Kings Table

Did you ever hear of a table fit for a king, high in the Blue Mountains? Kings Tableland isn’t a piece of furniture. It’s a breathtaking plateau offering majestic views. Governor Macquarie named this plateau after King George III. Kings Tableland is a sandstone plateau about 1,000 meters above sea level, just south of Wentworth Falls. It’s the southernmost point of the main Blue Mountains ridge. It also marks the start of the Southern Escarpment. These cliffs frame the Jamison, Megalong, Kanimbla, and Hartley Valleys. Kings Tableland is west of the Blue Labyrinth. It stretches from Bodington Hill south to McMahons Lookout. From here, you can see Lake Burragorang and beyond. But Kings Tableland is more than just a scenic viewpoint. It holds deep indigenous significance. It’s a gazetted camping and meeting place for the Gandangara people. Here, you’ll find a sandstone platform with grinding grooves. There’s also a rock shelter featuring some of the oldest Aboriginal rock art in the Blue Mountains. Kings Tableland has a rich history. There’s a fire trail accessible by 4WD vehicles, perfect for mountain biking. Battleship Tops is an Aboriginal meeting place along the trail. Sadly, vandalism has damaged some ochre paintings there. However, a 2007 survey identified four rock shelters with paintings and other significant sites. Archaeological excavations at Kings Tableland revealed artifacts over 22,000 years old. This makes it one of the oldest Aboriginal sites in the Blue Mountains. Remember, as you enjoy the stunning views from Kings Tableland, you’re standing on land used by Aboriginal people for thousands of years. It is a powerful connection to Australia’s ancient past.