37-744: The Jamison Valley forms part of the Coxs River canyon system in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales , Australia . It is situated approximately 100 kilometres west of Sydney , capital of New South Wales , and a few kilometres south of Katoomba , the main town in the Blue Mountains. The traditional inhabitants of the land in what is now known as the Jamison Valley are the Aboriginal Gundungurra people who are estimated to have lived in
74-786: A perennial river that is part of the Hawkesbury - Nepean catchment, is located in the Central Tablelands , Blue Mountains , and Macarthur regions of New South Wales , Australia . The Coxs River rises in Gardiners Gap, within Ben Bullen State Forest, east of Cullen Bullen , and flows through the Megalong Valley and parts of the Greater Blue Mountains Area World Heritage Site including
111-680: A military officer, roadmaker and builder. In 1815 the naming of the Coxs River is mentioned: The junction of these two streams a very handsome river, now called by the Governor "Cox's River" which takes its course...and empties itself into the River Nepean... As of 2008, there were concerns about water quality in upper Coxs River. Testing carried out by researchers from the Blue Mountains Conservation Society showed that this part of
148-642: A replacement masonry/brick double-track railway underbridge , completed in 1923. East of Wallerawang, the Great Western Highway (A32) also crosses the river, via the Jack Wilson Bridge. To the Aboriginal peoples who lived in the area for thousands of years before white settlement, Coxs River was one of two corridors that could be used to cross the Blue Mountains, the other being the Bilpin Ridge, now
185-653: A trek taking in the whole valley, but it is necessary to get permission from Sydney Water to go through the prohibited area. The Katoomba and Jamison topographic maps are essential for any of these walks. The northern escarpment is deeply serrated, having been carved up by watercourses over millions of years. Watercourses include Jamison Creek, Valley of the Waters Creek, Gordons Creek, Leura Falls Creek, Kedumba River and Causeway Creek. There are also numerous waterfalls, including Wentworth Falls, Empress Falls, Vera Falls, Gordon Falls, Leura Falls and Katoomba Falls. The valley
222-654: Is a family-owned tourist attraction located in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains , New South Wales , Australia , about 100 kilometres west of Sydney . Scenic World is home to four attractions, the Scenic Railway , the Scenic Skyway , the Scenic Cableway and Scenic Walkway , a 2.4-km elevated boardwalk through ancient rainforest. The Scenic Railway is an incline railway now used for tourism. The steepest section of track
259-567: Is densely forested, with eucalypt forest over most of its expanse and occasional pockets of semi-rainforest in gullies, where water is concentrated. The Jamison Valley is commonly visited by bushwalkers and campers. There is a network of tracks across the northern escarpment, including Darwin's Walk, the tracks in the Valley of the Waters and old, neglected tracks that Blue Mountains bushwalkers have been trying to restore for years. Tracks are also found along
296-413: Is impounded at Lake Wallace where it forms a cooling source for Wallerawang Power Station ; at Lake Lyell where it is used for water supply for the city of Lithgow and water cooling for Wallerawang Power Station; and at Lake Burragorang , a major water supply source for greater metropolitan Sydney . At Wallerawang, the river is crossed by a stone single-track railway bridge , completed in 1870; and
333-474: Is joined to Narrow Neck Plateau by a low ridge which is also the site of the Ruined Castle, a rock formation that is popular with bushwalkers. Immediately east of Mount Solitary is a property called Kedumba Farm, which is no longer worked as a farm. South of Mount Solitary, the valley sprawls through Cedar and Kedumba Valley down to Coxs River and Lake Burragorang , the lake that was created when Warragamba Dam
370-459: Is on an incline of 52 degrees (128% gradient) contained within a total distance of 310 metres (1,020 ft). It was originally constructed for a coal and oil shale mining operation in the Jamison Valley in the 1880s, in order to haul the coal and shale from the valley floor up to the escarpment above. From 1928 to 1945, it carried coal during the week and passengers at weekends. The coal mine
407-510: The Blue Mountains and Kanangra-Boyd national parks, heading generally south and then east, joined by fifteen tributaries including the Little , Jenolan , Kedumba , Kowmung , and Wollondilly rivers, before reaching its confluence with the Warragamba River to form Lake Burragorang . The river descends 931 metres (3,054 ft) over its 155-kilometre (96 mi) course . The river
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#1732845241767444-539: The 1990s, but the service road remains and can be used by bushwalkers. Attractions include Scenic World , a tourist complex north of the valley. And as well as the steepest funicular railway in the world, the Katoomba Scenic Railway , which was originally built to facilitate coal and oil shale mining in the Jamison Valley. Scenic World also offers the Scenic Skyway cable car, which travels over an arm of
