Gordon Falls Reserve Precinct Plan
Update on the Gordon Falls Reserve Upgrades
March 2024
Work to improve the accessibility of Gordon Falls Reserve, Leura, is underway with the first stage of the upgrade in construction - the new amenities building.
Replacing the current amenities at the reserve, the new building will include two accessible cubicles (one with a baby change table), two ambulant cubicles and two standard cubicles.
The building features a well-ventilated design with views through to the bush beyond and is anticipated to be completed in the second quarter of 2024.
Once the amenities building is completed, the next stage of the upgrade will take place providing improvements to the carpark, footpaths and landscaping, including the planting of local native trees, shrubs and groundcovers grown from locally sourced seed.
During construction, access to walking tracks from Gordon Falls and the reserve itself will remain open whenever possible. Temporary toilets are provided in the reserve for the duration of the period that the permanent toilets are not in use.
When the amenities building is first constructed, it may appear to be raised above the current level of the northern part of the carpark. This is because the next part of the upgrade work will involve adjustments to the northern carpark area, to provide a flatter, more accessible grade.
When all the upgrade work is completed, the levels will match and provide more accessible access to the reserve.
Before work commences on the second stage of the upgrades, updated plans showing what will occur will be provided to the community.
The works at Gordon Falls Reserve are the result of a Precinct Planning process with the community that commenced in August 2022. The Precinct Plan for Gordon Falls Reserve (and Prince Henry Cliff Walk – east) was adopted by Council at the meeting on 28 February 2023.
View the Precinct Plan on Council’s website - Item 6 within the Council Business Paper (28 February 2023).
Further details about the work can be found in the News Feed below and in the FAQs to the right of the page.
View the artist's impression of the new amenities building.
The $2.4 million Gordon Falls Reserve project is proudly funded by the NSW Government's Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants
Update on Prince Henry Cliff Walk, Leura Upgrades
March 2024
Hundreds of steps along Prince Henry Cliff Walk between Elysian Rock and Tarpeian Rock track have been replaced and a footbridge spanning a landslip constructed. The descent to Olympian Rock Lookout is now much easier from Olympian Parade with repaired steps.
For up to date information on Walking Track Closures please refer to:
Further updates are available in the news feed below.
Background:
The precinct is a popular place for residents of Leura and surrounding villages. It also has the potential to have a key role in the visitor experience of the Blue Mountains.
There is a need to upgrade the precinct to protect the environmental and cultural values of the site, meet current and future demand, improve the experience of both residents and visitors, meet current safety standards, improve residential amenity, support local economic development, and provide universal access to allow those of all abilities to enjoy the spectacular views from neighbouring lookouts.
The precinct plan will guide future upgrades of the Gordon Falls Reserve, and Elysian and Olympian Rock lookouts.
To find out more about this project, you are encouraged to read the information provided below, and in the Document Library and FAQs to the right.
It is important to note that Council is not looking to change the role of the Reserve as a public park and access point to walking tracks. The purpose of the proposed upgrade is outlined below.
Gordon Falls Reserve is located within the Country of the Dharug and Gundungurra peoples. We recognise that the Dharug and Gundungurra Traditional Owners have a continuous and deep connection to their Country and this is of great significance to Aboriginal people, both locally and in the region.
Context:
Council is preparing a Southern Escarpment Master Plan which aims to provide an integrated, co-ordinated and strategic framework to the planning of natural area visitor facilities from Katoomba to Wentworth Falls. As part of that process Council is undertaking precinct plans of the higher priority visitor precincts. Gordon Falls is one such precinct. Gordon Falls is an important visitor node within the Southern Escarpment and is identified as the mid-point of the two-day Grand Cliff Top Walk.
Find out more about the Southern Escarpment Masterplan here.
The focus of the Gordon Falls Reserve Precinct Masterplan is to:
Council is working with experienced consultants on this precinct plan, specifically to:
- Renew / upgrade the existing amenities building
- Review existing park infrastructure including seating, tables, and the children’s playground
- Review existing carparking in the reserve and surrounding streets to determine capacity and suggest improvements
- Upgrades to the walking track and Elysian and Olympian Rock Lookouts
- Investigate the feasibility of an accessible walking track to a lookout within the Reserve
About Gordon Falls Reserve:
Family-friendly Gordon Falls Reserve offers waterfalls and valley views, a great playground for the kids, and plenty of nearby walking tracks, in Leura.
A short walk from the reserve, Gordon Falls lookout offers views of the 200m cascade of Gordon Falls, as well as the stunning cliff faces of Sublime Point.
An excellent spot for birdwatching, look to the skies for peregrine falcons or scan the forest floor of lyrebirds.
For scenic valley views and wildflowers, access Prince Henry Cliff Walk from Gordon Falls Reserve. Stretching from Katoomba to Leura, this walk includes famous lookouts, iconic scenery and several hanging swamps. Gaze across to the impressive views of Mount Solitary and Kings Tableland from Elysian and Olympian Rock lookouts, and see the back of the Three Sisters, Ruined Castle and Narrowneck Plateau from Tarpeian rock.
This webpage will be progressively updated throughout the life of the project. Please subscribe to receive regular project updates directly to your inbox.
