Blue Mountains Best BushwalksVeechi Stuart
Walking guide
Blue Mountains Best Bushwalks
Veechi Stuart · 2016
Over 60 Blue Mountains walks with maps, including the tracks around Wentworth Falls.
Australia · New South Wales
Wentworth Falls
Jamison Creek leaves the Blue Mountains plateau in three tiers into the Jamison Valley, about two hours west of Sydney by train. It anchors a waterfall circuit through Leura Cascades, Katoomba Falls and Govetts Leap, plus the Empress Canyon abseil.
Full guide Checked September 2026 by David Bussell · 60 sources UNESCO World Heritage
Wentworth Falls is where Jamison Creek, after wandering south from the village through hanging swamp and heath, runs out of plateau. It slides across a sandstone shelf, pauses in a shallow pool crossed by stepping stones, then drops off the escarpment of the Jamison Valley in three tiers, about 187 metres in total by the figure most references use; NSW National Parks describes the main plunge as 100 metres. Beyond it the valley opens for kilometres towards the flat-topped bulk of Mount Solitary, all of it inside the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
From Wentworth Falls picnic area a level path passes Jamison and Wentworth Falls lookouts, then about 200 steps drop to Fletchers lookout, face-on to the falls, and on to the stepping stones at the top of the drop. The classic day here was the National Pass loop, a ledge track partway down the cliff reached by the historic Grand Stairway beside the falls. For now that loop cannot be completed: landslides and rockfall have closed National Pass west of the falls' middle crossing, and Slack Stairs, Wentworth Pass and the Valley of the Waters below Sylvia Falls are shut too.
What stays open is still the best short-walk waterfall country near Sydney: the Overcliff–Undercliff track along the cliff edge to Conservation Hut, the upper Valley of the Waters, and Empress Falls, the 30-metre finale of a popular beginner canyon. Two train stops west, Katoomba has Echo Point, the Three Sisters, Katoomba Falls and Scenic World's cliff railway; Leura Cascades sit in between; and at Blackheath, Bridal Veil Falls drops 180 metres below Govetts Leap. Check park alerts before every visit: closures here change month to month.
Book this trip
All activities & prices ↓- Empress Canyon with High and Wildfrom US$242 Check availability
- Scenic World Unlimited Discovery Passfrom US$45 Check availability
- Empress Falls Canyon and Abseiling with Blue Mountains Adventure Companyfrom US$242 Check availability
The National Pass loop is closed, and so is the base of the falls
National Pass, the ledge track halfway down the cliff, is the walk most older guides describe here. As of late September 2026, NSW National Parks lists National Pass as closed west of the falls' middle crossing after a major landslide, Slack Stairs and Wentworth Pass as closed for boardwalk repairs, and the Valley of the Waters as closed below Sylvia Falls for rockfall, with no access to Roberts Pass, Hippocrene or Vera Falls. That means no loop walk and no route to the pool at the base of the falls. The lookouts, the top of the falls, Overcliff–Undercliff and the upper Valley of the Waters are open. Elsewhere, Honeymoon Bridge at the Three Sisters, the Govetts Leap descent and the lower Fern Bower track at Leura are also closed. Penalties apply for entering closed areas; check the Blue Mountains alerts on nationalparks.nsw.gov.au before you go.
Wentworth Falls, Katoomba, Leura or Blackheath?
Wentworth Falls and the Valley of the Waters
Three tiers, partly closedWentworth Falls picnic area and Conservation Hut, Wentworth Falls
The namesake falls and the densest cluster of short waterfall walks in the mountains. Fletchers lookout gives the face-on view; Princes Rock, on a track walked by sightseers since the 1890s, looks across from a parapet-style lookout. Weeping Rock spills over an overhang just upstream. From Conservation Hut the Valley of the Waters track drops past Empress and Sylvia falls, and the Overcliff–Undercliff track links the two trailheads along the cliff edge. Below Sylvia Falls, and on most of National Pass, it is closed.
Fletchers lookoutStepping stones at the top of Wentworth FallsWeeping Rock circuitPrinces Rock lookoutOvercliff–Undercliff trackEmpress Falls and Sylvia Falls
- Entry Free, open all hours; Conservation Hut café 8am–3pm daily. National Pass (west of the middle crossing), Slack Stairs and Wentworth Pass closed.
