Illuminated night walk through the Katoomba Falls
Blue Mountains City Council opened Katoomba Falls Night-lit Walk to the public for the first time in March, impressing locals and visitors alike.
“I’m a night owl so having the option of doing a bushwalk at night was great. It’s quite a unique experience and it’s nice to see so many people out enjoying nature together,” says Blue Mountains resident Kate Reid.
The 1.3km walk gives visitors access to an exciting night-time viewing experience of outstanding natural features such as Orphan Rock, Witches Leap, Katoomba Falls, Katoomba Cascades, and from certain vantage points, the Three Sisters.
Blue Mountains City Council says the experience connects other previously lit areas and has new lighting from the top of the Katoomba Falls Kiosk car park, around Reid’s Plateau and down to the Duke and Duchess Lookout.
The project began its preliminary phase of development six years ago with the installation of handrails and lighting cabling, but the extensive damage caused by the 2019/2020 bushfires resulted in delays and the night-time bushwalk being completed only recently.
In March, Mayor Mark Greenhill told the Blue Mountains Gazette that “this project provides a wonderful new experience for locals - and visitors - to experience our World Heritage Area.”
Gail Mair visited the Blue Mountains last month with her family and has praised the attraction, calling it family friendly. “We all loved the views and seeing the cliffs all lit up. It was the school holidays, and we always look for some new adventure to share when the grand children come to stay… I think it was fabulous and hope that we can go again next year,” she says.
The lights turn on at dusk and the path lights are turn off at 11pm nightly. The new illuminated trail takes approximately an hour to walk and is partly wheelchair accessible.
According to Council’s Communications & Marketing team, the walk has received a large amount of media coverage since it opened. They say the high visitation numbers indicate that so far, the project has been a success. “This has helped to boost our tourism industry,” says Claire Absolum.
Many visitors also say they are eager to return. “It wasn’t overcrowded, and everyone was clearly enjoying their own personal night,” Mair says.
“The walk exceeded my expectations. I didn’t realise quite how many landmarks would be lit up. Seeing Katoomba Cascades lit up was a particular highlight,” says Reid
Residents and visitors agree that they hope to see park upgrades continue throughout the Blue Mountains. “I really enjoyed it. I was impressed with the work that's been done and the lit-up areas, but I thought there were a few areas could have had better lighting, particularly on some parts of the stairs,” says Blue Mountains resident Stacy Bell.
Council says they plan to boost community infrastructure and improve public spaces under the Western Parkland City Liveability Program. For more information about the planned upgrades, visit their website.
This article was previously published by Blue Mountains Australia.