This relatively easy bushwalk in Woodford is one of the least spectacular waterfall walks in the mid Blue Mountains… but it’s still a scenic and family-friendly bushwalk. It also boasts one of the most interesting names of any Blue Mountains bushwalk: the Transit of Venus Walk gets its unusual name from an observatory that was set up near the Woodford Academy to observe the Transit of Venus on 9 December 1874 (the last time this happened was 2012, and the next will be 2117).
The Transit of Venus track starts along Woodford St, where is an interpretative sign at the trailhead. The track traverses what was once private land, which was donated to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) by the Johnson family in 2005.
The wide track soon takes a sharp left and narrows a little, as it starts to descend into the valley.
After 700m there’s a signposted junction, where the track splits into two, before re-joining. Turning left takes you to Mabel Falls, the first of three waterfalls along the Transit of Venus track.
You really need a LOT of rain for Mabel Falls to be at its best, which also means you’ll get pretty muddy… the natural waterhole beneath the falls was once a local bathing hole, but is now quite silted.
The track continues past Mabel Falls and crosses Woodford Creek, before crossing the Edith Falls Firetrail (which is another access point to the Transit of Venus Track).
It’s a very short walk to Edith Falls from here, with a side-track dropping steeply to the base of the falls.
There’s a cool and shaded grotto at the base of Edith Falls… but again, despite some recent rain there wasn’t much water.
The Transit of Venus Walk continues for another 600m, before reaching the last waterfall. There is a section of boardwalk here, but also a few fallen trees and obstacles across the track that need to be negotiated.
Hazel Falls is the most picturesque of the three waterfalls, despite the fairly modest flow of water. Woodfores Creek drops over a long and wide overhang, which is surrounded by rainforest.
You can return the same way, or continue along the bushwalking track, which climbs up the side of the valley.
After about 200m the bushwalking track meets the Edith Falls Firetrail, which takes you back to the Transit of Venus Track.
The entire walk is about 4km, and you could do this walk in under an hour if you don’t stay long at the waterfalls. Although the creeks are fed by hanging swamps are rarely stop flowing completely, their catchment areas are quite small so for the waterfalls to be at their best, visit after a few days of heavy rain – but be prepared to get wet and muddy shoes!
Getting to the Transit of Venus Walk
The Transit of Venus Walk starts near the end of Woodbury Street in Woodford, which is about from the town and stration of Woodford. It’s a 19km drive (19min) frmo Katoomba or just over an hour from Sydney. You can also access the three waterfalls from the end of Mount View Avenue (L4 Trail) or Clear View Parade (L5 Trail) in Hazelbrook.
More information
- Bush Trackers – Transit of Venus Track [PDF].
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