Cottage Rock

Thurat Spires, on the right, are distinctive amongst the deep gullies of Kanangra Gorge

Cottage Rock is a large sandstone outcrop just south of Kanangra Walls. From its flat top it offers superb views of the southern Kanangra-Boyd National Park. It can be reached by a relatively easy day walk from the Kanangra Walls car park.

The walk starts at Kanangra Walls car park. For directions on how to get to Kanangra Walls, see the information on the Kanangra Walls region to the right.

From the car park at Kanangra Walls, follow signs to the Plateau Track. Avoid a turn off to the right to Dance Floor Cave and ascend a set of steps on to the plateau proper.

The track out along the plateau crosses a number of rocky clearings, and often splits and rejoins itself. However, you should be heading in a generally easterly direction. There are numerous places to detour off the track to the cliff edge to the north for fantastic views of the Kanangra Creek gorge, Thurat Spires, and Kanangra Falls.

At a large rocky clearing about 1km on to the tops, the trail divides. Neither branch is obvious as the clearing is large. The clearing is just after a short climb from a saddle, and has excellent views from the edge to the north. One branch of the track heads south east towards Maxwell Top, and the other continues east along the main part of the plateau. Take the south east branch, which climbs up to the top of the ridge and then heads south. Avoid a turn off to the left after another kilometre, and continue along the eroded track which drops into a saddle and then climbs to Murrarang Top. Down the other side, keep left at a fork, and shortly descend through a break in the cliffline.

Make a note of the descent spot for the return trip.

Continue along to shortly reach the Coal Seam Cave. This is a large overhang which is often used by parties on the Friday night of a weekend walk. At the end of the cave, the track drops steeply down to a saddle, where it forks. Take the fainter right hand path, which climbs up a short ridge to Cottage Rock. A short scramble leads to the top, from where there are 360° views. The Gingra Range and Arabanoo Creek are distinctive features, and you should be able to follow the path of the Kowmung as it winds its way through Bulga Denis Canyon. With the help of a map, you should also be able to spot Mt Marrup, Kowmung Mountain and Byrnes Gap in the distance, as well as Mt Colboyd and Mt Bulgin a little closer.

After a decent break, make your way back to Kanangra Walls by the same route.

Walkers survey Gingra Creek and the Gingra Range from the top of Cottage Rock

Bulga Denis Canyon

Time: 3 days; Distance: 27km; Fitness: M; Skill: MH; Ascent: 870m

An excellent walk showing off the great variety of scenery in Kanangra-Boyd NP.

Kanangra to Carlon's Farm (Green Gully)

Time: 3 days; Distance: 36km; Fitness: M; Skill: M; Ascent: 1380m

A variant on one of the classic Blue Mountains walks - finishing at Carlon's Farm below Blackheath, rather than at Katoomba

Kanangra to Katoomba

Time: 3 days; Distance: 45km; Fitness: MH; Skill: M; Ascent: 1350m

An excellent crossing of the southern Blue Mountains with a variety of scenery

Gingra Range

Time: 2 days; Distance: 36km; Fitness: MH; Skill: EM; Ascent: 880m

A long but fairly straightforward walk out to the junction of the Kowmung River with Gingra Creek

Hatchers Hollow

Time: 2 days; Distance: 24km; Fitness: MH; Skill: MH; Ascent: 840m

A challenging walk to this excellent campsite on the picturesque Kowmung River

Bushwalks in the Sydney Region Vol 1 (Edition 4), S Lord and G Daniel

An excellent resource for walkers, with a variety of walks within easy reach of Sydney