A NSW Government website

Tracks and trails upgrades and development

The Crown land 2031 State Strategic Plan (PDF, 3.7 MB) vision for NSW is that our community has high aspirations to derive better value from public land to support resilient and prosperous communities. This includes prioritising the identification, protection, and expansion of environmental assets on Crown land, as well as expanding green and open space and promoting activities that build climate resilience.

There is a wide range of tracks and trails across NSW Crown land. Each year hundreds of thousands of walkers enjoy the tracks and trails we manage. We are maintaining the trails for walker safety and enjoyment so our community can be confident in the knowledge that our trails are being actively managed to maintain or improve safety and enjoyment.

The following projects are funded by the NSW Government to keep the trails in a safe condition and renew some aging visitor infrastructure including steps, toilets, and track surfaces.

Walkers may be inconvenienced from time to time during the works with minor track diversions in place. Please obey any signage on site, or if you are planning a long-distance walk contact 1300 886 235.

Current projects

Bowtells Swing Bridge Refurbishment

Summary

  • Location: Six Foot Track (between Jenolan and Katoomba NSW)
  • Project investment: $ 970,000 excl. GST
  • Dates: May 2024 to July 2024
  • Times of work: Weekdays 7:00 am – 6:00 pm and Saturdays 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
  • Traffic and pedestrian changes
  • Noise levels: Medium at times 

What we will be doing 

From May 2024, you may notice us:

  • Replacing the Bowtells Swing Bridge as a crucial river crossing along the Six Foot Track. Unfortunately, it was closed in March 2022 due to engineering assessments indicating the need for immediate replacement
  • This project aims to improve safety, maintain historical value, and ensure minimal disruption to walkers while enhancing the iconic Six Foot Track experience
  • The bridge refurbishment aims to enhance safety for walkers:
    • It will provide a secure alternative route during floods, minimising risks associated with the use of the original river crossing
    • The new design will transition from a V-shaped to a U-shaped configuration, allowing up to five people to access the bridge at a time
    • Anchor and cable sizes will be upgraded for increased stability.
  • Importantly, the proposed upgrades are carefully designed to preserve the bridge’s original character and historical significance without requiring a Statement of Heritage Impact
  • The involvement of local landholders in the project is appreciated and acknowledged.

When we will be working

Work will take place during standard construction hours between:

  • Weekdays 7:00 am – 6:00 pm 
  • Saturdays 8:00 am – 1:00 pm

What you can expect

  • We will have temporary vehicle and pedestrian management measures in place for the safety of our crew, users, and pedestrians
  • Access to the alternative crossing via Cox’s River will remain open. Do not enter the river crossing during times of flood. 
  • There might be occasional noise during these works, but we'll make every effort to reduce it
  • We thank you for your patience and cooperation while we complete this important work.

Keeping up to date with our work

We will update this page as the project progresses.

To speak to an officer: 

Contact us and refer your enquiry to the " Bowtells Swing Bridge Refurbishment" project.

Location

 

Bowtells Bridge

Completed projects

Bridle Track, Root Hog Toilets

Summary

New toilet infrastructure improving the visitor experience for day trips and camping.

Investment

  • $138,991 excl GST

Project timeframe

  • January 2023 to October 2023

Site information

  • Root Hog Reserve, Bridle Track via Bathurst, NSW.
  • A popular camping and recreation reserve along the Bridle Track.
  • Access point for the Bridle Track from Orange.

What we have completed

  • Installation of a dual-unit prefabricated cubicle toilet, including a self-contained waste system and a water tank, as a new facility. Root Hog Reserve is the last to have primitive camping facilities installed along the Bridle Track.
  • Installation of a reserve management sign.

Benefits and outcomes

  • Improved visitor experience at the Root Hog primitive camping reserve.
  • Enables increased use of the reserve by allowing the public to spend longer than they otherwise could have.
  • Reduces the need for campers to be self-contained.
  • Provides consistent facilities at all Crown-managed reserves along the Bridle Track.

