13 Most Scenic Blue Mountains Waterfalls – And Others Worth Exploring Along The Way!

The Blue Mountains are so jam-packed full of waterfalls, it’s hard to go hiking in the region and NOT see one!

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the Countries on which these adventures take place who have occupied and cared for these lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

The waterfalls of the Blue Mountains are an easy drive from Sydney and perfect for a weekend trip. We’ve not only found the most scenic waterfalls in the region, but extra bonus waterfalls that you can explore along the way. In fact, it might just be a great challenge to see how many of these Blue Mountains waterfalls you can see in a weekend!

Just in case you’re not familiar with the Blue Mountains – this UNESCO World Heritage-listed region is famous for its breathtaking landscapes and natural wonders. It just so happens that the combination of sandstone cliffs, eucalyptus forests, and frequent rainfall creates the perfect conditions for incredibly picturesque waterfalls. Mother Nature at her finest.

From cascades and canyons, to waterfalls, swimming holes, and jaw-dropping views, there’s no denying the Blue Mountains are an adventurer’s paradise. So grab your nature-loving friends, pack your swimmers and camera, and get out there!

@emmaaregan

Visiting Blue Mountains Waterfalls: Safety Tips

When visiting these Blue Mountains waterfalls, be sure to follow all safety advice, including where areas are marked ‘No Swimming’. Keep to the designated pathways and lookouts to ensure that you Leave No Trace.

Check trail details online before you set out – via NSW Parks or Blue Mountains City Council (depending on who manages the trail) – in case of warnings or closures.

Read more: Staying Safe Around Swimming Holes and Waterfalls

1. Wentworth Falls

Location: Falls Road, Wentworth Falls
Distance: 1.4km return
Duration: 45 minutes
Grade: 3
Facilities: There’s a picnic area and BBQs at the trailhead.
Swimming: You cannot swim at this waterfall.
Camping: Unfortunately camping is not allowed but there are accommodation options in Wentworth Falls township

Wentworth Falls is so impressive, a whole town was named after it. The iconic Blue Mountains waterfall drops over three ledges (a total of 187 metres) into the gorge below and can be viewed from multiple locations along the Wentworth Falls Track.

The track starts at the Wentworth Falls picnic area and passes the Jamison and Wentworth lookouts before descending around 200 steps. Keep in mind you’ll need to walk up these on the return! Marvel at Wentworth Falls from Fletchers Lookout and then continue down to the top of the falls for the best view.

How to get to Wentworth Falls

From Wentworth Falls township, drive along Falls Road to the very end where you’ll find the picnic area, parking, and the trailhead.

2. Horseshoe Falls

Location: Oaklands Road, Hazelbrook
Distance: 3.5km return
Duration: 1.5 hours
Grade: 3
Facilities: Use the facilities in Hazelbrook.
Swimming: The pool at the bottom of the falls is too shallow for swimming.
Camping: Camping isn’t allowed at Horseshoe Falls or at the Burgess Falls Walking Track trailhead.
Bonus waterfalls: Oaklands Falls and Burgess Falls are all located on this same walking track, just allow for extra time and distance to visit them as well.

@imagine_david via Flickr

Horseshoe Falls is a must-visit for any adventurer, photographer and waterfall chaser. This waterfall has a large rock overhang that you can walk underneath to go behind the falls. It’s also home to glow worms, making it the ideal destination for a night hike.

It’s located in the Horseshoe Falls Reserve, but the name of the track is the Burgess Falls Walking Track – it’s one of the other bonus waterfalls you get at this destination. This track is also dog-friendly, so bring your four-legged friend along!

How to get to Horseshoe Falls

Driving from Hazelbrook, take Oaklands Road north for about one kilometre and look for the signs for the Burgess Falls Walking Track on the right side of the road.

3. Katoomba Falls

Location: Scenic World, Violet Street & Cliff Drive, Katoomba
Distance: 1.2km circuit
Duration: 45 minutes
Grade: 3
Facilities: Use the facilities at Scenic World, there are none at the falls.
Swimming: No swimming is allowed at the waterfall.
Camping: No camping is allowed in this area, but there are accommodation options in Katoomba.
Bonus waterfall: Catch a view of Witches Leap Falls from Juliets Balcony Lookout.

