View source for Jamison Valley

{{Short description|Natural valley in New South Wales, Australia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2014}}
{{Infobox valley
| name            = Jamison Valley
| other_name      = 
| photo           = Jamison Valley, Blue Mountains, Australia - Nov 2008.jpg
| photo_caption   = View of the Jamison Valley from [[Wentworth Falls (waterfall)|Wentworth Falls]]
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| location        = [[Blue Mountains (Australia)|Blue Mountains]], [[New South Wales]], [[Australia]]
| relief          = 
| label           = 
| label_position  = 
| coordinates     = {{coord|-33.75823611|150.333875|type:landmark_region:AU|format=dms|display=title, inline}}
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| elevation       = 
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| direction       = 
| length          =  {{convert|4|km}}
| width           =  {{convert|10|km}} 
| area            = 
| depth           = {{convert|400|m}} 
| type            = 
| age             = [[Triassic]]
| boundaries      = 
| topo            = 
| towns           = [[Katoomba, New South Wales|Katoomba]]
| traversed       = Sublime Point Trail
| watercourses    = Jamison Creek{{br}}[[Kedumba River]]
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[[File:Sylvia Falls.jpg|thumb|A view of Sylvia Falls – Valley of the Waters, Blue Mountains NP.]]

The '''Jamison Valley''' <!--NOTE: Jamison does not have an "e" in it; check maps at Paddy Pallins if you don't believe me-->forms part of the [[Coxs River]] <!-- Coxs does not have an apostrophe; official policy is no apostrophes in place names-->canyon system in the [[Blue Mountains (Australia)|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 [[Katoomba, New South Wales|Katoomba]], the main town in the Blue Mountains.

==History==

===Indigenous history===
The traditional inhabitants of the land in what is now known as the Jamison Valley are the [[Indigenous Australians|Aboriginal]] [[Gundungurra]] people<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/aboriginalplaces/KingsTableland.htm |title=Atlas of Aboriginal Places: Kings Tableland |work=[[Office of Environment and Heritage (New South Wales)|Office of Environment & Heritage]] |publisher=[[Government of New South Wales]] |date=21 May 2013 |access-date=1 July 2013 }}</ref> who are estimated to have lived in the region for {{formatnum:40000}} years, stretching south towards the [[Burragorang Valley]], north of [[Goulburn, New South Wales|Goulburn]].<ref>{{cite web |format=PDF |url=http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/world/blue-mountains/pubs/gbm-nomination.pdf |title=The Greater Blue Mountains Area: World Heritage Nomination |publisher=[[Commonwealth of Australia]] |year=1998 |work=prepared by the [[National Parks and Wildlife Service (New South Wales)|NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service]] in association with [[Environment Australia]] |access-date=1 July 2013 |page=49 }}</ref>

===European history===
The Jamison Valley was named by Governor [[Lachlan Macquarie]] in honour of Sir [[John Jamison]] (1776-1844), a prominent landowner and physician who visited the Blue Mountains with the governor in 1815.

Later, as local towns were beginning to develop, the British naturalist [[Charles Darwin]] toured the area. He stayed at the Weatherboard Inn in [[Wentworth Falls, New South Wales|Wentworth Falls]] in 1836, and undertook a walk along Jamison Creek to the escarpment of the Jamison Valley, where he was impressed by the views. His route is now commemorated as Darwin's Walk, starting in Wilson Park, Wentworth Falls, and following Jamison Creek to the escarpment.<ref>Sydney and Blue Mountains Bushwalks, Neil Paton (Kangaroo Press) 2004, p. 207</ref>

Coal mining in the valley was started around 1872 by John Britty North, with large-scale infrastructure ([[Katoomba Scenic Railway]]) used to overcome the terrain.

==Geology==
[[File:1 Ruined  Castle.jpg|thumb|left|upright|The [[Ruined Castle (rock formation)|Ruined Castle]], a popular destination for bushwalkers]]
[[File:(1)Solitary005.jpg|thumb|A view of [[Mount Solitary]] from the floor of the Jamison Valley]]
The Jamison Valley stretches north-south from just outside Katoomba to the Mount Solitary ridge; in this direction it is approximately {{convert|4|km}} long. From west to east, it stretches from [[Narrow Neck Plateau]] to [[Kings Tableland]], making it approximately {{convert|10|km}} wide.<ref>Blue Mountains Tourist Map, Eighth Edition 1988, New South Wales Government</ref> Like the entire Sydney and Blue Mountains region, the valley is a sandstone area, characterised by steep sandstone cliffs. Deeper into the soil there is a layer of shale, which is softer than the sandstone. As this layer of shale was eroded by the watercourses, it collapsed and brought the sandstone down with it, creating the characteristic sandstone valleys and canyons of the Blue Mountains, of which the Jamison Valley is one.

