Fortress Rock and Doctor Darks Cave
Blue Mountains National Park
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Fortress Rock and Doctor Dark's Cave is a medium-length trail located in the Blue Mountains, NSW. It offers stunning views and a unique insight into a family (the Darks) who occupied a cave for periods of time throughout the 1930s and 1940s. Some of the relics from their time there remain in the cave, such as pots and pans, bedding and even a game of backgammon.
Getting there
Start at the first carpark on Mt Hay Road. It is a dirt road with several potholes, so 4WD and AWD cars will fare better. It is not accessible via public transport.
Maps
8930-1S KATOOMBA (1:25K)
Route/Trail notes
The walk begins on a fire trail on Mt Hay Road. After about 700-800m you come to an unmarked junction. Take the first path on your left to go to Fortress Rock. You'll continue for another 700m or so, until the path flattens. It is then a short climb down to the veiwpoint of Fortress Rock.
After Fortress Rock, head back the way you came. After about 400m there will be a narrow bush track to your left. This is the trail to Dr Darks Cave. The trail involves some steep climbs and can be quite overgrown in places. We reccomend using a GPS or reliable maps app to ensure you don't get lost. Eventually, you will reach a large overhang, and continuing past this point, you will be at Dr Dark's Cave.
The cave is left almost exactly as the family left it - with pots, pans, and even a backgammon game. Aside from writing in the visitors book, please aim to leave this place exactly as you found it.
There is a small waterfall which the Darks used as a water source, and you can swim in it if you don't mind the cold water.
Permits/Costs
NIL
Other References
https://hikingtheworld.blog/2023/03/30/dr-darks-cave-fortress-rock/ - trail notes, map and GPX / KML file
GPS Tracks
- No GPS available for this walk yet.
4.3
2.5
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