Mount Hay

From the heart of the Blue Mountains National Park rises Mount Hay. It’s a prominent peak in the Mt Hay Range, a spur of the Great Dividing Range. Mount Hay stands about 100 kilometers west of Sydney and just 10 kilometers north of Wentworth Falls. The mountain reaches an elevation of 944 meters above sea level, capped with basalt like several others in this UNESCO World Heritage area. Mount Hay boasts a distinct dome-shaped summit, visible along the southern escarpment of the Grose Valley. Reaching the summit involves a journey starting on the Great Western Highway near Leura. From there, Mount Hay Road, a rather rough, unsealed route, stretches northeast for about 14 kilometers. It leads to a basic picnic area equipped with a sometimes-reliable water tank, a stone fireplace, and barely enough space for a single tent. The final leg of the journey is a short, yet scenic walk, a little over a kilometer from the picnic area. The track offers breathtaking glimpses into the Grose Valley. However, as you ascend Mount Hay, the views become obscured by the surrounding timber. Atop Mount Hay sits a trigonometric station. Unfortunately, the dense trees at the summit obstruct any panoramic vistas. Although you can’t see it from the top, the Sydney central business district is barely visible in the distance from other vantage points around Mount Hay. The area surrounding Mount Hay is a haven for bushwalkers. It’s less crowded than other sections of the Grose Valley due to its distance from residential areas. A few kilometers south of the Mount Hay picnic area, the Lockley Track descends to the Blue Gum Forest in the Grose Valley. Another short walk leads to the top of Flat Top plateau. North of the picnic area, a track leads west to Butterbox Point, which provides dramatic views of the valley. Photographers are drawn to the area for its stunning vistas. While there are no designated campsites, camping is permitted a reasonable distance from the road.