Coxs River track facts for kids

The Coxs River track is a special path in New South Wales, Australia. It used to be a walking track and a road, and now it's mainly used for walking again. You can find it near the Coxs River Arms, close to Lake Burragorang and Warragamba Dam. It's also known as the Warragamba Dam - Burragorang Valley - Wentworth Falls Track.

This historic track is owned by the Sydney Catchment Authority, which is a government group in New South Wales. Because of its importance, it was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999. This means it's protected and recognized as a significant part of the state's history.

A Journey Through Time: History of the Track

First People and Early Settlers

Long ago, the Gundungurra people lived in the area where the Coxs River track is. Their traditional lands included the beautiful river flats of the Burragorang Valley. Today, this valley is covered by the waters of Warragamba Dam.

In the early 1800s, European settlers started to arrive. They were very interested in the rich land of the Burragorang Valley. Even before the land was officially measured in 1827-1828, many settlers were already living there. They used paths created by Aboriginal people to explore and set up farms in other valleys to the west. After these farmers, people who cut down cedar trees and miners also came to the area.

The Gundungurra people tried to keep their lands. They used the laws of the time to ask for official ownership. Even though their individual claims didn't work out, the government did set aside six special areas called Aboriginal Reserves in the Burragorang Valley. These reserves were managed by the NSW Aborigines Protection Board. Even after these reserves were taken away, many Gundungurra people stayed. They quietly refused to leave their traditional homelands.

The Gully Community's Story

Around 1894, many Gundungurra people were forced to move to a place called "the Gully." This was a community on the edge of West Katoomba. The Gully community stayed strong for over 60 years. But then, the Blue Mountains Shire Council took their land. This was so local business people could build a speedway, which became the Catalina Race Track.

Even after losing their homes in the Gully, the people never forgot their connection to the land. They often talked about the Megalong, Kanimbla, and Burragorang Valleys. These were places they had walked as children. They knew how important these valleys were to their parents and grandparents.

What Does the Track Look Like?

The Coxs River track was built around 1870 by the Pearce family. They used packed stone and earth to create the path. Most of the track is still in its original condition, which is amazing!

The track leads towards Wentworth Falls in the Burragorang Valley. The official heritage listing says the track starts near Coxs River Arms, Lake Burragorang. However, if you look at the map, the coordinates show it's on the western side of the Kedumba River. This is near where the Kedumba River meets the Coxs River Arm. You would need to cross the river to walk to Wentworth Falls.

A good starting point for the track is where Kedumba Valley Road almost touches Coxs River Arm. From there, Kedumba Valley Road goes to Tableland Road, which then leads to the Great Western Highway at Wentworth Falls. This whole distance is about 25 kilometers (about 15.5 miles). The heritage listing mentions that the track was once both a walking path and a road.

There's a campground at the Kedumba River crossing, about 16 kilometers (10 miles) from Wentworth Falls. It's about 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) from Coxs River Arm. Keep in mind that public access is not allowed along some parts of the track, especially below the campground.

Why is This Track Important?

The Coxs River track is very important to history. It's like an old archaeological treasure built by early European settlers. It was a vital route for transportation when they first settled the Burragorang Valley.

A Rare Glimpse into the Past

This track shows us a very early way of building roads. You can see this in how it was designed and where it was placed. It helped Europeans explore and expand into the valley. There are also stories linking it to the Pearce family, who were active settlers in the Blue Mountains.

The track is a key part of the area's cultural landscape. It's considered very rare because it's still so complete and well-preserved. This means we can still see it much as it was when it was first built.

The Coxs River track was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999. It met important criteria for this listing:

• It's rare: This track shows something uncommon or endangered about the history of New South Wales. It's considered historically rare across the state.
• It's a great example: The track is important because it shows the main features of this type of historical place in New South Wales. It's a good example of its kind in the region.