Hazelbrook

North Side

A set of  waterfalls - Fairy Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Glow Worm Nook Falls, Lena Falls, Oaklands Falls and Burgess Falls are in Lyrebird Glen and The Amphitheatre. They can be reached from a good walking track from Oaklands Rd.






The waterfall pictured is not far upstream of Horseshoe Falls.

According to the Blue Mountains Geographical Encyclopaedia these falls are located 20 upstream of Horseshoe Falls. However the reference given (The Sydney Morning Herald, 4 March 1916, page 9) does not state their location.

A sale of Mountain property will be conducted today by Messrs Piercy Ethell and Co., who will offer the Horseshoe Falls Estate, Hazelbrook. This comprises 14 blocks adjoining the Horseshoe Falls, the Fairy Falls, and Lyre Bird Glen. The estate is close to the station.

See below for my speculation that "Fairy Falls" is an old name for "Oaklands Falls".




This waterfall is is signposted as Horseshoe Falls, but apparently their name was changed to Lyrebird Falls to avoid confusion with the Horseshoe Falls at Blackheath. But it seems the Horseshoe Falls name has prevailed.


This waterfall is reached up a side branch track from the base of Horseshoe Falls. Glow worms can be seen in the cave on the right side of the falls as viewed here.
According to the Blue Mountains Geographical Encyclopaedia these falls are named after Helena (Lena) Russell, former postmistress of Hazelbrook and the daughter of Frederick Adams, who served on the local reserves trust.

There seems to be two waterfalls, each about 3m high, and about 10 m apart. They are just upstream of Oaklands Falls. The two waterfalls are very similar. They can not be seen from the track.

Upper Waterfall




Lower Warerfall










According to the Blue Mountains Geographical Encyclopaedia these falls are named after the nearby Oakland Estate.

In The Blue Mountains Echo, 6 September 1918, page 1 is a report -

Hazelbrook is to be congratulated upon the addition of a fine new track to its already beautiful walks. The Trust of the Parks and Reserves is now engaged opening and extending the track leading to Horseshoe Falls, which will open up a very beautiful panorama of tree ferns and mountain scenery, terminating at one of the most charming waterfalls in the district. Residents of Winbourne and Oaklands Roads then decided to subscribe sufficient money to make a round trip from the station, via Winbourne Road, to the new falls, thence by track to Fairy Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and Lyre Bird Glen, and back via Oaklands Road to the railway. The walk is an easy graded one of about 2½ miles, and is full of interest from start to finish. The track will be completed before the influx of visitors for the next public holiday.

The "new falls" would be Burgess Falls (see the quotes below). However there is no mention of Oaklands Falls, but there is mention of Horseshoe Falls and Fairy Falls. It also looks like Fairy Falls is downstream of Horseshoe Falls from the description. So perhaps "Fairy Falls" is the old name for "Oaklands Falls"?

The earliest report that names Oaklands Falls that I could find is this one from The Mirror, 31 January 1919, page 13 -

We have been staying at Hazelbrook for the holidays, It is a lovely place, and I enjoyed myself immensely. Hazelbrook is on the Blue Mountains, you know, We have had quite a number of excursions to the falls, etc,, up here, starting out in the morning and coming home in the evening. The principal sights which we have seen here are : Horseshoe Falls, Lyre Bird Glen, Glow Worm Vale, Oaklands Falls, Cosy Nook, Picnic Point, Burgess Falls, The Shower Bath, Victor Falls, The Lake, The Amphitheatre,, The Pyramids, Rocky Towers, The Meeting of the Waters, and The Terrace Falls.







From the Blue Mountains Echo, 11 October 1918, Page 5 -

The township was en fete on Monday last, on the occasion of the opening of the Burgess Falls, so named in memory of Sapper E. A. Burgess, who was killed in the present conflict. He was the son of Mr. E. A. Burgess, local builder and highly-respected townsman, a brother of Staff Sergt. Norman Burgess,M.M., Croix de Guerre, A.A.M.C, and Sapper Harold Burgess. There must have been fully 150 people at the function, which was carried out in gloriously fine weather. Mr. R. G. Newton explained the object and desires of the Trust of the Hazelbrook recreation reserves, telling something of what had been done by that body, Mr. W. Collett, one of Hazelbrook's returned men, spoke on behalf of the townsfolk, stating their appreciation. Mr. J. K. Coates, a personal friend of the late Sapper Burgess, paid a fine tribute to his friend. Mr. R. Shelton paid a splendid tribute to the men of Hazelbrook who had answered the call, and praised the Trust for its initiative in pushing ahead with the work in connection with the Falls and walks. Mr. Levitt told the gathering something about the future doings of the Trust. Sapper Harold Burgess then unveiled the title board, and thanked the townspeople for the honor done his fallen brother. Mr. Burgess added a few words on behalf of the family. A picnic luncheon was then partaken of in the new shed at the picnic grounds, close by the Falls. The opening up of the new Falls and a circular walk is, in the main, due to the efforts of Messrs.H. A. Bourne and W. E. Collett, who undertook to see that the work of forming the new path was carried out by public subscription. The Burgess Falls are very pretty, and well worth a visit.
and followed up, the Blue Mountains Echo, 18 October 1918, Page 4 -

In our report of the opening of Burgess Falls last week, we omitted to mention that Mr J. Counsell had painted, and donated the necessary sign boards. Further we gave Messrs Bourne and Collett, two of Hazelbrook's energetic townsmen, credit for establishing the whole of the new circular walk, whereas they were only responsible for collecting the necessary cash for making a path from Winbourne road to the Falls, and making the arrangements in connection therewith. The Trustees of Parks and Reserves were responsible for the work in opening up this new pleasure spot from the direction of Horseshoe Falls, and we regret that this was not made clear in last week's report. Every  credit is due to this body for its work in beautifying the district, particularly in the case of the secretary, Mr F. W. Levitt, who is always on the lookout for opportunities to make improvements, whenever possible.

Nearly two years later, in another report from the Blue Mountains Echo, 3 September 1920, page 3, a bridge 50 foot long was constructed to the base of Burgess Falls. It was christened as "The Diggers' Bridge". Also a track was constructed from Horseshoe Falls to Burgess Falls.

There is a plaque near Burgess Falls in memory of Burgess. It does not seem to be the original marble plaque however.

Part of the old Parish Map





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