The destination of this walk — the true Natural Bridge Cascade — is the culmination of years of meticulous research. The early groundwork was laid by John Kennett, and later refined by Bernard Lo, who used high‑resolution LIDAR and modern AI terrain analysis to pinpoint the real waterfall. This was essential because a completely different waterfall — Barkala Falls in Berambing Gully — was mistakenly labelled “Natural Bridge Cascade” in 2021. The “real” Natural Bridge Cascade was originally accessed from James Comrie’s 500-acre estate called Northfield, in Kurrajong Heights.
Burnt country and big views
The original access route from the Northfield estate is now choked with dense regrowth, so our approach follows a looping bushwalk that skirts private property before swinging west into Wollemi National Park.
We’re soon in an area that has been recently burnt, with the almost complete lack of undergrowth making progress a bit quicker.
Through the burnt trees are views over Wheeny Creel to the north, and a glimpse of the Grose Valley cliffs to the south.
Then comes steep drop. The fire has stripped the slope bare, leaving it slippery and unstable. Geologist Peter Hatherly, who previously walked this route with Yuri, explained that this slope is a fault propagation fold — the western edge of the Lapstone Structural Complex, a major geological system marking the abrupt transition between the Blue Mountains plateau and the Cumberland Plain.
Sliding, skidding and occasionally walking, we reach the base of the slope and continue descending more gently along the ridge, alternating between burnt forest and pockets of intact scrub.
Soon there is a view of Wheeny Creek below us – which is where we are heading – and the terrain starts to get steeper again.
About halfway down we make a small detour to explore some interesting rock formations; Bernard points some lyrebird tracks in the sandy floor of one of the caves.
The cliff-line end at small waterfall that drops into a narrow, verdant grotto – and a ten metre vertical drop, which means we need to back-track a little to continue our descent.
We negotiate a few more cliff-lines as we descend.
After pushing through a band of thick scrub, we drop into Alsophylla Glen, a tributary of Wheeny Creek and the lowest point of the loop.
Alsophylla Glen — a sublime rainforest gorge
We’re now following the creek upstream through Alsophylla Glen, which is the most picturesque section of this walk. Initially there is a bit of route-finding above the creek to avoid obstructions.
But we’re soon making rapid progress along the creek, which is filled with mossy boulders. Yuri described the gorge more eloquently than I can…
…a sublime rainforest gorge, complete with gurgling, cascading brook, tall trees and green mossy boulders – all magically lit by dappled sunlight.
The glen is named for the abundant Alsophila (formerly spelt Alsophylla) tree ferns that flourish here.
As well the many different species of ferns, Coachwood trees tower ahove the mossy boulders.
Every few hundred metres brings a crystal-clear pool or miniature cascade.
A waterfall once (slightly) famous, and now (almost) forgotten
After just over a kilometre of this very pleasant walking, we reach the base of Natural Bridge Cascade, formed by a side-creek dropping through a natural arch and over a series of ledges.
The Natural Bridge Cascade was first described in 1871 in the Australian Town and Country Journal, accompanied by a hand‑coloured engraving. The article praised the glen’s ferns, mosses and the dramatic natural arch:
The estate is surrounded by many beautiful walks and romantic glens, among which might be mentioned “Alsophylla Glen,” and “White Cliff Glen.” The former takes its name from the beautiful Alsophylla Macarthurii fern trees which grow there abundantly, and leads to a series of magnificent cascades and waterfalls, and finally ends in a great natural curiosity, “the Natural Bridge Cascade,” formed by a stream which flows over a precipitious cliff, from under a natural arch of rock, and falls a depth of about 100 feet.
The wall or face of the precipice is lined with ferns of the most vivid green, which, with mosses dripping with spray, when the afternoon sun begins to play among them, are lighted up with a radiance truly beautiful, causing them to gleam and glitter with all the colours of the rainbow.
A Visit to the Kurrajong (1871)
The natural arch at the top of the waterfall which gives Natural Bridge Cascade it’s name is only just visible from the bottom; next stop is the top of the falls to get a better view of this natural rock formation. First we need to follow the main creek a bit further to find a way up.
After negotiating a picturesque cascade and a final set of giant boulders, we take a steep slot up to the top of the cliff-line.
We’re soon on a long rock platform above the gully, which makes for easy walking – and a nice spot for a break.
A short scramble down brings us to the top of the waterfall, where the small but striking natural stone arch frames the creek as it drops into Alsophylla Glen.
From the top of the waterfall, it’s a fairly straightforward walk back up to the main ridge, before we re-trace our route back to Bells Line of Road.
While Alsophylla Glen is the aesthetic highlight of this Wollemi bushwalk, the rediscovery of the Natural Bridge Cascade is remarkable. Within an hour of Sydney — and less than two kilometres from a major road — the landscape still hides secrets. Thanks to careful research, LIDAR analysis, and patient exploration by John Kennett and Bernard Lo, a lost waterfall has been brought back into the light!
Getting to Alsophylla Glen and Natural Bridge Cascade
The bushwalk starts along Bells Line of Road in Kurrajong Heights, with parking along Coach House Road. You can’t follow the fire trail which starts almost directly Coach House Road; you need to walk a few hundred metres west along Bells Line of Road before entering Wollemi National Park via private property easement.
More information
- Australian Town and Country Journal (13 May 1871) – A Visit to the Kurrajong is the original documentation and pictorial depiction of Natural Bridge Cascade
- The Sydney Bushwalker (Feb 2024) – The Natural Bridge Cascade Mystery describes Barkala Falls, which was originally thought to be Natural Bridge Cascade (but isn’t!)
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