Summary: Curracurrong Falls is a unique waterfall in the Royal National Park, as it plunges directly off high cliffs into the ocean. On windy days, it's also known to blow back up as mist, becoming a "reverse waterfall".

While it’s easy to walk past the Curracurrong Falls in the Royal National Park without really noticing it, the waterfall has some characteristics that make it unique. Firstly, it has the distinction of being one of a very small number of waterfalls that plunge directly into the ocean (the only one in NSW and one of only three in Australia, according to Wikipedia).

Curracurrong Falls

Secondly, with the right weather conditions, it’s one of the rare “reverse waterfalls” where the wind blows the water back into the air. (Behind Curracurrong Falls is Eagle Rock, a sandstone formation that looks the shape of an eagle’s head.)

Curracurrong Falls and Eagle Rock

You can get a view of the Curracurrong Falls from both the north and south, although to get the best views you need to leave the track.

Curracurrong Falls from Eagle Rock (north)

There 82m high waterfall is hard to see its entirety, because Curracurrong Creek plunges straight down off the edge of the tall cliff. The best vantage point is from the top of Eagle Rock; there’s no formal track (and leaving the Coastal Track boardwalk is discouraged), but you can easily cross the low heathland to reach the top of the rock formation. (Continue a few hundred metres past the Curracurrong Creek crossing, then head through the low heath towards the edge of the cliff.)

Curracurrong Falls

Curracurrong Falls from the south

Near the junction of the Royal National Park Coast Track with the Curra Moors Trail North), there’s an easy scramble down from the boardwalk to the top of the cliffs. Here you can see most of the Curracurrong Falls, as well as Eagle Rock to the right of the falls.

Curracurrong Falls

A few different viewpoints and angles give you slightly different views of the waterfall.

Curracurrong Falls

Upper Curracurrong Falls

These smaller cascades don’t have a name; they are just upstream of the main waterfall (and below where the Coast Track crosses Curracurrong Creek). After heavy rain, multiple waterfalls form across the wide ledge.

Cascades above Curracurrong Falls

If it’s been dry and the volume of water is lower, you ledges and overhangs make a nice, sheltered spot for a break.

Cascades above Curracurrong Falls

Curracurrong Creek

Originating below Sir Bertram Stevens Drive in the Royal National Park, Curracurrong Creek has a relatively small catchment area – but no sources of pollution, so the water is pristine. Above the track are the creeks forms some wide but shallow pools. Not deep enough to swim, but a nice spot to cool off on a warm day.

AWAT2108 LR Curracurrong Falls - the only tidefall in NSW

Getting to Curracurrong Falls

It’s about 8km (return) to Curracurrong Falls from Garie Beach, Wattamolla or Sir Bertram Stevens Drive via the Curra Moors Firetrail. The easiest and quickest way to the waterfall (and Eagle Rock) is from Wattamolla, where there is a large carpark, kiosk and toilets. An entry fee applies (if you don’t have a National Parks pass).

A few popular bushwalks that pass the falls (and Eagle Rock):

More information

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1 Comment

Hiking the Curra Moors Loop to Eagle Rock | Hiking the World · April 29, 2022 at 11:17 pm

[…] The top of Eagle Rock is one of the few vantage points from whic you can see the full height of Curracurrong Falls – as well as Curra Brook […]

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