Perrys Lookdown to Blue Gum Forest Walk (5.4km)

The track from Perrys Lookdown to the Blue Gum Forest offers a short but memorable journey into one of the most significant and scenic areas of the Blue Mountains. Covering 5.4 kilometres return, this Grade 4 walk typically takes around two hours to complete, though it’s worth allowing extra time to soak up the beauty of the forest once you’ve reached the valley floor. The descent is steep and can be demanding on the legs, but the reward at the bottom is more than worth the effort.

Starting from the Perrys Lookdown car park, the walk begins with a well-formed path that leads past a railed lookout offering sweeping views across the Grose Valley. From this elevated point, you can look down towards the dense canopy of the Blue Gum Forest and across to Lockleys Pylon. The lookout is believed to be named after Captain William Perry, who served as Deputy Surveyor General under Sir Thomas Mitchell.

A short distance into the descent, a side track branches off to Docker’s Lookout. This detour is well worth taking. Perched on the edge of the cliff line, Docker’s Lookout provides another angle on the valley below, with Mt Banks standing prominently to the north. After soaking in the view, return to the main trail and continue the descent.

The track soon narrows and zigzags its way down a rugged spur, cutting across exposed sections of cliff and slipping through shaded gaps in the rock. Handrails and steps help with the steeper sections, but care is needed, especially in damp or loose conditions. As you descend, the forest gradually thickens and the sound of birdlife becomes more noticeable, marking your transition from cliff-top to valley floor.

Eventually, the track flattens out, guiding you into the cool, shaded world of the Blue Gum Forest. This remarkable grove of Eucalyptus deanei rises tall and straight above the valley floor, creating an almost cathedral-like atmosphere. The forest is a powerful symbol of conservation in Australia. In 1931, during the Great Depression, bushwalking pioneer Myles Dunphy and a group of like-minded individuals raised £130 to protect the area from logging—a significant sum at the time. Their efforts ensured the forest was preserved, and today it forms part of the greater Blue Mountains National Park.

If you feel like lingering a little longer, the Acacia Flats camping area lies just 500 metres beyond the forest. The track to the campsite veers gently away from the Grose River, passing over a small creek before arriving at a quiet, open area well-suited to overnight stays. It’s a peaceful spot, surrounded by bush and within easy reach of the forest’s towering gums.

To return, simply retrace your steps back up the spur to Perrys Lookdown. While the climb is steep and can be challenging, taking it slowly and enjoying the changing views as you ascend helps make it a more manageable return. Whether you're drawn by the history, the natural beauty, or the challenge of the terrain, this track offers a deeply rewarding hike into one of the Blue Mountains’ most iconic landscapes.