Blue Mountains Falls Guide
A day in the Blue Mountains is well spent with the right mix of waterfall walking, a village lunch and a sensible way back to Sydney; the waterfalls and their attendant villages and attractions are ideal for this. Wentworth Falls, Katoomba and Gordon Falls, as well as Terrace Falls, Blackheath and Leura, are among the more familiar haunts.
I am Seren Cox and I like to have some breathing room on a travel day, not be herded into a train carriage with everyone else. The Blue Mountains are suited to that sort of thing. You will find the weather has a mind of its own, tracks get slippery and what appears a short hop to a waterfall on paper can be a long climb over wet rocks and steep steps. Make your plans for the bush and not the postcard.
Full Day Waterfalls
From a simple lookout to an arduous walk through rainforest and over cliffs, the waterfalls in the Blue Mountains are varied. It is a better use of the day to put in one main fall and have a backup than to go about ticking off every attraction on the map. For a more demanding option, consider the majestic four drops hike.
Then there is the matter of scale. The park is part of the 1.03 million hectare Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage area and you can easily under-estimate the drive between places, come a weekend or road closure or bad weather.
Wentworth Falls And Lake
For a first time round, hard to do better than Wentworth Falls. The village and picnic spots lend themselves to an unstructured plan and the principal lookout is good value for the effort, no lengthy hike required.
The track to the falls is for those wanting something more substantial, taking you through cliff country. There is uneven sandstone and exposed ground to contend with. If you are going past the main lookout, put aside a few hours and take some water, cool day or not.
Katoomba Falls And Scenic World
Those in Katoomba or coming in on public transport will find Katoomba Falls handy. It is one of the easiest ways to put in the Three Sisters, Echo Point and Scenic World and not be in the car all day.
Do not expect the falls to be the same after a dry spell as in a photograph, nor be surprised by muddy paths following a downpour. The truth of it is still worth a look.
Gordon, Terrace And Other Smaller Falls
When Echo Point is at capacity, Gordon Falls near Leura is a good option. Or for a more tranquil walk, there are the likes of Horseshoe, Oakland, Victor and Terrace Falls. Do check with the park on conditions and access first.
Not all of the smaller falls are for the casual type. An easy distance on the map is not to be trusted if the description talks of steep ground or little in the way of signage. Put some respect on it; the bush is indifferent to new white sneakers.
| Waterfall Area | Best For | Typical Visit | What To Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wentworth Falls | Lookouts, picnics and longer walks | Half a day | Exposed cliffs, slippery surfaces and steep stairs |
| Katoomba Falls | Public transport and first-timers | One to three hours | Parking, crowds and water levels in flux |
| Gordon Falls | A quieter stop for Leura visitors | An hour or two | Wet and uneven tracks |
| Terrace, Victor, Oakland, Horseshoe | Repeaters and the experienced | Varies with the track | Weather, navigation and lack of facilities |
Attractions In The Vicinity
Village stops, a short walk and a scenic lookout are what you want to add to a waterfall excursion for some variety and to avoid racing the sunset.
Before you set off, have a word with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service for any alerts or guidance. Fire and weather warnings and track closures are subject to change; a screenshot from last month will not keep you safe.
Echo Point And The Three Sisters
The old stand-by in Katoomba is Echo Point for a view of the Jamison Valley and the Three Sisters. For the many who come here it is readily at hand, and makes for a fine first port of call in the day or a last viewpoint on the way home.
There is a tendency to be mistaken about what one is after at the viewing platform and think that is the sum of it. A good place to begin perhaps, but with the right footwear, water and daylight to spare, the Prince Henry Cliff Walk will put in more time between lookouts.
Evans Lookout And Govetts Leap
You will find Evans Lookout and Govetts Leap are best put down to Blackheath as your base. They open up the Grose Valley to you, though how much you make of it is at the mercy of the wind, cloud and visibility. There is an atmosphere to a misty day if you have not made the hour drive only to be met with a grey wall.
Then there is Govetts Leap, which is of some use to those wanting a view of consequence without a hard hike. More dedicated walkers may want to put in some miles on the cliff top tracks, provided they have ascertained the return distance and any warnings in force.
