designated disabled parking spots can be found adjacent to the Guides Office and behind Caves House. Bus parking is also available. It can be a busy place on the weekend, so parking might be limited.
Visit NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service for more information on this trail.
The longitude and latitude of the start and end points are approximately only and should not be used for navigation purposes. Please contact me if you know the correct coordinates.
Let someone know before you go
It’s a good idea to let someone know where you’re going. Fill in a trip intention form to send important details about your trip to your emergency contact. If you are lost or require help and have phone reception, call 000 and ask for police. The international standard emergency number is 112, if you dial this number in Australia you will be treated exactly the same as a 000 call. If you believe your life is at risk, activate your personal locator beacon (PLB), then make your position visible to rescue teams and keep warm and dry.
About the region
Explore the caves at Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve, near Oberon. It’s a great daytrip from Sydney, or enjoy a weekend away staying in heritage accommodation. The Jenolan Caves are limestone caves located within the Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve in the Central Tablelands region, west of the Blue Mountains, in Jenolan, Oberon Council, New South Wales, in eastern Australia.
Gallery
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Acknowledgement of Country
Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.