“Empress of India” was one of Queen Victoria’s titles. Did you know that this lookout and the Empress Falls nearby are named in her honor? Here at Empress Lookout, we have a vantage point. It overlooks the Valley of the Waters.
Empress Lookout offers more than just a view. You get a glimpse of Empress Falls. Look down into the depths of the valley below. Other lookouts nearby offer views of the Jamison Valley. You can even spot Mount Solitary. A tree might partly hide it though. Queen Victoria Lookout is nearby. It offers a less obstructed view.
Empress Lookout is easily accessible. It is located near the start of the Valley of the Waters Track. This track descends steeply to Empress Falls and the National Pass. You can reach the lookout from the Conservation Hut. The Conservation Hut is at the end of Fletcher Street. That’s about 2.5 kilometers from Wentworth Falls railway station. It’s an 800-meter return walk.
The Valley of the Waters Track is a great way to reach Empress Falls. The walk to Empress Falls is short. But it involves a steep descent into the Valley of the Waters. Once you arrive at Empress Falls, you can continue along the trail. You will discover even more waterfalls.
The Conservation Hut marks the beginning of the walk. It originally opened in 1963. It served as a base for the Blue Mountains Conservation Society. In 1993, the building became a small café. It closed in 2021. But it reopened in 2023 under new management. It’s a fantastic spot for lunch after a day of hiking.
The path starts a steep descent. It uses a long series of steps. The descent into the valley is fairly easy. The climb back up is more challenging. But it’s a short walk. There’s plenty of space to pause. Catch your breath if needed.
After about 300 meters, there’s a turn-off. It leads to the Queen Victoria Lookout. The Queen Victoria Lookout offers sweeping views of the Jamison Valley. Landmarks like Lincoln’s Rock and Kings Tableland are visible. Mount Solitary is also in the distance.
After Queen Victoria Lookout, return to the main track. You will soon reach Empress Lookout. While the views here aren’t as expansive, you can catch glimpses of the Empress Canyon. You can also see its waterfall.
From Empress Lookout, the trail descends further. It goes via steep metal staircases. As you descend, the landscape shifts. It goes from dry bushland to lush rainforest. The track becomes darker. Trees and cliff walls block the sunlight. You’ll pass a small waterfall before Empress Falls comes into view.
The trail leads to a large pool. The waterfall cascades into it. The trail continues across stepping stones. They are directly in front of the waterfall. These stepping stones offer an ideal vantage point. You can take in the entire waterfall in one view. Empress Falls is most impressive after significant rainfall.
Empress Falls is special. It’s a cascade of 37 meters. The water flows over multiple tiers. Towering coachwoods and tree ferns surround it.
In the 1870s, the land around Empress Falls Canyon was set aside as a recreation reserve. This happened during the reign of Queen Victoria. This area was among the first in the Blue Mountains to be preserved. It’s fitting that Empress Falls, named after a queen, is considered the queen of Blue Mountains canyons.
Continue beyond the stepping stones. You can explore more waterfalls. The trail follows the creek downstream. It leads to Sylvia Falls. Sylvia Falls is a breathtaking cascade waterfall. The trail curves around it. It is perfect for photos.
So, as you stand here at Empress Lookout, remember the history. Remember the beauty. Remember the “Empress of India”. Queen Victoria herself.