481-534: The Aborigines and functioned as an intermediary between them and the settlers. In 1797 Wilson returned to Sydney, claiming to have explored up to a hundred miles in all directions around Sydney, including across the mountains. His descriptions and observations were generally accurate, and it is possible that he had crossed the mountains via the Coxs River corridor, guided by the Aborigines. Governor Macquarie named both Coxs River and Coxs Pass in honour of William Cox ,
518-472: The Jamison Valley and offers views of Katoomba Falls and Orphan Rock. The Three Sisters , which are on the northern escarpment of the valley, are one of Australia's most-photographed landmarks. The Giant Stairway walking track runs down a cliff into the Jamison Valley, near the Three Sisters, providing access to nature walks through the valley. Download coordinates as: The closest railway stations to
555-665: The Sceniscender, now called Scenic Cableway, 84-passenger cable car from Doppelmayr that passes over a 25-metre-high (82 ft) tower on the edge of the cliff, and then 510 metres (1,673 feet) to the Botton Station in the Jamison Valley 200 m (656 ft) below. Like the redevelopment of the Railway and Skyway, the Cableway had a replacement of its cabin in 2018. Scenic World operates two food and beverage outlets, namely EATS270 and
592-518: The Terrace Café. The former Scenic Revolving Restaurant was renovated and reopened in late 2012 as an eatery. During this time, a decision was made to cease operation of the revolving floor. The floor can still, however, be turned on by request for private functions. Both EATS270 and the Terrace Café feature balcony areas with extensive outdoor seating overlooking the Three Sisters and Jamison Valley. Scenic World food and beverage outlets are not open in
629-650: The area. He stayed at the Weatherboard Inn in Wentworth Falls in 1836, and undertook a walk along Jamison Creek to the escarpment of the Jamison Valley, where he was impressed by the views. His route is now commemorated as Darwin's Walk, starting in Wilson Park, Wentworth Falls, and following Jamison Creek to the escarpment. Coal mining in the valley was started around 1872 by John Britty North, with large-scale infrastructure ( Katoomba Scenic Railway ) used to overcome
666-467: The backing of Environment Defenders Office of New South Wales, intending to argue that Delta Electricity are polluting Coxs River. The Society also intended to challenge the New South Wales system of environmental licences. The Society's president, Tara Cameron, said: "These licences are just licences to pollute. They are just allowing the status quo and making people feel good without actually protecting
703-470: The cliffs near Leura and Katoomba, as well as tracks like the Federal Pass, located at the foot of the cliffs. A track also goes west around to the Ruined Castle and Mount Solitary. The track continues across the mountain but is patchy and suitable only for experienced walkers. It is possible to then go up to Kings Tableland and into Wentworth Falls, making a trek of at least three days. The tracks closer to
740-483: The edge of a 200 m (656 ft) cliff. It has in the past been referred to as a "sitdown suspended" coaster, because although it is a conventional sitdown coaster, the trains can tilt from side to side, like a suspended coaster, giving it its name. It was originally planned as a scenic monorail ride, but it soon evolved into a roller-coaster ride. The roller coaster has never publicly opened due to demands for redevelopment elsewhere onsite. Visitation to Scenic World in
777-519: The environment." Journalists Ben Cubby and Erik Jensen maintained that the NSW Government had known about the pollution for over two years. A range of leisure activities are accessible adjacent to the river, including the Katoomba to Mittagong Trail , the Six Foot Track and camping. Vehicle access is available at many locations along the river. There are several areas close to Hartley . As
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#1732845241767814-411: The escarpment are suitable for one-day walks. Mount Solitary is used mostly for camping trips, although some walkers have been known to make one-day walks to the mountain. In this part of the valley there was formerly a sewage treatment plant, not far below the northern escarpment. It was serviced by a dirt road that went up to Kings Tableland and thence to Wentworth Falls town. The plant was closed down in
851-513: The evenings for general dining, but can be booked for private functions and corporate events. In 1984, Scenic World began building a roller coaster known as the Orphan Rocker, named after the nearby Orphan Rock. This is the first roller coaster to be completely designed and manufactured in Australia. The highlight of this ride is meant to be a swooping banked turn that takes riders within metres of
888-510: The region for 40,000 years, stretching south towards the Burragorang Valley , north of Goulburn . The Jamison Valley was named by Governor Lachlan Macquarie in honour of Sir John Jamison (1776-1844), a prominent landowner and physician who visited the Blue Mountains with the governor in 1815. Later, as local towns were beginning to develop, the British naturalist Charles Darwin toured
925-427: The ride progresses. In November 2005, a second station on the opposite cliff-face opened, allowing Skyway passengers to disembark and follow bush walking trails to the nearby Echo Point . In November 2017, the latest Scenic Skyway cabin was launched. This Skyway cabin is 30% bigger than its predecessor, offering visitors a more spacious ride with easier boarding, as well as free Wi-Fi. In 2000, Scenic World installed
