Govetts Leap lookout — Attraction in Blue Mountains National Park

A memorable view at any time of the day or year! This historic and sweeping Valley is an elevated viewing "lookout" that is one of Sydney's more striking attractions. And (at the time of writing) it's free! Located in the Sydney Blue Mountains just behind the town of Blackheath, it's not quite within walking distance of the main town. Although some of the younger (fitter) tourists like to hike along the sealed road to get to the lookout. There's public washrooms/bathrooms and free parking on the site although there's not been any phone reception at this location in the past. So visitors will have a hard time locating a taxi. *I found stranded tourists from overseas several times during a heatwave and gave them a lift back into town on my way out.

In summertime this can be a warm yet breezy location to spend time admiring the views of the Grose valley. There's spots to sit and even have a picnic. Photographers are always on site during daylight hours. Sometimes astrophotographers show up at night. But in winter time, even on a bright sunny day, I've experienced temperatures here that make my experiences in the Arctic Circle feel positively pleasant by comparison. Truly painful cold is not unknown here. Otherwise it's lovely. Bring a jacket and gloves in cooler months and water if you intend to hike on the trails.

There's numerous walking trails that take you to amazing places on the upper plateaus - and you can hike (if moderately fit) or drive on the unsealed roads to nearby Pulpit Rock (the finger of rock jutting out in the distance). I found the uphill stairs cut from sections of logs to be steep and hard on my knees in summer. It's a photographer's paradise and artists are often seen on site painting with oils or watercolors. Snakes have been spotted on some of the walking trails in warmer months. There's a range of harmless lizards that frequent the trails. At sunrise, numerous photographers show up to capture the first light as it strikes the far end of the canyon. Show caution if leaving the walking tracks to avoid an absurdly long distance fall to the canyon bottom.

Wet weather brings out the waterfalls from various locations. Native birds and parrots are abundant. The trails are well maintained and the nearby town of Blackheath is worth a visit to take in Collier's Crystals shop and the amazing Victory Theatre Antique store next door. You can also pick up food and refreshments, freshly baked goods and other amenities in the town - which is a little over 2 km away from Govett's Leap Lookout.

UPDATE: Govett's Leap Lookout has re-opened after upgrades to the site that were completed in mid 2023. The parking area has been resurfaced and re-marked and the bathrooms there have been updated. There is presently NO parking fee (which is also welcome). I've added new images to show the upgrades.

There appears to be a ramp added towards the left of the main lookout area - near the restrooms.

*PHONE RECEPTION: though bandwidth might be limited on a busy day, phone reception is now available (!!!) for those with mobile cell phones at the lookout. The reception signal was strong enough for us to make a Facetime video call but was close to two-bars out of five (for signal strength) at the time. The addition of phone reception is welcome and will enable tourists to find a way to contact a taxi or to call for assistance if needed. Some areas have been repaved and new safety fencing has been added to the area during the 2023 upgrade.

**These are all...

I recently visited Govetts Leap Lookout in the Blue Mountains, and it was an incredible experience! ❄️😍 Despite the really cold weather, the stunning views made it all worthwhile. The lookout provided a different vantage point to admire the beauty of the Blue Mountains. 🏞️✨

The sight of the Blue Mountains from Govetts Leap Lookout was simply breathtaking. The vast expanse of nature stretched out before me, with deep canyons and lush bushland creating a mesmerizing panorama. The view was truly awe-inspiring and made me appreciate the natural wonders of this remarkable region.

Although the weather was chilly, it added a certain charm to the experience. ❄️ The crisp air and misty atmosphere enhanced the ethereal beauty of the landscape. It's definitely worth bundling up and braving the cold to witness such natural magnificence.

I highly recommend visiting Govetts Leap Lookout for anyone seeking a unique perspective of the Blue Mountains. The views are unparalleled, and the feeling of serenity and tranquility is unmatched. Whether you're a nature enthusiast or simply looking for a picturesque escape, this lookout is a must-see destination. Don't forget your...

This is a great place to visit, have a picnic lunch, or if you are fit, and I do mean fit, go for a bush-walk down into the valley. The views here are similar to what can be seen in the Grand Canyon in the USA, however the vegetation and terrain is much lusher than the G.C. There are good clean toilets and picnic tables with bench seats in cute, stone constructed shelters. There are no trash bins, however, and visitors are asked to take their rubbish with them when they leave. There is a National Parks Office visitor centre at the entrance to this park. It has a gift shop, an information counter and during peak times they may also run audio-visual presentations in their small theatre. If you do decide to walk one of the clifftop tracks, just be aware that they defend and climb steeply in sections. You need to be fit, to carry water and some snack foods in your day-pack, and be prepared to stop and rest often, unless of course you are 20-something, fit and able and can jog most of the way. The views into the valley are spectacular, with the occasional waterfall to add sparkle...