To speak to an officer

Contact us and refer your enquiry to the "Bridle Track, Root Hog Toilets" project.

Location

 

Before after image of the Root Hog Toilets at Bridle Track.
Bridle Track Reserves, Hill End

Summary

Regrading and shaping car access tracks at several locations along the Bridle Track

Investment

  • $90,000 excl. GST

Project timeframe

  • 6 February 2023 to 27 February 2023

Site information

  • Bridle Track Reserves near Hill End
  • A popular four-wheel drive track with 8 campsites along its full length.

What we have completed

  • Regrading and shaping of car access entrance tracks at Turon Crossing, Caves Holes, Mary Flynn and Randwick Reserves
  • Extracting gravel from Mary Flynn Reserve to undertake track works
  • Works to stabilise erosion, fix uneven surfaces, and deflect water from paths through cross banks and drains.

Benefits and outcomes

  • Improved vehicle access to the popular reserve
  • Minimised environmental impacts and risks to public safety.

To speak to an officer

Contact us and refer your enquiry to the "Bridle Track Reserves, Hill End" project.

Location

 

Bridgle track before and after location image
Abrahams Bosom Reserve trackwork, Currarong

Summary

Repairs to a popular walking trail and tourism destination, improving the safety of visitors.

Investment

  • $90,000 excl. GST

Project timeframe

  • 7 November 2022 to June 2023

Site information

  • Reserve in Beecroft Peninsula, New South Wales
  • Features of Abrahams Bosom Reserve include the beach, a natural rock pool, a creek, scenic walking tracks and picnic facilities.

What we have completed

  • Repair of walking track surfaces that had been damaged by weather and use.

Benefits and outcomes

  • Improved user experience of the Abrahams Bosom Reserve walking tracks ensuring that the tracks are safer for people visiting the area.

To speak to an officer

Contact us and refer your enquiry to the "Abrahams Bosom Reserve trackwork, Currarong" project.

Location

 

Abrahams Bosom Reserve before and after location image
Darks Common safety, Lapstone

Summary

Geotechnical assessment and survey of the site to facilitate the future installation of a safety barrier fence and associated public recreation infrastructure.

Investment

  • $21,165 excl. GST

Project timeframe

  • September 2022 to June 2023 

Site information

  • 5 Explorers Road, Lapstone
  • Darks Common and Bluff Reserve are located on Crown land in the Blue Mountains. Located near the township of Lapstone, it’s a popular area for recreation including bushwalking tracks for locals and visitors in the area, including school students from the local area.

What we have completed

  • Geotechnical report and assessment
  • Survey the site to develop landscape architect plans to formalise the site for future use
  • Development and installation of new safety signage
  • Development of concept design for the planned installation of new fencing.

Benefits and outcomes

  • Eliminated public safety risks associated with the lack of safety fencing in the most prominent informal lookout area
  • Improved safety signage protecting visitors to the park.

To speak to an officer

Contact us and refer your enquiry to the "Darks Common safety, Lapstone" project.

Location

 

Darks Common safety fencing assessment before and after location image
Bean Creek Falls Picnic Area

Summary

Works to assess and make safe public infrastructure

Investment

  • $50,000 excl. GST

Project timeframe

  • March 2023 to June 2023   

Site information

  • Bean Creek Falls Reserve, Falls Rd, Bean Creek NSW 2469
  • Bean Creek Falls, although remotely located, is a recognised tourism destination.

What we have completed

  • Removal of refuse caused by illegal dumping
  • Removal of fallen trees over the walking trail and clearing of steps and trail access
  • Replacement of handrail and damaged chain link at the lookout
  • Regrading and slashing the access road and general clean up.

Benefits and outcomes

  • Makes the site safe by repairing fencing around the viewing platform
  • Supports the local economy by improving site safety for tourism.

To speak to an officer

Contact us and refer your enquiry to the "Bean Creek Falls Picnic Area" project.

Location

 

Bean Creek Falls