The Narrow Neck Plateau, an eroded remnant of a sandstone layer situated at an elevation of above sea level that is part of the Blue Mountains Range which is a spur line off the Great Dividing Range, is situated immediately south-west of in

New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...

, Australia, located within the

Blue Mountains National Park The Blue Mountains National Park is a protected national park that is located in the Blue Mountains region of New South Wales, in eastern Australia. The national park is situated approximately west of Sydney, and the park boundary is quite ...

. The neck separates the

Jamison Valley The Jamison Valley forms part of the Coxs River canyon system in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia. It is situated approximately 100 kilometres west of Sydney, capital of New South Wales, and a few kilometres south of Katoomb ...

(to the east) from the

Megalong Valley Megalong Valley is part of the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia. It is located west of Katoomba. On its eastern side, the valley is separated from the Jamison Valley by Narrow Neck Plateau. The Shipley Plateau overlooks part of th ...

(to the west).

Description

From Cliff Drive, Katoomba, the Narrow Neck is accessed via a dirt road called Glenraphael Drive suitable for most two-wheel drive vehicles, subject to good weather conditions, as far as a locked gate. It is a popular walking, bike riding and climbing location and offers several walking descent routes to the adjacent valleys. Beyond the gate is walking/bicycle access only for the general public. One of the most popular walks is the Golden Stairs, a rough descent of approximately to join the Federal Pass. This opens up the Jamison Valley for popular day walks to sites such as Mount Solitary and the

Ruined Castle The Ruined Castle is a rock formation in the Jamison Valley area of the Blue Mountains, in New South Wales, Australia. Formation The Ruined Castle is an outcrop of large rocky boulders that lies halfway of a ridge that starts from Castle He ...

. The neck juts southwards from Katoomba for a distance of some and ends at Clear Hill, overlooking the Wild Dog Mountains. Castle Head promontory points towards the Ruined Castle, a small rock formation between Castle Head and Mount Solitary. Arguably one of the best views on the eastern seaboard of NSW is from Narrow Neck Fire Tower. On a day of high visibility it is possible to see from in the south to in the north and a number of peak landforms in between. It also has excellent views back towards the escarpment at Katoomba.

Missing person

A nineteen-year-old British backpacker Jamie Neale was found alive after twelve days lost in the Blue Mountains. Two bushwalkers alerted emergency services who were conducting an extensive search using the Police Rescue Squad, police dogs,

State Emergency Service The State Emergency Service (SES) is the name used by a number of organisations in Australia that provide assistance during and after major incidents. Specifically, the service deals with floods, storms and tsunamis, but can also assist in oth ...

and Rural Fire Service.

Fauna

Upland swamps on Narrow Neck Plateau have been identified as potential habitats for the rare Blue Mountain Water Skink.

Points of Interest

* - Cahill's Lookout * - Carlons Head * - Castle Head * - Clear Hill * - Fire Tower * - Golden Staircase * - Locked Gate * - Malaita Point * - Narrow Neck Lookout * - Ruined Castle * - Tarro's Ladders * - Three Sisters Lookout

References

External links