The only mountain in the valley is [[Mount Solitary]], which sprawls across the south of the valley from west to east. It is joined to Narrow Neck Plateau by a low ridge which is also the site of the Ruined Castle, a rock formation that is popular with bushwalkers. Immediately east of Mount Solitary is a property called Kedumba Farm, which is no longer worked as a farm.

South of Mount Solitary, the valley sprawls through Cedar and Kedumba Valley down to Coxs River and [[Lake Burragorang]], the lake that was created when Warragamba Dam was built. There is a {{convert|3|km}} prohibited area around the river and lake to protect Sydney's water supply. Around this area there is a high-tension power line that crosses the valley from east to west; it is followed by a series of service roads that provide access to the powerline and to the area, although much of it is in the prohibited area. These service roads make it possible to do a trek taking in the whole valley, but it is necessary to get permission from [[Sydney Water]] to go through the prohibited area. The Katoomba and Jamison topographic maps are essential for any of these walks.<ref>Jamison Topographic Map, 8930-2N, Land and Property Information, New South Wales</ref><ref>Blue Mountains Tourist Map, 1988</ref>

The northern escarpment is deeply serrated, having been carved up by watercourses over millions of years. Watercourses include Jamison Creek, Valley of the Waters Creek, Gordons Creek, Leura Falls Creek, [[Kedumba River]] and Causeway Creek. There are also numerous waterfalls, including Wentworth Falls, Empress Falls, Vera Falls, Gordon Falls, Leura Falls and Katoomba Falls.<ref>Katoomba Topographic Map, 8930-1-S, Land and Property Information, New South Wales</ref>

The valley is densely forested, with eucalypt forest over most of its expanse and occasional pockets of semi-rainforest in gullies, where water is concentrated.

==Activities==
[[File:Jamison Valley Blue Mountains.jpg|thumb|View of the Jamison Valley from near [[Wentworth Falls]]]]
[[File:Narrow Neck.jpg|thumb|223x223px|Narrow Neck peninsula ]]
The Jamison Valley is commonly visited by bushwalkers and campers. There is a network of tracks across the northern escarpment, including Darwin's Walk, the tracks in the Valley of the Waters and old, neglected tracks that Blue Mountains bushwalkers have been  trying to restore for years.<ref>How To See the Blue mountains, Jim Smith (Second Back Row Press) 1986, pp. 52-55.</ref> Tracks are also found along the cliffs near Leura and Katoomba, as well as tracks like the Federal Pass, located at the foot of the cliffs. 

A track also goes west around to the Ruined Castle and Mount Solitary. The track continues across the mountain but is patchy and suitable only for experienced walkers.<ref>Sydney and Blue Mountains Bushwalks, pp. 225-228</ref> It is possible to then go up to Kings Tableland and into Wentworth Falls, making a trek of at least three days. The tracks closer to the escarpment are suitable for one-day walks. Mount Solitary is used mostly for camping trips, although some walkers have been known to make one-day walks to the mountain. In this part of the valley there was formerly a sewage treatment plant, not far below the northern escarpment. It was serviced by a dirt road that went up to Kings Tableland and thence to Wentworth Falls town. The plant was closed down in the 1990s, but the service road remains and can be used by bushwalkers.

==Attractions==
Attractions include [[Scenic World]], a tourist complex north of the valley. And as well as the steepest [[funicular]] railway in the world, the [[Katoomba Scenic Railway]], which was originally built to facilitate [[coal]] and [[oil shale]] mining in the Jamison Valley.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infobluemountains.net.au/rail/ksr/Default.htm|title=Katoomba Scenic Railway|publisher=InfoBlueMountains.net|access-date=11 May 2013}}</ref> Scenic World also offers the Scenic Skyway cable car, which travels over an arm of the Jamison Valley and offers views of Katoomba Falls and Orphan Rock. 

The [[Three Sisters (Australia)|Three Sisters]], which are on the northern escarpment of the valley, are one of Australia's most-photographed landmarks.<ref>[https://www.picturestore.com.au/articlecontainer.aspx?ID=4&articleID=852 Australia's Most Photographed Landmarks] PictureStore</ref>

The Giant Stairway<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wildwalks.com/bushwalking-and-hiking-in-nsw/blue-mountains-katoomba/echo-point-to-scenic-world-via-giant-stairway.html |title=Bushwalking on the Echo Point to Scenic World via Giant Stairway |location=AU-NS |publisher=Wildwalks.com |access-date=11 September 2010}}</ref> walking track runs down a cliff into the Jamison Valley, near the Three Sisters, providing access to nature walks through the valley.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wildwalks.com/bushwalking-and-hiking-in-nsw/blue-mountains-katoomba/|title=Blue Mountains (Katoomba)|publisher=Wildwalks|access-date=18 November 2012}}</ref>

