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!
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
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 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 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
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
A beautiful, secluded waterfall and swimming hole (after rain), Leslie Falls can only be reached via an off-track route along Lawson Ceeek.
- South Lawson Park
- Type of waterfall: Block or Ledge
- Total drop: 3
- Rating: 4.5
- Ease of access: Moderate
- Track from bottom of Honour Avenue, Lawson
One of the most spectacular and most-visited waterfalls around Cairns, Millaa Millaa Falls is surrounded by rainforest and has a beautiful swimming hole at the the base.
- Wooroonooran National Park
- Type of waterfall: Plunge
- Total drop: 18.3
- Rating: 4.5
- Ease of access: Easy
- Upper and lower carparks just of Theresa Creek Road
The highest waterfall in Dorrigo National Park (58m), Red Cedar Falls is reached by a fairly challenging 6.2km return bushwalk.
- Dorrigo National Park
- Type of waterfall: Plunge
- Total drop: 58
- Rating: 4.5
- Ease of access: Moderate
- Red Cedar Falls Track fom Never Never Picnic Area (end of Dome Road)
Refuge Bay Waterfall is an impressive waterfall at West Head, which plunges onto the back of the beach. It's possible to walk behind the waterfall, or climb up to a swimming hole above the falls.
- Ku-ring-gai Chase NP, West Head
- Type of waterfall: Plunge
- Total drop: 25
- Rating: 4.5
- Ease of access: Moderate
- By boat via Hawkesbury River or walking track from Salvation Loop
Russell Falls is a spectacular waterfall in Mount Field National Park, and one of Tasmania's most popular tourist attractions. A paved trail leads to the falls.
- Mount Field National Park
- Type of waterfall: Block or Ledge, Tiered or multi-step
- Total drop: 58
- Rating: 4.5
- Ease of access: Easy
- Paved trail from Mount Field Visitor Centre, on Lake Dobson Road
A very popular and picturesque waterfall, Somersby Falls is accessed by a short walking track that descends to the Middle Falls and Bottom Falls.
- Brisbane Water National Park
- Type of waterfall: Block or Ledge, Cascade, Tiered or multi-step
- Total drop: 30
- Rating: 4.5
- Ease of access: Easy
- Carpark and picnic area at end of Somersby Falls Road, Somersby
A spectacular waterfall in Hazelbrook, Terrace Falls consist of eight cascades, before the creek flows through a small grotto.
- Terrace Falls Reserve
- Type of waterfall: Tiered or multi-step
- Total drop: 20
- Rating: 4.5
- Ease of access: Easy/Moderate
- Locked gate at end of Terrace Falls Road, Hazelbrook
A cascade in Lamington National Park, West Canungra 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)
An unnamed waterfall in the Irrawong Reserve, the 2nd Falls is - as the name suggests0 - the 2nd waterfall upstream from the Mullet Creek Falls.
- Irrawong Reserve
- Type of waterfall: Plunge
- Total drop: 15
- Rating: 4
- Ease of access: Moderate
- Trail from Epworth Place (Warriewood) or Ingleside Road (Ingleside) to Mullet Creek Falls, then follow creek upstream.
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