- Best for The falls themselves, short walks, a train-and-walk day from Sydney, Empress Canyon
Katoomba: Echo Point, Katoomba Falls and Scenic World
The Three SistersEcho Point and Scenic World, Katoomba
The busiest corner of the mountains. Echo Point looks straight at the Three Sisters, a declared Aboriginal Place on Gundungurra and Darug Country, with Mount Solitary and the Ruined Castle behind. The 998-step Giant Stairway drops into the valley, and Federal Pass leads through rainforest to the base of Katoomba Falls and Scenic World, whose 52-degree railway hauls walkers back up. Furber Steps is the free way up, past Katoomba Falls. Honeymoon Bridge, onto the first Sister, is closed for rockfall.
Echo Point lookoutThree Sisters walk to Oreades and Lady Game lookoutsGiant Stairway and Federal PassFurber Steps and Katoomba FallsScenic Railway, Skyway and Cableway
- Entry Echo Point free (council visitor centre 9am–4pm daily); Scenic World Unlimited Discovery Pass from A$64 adult.
- Best for First-time visitors, the Three Sisters, a valley-floor walk with a ride back up
Leura Cascades
Cascades above a Bridal VeilCliff Drive, Leura
Leura Falls Creek tumbles down a series of small cascades beside a council picnic ground, then pours over the cliff as Leura's Bridal Veil Falls (not to be confused with the taller one at Blackheath). A short track follows the creek downstream to a lookout at the top of the drop. The Prince Henry Cliff Walk crosses here, running east to Gordon Falls and west to Echo Point past more than 20 lookouts. The picnic area currently has no parking of its own.
Leura CascadesLookout at the top of Bridal Veil Falls (Leura)Prince Henry Cliff WalkGordon Falls lookout
- Entry Free council reserve. No parking at the picnic area: use Cliff Drive near Solitary Restaurant, Merriwa St or Carrington Park. Lower Fern Bower closed to 30 Oct 2026.
- Best for A picnic, an easy creek walk, joining the Prince Henry Cliff Walk
Blackheath: Govetts Leap and Bridal Veil Falls
A 180 m dropGovetts Leap and Evans lookouts, Blackheath
The upper mountains' big view faces north into the Grose Valley rather than south into the Jamison. From Govetts Leap lookout, Bridal Veil Falls drops about 180 metres down a sheer cliff; 'leap' is an old Scottish word for a waterfall. The wheelchair-friendly Fairfax Heritage track runs here from the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre, and a few kilometres away the Grand Canyon track loops through a walkable slot of ferns and waterfalls. Govetts Leap descent, to the base of the falls, is closed.
Govetts Leap lookoutFairfax Heritage walking trackEvans lookoutGrand Canyon trackBlue Mountains Heritage Centre
- Entry Free; Heritage Centre 9am–4pm daily (free PLB hire). Govetts Leap descent and parts of Rodriguez Pass closed.
- Best for The tallest single drop in the area, the Grand Canyon walk, fewer crowds
The short answer
With one day, take the train to Wentworth Falls, walk to Fletchers lookout and the top of the falls, cross to Conservation Hut on the Overcliff–Undercliff track, then ride on to Katoomba for Echo Point and Katoomba Falls. With two, add Leura Cascades and a Blackheath morning at Govetts Leap and the Grand Canyon. Between September and April, give a whole day to Empress Canyon with a guide.
When to go
September to November and March to May give the most comfortable walking; December to February is canyon season with storm and fire risk; June to August is cold, clear and quiet.
Temperature and rain decide more than water volume. Katoomba averages about 7 °C cooler than Sydney, winter nights hover near freezing, and in the warm months thunderstorms can flood canyons fast, which is why the canyon operators run only from September to April.
Spring
September – NovemberMild walking weather, clear views and the start of the canyoning season in September, though Valley of the Waters Creek is still cold for the swims in Empress Canyon. Wildflowers begin on the heath, with waratahs flowering in early summer along the Fairfax Heritage track. A park fire ban runs from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, so gas or electric cookers only, and only where permitted.
Open
- Wentworth Falls track, Weeping Rock and Princes Rock
- Overcliff–Undercliff track and upper Valley of the Waters
- Guided Empress Canyon trips (from September)
- Leura Cascades (lower Fern Bower reopens after 30 October 2026)
Closed or compromised
- National Pass west of the middle crossing
- Slack Stairs and Wentworth Pass
- Valley of the Waters below Sylvia Falls
- Lower Fern Bower track, until 30 October 2026
- Honeymoon Bridge at the Three Sisters
Summer
December – FebruaryPeak canyoning. National Parks names summer as the best time for Empress Canyon because the swims are less chilling, and the Grand Canyon track is at its coolest and greenest. Days in Katoomba are usually in the low 20s. Afternoon storms are common: never enter a canyon before, during or after heavy rain. Weekends and school holidays bring queues at the Giant Stairway and packed car parks at Echo Point.
