Gordon Falls Reserve Upgrade

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The Gordon Falls Reserve Upgrades

Update: 7 February 2025

Roadworks have been scheduled to start on the corner of Lone Pine Avenue and Olympian Parade, Leura from Thursday, 6th February 2025 and are expected to take three weeks (weather permitting).

During this period, vehicles and pedestrians will be directed to detour around the roadworks via Balmoral Road and Gordon Road.

The work will significantly improve the road on the corner and involves reconstructing the asphalt surface and subbase.

Thank you for your patience as this work is undertaken.


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.

The Gordon Falls Reserve Upgrades

Update: 7 February 2025

Roadworks have been scheduled to start on the corner of Lone Pine Avenue and Olympian Parade, Leura from Thursday, 6th February 2025 and are expected to take three weeks (weather permitting).

During this period, vehicles and pedestrians will be directed to detour around the roadworks via Balmoral Road and Gordon Road.

The work will significantly improve the road on the corner and involves reconstructing the asphalt surface and subbase.

Thank you for your patience as this work is undertaken.


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.

  • Masterplan - starting point

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    The consultation on the Preliminary Designs has concluded. See above for updates on the progress of this project and opportunities for community comment.

    Our first thoughts on the proposed upgrade of Gordon Falls Reserve precinct are provided in the four Information Panels in the Document Library:

    The designs reflect the key issues, insights and opportunities relating to the site, previous community feedback, and recommendations from other Council studies and plans e.g., Destination Management Plan and Nature-based Recreation Strategy. They provide a starting point for conversation with the community.

    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 above.

    Invitation to Comment

    We welcome your thoughts / ideas / concerns / preferences about the Gordon Falls Reserve precinct in its EXISTING state and on the PROPOSED CHANGES, as shown in Information Panel 2.

    Complete the survey here.

    Your feedback is welcome until 9:00am Monday 29 August 2022


  • Your invitation to the Community Information Session

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    Community Information Session on the Gordon Falls Reserve Precinct Masterplan

    Update: Thank you to everyone that attended the Community Information Session on Saturday 13 August. We appreciate you spending your time to learn about the project and sharing your ideas to inform the design of the masterplan.

    Council is holding an Information Session on the Gordon Falls Reserve Precinct Masterplan. You are invited and encouraged to attend. This is an opportunity to learn about the project and share your ideas to inform the design of the masterplan.

    Date: Saturday, 13 August 2022
    Venue: Gordon Falls Reserve (playground)
    Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm

    • 10:30am: A one-hour meeting-style session with a presentation by Council staff and consultants.
    • 11:30am: A drop-in style session with one-on-one conversations with Council staff and consultants.

    Both sessions offer the same information and the opportunity to ask questions, engage in discussion and provide your feedback.

Page last updated: 07 Feb 2025, 01:16 PM