Atlas › Blue Mountains NP - Grose
Butterbox Canyon
not verifiedpermit verified 2026-08-18
ACA 4C
High flood risk
Mount Wilson, NSW
A Blue Mountains classic that pairs technical abseiling with a mandatory bolted exit climb, including the famous chockstone drop.
The exit climb (Ewbank 15) is the crux of the day for many parties: lead it or stay in the canyon. Bring 5 quickdraws and a competent leader. Water is swift through the chockstone section, take the gauge reading seriously.
Logistics
| Manager | NSW NPWS Blue Mountains NP |
|---|---|
| Permit | Access closed 9 June to 17 December 2026 while NSW NPWS upgrades Mount Hay Road. The closure names Butterbox Canyon explicitly, along with Fortress Canyon, Fortress Ridge, Lockleys Pylon and the Mount Hay summit track, with no vehicle or pedestrian access for its duration. Permit requirements outside the closure window are not established here. Check the Blue Mountains National Park local alerts page before any trip, since Mt Hay access has been shut for months at a time. |
| Distance | 0.5 mi |
| Elevation | ~591 ft net change |
| Time | ~6.5 hr (30 min approach, 3 hr descent, 3 hr exit) |
| Technical | 6 to 11 abseils, longest about 66 ft. Signature feature is a chockstone abseil landing on a wedged block. Exit includes a bolted Ewbank 15 lead climb requiring 5 quickdraws and trad climbing skills. Australian v4a3 IV. |
| Season | Nov-Mar |
| Flood risk | High. The narrow chute concentrates flow fast. Cross-check the Grose River gauge before committing. |
| Vehicle access | 2WD when dry, AWD or 4WD preferred after rain on the access dirt road |
| Crowd | High, regularly run by commercial groups, multiple parties common on weekends |
| Coordinates | -33.6301, 150.402 |