There are many waterfalls in every Australian state, although the most spectacular drops are along the eastern seaboard – the Blue Mountains (NSW), Waterfall Way near Dorrigo (NSW), Lamington National Park (QLD) and Cairns region (QLD) are some of the best places to go chasing easily-accessible waterfalls.
The list below is sorted by (my subjective) rating in descending order – so highest-rated falls/swimming spots at the top!
Empress Falls is a very picturesque waterfall along the Valley of the Waters Creek in the Blue Mountains. You can swim in the deep pool near the base of the falls - but the water is very cold!
- Blue Mountains National Park
- Type of waterfall: Cascade, Horsetail, Tiered or multi-step
- Total drop: 37
- Rating: 5
- Ease of access: Easy
- Conservation Hut at end of Fletcher St, Wentworth Falls
National Falls is one of the most spectacular watefalls around Sydney. The waterfall has two separate levels, both with wide overhangs behind the plunging water.
- Royal National Park
- Type of waterfall: Plunge, Tiered or multi-step
- Total drop: 20
- Rating: 5
- Ease of access: Easy/Moderate
- Just of McKell Avenue, in Waterfall
A spectacular Gold Coast hinterland waterfall, Natural Bridge Falls plunges into a cave and through a natural arch. It's reached by a short loop walking trail.
- Springbrook National Park
- Type of waterfall: Plunge
- Total drop: 15
- Rating: 5
- Ease of access: Easy
- Trail from Bakers Road, Natural Bridge
Dropping into a deep pool within Deep Pass Canyon, Nayook Falls is a spectacular Wollemi waterfall and swimming hole. It's a very shoRt walk from the Deep Pass campground.
- Wollemi National Park
- Type of waterfall: Plunge
- Total drop: 6
- Rating: 5
- Ease of access: Easy/Moderate
- Carpark at end of Deep Pass Trail
Paradise Pool is a spectacular swimming hole in Linden in the mid Blue Mountains. A waterfall drops into the deep pool, which has steep cliffs on one side and a sandy beach on the other.
- Blue Mountains National Park
- Type of waterfall: Block or Ledge
- Total drop: 8
- Rating: 5
- Ease of access: Easy
- Carpark on Railway Parade, Linden
Sylvia Falls is a very picturesque waterfall along the Valley of the Waters Creek in the Blue Mountains.
- Blue Mountains National Park
- Type of waterfall: Cascade, Tiered or multi-step
- Total drop: 15
- Rating: 5
- Ease of access: Easy
- Conservation Hut at end of Fletcher St, Wentworth Falls
The Grotto is an incredibly picturesque waterfall and swimming hole, inside an easily-accessible slot canyon near Centennial Glen in Blackheath.
- Centennial Pass Recreation Reserve
- Type of waterfall: Plunge
- Total drop: 6
- Rating: 5
- Ease of access: Easy
- Centennial Glen Carpark at end of Centennial Glen Road
A spectacular Blue Mountains waterfall walk, the Valley of the Waters Track passes two cliff-top lookouts, before descending into the valley past eight picturesque waterfalls.
- Blue Mountains National Park
- Type of waterfall: Cascade, Horsetail, Tiered or multi-step
- Total drop: 37
- Rating: 5
- Ease of access: Easy
- Conservation Hut at end of Fletcher St, Wentworth Falls
The picturesque Beauchamp Falls (originally called Blackheath Falls) is located along Greaves Creek and accessed by the Rodriguez Pass walking track.
- Blue Mountains National Park
- Type of waterfall: Cascade
- Total drop: 22
- Rating: 4.5
- Ease of access: Easy/Moderate
- Evans Lookout (end of Grand Canyon Road), Blackheath
A spectacular waterfall in Lamington National Park, Box Log Falls is accessed by the Box Forest Circuit (and also the longer West Canungra Creek Circuit).