Scenic World And Cliff Walks
With its cableway and railway, Scenic World has views of the Jamison Valley to offer. It is something for families or others not wishing to do much walking, do check ticket prices before you book.
Those in search of a longer walk from village to lookout would do better to put in the Grand or Prince Henry Cliff Walk. These demand you plan for the weather and your fitness as well as transport. Not a smart move to do a one-way when the last bus is gone and your car is at the far end.
Blue Mountains Villages
Every one of the better villages in the Blue Mountains is a different kind of stop: Katoomba for activity, Leura for a polished café break, Blackheath for its bushwalks and lookouts, and for something quieter there is Wentworth Falls, Lawson, Springwood and Glenbrook.
They also take the edge off a day out at the waterfalls. You can put in a few small luxuries like a proper toilet, some food and a chance to warm up after a damp walk; you will appreciate them when you are hungry and cold and not sure the next café is open.
Leura For Gardens And Cafes
A visitor with an eye for boutique shops and good restaurants will be well served by Leura. The Mall is within easy walking distance and the village is ideal after a morning’s work at Gordon Falls or on the cliffs.
Weekends and school holidays see parking become an issue so get in earlier than planned or make use of public transport from the station. Mountain villages have a way of being quiet when it is not peak time so be mindful of opening hours.
Katoomba For First-Timers
On a first day trip to the Blue Mountains Katoomba is generally the most convenient base. One can put railway access, Scenic World, Echo Point, the Three Sisters and Katoomba Falls all in the same sightseeing orbit.
The downside is the traffic and the bustle of the streets. When driving, do not have your whole day hinged on a car park near the big attractions. Put the vehicle somewhere sensible and walk or take local transport for the rest.
Blackheath For Big Views
If the priority is the scenery at Govetts Leap and Evans Lookout or a long bushwalk, Blackheath is where you want to be. It is not as compact as Katoomba so you have room to manoeuvre but must be more circumspect in your planning.
It is a place to decelerate too. Five hurried stops are no match for a warm drink and a short amble through the village to a well selected lookout. And when the rain is coming in sideways, have your lunch at the lookout and do not put on airs of being on some expedition.
Katoomba, Leura And Walks
Practical comforts and natural attractions can be had in Katoomba and Leura. Travellers without a car will find trains and tour services link up the important places.
Families and those with less robust fitness should confine themselves to a shorter walk and an accessible viewpoint. An experienced hiker can put in a longer track once the forecast and elevation have been reviewed, but the Blue Mountains do not always give you flat ground.
A simple plan for Katoomba
Make for Echo Point to see the Three Sisters while the crowds are thin. From there head to Katoomba Falls and then on to Scenic World or part of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk. Have your lunch in Katoomba and let the more remote waterfalls be.
A train is a good way to put this plan into effect, provided you make allowances for local connections and the odd bit of walking. When the weather is bad, curtail the walking and put in more time in the village. There is no failing by being flexible with your itinerary; it is the best way to keep from having an argument with a track gate that has been shut.
Leura Garden And Food Stop
Make of Leura a more leisurely second stop once you have been to Gordon Falls. Put in some time at a café or restaurant after a stroll through the village and its boutiques, then head back to the station or get in the car.
One should not take it for granted that all restaurants and shops are open seven days. Mountain concerns will have their own seasonal or weekday hours so it is wise to enquire before making plans for a meal. Have a snack on hand in case, if children are in tow.
Waterfall Stops Beyond Katoomba
For those wishing to make the most of the day in the central and lower mountains, the villages of Wentworth Falls, Lawson, Glenbrook and Springwood are well worth considering. You will find they are not as thick with people as the Katoomba draws and there is national park scenery to be had along with walks, picnic spots and cafés.
They suit the traveller coming up from Sydney. Do not be guided solely by the navigation figures for driving time, factor in the stops and the elements. A simple run can become a slow process in the weekend traffic, in the vicinity of the better known lookouts for instance.
Lawson And Springwood
There is a village quality to Lawson and its bushwalks; in Springwood one can break off for food and shopping on the lower mountains. They are not to be regarded as a poor substitute for the upper mountain when it is fog bound or over-run with visitors.