===Major lookouts===
{{GeoGroup}}
{{Div col|colwidth=30em|small=yes}}
* {{Coord|-33.755871|150.287245|format=dms|type:landmark|name=Castle Head}} - Castle Head 
* {{Coord|-33.732714|150.311948|format=dms|type:landmark|name=Echo Point}}  - Echo Point 
* {{Coord|-33.733048|150.298858|format=dms|type:landmark|name=Eagle Hawk Lookout}} - Eagle Hawk Lookout 
* {{Coord|-33.726267|150.329910|format=dms|type:landmark|name=Elysian Rock Lookout}} - Elysian Rock Lookout
* {{Coord|-33.727300|150.335623|format=dms|type:landmark|name=Golf Links Lookout}} - Golf Links Lookout
* {{Coord|-33.726619|150.332517|format=dms|type:landmark|name=Gordon Falls Lookout}} - Gordon Falls Lookout
* {{Coord|-33.730616|150.296683|format=dms|type:landmark|name=Hilda's Lookout}} - Hilda's Lookout
* {{Coord|-33.725642|150.369123|format=dms|type:landmark|name=Jamison Lookout}} - Jamison Lookout 
* {{Coord|-33.722005|150.319793|format=dms|type:landmark|name=Kiah Lookout}} - Kiah Lookout
* {{Coord|-33.732159|150.315595|format=dms|type:landmark|name=Lady Carrington Lookout}} - Lady Carrington Lookout
* {{Coord|-33.730401|150.308842|format=dms|type:landmark|name=Lady Darleys Lookout}} - Lady Darleys Lookout
* {{Coord|-33.732068|150.295702|format=dms|type:landmark|name=Landslide Lookout}} - Landslide Lookout
* {{Coord|-33.740663|150.371852|format=dms|type:landmark|name=Lincoln's Rock Lookout }} - Lincoln's Rock Lookout 
* {{Coord|-33.733052|150.298872|format=dms|type:landmark|name=Malaita Lookout}} - Malaita Lookout
* {{Coord|-33.727680|150.292111|format=dms|type:landmark|name=Narrow Neck Lookout}} - Narrow Neck Lookout
* {{Coord|-33.728561|150.373547|format=dms|type:landmark|name=Rocket Point}} - Rocket Point
* {{Coord|-33.732766|150.313076|format=dms|type:landmark|name=Spooners Lookout}} - Spooners Lookout
* {{Coord|-33.737429|150.338528|format=dms|type:landmark|name=Sublime Point}} - Sublime Point Lookout 
* {{Coord|-33.724143|150.325152|format=dms|type:landmark|name=Tarpeian Rock}} - Tarpeian Rock
* {{coord|33|44|8|S|150|18|52|E |type:landmark|name=Three Sisters}} Three Sisters Lookout
* {{Coord|-33.726006|150.37201|format=dms|type:landmark|name=Wentworth Falls Lookout}} - Wentworth Falls Lookout 
* {{Coord|-33.727310|150.37147|format=dms|type:landmark|name=Lookout}} - Princes Rock Lookout 
{{Div col end}}

==Transport==
The closest railway stations to the valley is the [[Katoomba railway station]], [[Leura railway station]] and [[Wentworth Falls railway station]], which are on the [[Blue Mountains Line]].

The [[Great Western Highway]] is the main road that is proximate to the Jamison Valley.

[[Katoomba Airfield]] is also located about {{convert|11.5|km||abbr=}} by road from the Katoomba [[Central business district|Central Business District]]. The airfield is currently closed to airplanes and helicopters. The site remains available for use by emergency services.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons Category|Jamison Valley}}
*{{NSW GNR|id=MaYbvqsyJP|title=Jamison Valley}}
*{{NSW GNR|id=MalplMtLTR|title=Kedumba Valley}}
*{{NSW GNR|id=JPKqjztLMn|title=Cedar Valley}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130317173506/http://www.bluemountainsnswaustralia.com/ Blue Mountains, NSW, Australia - Aerial video footage of the Jamison Valley below Katoomba, Leura and Wentworth Falls.]

{{Blue Mountains topics}}
{{City of Lithgow topics}}

[[Category:Geography of the Blue Mountains (New South Wales)]]
[[Category:Valleys of Australia]]
[[Category:Landforms of New South Wales]]
[[Category:Canyons and gorges of Australia]]
[[Category:Rock formations of New South Wales]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in New South Wales]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Sydney]]