Edenderry Pool – an oasis in the Grose Valley

Summary: 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.

How to get there: Grand Canyon Track & Horse Track from Evans Lookout, Blackheath
Walking distance to waterfall: 9.2km (return)
Duration: 4-6 hours
Grade: Easy/Moderate
Type of Swim: River
Type of waterfall: Cascade, Tiered or multi-step
Waterfall Rating: 4.5/5
Height of falls: 15m
Avoid after heavy rain
Flash Flooding
Topographic map/s: 8930-1S KATOOMBA (1:25K). Buy / Download
Bushwalking trail: Along Govetts Creek to Hilary Falls

Edenderry Falls plunges into Edenderry Pool along Govetts Creek in Blackwall Glen – it’s one of the largest natural pools in the upper Blue Mountains (Paradise Pool in the lower Blue Mountains is bigger).

Edenderry Falls itself is picturesque rather than spectacular, with the lower drop cascading about ten metres into the deep pool.

1X3A8494 LR Edenderry Pool - an oasis in the Grose Valley

Towering above Edenderry Pool and Edenderry Falls are the tall cliffs of the Grose Valley, which create a stunning backdrop to this oasis in the Grose Valley. The waterfall and pool were named after the birthplace of Francis Kirkpatrick, a student from the Edenderry National School in Belfast, who migrated to Australia in 1858 to become the Under Secretary for Finance and Trade (1891-1905) and moved to Blackheath in 1893. The pool was a more popular tourist attraction in the early 1900s, and was featured on one of the earliest picture postcards produced by private companies in Australia.

Visitors to Blackheath should not fail to pay a visit to Blackwall Glen and Edenderry Falls, an easy track to which has this season been formed by the trustees. This glen is noted for its wild grandeur and picturesque beauty as well as for the fine falls which rush booming into a pool 70 or 80 feet across and some 20 or 30 feet deep, and without a snag or obstacle of any kind to deter the most timid bather… The trustees are to be congratulated on having added such an attraction to the already numerous sights in this locality.
Blue Mountains Echo, 13 Nov 1909, p.12

Edenderry Falls and the cliffs of the Grose Valley

Postcard 'Edenderry Falls and Pool, Blackwall Glen, Blackheath NSW. Part of a collection made by Amy and Lindy Hall of West Maitland, New South Wales, between 1905 and 1925. Consisting of over 750 postcards, mainly of Australian and United Kingdom scenes, it was donated to the Museum by Cedric Bullard in the late 1960s. Copyright Powehsoue Museum.

Edenderry Pool is a magical place to swim, with a large shaded area and easy access to the deep (and cold!) water.

1X3A8493 LR Edenderry Pool - an oasis in the Grose Valley

Getting to Edenderry Pool and Edenderry Falls

Access to the waterfall and swimming hole is not as easy as it was in 1900… there is a rough walking track for part of the route, but it’s no longer a maintained track. The most direct was Edenderry Pool and Edenderry Falls is to descend via the Horse Track from Evans Lookout to Govetts Creek, then follow the creek about 1.5km upstream. There is a rough track for part of the way, alternatively you can walk up the shallow Govetts Creek for most of the way. Govetts Creek to Hilary Falls has detailed track notes to here, and Hilary Falls a little further upstream.