Frederica Falls in Lawson is a picturesque, multi-tiered waterfall which drops into a pool that’s deep enough to swim. It’s been described as a “ridiculously cute waterfall” – although this is a little exaggerated! The waterfall and pool are surrounded by vegetation so there’s plenty of shade – but very little space to sit.
The waterfall was named around after Effie Alicia Frederica Chilvers Williams Roberts, the daughter of Benjamin William (who bought three portions of land on the north side of the railway line at Lawson) and Alice Taplin Roberts. The earliest known use of the name Frederica Falls is on 1 March 1895, when Frederica (this part of her very long name being what she commonly used) would have been 13 years of age, having been born on 25 April 1882.
The water quality of Frederica Falls Creek is not monitored, but as the waterway originates just below the Great Western Highway swimming is best avoided after heavy rain – although the waterfall is most impressive after there’s been some decent rain!
Getting to Frederica Falls
The easiest access to the waterfall is from the end of Hughes Avenue in Lawson via the Frederica Falls Track (1.5km return) or from the end of San Jose Avenue via the North Lawson Trail (3.2km return). A longer and more scenic way to visit the falls is via the 8km Empire Pass Loop. The waterfall is within North Lawson Park so it’s dog-friendly – but if you’re bringing a dog you need to use the track from the end of Hughes Ave (the other trails enter the Blue Mountains National Park).
More information
Brian K. Fox, Benjamin Roberts: One of Lawson’s Pioneers in Blue Mountains History Journal, Issue 4, October 2013
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