Open
- Empress Canyon and Grand Canyon, weather permitting
- All open cliff-top tracks
- Scenic World (enclosed cabins run in rain)
Closed or compromised
- Canyons during or after heavy rain
- Campfires and solid-fuel barbecues under the park fire ban
- Any track closed on the day for fire danger
Autumn
March – MaySettled, mild days and thinner crowds once the summer holidays end, with good light on the Jamison Valley cliffs in the late afternoon. Guided canyon trips continue to the end of April, though the water cools noticeably. The park fire ban lifts after 31 March. It is the most comfortable season for the longer walks, including the two-day Grand Cliff Top Walk from Wentworth Falls to Katoomba.
Open
- Cliff-top walks and lookouts
- Guided canyoning until April
- Grand Cliff Top Walk
Closed or compromised
- Longer-term track closures, unless an alert says otherwise
Winter
June – AugustCrisp, often clear days with maximums around 10 °C and nights near freezing, frequent morning frost and a handful of snowy days a year in the upper mountains. The lookouts are quieter and the valley views sharp, but the days are short and the Empress Canyon tour season is over. Carry warm layers even for a short stair walk: Katoomba sits more than 1,000 metres above sea level.
Open
- Lookouts and cliff-top walks
- Scenic World
- Conservation Hut for a hot drink
Closed or compromised
- Commercial Empress Canyon trips (season is September to April)
The Grand Cliff Top Walk
National Parks and Blue Mountains City Council have linked the cliff-edge tracks into a continuous 19 km walk from Wentworth Falls village to Katoomba, best done over two days. Day one is the 11 km, Grade 3 section from Wentworth Falls to Leura: down Darwins walk to Weeping Rock and the top of Wentworth Falls, along the Overcliff–Undercliff track, and on past the Pool of Siloam to Gordon Falls. Day two follows the Prince Henry Cliff Walk past Leura Cascades and Echo Point. Emu Trekkers and Blue Mountains Tracks and Retreats run guided versions.
Everything you can do here
Tour and attraction prices are 2026 advertised adult rates in Australian dollars from operator websites, converted at about 0.70 US dollars to the Australian dollar (late September 2026); park access at Wentworth Falls is free, and hotel tiers reflect each property's positioning rather than a checked nightly rate, so treat all figures as a planning guide rather than a quote.
Wentworth Falls track, Weeping Rock and Princes Rock
free; no park entry fee at Wentworth Falls
From Wentworth Falls picnic area, walk past Jamison lookout to Wentworth Falls lookout, then down about 200 steps to Fletchers lookout for the face-on view, and on to the stepping stones at the top of the falls. Loop back on the Weeping Rock circuit, where Jamison Creek spills over a rock overhang, then add the 1.8 km return Princes Rock track for the view across the falls to Kings Tableland. Stay behind the fences: the cliff edges are hidden.
Year-round
No booking needed.
Overcliff–Undercliff to Conservation Hut and Empress Falls
free
The 3.5 km, Grade 3 Overcliff–Undercliff loop runs along the cliff edge from Wentworth Falls picnic area to the Valley of the Waters, through heath, swamp, rainforest and under big rock overhangs. Climb to Conservation Hut for coffee, then drop into the Valley of the Waters to see Empress Falls, where the canyon groups finish, and Sylvia Falls. Go no further: the track is closed below Sylvia Falls. Return to the picnic area on the Shortcut track.
Year-round; Christmas bells flower in the warmer months
No booking needed.
Empress Canyon with High and Wild
US$242from A$345 per person on the operator's site, converted; includes gear, lunch, park fees and transport from the meeting point
A beginner-friendly day in groups of up to ten: the morning is abseiling practice on sandstone cliffs, starting at 5 metres and building to 30, then a picnic lunch and the walk into Empress Canyon. Inside, the creek runs through a narrow slot with three water jumps, short swims and a natural slide, and the day ends with a 30-metre abseil down Empress Falls into the pool below. High and Wild has operated since 1989 and holds a Parks Eco Pass.
September – April
Check availability
or compare on GetYourGuide
Doing this one? Check your travel insurance covers adventure activities before you go — SafetyWing is one option.
Empress Falls Canyon and Abseiling with Blue Mountains Adventure Company
US$242A$345 per person on the operator's site, converted; a canyon-only version for people with previous abseiling experience is A$245 (about US$172)
The Katoomba outfit that has been guiding since 1984 runs the same combination: a morning of abseiling instruction, then the descent of Empress Canyon with its wades, swims and jumps, finishing on the waterfall abseil at Empress Falls. The minimum age is set at 15 because of the intensity of that final abseil. Equipment, wetsuits and a dry bag are included; transport to and from Katoomba is not. The company also sells an Empress and Grand Canyon double day.
