The following day, it was time to explore the other side of Blackheath. The most popular lookout is Govetts Leaps, on northern outskirts of the town. The view into the Grose Valley, is spectacular no matter the weather.

A few k’s down the valley is Pulpit Rock. I’ve always wanted to go there, and was all set to walk it down – but I didn’t count on the track conditions – steep, eroded and slippery.

To the right of the lookout, the waterfall was still running down the cliff-face – the dry winter hadn’t yet arrived.

To the left, the horseshoe-shaped cliffs were a rich green with ferns and other temperate rainforest plants clinging to the sandstone for dear life.

I did manage to get to Pulpit Rock, but that’s for another post.

Much of the walk was along a fire trail. Aside from scribbly gums, there were grass trees abound.

The trail led up to a high point on the plateau, marked by another lovely gum tree.

The view over Kanimbla Valley was lovely too.

Later in the day, I drove down to Hargreaves Lookout, on the tip of the plateau. It afforded views of both the Megalong and Kanimbla Valleys. It’s down an unsealed road, and so gets a fraction of the visitors that come to the more accessible lookouts in the Mountains.