Overlooking the ridges of the Grose Valley sits Flat Top Lookout, a natural balcony offering views in every direction. It’s more than just a scenic spot. It’s a place to connect with the vastness of the Blue Mountains.
Flat Top Lookout gets its name from the fairly flat hilltop on the Mt Hay Range. Imagine a tabletop sculpted by nature. That’s Flat Top.
To reach this Blue Mountains trig station, we will take a short bushwalk from Mount Hay Road. The start of the trail offers a taste of what’s to come. You’ll see nice views back over the road. Mount Stead is visible to the north. Mount Hay stands further away to the northeast.
The trig itself is in fairly good condition. Sadly, its nameplate is missing.
But the views from Flat Top are the real reward. Look towards Mount Hay. See the ridges of the Grose Valley. On a clear day, you can even glimpse the Hawkesbury River far in the distance.
But don’t stop at the trig point. Continue towards the edge of the cliffs. A view to the east and south awaits.
The walk to Flat Top is a short one. It’s just 1.1km return. Most people complete it in under half an hour.
For those wanting more adventure, Mount Hay Road offers other bushwalks. Butterbox Point is an easy 2.8km return hike. It features spectacular views and interesting rock formations. Fortress Rock is another easy option. It’s a 3km return walk with even more spectacular views than Flat Top.
Mount Hay is a 3.6km return walk rated easy to moderate. While the summit is in forest, the views along the way are great. Doctor Darks Cave is a 4.3km return walk also rated easy to moderate. It features an interesting cave and can be combined with Fortress Rock. Lockleys Pylon is a longer, easy 7.8km return walk with nice views. Continue to Du Faur Head for even better views. Fortress Ridge Lookout is a 9km return walk with some spectacular views. Finally, Fortress Creek Falls offers unique views from a cliff-top waterfall. This 9km return walk is rated moderate to hard.
Getting to Flat Top Hill is straightforward. The start of the bushwalk is signposted. There’s a small parking area along Mount Hay Road. It is about a 20-minute drive from Leura. Most of the road is unsealed. Its condition varies. Usually, any vehicle can manage it. But after storms, it can become very rough. A 4WD is then recommended.
Flat Top Lookout is more than just a place. It is a reminder of the natural beauty. It’s a place to breathe in the fresh mountain air. As you stand here, take a moment to appreciate the landscape. Flat Top is a place to see the world from a different perspective.