September – April
Check availability
or compare on GetYourGuide
Doing this one? Check your travel insurance covers adventure activities before you go — SafetyWing is one option.
Empress Canyon with the Australian School of Mountaineering
price on request from the operator; not published on the National Parks listing
The third Parks Eco Pass operator listed by National Parks for Empress Canyon. The introductory trip teaches basic abseiling on short practice pitches, then moves into the canyon for wading and scrambling before the 30-metre waterfall abseil that exits it. All gear and a packed lunch are supplied. Expect several short uphill walks between abseils and about an hour's climb out at the end. Book by phone on 02 4782 2014 or online.
Contact the operator for the schedule
Check availability
or compare on GetYourGuide
Scenic World Unlimited Discovery Pass
US$45adults from A$64, children from A$38.40, under-3s free, on Scenic World's site, converted; book online for the best price
A family-run attraction since 1945 beside Katoomba Falls. The Scenic Railway, built in the 1880s to haul coal and shale, descends on a 52-degree incline; the Cableway drops 545 metres into the valley; the Skyway, with a floor section that turns transparent, crosses the gorge 270 metres above the valley floor, with Katoomba Falls below; and a 2.4 km elevated boardwalk loops through rainforest on the valley floor. The pass gives unlimited rides for the day, and walkers from the Giant Stairway can ride up.
Year-round; usually 9am–5pm, last rides leave the top 20 minutes before closing
Check availability
or compare on GetYourGuide
Echo Point, Giant Stairway and Federal Pass to Scenic World
free; Scenic Railway ride up is extra
Start at Echo Point for the Three Sisters, then descend the Giant Stairway, steel and stone steps first built in 1909, beside the first Sister. At the bottom, Federal Pass runs west through rainforest to the base of Katoomba Falls and Scenic World. Ride the railway up, or climb the Furber Steps past Katoomba Falls. Grade 4 and steep. Honeymoon Bridge, the short side trip onto the first Sister, is closed for rockfall.
Year-round; queues on the stairway at busy weekends
No booking needed.
Leura Cascades and the Prince Henry Cliff Walk
free
From the Leura Cascades picnic area, follow Leura Falls Creek down past the cascades to the lookout at the top of Leura's Bridal Veil Falls. Then pick up the Prince Henry Cliff Walk, 7 km one way between Katoomba and Gordon Falls with more than 20 lookouts, and walk as much of it as you like: west to Echo Point is the classic. The steeper Fern Bower circuit is part-closed until 30 October 2026. There is no parking at the picnic area.
Year-round
No booking needed.
Govetts Leap and Bridal Veil Falls
free
Start at the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre in Blackheath for maps and track news, then follow the 1.8 km, Grade 1 Fairfax Heritage track, wheelchair-accessible, past a hanging swamp and grass trees to George Phillips and Govetts Leap lookouts. From Govetts Leap, Bridal Veil Falls drops about 180 metres to the foot of the cliff with the Grose Valley beyond. The Govetts Leap descent to the base of the falls is currently closed by rockfalls and landslides.
Year-round
No booking needed.
Grand Canyon track, Blackheath
free
Walked since 1907, this Grade 3 loop drops from the Grand Canyon car park along Greaves Creek into a deep, fern-lined slot with waterfalls, creek crossings, rock ledges and a rock tunnel, then climbs out to Evans lookout over the Grose Valley. It is one of the few places in the mountains where you can walk into a canyon without ropes. Check the forecast: the creek floods after heavy rain.
Best in summer; avoid after heavy rain
No booking needed.
Carrabeanga Falls canyon, Kanangra-Boyd (experts only)
no commercial trips found; self-guided parties only
Mentioned for completeness, not as a recommendation. Carrabeanga Brook falls about 110 metres off the Kanangra plateau, and the only way to see it properly is to descend it: a two-day trip with 13 to 20 abseils (the longest about 50 metres), loose rock and an overnight camp, starting from the King Pin Fire Trail gate on Kanangra Road. National Parks warns that Kanangra's remote routes are overgrown, flood-damaged and short of water. Experienced, self-sufficient canyoners with a beacon only.
Summer; winter only for parties who already know the canyon
No booking needed.
Where to stay
There is no lodging at the falls; most people stay in Katoomba, a short train or drive west, while Leura, Medlow Bath and Blackheath offer quieter bases along the same railway.
