Wentworth Falls

Many of the walking tracks in the Blue Mountains were constructed over 100 years ago. Local communities were in competition to provide the 'most spectacular' round trip Walking routes to attract tourists to their town. Developing tracks in such steep and difficult conditions involved extraordinary efforts by those involved.

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Here in Wentworth Falls, Captain James Murray supervised a team of 4 workers, known locally as the 'Irish Brigade'. His team took over 2 years to build the 2.5 km National Pass track. Accessing the base of the falls, which involved cutting steps down the sheer cliff face, was one of their biggest challenges.

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It is thought that Captain Murray was lowered over the edge in a bosun's chair (a simple canvas seat on ropes), in order to work out a possible route.

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Wentworth Falls
   

Source: onsite information board