962-402: The river had high levels of heavy metals including zinc, copper and manganese, 125 times more sulphate than surrounding streams and only 5% of the oxygen that fish need. The pH level , a test of acidity, was up to 1000 times higher than that of neighbouring creeks, while the river was 80 times as salty as it should be. The Sydney Catchment Authority confirmed that the test was accurate, but said
999-640: The river progresses towards Lake Burragorang , vehicle access is not permitted. Bushwalking is the most popular access method to the Coxs River. There are several well maintained historic walks that follow along scenic sections of the river. One of the most popular is the Six Foot Track . Horse riding is another popular way to enjoy the Coxs river. There are several tour operators in the Megalong Valley that offer day and overnight rides. 33°57′S 150°25′E / 33.950°S 150.417°E / -33.950; 150.417 Scenic World Scenic World
1036-513: The site of Bells Line of Road . Coxs River was the easiest way to cross the mountains, but this fact was unknown to the European settlers, for whom the mountains were a seemingly impassable barrier. A former convict, John Wilson, may have been the first European to cross the Blue Mountains. Wilson arrived with the First Fleet in 1788 as a convict and was released in 1792. After this, he lived with
1073-418: The soil there is a layer of shale, which is softer than the sandstone. As this layer of shale was eroded by the watercourses, it collapsed and brought the sandstone down with it, creating the characteristic sandstone valleys and canyons of the Blue Mountains, of which the Jamison Valley is one. The only mountain in the valley is Mount Solitary , which sprawls across the south of the valley from west to east. It
1110-581: The steepest incline in the world. However the railway uses a winch system and no counterbalancing carriage, therefore it is an inclined lift rather than a funicular . As of 2017 the steepest true funicular is the Stoosbahn in Switzerland. Built in 1958, the Scenic Skyway is another cable-driven conveyance at Scenic World. It travels across the gorge above the Katoomba Falls , 270 metres (886 feet) above
1147-513: The terrain. The Jamison Valley stretches north-south from just outside Katoomba to the Mount Solitary ridge; in this direction it is approximately 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) long. From west to east, it stretches from Narrow Neck Plateau to Kings Tableland , making it approximately 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) wide. Like the entire Sydney and Blue Mountains region, the valley is a sandstone area, characterised by steep sandstone cliffs. Deeper into
Jamison Valley - Misplaced Pages Continue
1184-450: The valley floor. The original Scenic Skyway was withdrawn on 4 April 2004 after 587,401 crossings and now sits in the picnic area at Scenic World. It was replaced by a new cabin in December of the same year. The new Skyway was built by Doppelmayr and CWA Constructions, and features a 72-person cabin with sections of liquid crystal glass that turns a raised section of the floor transparent as
1221-665: The valley is the Katoomba railway station , Leura railway station and Wentworth Falls railway station , which are on the Blue Mountains Line . The Great Western Highway is the main road that is proximate to the Jamison Valley. Katoomba Airfield is also located about 11.5 kilometres (7.1 mi) by road from the Katoomba Central Business District . The airfield is currently closed to airplanes and helicopters. The site remains available for use by emergency services. Coxs River The Coxs River ,
1258-543: The water flowing into Coxs River contained high levels of copper, boron and other metals at "many times" the levels found upstream of the Wallerawang Power Station. High arsenic levels were found down stream of the plant, although it was diluted further downstream and was not thought to pose a risk to humans. The Blue Mountains Conservation Society was taking a case to the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales with
1295-470: The water gets safer to drink in the lower river, approaching Warragamba Dam. The Department of Environment and Climate Change stated that the contamination could be caused by Delta Electricity 's Wallerawang Power Station reusing its water as a result of drought. Delta stated that it was operating within the conditions of its licence. In 2009, Dr Ian Wright of the University of Western Sydney reported that
1332-407: Was built. There is a 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) prohibited area around the river and lake to protect Sydney's water supply. Around this area there is a high-tension power line that crosses the valley from east to west; it is followed by a series of service roads that provide access to the powerline and to the area, although much of it is in the prohibited area. These service roads make it possible to do
1369-511: Was closed in 1945 after which it remained as a tourist attraction. The Scenic Railway was temporarily closed on 13 January 2013 (although the Skyway, Cableway, and Walkway remained open) as construction to upgrade both tracks and carriages began. The work was completed and the railway reopened in April 2013. The Scenic Railway makes many claims to be the steepest passenger railway, the steepest funicular, and
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