Best Waterfalls in the Southern Highlands, NSW
Crystal clear swimming holes, tumbling waterfalls and lush bushland, one of the best elements of living in the Southern Highlands is the ease of access to nature. Bring your camera for any of these five favourite waterfall spots, you might catch a lyre bird or a ray of sun at a pitch perfect angle lighting up the soothing spray.
Fitzroy Falls - Mariya Tarakhnenko photo credit Unsplash
Fitzroy Falls
The famed Fitzroy Falls serves up a jaw dropping view down the Yarrunga Valley lined on either side by sheer ochre escarpments. You’ll find it in the Morton National Park which is easily accessed with both a car park and a walkway to the falls lookout. The 81 metre water plunge is particularly spectacular after rain. Linger a while and take the East Rim or West Rim walking tracks for more views, more lookouts and more wildlife.
Belmore Falls
With not one but two tiers, Belmore Falls boasts 130m combined drop. You can access the falls via a stunning and winding drive through bushland and forest. Most waterfall gazers head to the Hindmarsh Lookout to capture the spectacle. Be warned, swimming is not permitted but there is a secret water hole in the bushland down the road, just ask a local.
Carrington Falls - Nellies Glen photo credit Unsplash
Carrington Falls
Head to Budderoo National Park to experience the 50-metre Carrington Falls that cascade into the river near Kangaroo Valley. It’s accessed by a family friendly and short walking track and there’s plenty of picnic spots should you take your lunch. Also take your swimmers and settle in for a cooling dip in nearby Nellies Glen, a crystal clear water hole and local favourite on hot summer days.
Sixty Foot Falls
Not far from Mittagong’s Lake Alexandra, you’ll find a short-ish track down to 60 Foot Falls (take the fire trail behind the local PCYC), an easy undulating trail that crosses a creek and finishes in a babbling brook that leads to the falls. Water drops down over rugged sandstone cliffs in a series of step waterfalls with a couple of water holes for dipping into. It’s a quiet tranquil setting that few tourists know about.
Forty Foot Falls
Take a sense of adventure for this track that heads into the bush behind Lake Alexandra in Mittagong. You’ll wander down a fire trail before dropping down steep stairs to a meandering creek side trail through rainforest. Depending on the season there may be some “bush bashing” required but it’s worth the effort when you get to the valley of rocks that hold the waterfall. If you’re game you can continue the trail to the Box Vale Track, but be warned, it gets steep.
