The Vale of Avoca Lookout in the quiet suburb of Grose Vale in the Lower Blue Mountains offers panoramic views of the Grose River Gorge.
This isolated lookout is very easy to drive to, with only a short walking trail from the car park to get to the viewing point.
For a more challenging adventure, you can try and walk down to the Grose River via a steep walking track.
| Vale of Avoca Lookout | |
|---|---|
| Walking distance: | 100m from main car park |
| Facilities: | Parking, walking trails |
| Wheel-friendly: | No |
| Dogs: | Not allowed |
Getting There
The lookout is located at the end of Cabbage Tree Road in Grose Vale. The lookout is less than 100 metres from the car park (see map location).
The last km of Cabbage Tree Road is unsealed but in reasonable condition. However, the last 500 metres or so, are a bit rough. While not strictly required, we recommend an SUV or 4WD vehicle for that last stretch of Cabbage Tree Road.
Alternatively, you can park at the Waterboard Fire Trail car park, about 650 metres from the car park at the lookout. From there, you can walk the remaining bit.
Note that there is a second lookout close to the Vale of Avoca Lookout, that you can easily walk to from the main attraction.
Map
In the map below, we have marked the two car parks, the two lookouts, and the trail down to the Grose River:
- P1: Main car park
- P2: Waterboard Fire Trail car park
- 1: Main lookout
- 2: Second lookout
- 3: Walking trail to Grose River
About the Vale of Avoca Lookout
If you managed to park your car at the main car parking area, simply follow the short trail to the lookout.
It’s less than 100 metres to reach the first lookout. You’ll see an open rocky area where you can walk around and take in the views.
From this scenic viewpoint, you can see the Grose River flowing between the many mountains, which is a very pretty sight.
Have you ever been to the Grose Head South Lookout? Although you can’t see or get to it from this location, it is actually not too far away.
If you’d like to visit the Grose Head South Lookout on a different day, do the exciting Blue Gum Swamp Track in Winmalee.
To visit the second lookout, follow the path eastbound for another 150 metres, and you’ll see a clearing between the trees.
The views of the Lower Grose Valley from that second viewpoint are quite similar but from a slightly different angle.
Walk to the Grose River
If you’re up for a bit of an adventure, you can try and do the walking trail down to the Grose River. Especially in summer, this can be a great swimming spot.
In the map above, we have marked that walking trail (3), and there are two ways to get there. You can either follow the Waterboard Fire Trail (from the upper car park) which eventually evolves into the trail heading down into the valley.
The other option is to find that walking trail east from the two lookouts. The trailhead is not far from the second lookout.
We haven’t (yet) done the walk down to the river, so we can’t say how difficult it is. But from what we’ve heard, it seems to be quite a challenging adventure.
Keen to discover more of these amazing vantage points? Check out our list of remote Blue Mountains lookouts for a complete guide.
