Lockyer’s Track Campground: A Step Back in Time for Hardy Hikers

For the self-sufficient bushwalker with a passion for history, Lockyer’s Track Campground offers an experience unlike any other in the Blue Mountains. This is not a destination for creature comforts; it is a primitive, walk-in campsite that serves as the gateway to one of the region’s most significant and challenging historic trails. Situated near the top of the dramatic western escarpment, the campground is a simple clearing in the bush, a place to prepare for or recover from the arduous descent or ascent of Lockyer’s Track—the original, convict-built road over the mountains, completed in 1832. Camping here is about immersing yourself in the same rugged landscape that confronted the earliest colonial explorers and road-builders.

The campground itself is a small, basic area, requiring campers to be completely self-reliant. You must carry in every necessity, including water, and leave absolutely no trace of your visit. Its true value lies in its location. It allows an early start for those tackling the steep, 8km trail down to the Hartley Valley floor, a walk that rewards with tangible connections to the past, including visible remnants of convict-era stonework and cuttings. The sense of isolation is profound, with the sounds of the bush and the vast, starry sky providing the only evening entertainment. This is a campsite for seasoned hikers who appreciate solitude, history, and the challenge of a trail that has tested travellers for nearly two centuries. It’s a raw, authentic slice of Blue Mountains heritage.

Site Information

• Location: Near Mount York, on the western edge of the Blue Mountains, overlooking the Hartley Valley.
• Site Suitable For: Tents and swags only. This is a walk-in/hike-in campsite.
• Road Access: Accessible via unsealed roads (Mount York Road, then Lockyers Track Road) to a small parking area. The campground itself is a short walk from the car park. 2WD is suitable in dry weather.
• Site Surface: Dirt and leaf litter.
• Camping Permitted: Yes, informal bush camping is permitted.
• Maximum Overnight Stays: No specified limit.
• Number of Powered Sites: 0
• Number of Un-powered Sites: A few small, informal sites.
• Facilities: None. Campers must be fully self-sufficient.
• Picnic Tables: No.
• Potable Water: No. You must carry in all water required for your stay.
• Mobile Phone Coverage: Patchy to non-existent at the campsite. A signal may be found at higher elevations nearby.
• TV Reception: No.
• Onsite Public Toilets: No. A cathole trowel is mandatory.
• Ullage / Dump Point: No.
• Drive Through Sites: No.
• Rubbish Bins: No. All rubbish must be carried out.
• Open Fires: Generally not permitted. Use fuel stoves for cooking. Check local fire bans.
• Generator Use: Not permitted.
• Number of Sites Available: First come, first served.
• Essentials to Bring: All food and water, shelter, fuel stove, first-aid kit, PLB or satellite messenger, topographic map, trowel.
• Pet Friendly: No. Located within a state conservation area.
• Fishing: No.
• Short Walks: The campsite is the starting point for the very challenging Lockyer’s Track historical walk.

Local Amenities

• Local Pubs: Victoria & Albert Guesthouse (Mount Victoria, ~10km), Hotel Imperial (Mount Victoria, ~10km), Royal Hotel, Hartley (~15km).
• Places to Eat: Cafes and restaurants in Mount Victoria (~10km) and Blackheath (~20km).
• Local Attractions: Mount York lookout, Historic Hartley Village, numerous walking tracks and lookouts in the Blue Mountains National Park.
• Nearest Caravan Parks: Blackheath Glen Tourist Park (~20km), Lake Lyell Recreation Park (~20km).
• Next Free Camps: Lake Lyell (low-cost), other informal sites in surrounding state forests.
• Nearest Dump Points: Katoomba (~30km) or Lithgow (~20km).
• Nearest Petrol Station: Mount Victoria (~10km) or Lithgow (~20km).
• Drinking Water Resupply: Mount Victoria (~10km) or Lithgow (~20km).
• Nearest Public Toilets: Mount Victoria Memorial Park (~10km).

Seasonal Weather Forecast

• Summer (Dec-Feb): Warm to hot days, but can be cooler than Sydney due to the elevation. High bushfire risk and potential for thunderstorms.
• Autumn (Mar-May): Cool, crisp days and cold nights. Generally stable weather, making it ideal for hiking.
• Winter (Jun-Aug): Cold to very cold. Daytime temperatures are low, and nights frequently drop below freezing. Frost is common, and occasional snow is possible.
• Spring (Sep-Nov): Cool and often windy. A beautiful time for wildflowers, but weather can be unpredictable.