Cascading over many levels is the stunning Upper Leura Cascades. Have you heard about it? Here, the walking track follows alongside the cascades for most of their length. It is an easy walk for all ages.
The Upper Leura Cascades are possibly the longest cascades in the Blue Mountains. Terrace Falls at Hazelbrook possibly comes in second place. Leura Cascades came to prominence when the Katoomba swimming baths were constructed in 1913. But the area was already a focus for walking tracks. These tracks led to the Federal Pass. They also led to the two Leura Falls. These are commonly called the Bridal Veil, the upper falls, and Leura Falls, the lower falls. The legacy from those times is a great network of tracks. These provide many different routes. They commence at the cascades picnic area.
Two significant events have left their mark on the Upper Leura Cascades area. The first was the decision to bring the Leura-Katoomba sewer pipes down into the Jamison Valley. This happened via this route. The second was the floodlighting of the cascades in 1932.
Katoomba had a sewerage system operating by 1910. Cast iron pipes alongside the Katoomba Falls valley walks are dated 1909. A similar system probably operated via the Leura Falls Gap. Both seem to have operated on a septic tank and filter bed system. The semi-purified effluent was then discharged into the creek.
The Leura Creek route was considered for major augmentation. The sewage treatment plant was finally opened in 1935. It was replaced a few years ago by the deep drainage tunnel. This tunnel takes sewage from the upper Blue Mountains by gravity. It goes down to the treatment works at Winmalee.
The Leura-Katoomba floodlighting was part of major improvements to tourist facilities. This was carried out during the Great Depression. It was vital in keeping people employed in those difficult times. As an Alderman on Katoomba Municipal Council and local bus operator, John Spellacy was instrumental in the floodlighting of the Three Sisters and Leura Cascades. The official opening happened December 3, 1932.
The Leura Cascades lost its floodlights at some point. The remains of posts and wires can still be seen beside the track. As you make your way from the picnic area down to the Bridal Veil Falls, you won’t notice these things. You will be taken by the beauty of your surroundings. The removal of the sewer lines and the floodlights has brought the area closer to what it once must have been.
The Leura Cascades Picnic area and access road closed for repairs. This happened after a massive weather event in early 2020. You can still walk to the Upper Leura Cascades from two locations. The first is from the sharp bend on Cliff Drive near the Solitary Restaurant. There are road barriers up. You can still walk in. It just takes a little longer to get to the cascades now. They are still totally worth it. The alternate way is from the Tarpeian Rock access track. Follow the cliff top walk around and down to the cascades. This is a much longer way.
There is a lot of storm debris built up in the bottom of the cascades. It is right in front of and up against the main viewing platform. This platform would have been well under water during these storms.
I have seen people swimming in the bottom pool. But with all the trees built up in this pool, there is no chance of that now. They will eventually be washed away in another storm. This will change the view to a more open view again.
The Upper Leura Cascades area is accessible from either Katoomba or Leura by Cliff Drive. The suburb of Leura is located 100 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district. It is one of the series of small towns stretched along the Main Western railway line and Great Western Highway. These bisect the Blue Mountains National Park. Leura is situated adjacent to Katoomba. The two towns merge along Leura’s western edge. Leura’s elevation of 985 metres leads to occasional snowfall in winter. The climate reflects all four seasons distinctly.