The Box Vale Track is one of our favourite walks in the Southern Highlands. This peaceful trail takes you through the spectacular forest, past valleys of ferns and along paths that have been carved out between the cliffs. It follows the old railway which was used to transport coal in the 1800’s.
Whilst the tracks have long been removed, the feeling of history remains. It’s an easy walk but can be made longer and more adventurous if you’re looking for more than a leisurely stroll.
Here’s what to expect on the Box Vale Track, a must do when visiting Bowral.
Box Vale Walking Track
The possible routes
The Box Vale Track is a 9km return walk (including the final lookout, which is just beyond the trails end), which is predominantly flat. If you want to visit 40 Foot Falls along the way, it adds on an additional 3km and involves a little bit of climbing.
The third option is to make a circuit, which also takes in the waterfall. This involves walking an incredibly steep cable assisted part of the track, known as the incline. It takes you down into Nattai Gorge and once you’re down there, there is no directional signage whatsoever.
This was our original plan but after reading reviews online, most people said it takes five hours, we didn’t have enough time, so chose the middle option, which is the one we’ll describe in this post.
The stats for the Box Vale and 40 Foot Falls route
Distance: 12.5km
Elevation: 325m
Difficulty: Moderate
Depending on how you do this track, you’ll want to put aside 1 - 3 hours. The shortest version to the Nattai Gorge Lookout is from the car park at Morris Road, and should take about just over 1 hour return (5km and flat).
If you want to walk the whole Box Vale Track and visit 40 Foot Falls (either via the circuit or the longer route) then we recommend putting aside at least 3-5 hours respectively.
Starting the trail, into the forest
The trail takes you straight into the bush alongside the creek. After 450m you cross over the creek on a small bridge and head into the forest. After passing the dam, you’ll be walking in the shady bush on a flat path for just over a kilometre.
I’ll be honest, at this point I was wondering what all the fuss was about with this trail. The forest was nice enough, but not spectacular.
But it wasn’t long before we got to the first section of track which heads directly through the middle of two cliffs and the trail was looking up.
Following the railway line
After you’ve been walking for 1.85km you’ll pass the junction with 40 Foot Falls on your right.
We chose to visit the falls on the way back, which we’d recommend - once you’ve climbed the hill up from the falls you might not feel like continuing on the Box Vale Track, and the best is definitely yet to come!
Roughly 300m after the falls junction, look out for the trail sign to your left, it’s easy to miss and will take you through another cliff section, otherwise you will be walking on fire trail.
It was at this point that I really started to love the track.
You walk through the cliffs, and there’s lots of ferns and little wildflowers growing amongst the sandstone.
Onto the most special part of the walk
The forest gets more and more beautiful after this point, it’s incredibly green, with huge valleys of ferns running all the way up and down the hillside. We were also lucky to be walking in spring when there were lots of pretty blue wildflowers.
The fact the path is flat and well maintained makes it incredibly relaxing, instead of watching your footing, you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the forest.
You’ll regularly be walking through long sections between the cliffs, some of which have huge boulders scattered throughout and it’s really atmospheric.
It feels a little bit different to most walks, and we couldn’t stop thinking about how on earth they made a railway line along this route! It adds an extra element of interest to the already lovely trail.
The grand finale
After just under 4km you’ll reach one of the main trail highlights, an 84m tunnel carved into the rock.
Kids will love it, but I think all the adults secretly found it really fun too! Just beyond the tunnel you’ll reach the official end of the Box Vale Track.
There’s a side trail which is marked as ‘lookout’ and we’d definitely recommend taking it. It’s only 300m gradual descent before you reach an incredible view of the Nattai Gorge.
There’s a couple of picnic tables here, which would make a lovely place to take a break.
The gorge looks completely wild, and I had a few feelings of regret at not being able to get down there - something to come back for!
If you are going to take on the circuit, the end of the Box Vale trail (before the lookout) is where the incline begins. Everybody seems to descend the incline, but we think it would be easier going the other way and climbing up it instead.
