Blackheath

Blackheath is a small town located between Medlow Bath and Mount Victoria in the Blue Mountains. It is 114 km west of Sydney and is 1056 meters above sea level. It has a permanent population of around 4,400 (2016) but the population vastly increases on public holidays and weekends from the number of tourists staying in the town.

The town boasts several fine dining restaurants and good quality cafes. A popular farmers market takes place the 2nd Sunday of each month showcasing a variety of quality local and regional produce.

The area has a number of magnificent bushwalks with easy access to the world-heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park. Expansive views of the Grose Valley are available at the Govett's Leap lookout an easy 5-minute drive from the town centre.

Understand

Panorama of the Grose Valley as viewed from the Rodreguez Pass near Govett's Leap, Blackheath

Get in

By car

Blackheath is on the Great Western Highway, after Medlow Bath and is quite hard to miss. It takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours from Sydney, depending on which road you take, and the traffic conditions.

By train

Trains stop at Blackheath Station every two hours off-peak and weekends, and more frequently at peak times. An adult return ticket from Sydney's Central Station to Blackheath is $17.20, capped at $15 if using Opal.

The station is near the main shops and gives good access to the town centre. A shuttle operates over the road from the station. Govett's leap is around 3 km from the station, and Evan's lookout is further. So, best to have a plan worked out if you are hoping to tour the attractions and vistas that the area is famous for.

Get around

Blue Mountains Bus Company runs a public bus service which operates along the major roads in Blackheath, and can take you to Katoomba or Mount Victoria.

See

Blackheath has some excellent lookouts which give great views of the surrounding bushland.

• 1 Grose Valley.  
• 2 Govett's Leap. This is most frequently visited lookout, and has well developed picnic facilities and a nice viewing spot. There is folklore surrounding a criminal who supposedly leapt off the cliff rather than be captured by law enforcement agencies, that supplants the more mundane truth of being discovered by Government surveyor William Govett, who used the word 'leap' as an old Scottish word meaning waterfall. 
• 3 Evans Lookout. (updated Apr 2018)
• 4 Perrys Lookdown. (updated Apr 2018)
• 5 Blue Gum Forest. nature reserve (updated Apr 2018)

Do

Bushwalking

Blackheath has a wide variety of different walking tracks and places to go to and experience. Try the Grand Canyon walk on Evans Lookout Rd. As its name suggests it is magnificent, diverse walk. Just Beautiful. Then go to the Bush Rock Cafe open Friday -Sunday 9AM-4PM enjoy lunch or a treat. 02 47877111

At the end of Hat Hill road there are several lookouts and tracks that have nice views one of them is a hill called Hat Hill and is how the road got its name. For free maps, information, and general local knowledge, call into The Blue Mountains Heritage Centre at the end of Govett's Leap Road, just before Govett's Leap Lookout (about 2 km from the highway). Open 7 days, 9AM-4:30PM (02)4787 8877.

From Govett's Leap Lookout you can start different walks, including the challenging 5 to 8 hours long Rodriguez Pass in the Grose Valley to Evans Lookout. Or for an easy 1–2 hours one-way walk to Evans Lookout take the Clifftop walk that crosses the creek just above Govetts Leap.

You can also take the Megalong Rd which will take you in the magnificent Megalong valley. Along the road there are two short walks (30 minutes each): Mermaids Cave (which appeared in a Mad Max movie) and the Coachwood Glen Forest.

For those without a car, the Govetts Leap Loop Walk is a 9km walk that begins and ends at Blackheath station. It takes in the Popes Glen walk on the way to Govetts Leap, and then follows the clifftop before joining the Braeside Walk to return to Blackheath station. Allow around 4 hours for the loop walk. Carry water and a good map. The trails are well established, but there are a few junctions where you may accidentally take the wrong fork without a map. There is mains water at Govetts Leap, so you can refill your water bottle there.

Swimming

Blackheath's swimming pools include a 25-m pool, toddler pool and free-form pool. Open daily late Nov—early Jan (closed Christmas Day). Check opening hours as they vary, but are approx M Tu Th 6AM-9AM and 3-7:30PM; W F 3-7:30PM; Sa Su school holidays 10AM-7:30PM.

Admission: adult $4.20, child/concession $2.60, family $12, under 4 free. Located in the beautiful Memorial Park, (just opposite the Caravan Park). Prince Edward Street, Blackheath. ☏ +61 2 4787 8018 or ☏ +61 2 4782 1748.

