The Hargraves Lookout is a spectacular viewing point in the Blackheath area of the Blue Mountains, west of the Great Western Highway.
This remote and isolated lookout offers beautiful views of the Megalong Valley, the Kanimbla Valley, Ngula Bulgarabang Regional Park, and the Narrow Neck Plateau.
A short walking trail from the lookout leads to Panorama Point, another viewing point with far-stretching valley views.
| Hargraves Lookout | |
|---|---|
| Walking distance: | 50m from car park |
| Facilities: | Parking, fenced lookout platforms, toilets |
| Wheel-friendly: | Yes |
| Dogs: | On a lead |
Getting There
Hargraves Lookout is located on the southernmost point of the Shipley Plateau in Blackheath, west of the Great Western Highway (see map location).
To get there, follow Shipley Road from Station Street in Blackheath all the way to the end. This is an easy 7.5 km drive from the Blackheath town centre.
Note that the last few kilometres of this road are unsealed, but the road is in very good condition, and a 4WD vehicle is not essential.
The map below shows Hargraves Lookout, the parking area, and the short walking trail to the Panorama Point Lookout.
About the Hargraves Lookout
Opened to the public in 1915, Hargraves Lookout holds historical significance as one of the first purpose-built tourist spots in the Blue Mountains.
The lookout was named after Blackheath pioneer William Hargraves (1839-1925), who developed an extensive network of walking tracks in the Medlow area.
Hargraves Lookout was recently refurbished, and it shows.
The spacious parking area is right next to the lookout, with (disabled) toilet facilities also available there.
The entire lookout area consists of several viewing platforms, with the main one only a short stroll from the car parking area.
This main viewing platform is accessible, so there are no steps.
Once you’ve finished admiring the Megalong Valley and Kanimbla Valley views from this main viewing platform, go and check out the other two lookouts, which offer similar views but from different angles.
Panorama Point Lookout
When visiting the Hargraves Lookout, we strongly recommend doing the short bushwalking trail to another lookout located at the southern tip of the headland.
This lookout is referred to as Panorama Point Lookout and offers more views of the valleys surrounding the headland, with Narrow Neck and Kanangra Walls visible in the distance.
You can find the start of the short walking trail next to the smallest and lowest of the viewing platforms at Hargraves Lookout.
This trail, which passes the Hargreaves Trig Station, is a bit challenging because the ridge is quite narrow and the path isn’t very well-defined.
But we think it’s an exciting little bushwalking adventure, and the views at the end are unique enough to make it worthwhile.
Once you’ve finished exploring this beautiful part of the Blue Mountains, we recommend visiting the Mount Blackheath Lookout located at the end of Mount Blackheath Road, a 10-minute drive from Hargarves Lookout.
The views from Mount Blackheath are spectacular, and you may even witness paragliders taking off from the mountain!
See our list of beautiful remote lookouts in the Blue Mountains for more of these spectacular vantage points.