Walk from Scenic World to view one of the most popular Blue Mountains waterfalls – Katoomba Falls. Take the Katoomba Falls Round Walk and you can stop along the way to admire the waterfall from different viewpoints. It’s one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the region, with free flowing water dropping dramatically over a 150 metre rock face onto more rocks below.

Katoomba Falls is an easy walk but you’ll probably want to allow extra time – to soak in all the different viewpoints. You’ll get some great views of the Three Sisters rock formation and Witches Leap waterfall along the way.

How to get to Katoomba Falls

From Katoomba, take Katoomba Street and Cliff Drive to Scenic World, then follow trail signs to walk to the waterfall.

4. Minnehaha Falls

Location: 98 Minnihaha Road, Katoomba
Distance: 2.7km return
Duration: 1.5 hours
Grade: 3
Facilities: There are picnic tables next to the car park.
Swimming: Yew! Swimming is allowed, there’s a large pool beneath the waterfall.
Camping: Sadly camping is not allowed, but there’s plenty of accommodation in Katoomba.

@emmaaregan

Pack your bathers for a visit to Minnehaha Falls – it’s an idyllic place to cool off on a hot day. The pool below the falls has a rope swing and a platform to jump off. Once you’re in the water the surrounding view is of cool green ferns, eucalyptus trees overhead and the waterfall cascading down over multiple ledges to reach the pool below.

On the walk in you can take in the impressive view from the top of the cliff and then descend down to the base. This is a popular waterfall – on a hot day you probably won’t be the only one enjoying a refreshing swim.

How to get to Minnehaha Falls

From Katoomba, drive Victoria Street onto Minni-ha-ha Road for approximately 4km to the Minnehaha Reserve car park.

5. Federal Falls

Location: Honour Avenue, Lawson
Distance: 2.5km circuit
Duration: 1 hour
Grade: Easy
Facilities: Use the facilities in Lawson.
Swimming: Yew! Swimming is allowed but there are only shallow pools.
Camping: There aren’t any camping options in the area, but accomodation options are nearby in Lawson.
Bonus waterfalls: Adelina Falls, Junction Falls, and Cataract Falls (pictured below) are all located on this circuit walk.

@emmaaregan

The little town of Lawson is punching above its weight when it comes to waterfalls. The South Lawson Circuit Walk is the place to go to find them. It loops past Federal Falls, along with three other waterfalls. This is a great hike to get to using public transport. You can catch a train to Lawson Station and walk one kilometre to the trailhead.

The best time to go (like most waterfalls) is after rain. The falls can be a little lack-lustre without a good flow of water, but the trail itself is great to do anytime. Federal Falls is the most beautiful of the four waterfalls, and the scenery and calmness of the forest make it a great hike.

How to get to Federal Falls

From the Great Western Highway in Lawson – or from Lawson Train Station – take Honour Avenue for 1km and you’ll reach a small car park with signs for the South Lawson Circuit Walk.

6. Leura Cascades

Location: Leura Cascades Picnic Area, Cliff Drive, Leura
Distance: 4.5km loop
Duration: 3 hours
Grade: 4
Facilities: There are picnic tables, a BBQ and toilets at the trailhead.
Swimming: Swimming is not allowed here.
Camping: While camping is not allowed in the area, accommodation is available in Leura
Bonus waterfalls: view Bridal Veil Falls (also known as Leura Falls) on a short trail from the picnic area.

The Leura Cascades Fern Bower Circuit is a great way to explore Leura Falls Creek with its many cascades and waterfalls. Start your adventure at the Leura Falls picnic area – which is a great family-friendly place to relax or hang out. Then head through the stone arch and follow the creek downstream. You can view the cascades and then descend further along the trail to view Bridal Veil Falls.

To complete the loop, take Round Track and Amphitheatre Track to explore further into the rainforest and natural amphitheatre. Then turn onto the Fern Bower Track and Prince Henry Cliff walk to return to your starting point.

How to get to Leura Cascades

From Leura, drive along Leura Mall and onto Cliff Drive and stop in at the Leura Cascades Picnic Area.

