With some 400 canyons close to the edges of the city, Sydney canyoners are certainly spoilt for choice. Canyoning is extremely popular in Blue Mountains National Park, where there are picturesque chasms to suit every skill level. The Grand Canyon Track, for example, can be enjoyed without without specialised equipment or skills.
Canyoning is not without its dangers, however. Many chasms are narrow, wet, dark and difficult to navigate; canyoners may need to abseil or swim in order to access them. Canyoners can also damage the often sensitive environments of the canyons. The NPWS cannot be responsible for the safety of adventure recreation participants - so be sure to find out how to stay safe and minimise your environmental impact when you go canyoning.
At the bottom of this page, you'll find links to other websites which will give you more information on the Blue Mountains canyons and the ways you can safely navigate them. There are also several canyoning clubs on the Internet - contact them if you're interested in finding out more.
Climbing
The clifflines of the Blue Mountains stretch for hundreds of kilometres and there are plenty of people who like to haul themselves up them. This is one of the ultimate adrenaline sports, and there's a reason for that - it's dangerous! If you go climbing in the park, we can't be responsible for your safety. We also can't be responsible for the safety of any fixed anchor points on rock faces - make sure you check them before using them.
Before you consider going climbing in the mountains, join a climbers' group and find out which climbs are suitable for your level of experience. Make sure you're well-equipped and prepared for local conditions - especially weather. Other websites may be able to help you with this.
Climbing can have a large impact on the often-fragile environments of the mountains. At popular sites, climbing and abseiling have destroyed vegetation and caused significant erosion. In places, excessive numbers of rock bolts have been installed by climbers, defacing and damaging the rock face. Please be aware of your impact when you climb, and respect the natural environment you're enjoying.
The following areas of the park have been closed to climbing (also check the limitations on abseiling at the bottom of this page):
- all Aboriginal sites
- the Jamison Valley cliffline, from Rocket Point to the Valley of the Waters (around Wentworth Falls)
- the Grose Valley cliffline, from the lookout on the south side of Govetts Leap waterfall to Horseshoe Falls (around Blackheath)
- any cliffline immediately above a constructed walking track.
Caving
There is very little limestone in Blue Mountains National Park, and the places where it's found are not suitable for recreational caving. If you want to go caving in the mountains, you'll need to go to Kanangra-Boyd National Park. The amazing limestone formations at Jenolan Caves are a must-see for cave enthusiasts.
Areas in the park that are closed for abseiling
- Glenbrook Gorge
- the main cliffline of Mount Banks
- the Jamison Valley cliffline from the Giant Stairway to Furber Steps, and from Rocket Point to the Valley of the Waters (around Wentworth Falls)
- the Grose Valley cliffline from the lookout on the south side of Govetts Leap waterfall to the Horseshoe Falls (around Blackheath)
- all formal lookouts
- all Aboriginal Sites
- any cliffline immediately above a constructed walking track.