Heading to 40 Foot Falls first would mean the descent is on well formed staircases and then walking along the gorge and up the incline would be steep but not slippery.
if you choose to descend the incline, it’s said to be really slippery and gloves are recommended to hang onto the steel cable.
Onto 40 Foot Falls
On leaving Nattai Gorge Lookout you head back along the Box Vale Track, all the way to the junction - just under 3km away.
There are a couple of turnings to make, but all are really well signposted. The beginning of the route is all fire trail, which is much less beautiful than the Box Vale Track.
After just over a kilometre (at the 8.5km mark) you’ll see a picnic bench and the final sign to 40 Foot Falls.
Don’t be put off by it saying there is no more signage and the route is steep. There’s no more signage because there is only one path and you couldn’t go wrong. Whilst it is fairly steep. it’s almost all on stairs which are in great condition.
Then there is one ladder and a tiny section with a few rocks which could be slippery, but honestly nothing that is in any way a scramble.
This part of the track is also much greener and prettier than the fire trail and you’re just 550m away from the falls.
Just before the ladder there’s a little side trail to your right which offers a pretty good view of the top of the falls.
40 Foot Falls
Once you reach the end of the track you can take the little path left to get to the pool at the base of the falls, or right to walk behind them.
The base is the best place for getting photos of the falls, and taking in the whole scene. Unfortunately we visited when there hadn’t been much rainfall so they weren’t very powerful, but we’ve seen pictures after heavy rain and they look pretty incredible! Either way they are still one of the most beautiful falls in the Southern Highlands.
When you’re ready to walk behind the falls you can head along the other path and then you have to walk over a big log pile.
I thought it looked a bit precarious but it wasn’t too difficult, don’t hold me to it but all the logs seemed to take a decent amount of weight!
It’s pretty cool to stand behind the falls (it’s a huge area so you don’t get wet unless you want to), I imagine it would be even more so if they’re running really well.
Heading back
The climb out is pretty steep for the first 500m - you climb 110m in that time. It’s over quite quickly though and the trail is then almost entirely flat again.
You can take a quicker route back by following the sign for the car park instead of using the Box Vale Track. The next two turnings are not signposted but it’s a left at 11km and a right at 11.9km.
You’ll then find yourself back at the original creek crossing and just a few minutes from the car park.
Packing suggestions for the Box Vale Track
Having the right gear can make a huge difference. Here’s what we pack and have relied upon for years:
Sunscreen: Cancer Council Active. With a high SPF, but not the greasy feel of other sunscreens. Makes a big difference when you’re working up a sweat on a sunny day! Check it out on Amazon
Good Rain Jacket: North Face This is an essential item we always pack in our bag! This jacket from North Face is designed to keep you dry but also comfortably warm (many rain jackets will make you feel like you’re in a sauna). Check it out on Amazon
Bushman Spray: Good for keeping off the mozzies and any other bugs. Check it out on Amazon.
Day Pack: Osprey Talon 22 (we’ve owned this for years). Check on Amazon or direct with Osprey
Hiking Boots: Merrell Moab (for men and women). We’ve both used these for over three years and they just keep going. Check them out on Amazon
Trekking poles: We’ve used Black Diamond for years as they are light, solid and durable. Check them out on Amazon.
Reusable water bottle: To avoid single-use plastic. Check them out on Amazon
Getting to the Box Vale Track
The Box Vale Track is in Mittagong, a 10 minute drive from Bowral. It’s roughly an hour and a half (115km) from Sydney and just under two hours (170km) from Canberra. You do need your own car to easily access the track.
Bringing your dog
One of the lovely things about this track for dog owners is that’s it’s not in a national park so dogs on a lead are welcome. In fact, we were one of the only ones who didn’t have a dog!
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What’s your favourite walk in the Southern Highlands? Let us know in the comments below!