7. Govetts Leap Falls

Location: Govetts Leap Road, Blackheath
Distance: 20 metres
Duration: less than 1 minute
Grade: 1
Facilities: There’s a car park,  plus toilets, and picnic tables here.
Swimming: No swimming is allowed at this waterfall.
Camping: While camping is not allowed, there’s accommodation in Blackheath

With a lookout right next to the car park, this might just be the easiest to access waterfall in the Blue Mountains. It’s also one of the most spectacular. Falling 180 metres into the gorge below, this is the highest single-drop waterfall in the region. It’s referred to as both Govetts Leap Falls and Bridal Veil Falls (not to be confused with Bridal Veil falls in Leura).

The lookout is located right next to the car park and is wheelchair-friendly. It boasts spectacular views over the valley below and we think it’s one of the best places to watch a sunrise near Sydney. If you prefer more of a challenge to view the waterfall, there’s a descent track (1.8km return) that takes you to the base of the falls.

How to get to Govetts Leap Falls

From Blackheath, drive approximately 3km along Govetts Leap Road to the very end. Here you’ll find the car park and the lookout right next to it.

8. Victoria Falls

Location: Victoria Falls Road, Mount Victoria
Distance: 4km return
Duration: 2 hours
Grade: 4
Facilities: Toilets are located at the trailhead.
Swimming: You can swim at these falls in two different swimming holes.
Camping: You can camp at Burra Korain campground, a further 4km walk along the trail past Victoria Falls.

@pearce_m

While the return walk to Victoria Falls will certainly test your fitness, we reckon it’s worth it. From the car park the trail to Victoria Falls zig-zigs down into a tree-covered gorge. At the base of the sandstone cliffs, you’ll find a secluded area where the water pours over a rock overhang and into the pool below.

Make sure to pack your swimmers – there are two swimming holes to cool off in at the base of the falls. When it’s time to make the return ascent, be ready for a leg-burning climb back up to the car park.

How to get to Victoria Falls

From Mount Victoria, take the Great Western Highway and turn off at Victoria Falls Road. Drive for 5km to the car park and trailhead at the end of the road.

9. The Grotto

Location: Centennial Glen car park, Centennial Glen Road, Blackheath
Distance: 1.2km return
Duration: 30 minutes
Grade: 3
Facilities: There’s a car park at the trailhead.
Swimming: You can swim in the pool beneath the waterfall.
Camping: Unfortunately, camping isn’t permitted in the area, but check out Blackheath for accommodation options.

It’s just a 20 minute walk to reach The Grotto in Blackheath, but you’ll encounter a lot of steps along the way. It’s worth it to explore The Grotto where water flows through a steep canyon and cascades into a deep pool at the bottom.

To take a closer look you can enter the Grotto in two ways – one you stay dry and the other you’ll need to get wet. Swim beneath the overhang and right up to the waterfall – or walk along the small ledge beneath the overhang. But be warned – the ledge can be slippery and you might just end up wet either way!

To explore more canyons, try the 5km hike through Centennial Glen and Porters Pass.

How to get to The Grotto

From Blackheath, drive along Shipley Road and Centennial Glen Road to the Centennial Glen car park and trailhead.

10. Mabel Falls

Location: Transit of Venus Track, Woodbury Street, Woodford
Distance: 3.5km circuit
Duration: 45 minutes
Grade: 1
Facilities: The closest facilities are in Woodford.
Swimming: Yay! Swimming is allowed at this waterfall in the small sandy-bottomed pool.
Camping: Unfortunately camping is not allowed in the area, but there are accommodation options in nearby Woodford.
Bonus waterfalls: Edith Falls and Hazel Falls are also on this loop trail.

@emmaaregan

Mabel Falls is a small but picturesque waterfall that drops into a sandy-bottom pool – which is perfect for swimming. It’s also another waterfall which you can walk behind – the overhang is wide enough that you can venture behind the veil of water and watch the sun shine through it.

You can visit Mabel Falls along with Edith Falls and Hazel Falls on the Transit of Venus loop trail. These waterfalls will be most impressive after rainfall, and you can also spot wildflowers in the area in spring.

How to get to Mabel Falls

From Woodford, drive Arthur Street and Woodbury Street for 700 metres to reach the Transit of Venus trailhead. There’s a small area for parking alongside the road.

11. Empress Falls

Location: Conservation Hut, Fletcher Street, Wentworth
Distance: 2.4km return
Duration: 1 hour
Grade: 4
Facilities: There are toilets and a car park at the trailhead.
Swimming: You can swim below the falls.
Camping: You aren’t allowed to camp in the area, but accommodation is available in Wentworth.
Bonus waterfalls: Walk a little further along the trail to view Sylvia Falls and Lodore Falls.