- Lamington National Park
- Type of waterfall: Block or Ledge, Tiered or multi-step
- Total drop: 6
- Rating: 4.5
- Ease of access: Easy/Moderate
- Trail from carpark at end of Lamington National Park Road (Green Mountains)
The Centennial Glen Track at Blackheath goes behind the picturesque Centennial Falls, while a side-track takes you down to the base of the waterfall
- Porters Pass Recreational Reserve
- Type of waterfall: Horsetail, Tiered or multi-step
- Total drop: 12
- Rating: 4.5
- Ease of access: Easy/Moderate
- Centennial Glen Carpark at end of Centennial Glen Road
Clover Falls is a spectacular waterfall and beautiful swimming hole along the Macquarie Rivulet. It's reached by the relatively challenging Clover Hill Trail.
- Macquarie Pass National Park
- Type of waterfall: Plunge
- Total drop: 20
- Rating: 4.5
- Ease of access: Moderate
- Clover Hill Trail off the Illawarra Highway
A beautiful and secluded swimming hole and waterfall in the upper Blue Mountains, Edenderry Pool and Edenderry Falls are located on Govetts Creek and reached by a 9km return bushwalk.
- Blue Mountains National Park
- Type of waterfall: Cascade, Tiered or multi-step
- Total drop: 15
- Rating: 4.5
- Ease of access: Easy/Moderate
- Grand Canyon Track & Horse Track from Evans Lookout, Blackheath
A spectacular 25m waterfall in Lamington National Park, Elabana Falls is accessed by the Box Forest Circuit (and also the longer West Canungra Creek Circuit and Toolona Creek Circuit).
- Lamington National Park
- Type of waterfall: Horsetail
- Total drop: 25
- Rating: 4.5
- Ease of access: Easy/Moderate
- Trail from carpark at end of Lamington National Park Road (Green Mountains)
Fitzroy Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Australia, with the water plunging 81m into a wide valley. A walking trail provides multiple lookouts.
- Morton National Park
- Type of waterfall: Plunge
- Total drop: 81
- Rating: 4.5
- Ease of access: Easy
- Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre on Nowra Road
A popular waterfall and swimming hole in Litchfield National Park, Florence Falls is accessible year-round via a short walk.
- Litchfield National Park
- Type of waterfall: Cascade, Segmented, Tiered or multi-step
- Total drop: 30
- Rating: 4.5
- Ease of access: Easy
- Trail from end of Florence Falls Road
An impressive waterfall after rain, Gordon Falls plunges 50m over the cliffs at Leura. The waterfall is best seen from the bottom, which is reached by a somewhat challenging bushwalk.
- Blue Mountains National Park
- Type of waterfall: Horsetail, Tiered or multi-step
- Total drop: 50
- Rating: 4.5
- Ease of access: Moderate
- Federal Pass from Kiah Lookout (for base) or Olympian Parade (for cliff-top lookout)
Grey Hat Falls cascades into the stunning and pristine Crayfish Pool along Kanuka Brook. The swimming hole and waterfall is reached by a short but steep walking track.
- Blue Mountains National Park
- Type of waterfall: Cascade
- Total drop: 12
- Rating: 4.5
- Ease of access: Easy/Moderate
- Walking trail and carpark on Red Hands Firetrail, Glenbrook
Horseshoe Falls drops over an horseshoe-shaped amphitheatre; the waterfall itself is fairly small, but it's an impressive natural setting
- Horseshoe Falls Reserve
- Type of waterfall: Horsetail
- Total drop: 7
- Rating: 4.5
- Ease of access: Easy
- Oaklands Road, Hazelwood
The Horseshoe Falls is a beautiful waterfall in Mount Field National Park, which drops into a natural amphitheatre. It's just above Russell Falls.
- Mount Field National Park
- Type of waterfall: Block or Ledge, Segmented
- Total drop: 5
- Rating: 4.5
- Ease of access: Easy
- Paved trail from Mount Field Visitor Centre, on Lake Dobson Road
0 Comments