The Greater Blue Mountains has some of the most spectacular waterfalls that can be found around Sydney, with many of them easily accessed – often from multiple vantage points. Spend a day around Leura or Katoomba after there’s been some decent rain and you’re guaranteed to get some spectacular photos!
See also waterfalls in Sydney’s north / Sydney’s south / Central Coast.
A picturesque waterfall in Lawson, the base of Adelina Falls is easily reached by a short bushwalking track (which forms part of a longer waterfall loop),
- South Lawson Park
- Type of waterfall: Tiered or multi-step
- Total drop: 15
- Rating: 3.5
- Ease of access: Easy
- Track from Honour Avenue, Lawson
Hidden in plain sight, Bonnie Doon Falls (Ethel Falls) is just next to the Six Foot Track in Nellies Glen. A short off-track scramble gets you to the base of the falls.
- Blue Mountains National Park
- Type of waterfall: Horsetail
- Total drop: 60
- Rating: 3.5
- Ease of access: Easy/Moderate
- Great Western Highway, just south of Explorers Tree (Katoomba)
Bridal Veil Falls in Leura is a spectacular multi-tiered waterfall in the Blue Mountains, especially after heavy rain. There are viewing points both above and below the falls.
- Blue Mountains National Park
- Type of waterfall: Segmented, Tiered or multi-step
- Total drop: 35
- Rating: 4
- Ease of access: Easy
- Trail from Leura Cascades Picnic Area on Chelmsford Drive
Bulcamatta Falls is a small waterfall in a narrow grotto, near Kurrajong Heights. Reached via a short walk, you'll also see glow worms at night.
- Blue Mountains National Park
- Type of waterfall: Cascade
- Total drop: 3
- Rating: 2
- Ease of access: Easy
- Trail from Burralow Creek campground and picnic area
Consisting of an upper and lower drop, Cataract Falls is the tallest waterfall on the South Lawson Waterfall Loop bushwalk.
- South Lawson Park
- Type of waterfall: Tiered or multi-step
- Total drop: 25
- Rating: 4
- Ease of access: Easy
- Track from bottom of Honour Avenue, Lawson
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
A small but picturesque waterfall along the Victory Track in Faulconbridge, Clarinda Falls is best viewed after decent rain.
- Blue Mountains National Park
- Type of waterfall: Cascade
- Total drop: 10
- Rating: 2
- Ease of access: Easy
- Sir Henrys Parade (Victory Track) or end of Sassafras Gully Road
Den Fenella Falls in Wentworth Falls, Den Fenella Falls consists of a series of cascades down a narrow, rainforested gully. Best visited after decent rain.
- Blue Mountains National Park
- Type of waterfall: Cascade
- Total drop: 20
- Rating: 3
- Ease of access: Easy
- End of Sir H Burrell Drive, Wentworth Falls
A picturesque waterfall along the South Lawson Waterfall Circuit, Federal Falls cascades onto a shaded, sandy base.
- South Lawson Park
- Type of waterfall: Tiered or multi-step
- Total drop: 15
- Rating: 4
- Ease of access: Easy
- Track from bottom of Honour Avenue, Lawson
Fortress Creek Falls is a spectacular but hard-to-reach waterfall, where Fortress Creek plunges over a cliff into the Grose Valley. At the top of the falls are some spectacular, cliff-top rock pools.
- Blue Mountains National Park
- Type of waterfall: Plunge
- Total drop: 100
- Rating: 4
- Ease of access: Moderate/Hard
- Trail from Fortress Ridge carpark on Mount Hay Road (Leura)
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)
One of the most well-known and popular attractions in the Blue Mountains, the stunning Govetts Leap (also known as the Bridal Veil Falls) drops 180m in the valley. It can be viewed from a few cliff-top lookouts.
- Blue Mountains National Park
- Type of waterfall: Horsetail
- Total drop: 180
- Rating: 3.5
- Ease of access: Easy
- Lookout at end of Govetts Leap Road
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
Boasting the second-highest drop of all the Blue Mountains waterfalls, Horseshoe Falls plunges off the cliffs at Blackheath into the valley below. It can be seen from a few lookouts along the top of the cliff.
- Blue Mountains National Park
- Type of waterfall: Horsetail
- Total drop: 100
- Rating: 4
- Ease of access: Easy
- Trail from end of Govetts Leap Road
The main falls (Junction Falls) is a pictureseque, multi-tier waterfall; there's a second smaller waterfall a short distance downstream that you can walk behind.
- South Lawson Park
- Type of waterfall: Tiered or multi-step
- Total drop: 20
- Rating: 3.5
- Ease of access: Easy
- Track from Honour Avenue, Lawson
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