@tonyheywardimages via Flickr

Empress Falls may be lesser-known than some of the other Blue Mountains waterfalls, but it’s just as impressive. The rainforest surroundings and deep freshwater plunge pool make it the perfect place to keep cool on a hot day.

The trail to Empress Falls is full of fantastic lookouts with some great views of the Jamison Valley. It’s also the place to spot canyoners in action – there are canyoning tours that operate here on the weekends. After a descent into the rainforest, you reach Empress Falls where the sounds of the cascades echo loudly amongst the rock walls and through the ferns.

How to get to Empress Falls

From Wentworth Falls township, take Falls Road – and then Fletcher Street all the way to Conservation Hut at the end.

12. Pool of Siloam

Location: Gordon Falls Reserve, Lone Pie Avenue, Leura
Distance: 1.6km return
Duration: 30 minutes
Grade: 3
Facilities: Picnic areas and seating are available near the falls, providing a great spot for a picnic with a view.
Swimming: You can swim in the Pool of Siloam.
Camping: While camping is not allowed, there are accommodation options in Leura.
Bonus waterfall: From Gordon Falls Reserve it’s only a short walk to Gordon Falls Lookout, where you can view this long-drop waterfall from above. You can also link this lookout to a visit to the Leura Cascades.

@sandwichcafe via Flickr

The Pool of Siloam is a beautiful pool and waterfall, just a short walk from Gordon Falls Reserve. If you want a waterfall and secret swimming hole, as well as some epic views – this trail is the place you’ll find it. The trail descends through lush rainforest to the Pool of Siloam and the waterfall cascading over rocks. Then you can walk further along the trail to Golf Links lookout and take in views of the Jamison Valley, Mount Solitary and Three Sisters.

For a longer adventure, you can link the trailhead with Katoomba Falls via the Prince Henry Cliff Walk. The 7km walk offers up some of the best views of the Blue Mountains National Park along the way.

How to get to the Pool of Siloam

From Leura, take Leura Mall and Gordon Road onto Lone Pine Avenue. Park at Gordon Falls Reserve and follow the signs to the trailhead.

13. Terrace Falls

Location: Terrace Falls Road, Hazelbrook
Distance: 4.7km
Duration: 2 hours
Grade: 3
Facilities: Use facilities in Hazelbrook as there aren’t any at Terrace Falls.
Swimming: Good news! Swimming is allowed at these waterfalls.
Camping: While camping is not allowed, there are accommodation options in Hazelbrook.
Bonus waterfalls: On the loop trail you’ll pass by Victor Falls – but also a whole heap of cascades, small waterfalls, and freshwater swimming holes.

@hanuska via Flickr

We may have just saved the best til last. The Terrace Falls Walking Track is not only a waterfall circuit walk – it’s a circuit walk bursting with waterfalls, cascades, and freshwater pools. If you want a great waterfall hike in the Blue Mountains – without the crowds – this is it.

Located in Hazelbrook, you first take a fire track to descend into lush rainforest. From there you’ll be entranced by the seemingly never-ending waterfalls and cascades that you pass by. While they might not be as famous as other waterfalls in the region, the lush surrounds and sheer abundance of them makes this a great hike.

How to get to Terrace Falls

From Hazelbrook, take Railway Parade and Terrace Falls Road until you reach the trailhead. There’s no car park, just some small turnouts alongside the road to park in.

Camping in the Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains has a range of camping options – including campgrounds and hike-in campsites. Some are managed by the local council and others by NSW Parks – check their websites for camping fees and booking information. While it may not be possible to camp beside these waterfalls in the Blue Mountains – it’s easy to link up a camping trip with some sightseeing day trips.

You’ve Got the List, Now It’s Time To Chase

There we are – 26 waterfalls later (including all the bonus ones!) and we’ve still only barely scraped the surface! What’s your favourite Blue Mountains waterfall? Did it make the list? Let us know in the comments!

Supplementary photos supplied by Destination NSW

Want more great things to do in the Blue Mountains?

• Did You Know Sydney Has Its Very Own Waterfall Way?
• 5 Must Do Adventures In The Blue Mountains
• The Lower Blue Mountains Needs To Be Your Next Weekender
• Best Beginner Climbing In The Blue Mountains