These are (arguably) the best waterfalls in and around Sydney… “Best” is of course a somewhat subjective term: these waterfalls were chosen based on being the most picturesque, especially after there’s been some rain. Many involve a short bushwalk and a few are a bit off-the-beaten track.
There are many more waterfalls throughout Sydney that are worth a visit – especially after there’s been some decent rain!
- Regarded as one of the most picturesque Blue Mountains waterfalls, Bridal Veil Falls in Leura can be seen from multiple cliff-top lookouts. A walking track goes to the base of the falls. It’s best after heavy rain, when the top very much resembles a bridal veil.
- Blue Mountains National Park
- Type of waterfall: Segmented, Tiered or multi-step
- Total drop: 35m
- Distance to waterfall: 0.8km
- How to get there: Trail from Leura Cascades Picnic Area on Chelmsford Drive
- Although a little hard to reach (the jungle trek getting to the falls being part of the attraction), Clover Falls is a spectacular waterfall. The pristine creek plunges into a small pool, which is also a nice swimming spot.
- Macquarie Pass National Park
- Type of waterfall: Plunge
- Total drop: 20m
- Distance to waterfall: 8.2km
- How to get there: Clover Hill Trail off the Illawarra Highway
- Royal National Park
- Type of waterfall: Plunge
- Total drop: 80m
- Distance to waterfall: 8km
- How to get there: Wattamolla Beach (end of Wattamolla Drive, off Sir Bertram Stevens Drive) or Garie Beach (end of Garie Road)
- It’s a bit tricky to get a good view of Curracurrong Falls in the Royal National, but it earns a spot as one of the best waterfalls around Sydney being one of only three recognised tidefalls in Australia (waterfalls that drop into the ocean). When the wind blows the right way, it’s also one of the uncommon “reverse waterfalls”.
- Royal National Park
- Type of waterfall: Plunge
- Total drop: 82m
- Distance to waterfall: 8km
- How to get there: Wattamolla Beach (end of Wattamolla Drive, off Sir Bertram Stevens Drive) or Garie Beach (end of Garie Road)
- Kariong Brook Falls is both a picturesque waterfall (best after rain), and a beautiful swimming hole. Located along the Great North Walk, the falls and waterhole are surrounded by sandstone cliffs and rainforest.
- Brisbane Water National Park
- Type of waterfall: Tiered or multi-step
- Distance to waterfall: 5km
- How to get there: Thommos Loop firetrail from Woy Woy Road
- Perhaps one of the most-photographed Blue Mountains waterfalls, Katoomba Falls can be seen from many vantage points along multiple walking tracks. The spectacular waterfall drops 150m, and is best after rain.
- Blue Mountains National Park
- Type of waterfall: Tiered or multi-step
- Total drop: 150m
- Distance to waterfall: 0.2km
- How to get there: A number of trails start from the Prince Henry Picnic Area
- Although the Leura Cascades are not very high, the water cascades over moss-covered rocks and past a sandstone cave, and is surrounded by rainforest. It makes for a very photogenic (and popular) short Blue Mountains bushwalk.
- Blue Mountains National Park
- Type of waterfall: Cascade
- Total drop: 10m
- Distance to waterfall: 0.8km
- How to get there: Trail from Leura Cascades Picnic Area on Chelmsford Drive
- Although not well known and infrequently visited, the Lower Gledhill Falls along McCarrs Creek is a spectacular waterfall. The water plunges through a narrow chute in the rocks, and into a pool far below. Part of the attraction is that it’s only a few metres from the road, but feels like a remote location.
- Ku-ring-gai Chase NP, West Head
- Type of waterfall: Chute
- Distance to waterfall: 0.8km
- How to get there: Parking area at the bottom of West Head Road (near junction with McCarrs Creek Road)
- The Mullet Creek Falls (or Irrawong Waterfall) and swimming hole is in a beautiful setting. The waterfall drops into a small pool with a large sandy beach, surrounded by sandstone cliffs and towering eucalypts. It’s a very relaxing, family-friendly spot.
- Irrawong Reserve
- Type of waterfall: Tiered or multi-step
- Total drop: 4m
- Distance to waterfall: 0.6km
- How to get there: Trail from Epworth Place (Warriewood) or Ingleside Road (Ingleside)
- Alternate waterfalls nearby: Much taller but a little trickier to reach are the Mullet Creek 2nd Falls, which are further up the creek.
- Arguably the most spectacular waterfall around Sydney (especially after rain), National Falls has two separate tiers which you can easily access. Both the Upper Falls and Lower Falls feature enormous sandstone overhangs that let you get behind the plunging water.
- Royal National Park
- Type of waterfall: Plunge, Tiered or multi-step
- Total drop: 20m
- Distance to waterfall: 0.4km
- How to get there: Just of McKell Avenue, in Waterfall
- Considered the most impressive waterfall in the Blue Mountains, Wentworth Falls is also the highest waterfall (with a drop of 187m). The three-tiered waterfall can be seen from different angles from multiple lookouts, and a steep walk takes you to the bottom of the falls.
- Blue Mountains National Park
- Type of waterfall: Tiered or multi-step
- Total drop: 187m
- Distance to waterfall: 0.3km
- How to get there: Wentworth Falls Lookout (and start of walking trail) + many more options
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