The historic Stonehaven Pass (named after Baron Stonehaven, who was the Governor General of Australia from 1925-1930) offers some spectacular – but neglected – lookouts, on a “hidden” trail that starts a short distance from the Wentworth Falls picnic area. The trail isn’t signposted and branches off the fairly popular Den Fenella Track: it’s a trail that’s obvious when you’re looking for it, but I’ve walked right past it without a second glance on multiple previous bushwalks.
The first sign (literally) that you’re on the Stonehaven Pass trail is a “Danger” sign. The track was created by Peter Mulheron, who was Ranger for the Wentworth Falls Reserve Trust, in the 1920s. It was later “renovated” by local bushwalker Jim Smith, but despite being in pretty good condition it’s not a maintained or officially recognised bushwalking trail.
It doesn’t take long to reach the first lookout: Rose’s Lookout was named after Samuel Charles Rose (1864-1941) a Wentworth Falls Reserve trustee and the headmaster of Wentworth Falls School. It offers some great views straight down the Jamison Valley to Mount Solitary.
A short distance further (all the lookouts are within a few minutes of each other) is Bill Wilson’s Lookout, named after a member of Wentworth Falls Progress Association and the Licensee of the Wentworth Hotel (which is now the Grand View Hotel). There are similar views to the last lookout, from a small rock sandstone. Like all these lookouts, there’s a few rusted remnants of what was once a fence above the sheer drop.
Next is Cashmans Lookout: James Arthur Cashman (1880-1956) was a trustee of the Wentworth Falls Reserve and president of the Wentworth Falls Progress Association President 1920. As well as the Jamison Valley views, you can see one of the walkways on the Undercliff Track below.
The last vantage point is Murphys Spiral Lookout, named after Thomas Charles Murphy (1888-1967) who was also trustee of the Wentworth Falls Reserve trustee in 1942.
It’s the most unusual of the four lookouts, with steps chiselled out of a small sandstone outcrop.
The track then heads away from the cliff-edge, soon reaching a slightly boggy section caused by a hanging swamp above the trail.
Despite a few stepping stones, it’s hard to avoid getting wet feet, especially if there’s been some rain (even during dry periods, the trail will be a bit muddy).
There’s another “Danger” sign marking the end of the Stonehaven Pass trail, which abruptly disappears just before reaching Princes Rock Track. From the Princes Rock Track, there is no sign of the trail.
You can continue down the Princes Rock Track to make a longer bushwalk, or head up the track to the Wentworth Falls Picnic Area to complete the loop. The Stonehaven Pass track meets the Princes Rock Track near one of Mulherens Wells: Peter Mulheran, a caretaker and labourer for the Wentworth Falls
Reserve Trust, was also a “a skilled worker of stone” and created a number of stone wells.
It’s a very short walk – but it offers some spectacular lookouts without the crowds.
Getting to the Stonehaven Pass
The walk starts at the Wentworth Falls Picnic Area, which has a large carpark (although it can fill up on weekends). You can access the Stonehaven Pass track from the Den Fenella Track or the Princes Rock Track; it’s much easier to do the loop in an anti-clockwise direction from the Den Fenella Track.
More information
- Ask Roz – Stonehaven Pass Wentworth Falls
- The Jamison Project – Tracks – Stonehaven Pass
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