The Blue Gum Swamp Track is a bushwalk in the suburb of Winmalee in the Lower Blue Mountains that navigates through a beautiful forest of Blue Gum trees.
The track consists of two separate trails forming a stunning loop, with an optional detour to the Grose Head South Lookout at the halfway mark.
In this article, we will share the highlights of this enjoyable bushwalking trail, including photos, a map, and insider tips.
| Blue Gum Swamp Track | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 9 km (loop) |
| Duration: | 3 hours |
| Grade: | Easy / moderate |
| Dogs: | Not allowed |
| Blue Gum Swamp Track + detour to Grose Head South | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 12 km |
| Duration: | 4.5 hours |
| Grade: | Moderate / hard |
| Dogs: | Not allowed |
Getting There
The trailhead for this walk is located at the end of White Cross Road in Winmalee in the Lower Blue Mountains (see map location).
You’ll find a small car park at the end of that road, specifically for this walk. Should that car park be at capacity, you can park somewhere nearby on the streets.
To get there, turn into Hawkesbury Road from the Great Western Highway in Springwood, followed by a left turn into White Cross Rd.
Track Notes
The Blue Gum Swamp Track is an easy to moderately challenging bushwalking trail with only a few short climbs and an easy-to-follow path.
If you plan to include the detour to the Grose Head South Lookout, note that this detour is quite challenging, as the fire trail to get there is very steep.
Map
In the map below, we have marked the two walking trails that make up the loop, plus the detour to Grose Head South Lookout:
- Shaws Ridge Trail
- Grose Head South Lookout (optional)
- Blue Gum Swamp Track
We strongly recommend walking in an anti-clockwise manner, starting with the Shaws Ridge Trail. That way, you will save the best for last, as the Blue Gum Swamp Track is the prettiest section.
1. Shaws Ridge Trail
From the car park, walk past the gate and the information boards and start hiking on the fire trail ahead of you.
After a few hundred metres, the trail arrives at a junction, where you must decide whether to turn left (Blue Gum Swamp) or right (Shaws Ridge Trail). We strongly recommend doing the Shaws Ridge Trail first.
Not long after that first junction, you’ll arrive at a second junction, where you’ll need to turn left to stay on the Shaws Ridge Trail.
The trail continues as a fire trail for quite some time, gradually going uphill. You’ll also encounter some flat stretches and a few easy dips, making it a pleasant and varied walk.
What makes this trail particularly pleasant is the beautifully tall eucalyptus trees you’re walking past, creating a quiet and peaceful environment.
2. Grose Head South Lookout (Optional)
After about 5 km of hiking along the Shaws Ridge Trail, you’ll see a turn-off to the right, signposted as Bees Nest Hill and Grose Head South.
This is where you need to go if you wish to visit the Grose Head South Lookout. We went there and thought the beautiful views of the Grose Wilderness made the effort worthwhile.
This side trail to the lookout is about 3 km long (return), and the first half of the trail is very steep, so be prepared for a challenging hike.
Towards the end of the trail, you’ll see a large clearing with the lookout appearing on your left.
The Grose Head South Lookout is an unfenced rocky platform with fantastic views of the vast Grose Wilderness, the perfect spot for a picnic!
Interestingly, the Vale of Avoca Lookout is not too far away, but it’s on the other side of the Grose River and you can’t reach it from Grose Head South.
We have included the Grose Head South Lookout in our list with beautiful remote lookouts in the Blue Mountains. Check out that list if you’d like to discover more of these unique viewing points.
3. Blue Gum Swamp Track
The junction with the track to the Grose Head South Lookout also marks the transition from the Shaws Ridge Trail to the Blue Gum Swamp Track.
With that transition, the scenery also changes. You’ll now be walking on the valley floor, surrounded by tall, imposing gum trees and beautiful fern vegetation.
There are also a few creek crossings (Blue Gum Swamp Creek) along this part of the trail, which only adds to the experience.
These crossings aren’t challenging at all, but depending on recent rainfall, your feet may get a little wet.
Towards the end of the hike, you’ll see a junction with a trail signposted as Grotto.
This is where you need to veer to the left to stay on the main trail, and within moments, you’ll be back at the car park!
Keen to do another great hike nearby? Check out the walk to Terrace Falls in Hazelbrook, a fantastic bushwalking trail with several waterfalls to discover.
Another fun walk we highly recommend is the Birdwood Gully Round Walk in Springwood, a family-friendly loop through beautiful bushland scenery.