Before heading west, a supply run in Springwood makes sense. If on foot, be sure to have water and a first-aid kit and a phone with charge. Valleys and forested areas do not always give reliable mobile service.
Glenbrook And Mount Tomah
You get something else altogether in Glenbrook from the high mountain villages, namely access to the bushland and, conditions permitting, a place to swim or have a picnic. The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden at Mount Tomah is an alternative for the more plant and garden inclined who want to see the cooler side of the mountains.
Then there is Jenolan Caves. It is a destination in its own right and a longer affair, not something to tack on to a waterfall loop. Make sure of your access arrangements. To try and put together far flung attractions without regard for the road is to turn a pleasant day into a matter of logistics.
Plan A One-Day Waterfall Route
With a single day to spare, pick a cluster of waterfalls instead of running after them all. For a first timer the route of Katoomba, Echo Point and the falls, a cliff walk and one of the villages such as Leura or Wentworth Falls is hard to beat.
An early start is called for on weekends. Allow for photographs, food, the use of the toilet, parking and any hold ups on the track. Rain may set off the waterfalls but it also means less visibility, risk of a slip and possible impediments on the road.
Suggested Day-Trip Sequence
- By car or train to Katoomba, starting at Echo Point.
- From the Three Sisters make your way to Katoomba Falls or part of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk. A case of the weather and your budget will determine whether you opt for Scenic World or a Katoomba lunch.
- From there make your way to Leura, where one can put in an appearance at Gordon Falls, have a coffee at a café and peruse the village shops.
- Provided the light is good and you are up to it track-wise, Wentworth Falls makes a fitting end point; otherwise put in no more walking than is necessary and head back to Sydney.
What To Pack And Leave Behind
Good footwear with some grip is called for as is water and a rain layer of the lighter sort. Be sure to pack food that will not be reduced to soup in your rucksack. For those venting past the main lookouts it is wise to let someone know your route and to check any park alerts in advance.
This is an outing for the traveller with an affinity for unstructured time outdoors and a moderate amount of walking in variable conditions. Those who want to be assured of phone reception, flat paths at every turn or facilities on hand will find it less to their liking.
Frequently Asked Questions
In planning a day of the Blue Mountains waterfalls visitors tend to have certain practical questions. The following are brief answers to some of them, though the day’s conditions are what count in the end.
What Are Good Towns?
Katoomba, Leura and Blackheath are hard to beat for a first timer. If a quieter stop is preferred and you want to get away from the crowds for a local walk, then the villages of Wentworth Falls, Lawson, Springwood or Glenbrook are better suited.
Fun Things To Do
One could go to the Three Sisters or ride at Scenic World, do some of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk or just visit the waterfalls and lookouts. But select what fits the weather and your fitness, do not just tick off a list.
Closest Town?
The Blue Mountains are too wide an area to have a single closest town. Katoomba is the central base most would know for the big attractions. You will be nearer to Sydney from Springwood or Glenbrook and Blackheath is handy for the northern side.
Where Is Best?
Katoomba and Leura are without doubt the easiest places to start, with all the public transport, food and villages to go with the waterfalls and lookouts. A stronger walk is to be had at Wentworth Falls and for the longer bushwalks and views from the cliffs Blackheath is preferable.
Any Waterfalls For The Novice?
Yes, at Katoomba Falls and the like, so long as sensible shoes are worn and the safety barriers are respected. The likes of Horseshoe, Oakland, Victor and Terrace Falls or the longer ways round Wentworth Falls demand a degree of preparation and fitness that a beginner may not have.
Make The Mountains Work
Do not be drawn to the attraction with the longest name. Pick a waterfall and a major lookout, spend some time in a village and do a walk that is within reason. Then you have the leisure to put something decent in your system and be on your way before the mozzies convene.
I would suggest using Katoomba and Leura for convenience and Wentworth Falls when you want to be out and about in a more physical way, leaving Blackheath to the cliff-top scenery. Factor in some extra driving and be open to altering your plans; the mountains are more agreeable when you leave room in the itinerary for the weather to have its say.
