Even when the water flow is fairly low (which is often the case, unless there has been recent rainfall), Numantia Falls is a beautiful waterfall which drops into an even more beautiful pool. (It’s on par with the spectacular Grey Hat Falls and Crayfish Pool which is also in the lower Blue Mountains, in Glenbrook.)
The waters tumble over a series of cascades before dropping vertically as a curtain into a pool which reflects the surroundings; a sandy beach encloses the pool. To the right of the falls is a high overhang supporting clusters of stalactites above a large pulpit-like stalagmite. On the left of the falls the pool extends into a deep cave below a low-pitched roof of flat rock. The reddish hued rock of the cliffs and the overhang are decorated with a variety of ferns. Truly a sight to behold; what better place to pause for lunch?
Mt Wilson Mt Irvine Bushwalking Group (July 2013)
The pool below Numantia Falls is fairly shallow, but deep enough for a swim. It’s surrounded by cliffs and thick vegetation on all slides, with a sandy beach opposite the waterfall.
You can swim under or behind the waterfall (but you can’t walk behind the falls!)
The waterfall is named after the house of Sir James Martin (Chief Justice of NSW and State Premier in 1863-65, 1866-69 and 1870-72). Martin had extensive land holdings to the west of Faulconbridge, and he named his residence Numantia after the region and city of Numantia in northern Spain (it formed part of the larger Eurama Estate). There was even a private Numantia platform on the railway line to service the house.
Getting to Numantia Falls
The quickest and easiest way to reach Numantia Falls is via the Victory Track, which descends the gully from Sir Henry Parade in Faulconbridge (this track has been closed since 2022 due to a landslide). An alternative and longer way to get to the falls is via the Sassafras Gully walking track, from Sassafras Gully Road, which connects to the Victory Track. An informal trail follows Numantia Creek up to the base of the falls – the 800m (one-way) trail can be a bit overgrown but is generally not too hard to follow.
Both trailheads are about a 1:15min drive from Sydney or 40min from Katoomba.
More information
Note: technically Numantia Falls is not in the Blue Mountains National Park – it lies just outside the park boundary on private land. It was part of Sir James Martins’ Eurama Estate, which covers 141 hectares (350 acres).
Down in the gullies, along Numantia Creek and other tributaries of Sassafras Creek, the property extends as far as Numantia Falls, two kilometres of hard walking away. The waterfall has been a recognised beauty-spot ever since Sir Alfred Stephen dragooned every house-guest and every one of his children into inspecting it with him weekend after weekend between 1877 and 1882. The natural vegetation of the Blue Mountains rainforest is a part of State, National and World Heritage; an important part survives on the eastern sectors of ‘Eurama’ estate.
Blue Mountains Heritage Register Review – Eurama Estate
- Blue Mountains Heritage Register Review – Eurama Estate [PDF]
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