Birdwood Gully & Gooch's Track

This map was created using GPS Visualizer's do-it-yourself geographic utilities.

Please wait while the map data loads...

Route: Bednal Road, Birdwood Gully Park, Tidswell Reserve, Sassafras Park, Gooch's Track, Tom Hunter Park, Springwood Creek, Bednal Road

Date: 15/12/2024
From: Bednal Road

Parking: Perry Avenue
Start Point: Bednal Road
Finish Point: Lucinda Avenue
Region: Blue Mountains

Route length: 4.9 km
Time taken: 02:02
Average speed: 3.21 km/h
Ascent: 213m
Descent: 211m

Points of Interest: Springwood Creek, glowworm cave

Birdwood Gully, close to the village of Springwood, is supposedly one of the best dog-friendly hikes in the Blue Mountains. I have been awaiting the day when our newest hiking companion, our new puppy, reaches the appropriate age to enjoy it.

As its name suggests, the hike is centred around Birdwood Gully, a small creek that feeds the larger Springwood Creek which disappears off into the bush, heading towards the far-off Grose River. The circuit around the gully is only 2.6 km, so is perfect for a morning or afternoon dog walk.

You'll find a few old signposts dotted around

There are several 'entrances' to the circuit and numerous streets to park on — Perry Avenue in my case to access the creek from Bednal Road. After negotiating an awkward bend in the road, we entered Birdwood Gully Park, with the dog leading the way. Almost immediately the path crosses Birdwood Gully which, on a hot day like today, was looking rather dry.

Birdwood Gully

Birdwood Gully

The path continues through the bush following the creek downstream, passing some interesting rock formations and lush, green rainforest. 

Birdwood Gully Park

Birdwood Gully Track

Birdwood Gully Track

Birdwood Gully Track

There are some interesting formations close to Tidswell Reserve

Further on, Birdwood Gully Park enters Sassafras Park and the path leads down to the confluence of Birdwood Gully and Springwood Creek. It's a beautiful little spot with ample space for some splashing around in the water — essential for any dog on a warm day.

Springwood Creek

Springwood Creek

Springwood Creek

Springwood Creek

Springwood Creek

Gooch's Track is not far from this location, a short, additional loop to the north of Birdwood Gully. According to local sources, the track was probably made by a former local resident – Nicholas Gooch, who is credited with naming Gooch's Crater near Bell. An avid cyclist, Nicholas was sadly killed in an accident in 2003. The track follows Springwood Creek upstream, culminating with a short climb to Tom Hunter Park.

Sassafras Park

Gooch's Track in Sassafras Park

Gooch's Track

Gooch's Track

Gooch's Track

Tom Hunter Park

The culmination of the Gooch's Track circuit involves following a high ridge of bare sandstone before dropping back down to Springwood Creek and returning to the Birdwood Gully Loop.

The ridge in Sassafras Park

Hot paws

Sassafras Park

Gooch's Track

Once back at Springwood Creek, the Birdwood Gully Loop follows it upstream along the best section of the entire hike. After passing beneath some interesting rock overhangs, the path follows Springwood Creek upstream where it carves a route though a narrow section of sandstone gorge, creating a small waterfall where the water has to flow over a shelf of rock. You'll have to pick a wet day if you want to see it in full force.

Back on the Birdwood Gully Track

Birdwood Gully Track

Springwood Creek

Springwood Creek

The small waterfall on Springwood Creek

The path climbs alongside the small tumble of rocks, still following the creek until it's times to exit the valley. Steps guide you away from the creek to a large cave, home to a colony of glowworms. Further climbing up the carved steps takes you through a gap in the cliffs until the path emerges on Lucinda Avenue — the western side of the circuit. From here, it's a short distance to the starting point.

Springwood Creek

The glowworm cave

One happy dog

The final climb out of the valley