Buy

There are several shops in Blackheath.

General

• IGA is a convenience store which also sells unleaded petrol, at 211 Great Western Highway.
• Altitude Delicatessen, 5 Star Minimarket, The Butcher, The Bakery, and Blackheath Continental Delicatessen are all situated near each other on Govett's Leap Road.
• The Bogbean is a health food store which sells foods including grains, flour, nuts, organic snacks like chocolate, bulk honey, vitamin and mineral supplements, natural skin and hair care products and a small range of gifts including games and puzzles.
• The Vegie Patch is on the corner of Govett's Leap Road and the Great Western Highway, and sells fruit and vegetables, and various health foods.

Gifts

• Old Tythe Barn sells miniatures and collectables, doll's houses, tin toys, lamps, bric-à-brac. Old and new. On the highway at the entrance to the railway station. 266 Great Western Highway +61 2 4787-7284
• Colliers Crystals is in the Colliers Arcade, and sells crystals, statues, and fountains. Govett's Leap Road, next to Victory Theatre
• Yuko Moon Beautiful gifts. Govett's Leap Road, opposite Victory Theatre.

Eat

• 1 Cinnabar (formerly Escarpment), 246 Great Western Hwy, ☏ +61 2 4787 7269, info@cinnabar.kitchen. W-Sa 5:30-9PM. Multi-cuisine casual dining and bar. (updated Apr 2015)
• 2 Victory Cafe, ☏ +61 2 4787 6777. It is a popular place to eat at. Although there are not many tables inside, so unless you want to eat outside, it's best to book a table in advance. 
• 3 Blackheath General Store, 249 Great Western Hwy, ☏ +61 2 4787 5082. A modern Australian cafe with locally sourced ingredients and Mediterranean influences. 
• 4 Ho's Palace Chinese Restaurant, 243-244 Great Western Hwy, ☏ +61 2 4787 8809. It serves Chinese food and is able to seat over 150 people inside. 
• 5 The New Ivanhoe, ☏ +61 2 4787 6156. Local pub. It serves pies which were mentioned in The Good Weekend magazine, and have been in extremely high demand ever since. People with wireless laptops can also connect to the Wi-Fi access point there to access internet. 
• 6 Blackheath Fish Shop, 222 Great Western Hwy, ☏ +61 2 4787 8280. Is owned by a Greek family and has been around since 1967. 

Drink

• Ivanhoe Hotel Have a drink at the Ivanhoe. Pleasantly old-fashioned pub. Reasonably good and cheap counter meals.
• 1 The Gardners Inn, 255 Great Western Hwy, ☏ +61 2 4787 8347. Is another pub which was established in 1831. 

Sleep

Blackheath has several motels, and guesthouses. A few of them are located on the highway for easy access to town and others are tucked away near other venues like the Golf Course.

• 1 Glenella Guest House and Restaurant, 60 Govetts Leap Rd, ☏ +61 2 4787 8352. 56, Capturing the old world ambiance indicative of the beautiful Blue Mountains, Glenella Guesthouse & Restaurant provide Blue Mountains accommodation suitable for romantic weekends, midweek getaways or family holiday stays. 
• 2 Blackheath Motor Inn, 281 Great Western Highway, ☏ +61 2 4787 8788. 
• 3 Blackheath Caravan Park, 67-69 Prince Edward St, ☏ +61 2 4787 8101. Is on Prince Edward St, It is close to the memorial park and its swimming pool. 
• St. Mounts Boutique Hotel and Trattoria, 194 Great Western Hwy, ☏ +61 2 4787 6111, fax: +61 2 4787 8165. St. Mount's combines the luxury and comfort of modern life with the charm and ambience of yesteryear. Set in two acres of landscaped gardens with adjoining parkland in the breathtaking beauty of the Upper Blue Mountains, this boutique hotel has been restored to capture its former elegance. Online reservation at best rates with instant confirmation starting near $. 
• 4 The Boutique Hotel Blue Mountains (The George Boutique Hotel), 194 Great Western Hwy, ☏ +61 2 4787 6111, theboutiquehotelbluemountains@yahoo.com. Cosy and comfortable accommodation. 
• 5 Allview Escape (Allview Escape Cottages in Blue Mountains), ☏ +61 2 4787 5391, +61 418 457 722 (Mob). Has exclusive and self-contained cottages that accommodate 2-20 people on a private 20 acres of natural bush land. It is a romantic destination in Blackheath, Blue Mountains.