Ardour Lilianfels
A heritage country house with two acres of gardens high above the Jamison Valley, newly renovated and now run by Ardour Hotels & Estates. The hotel says lookouts and walking trails are a few steps from the door, which makes a sunrise visit to the Three Sisters easy.
The Hydro Majestic
One of Australia's great historic hotels, open since 1904 on the cliff edge at Medlow Bath, with art deco styling and views over the Megalong Valley. It sits between Katoomba and Blackheath, handy for Govetts Leap and the Grand Canyon.
Echoes Boutique Hotel
An adults-only boutique hotel on the cliff line with views over the Jamison Valley to the Three Sisters and a rooftop bar and restaurant. It is about five minutes' drive from Katoomba station.
Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains
A large resort with 224 rooms, indoor and outdoor pools, a kids' club, an on-site ice-skating rink and a day spa, about 90 minutes west of Sydney. Leura Cascades and Wentworth Falls are both a short drive. Some rooms were being refurbished during September 2026.
Mountain Heritage
A historic boutique hotel above Katoomba with 41 rooms, open fireplaces and a restaurant looking over the Jamison Valley. It styles itself as a European country retreat and hosts Yulefest dinners in winter.
The Carrington Hotel
Heritage-listed and billed as Australia's oldest remaining resort-style hotel, with 65 rooms no two alike, a Victorian grand dining room, a beer garden and a still-working antique lift. It sits in the town centre, walkable from Katoomba station.
Parklands Country Gardens and Lodges
Thirty-one rooms in garden cottages and lakeside cabins on a landscaped estate in Blackheath, with a buffet breakfast overlooking the lake. A calm base for Govetts Leap, Evans lookout and the Grand Canyon track.
YHA Blue Mountains
A historic lodge in the middle of Katoomba run by YHA, the obvious choice for walkers arriving by train with no car. The Explorer Bus office is at the top of the railway station steps, and fellow guests make it easy to share transport to trailheads.
Search all Katoomba accommodation
Getting there & getting in
SYD
Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport
About 100 km east of Wentworth Falls. Take the airport train to Central, then the Blue Mountains Line west; or drive the M4 and Great Western Highway, around 90 minutes to Katoomba from the city. Most international arrivals land here.
WSI
Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport
Opens to passengers on 25 October 2026 on Sydney's western side, closer to the mountains than Kingsford Smith. Launch services: Jetstar domestic flights, Air New Zealand from Auckland from 26 October and Singapore Airlines daily from 23 November. Rail links are still being built.
International travellers arrive through Sydney; from 23 November 2026 Singapore Airlines also flies daily from Singapore to the new Western Sydney airport.
Train, car or tour from Sydney
Blue Mountains Line trains leave Central regularly: express services reach Katoomba in about 90 minutes and all-stops trains take up to two hours, paid with an Opal card or a contactless bank card. Wentworth Falls, Leura, Katoomba and Blackheath all have stations. From Wentworth Falls station, cross to Wilsons Park and follow Darwins walk (2.4 km, about an hour) along Jamison Creek to the falls. Leura Cascades and Echo Point are also reachable on the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus from Katoomba. By car, allow about 90 minutes from the city via the M4. Kanangra-Boyd, for Carrabeanga, is a long drive further west via Oberon.
Visas & entry
- Australian ETA (subclass 601)
AUD 20 service charge via the Australian ETA app (about US$14) For US, Canadian and other eligible passport holders. Apply only through the official Australian ETA app before you fly; stays of up to 3 months at a time. Results usually come through quickly, but do not book travel until it is granted. - eVisitor (subclass 651)
Free For UK and EU passport holders, among others. Apply online with the Department of Home Affairs before travel; stays of up to 3 months at a time.
Check eligibility on the Department of Home Affairs website (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) before you travel, and avoid third-party sites that charge extra for the ETA or eVisitor.
Ways to spend the time
1 day
Wentworth Falls and Katoomba by train
- 07:00 — Blue Mountains Line from Central; check the Blue Mountains park alerts on the way.
- 09:00 — from Wentworth Falls station, walk Darwins walk to Weeping Rock, then Fletchers lookout and the top of the falls.
- 11:00 — Overcliff–Undercliff track to Conservation Hut for lunch; drop to Empress and Sylvia falls in the Valley of the Waters.
- 14:00 — train two stops to Katoomba; Echo Point and the Three Sisters walk, then Katoomba Falls and Scenic World before the last rides.
- 17:30 — train back to Sydney, or stay in Katoomba.
2 days
Upper mountains waterfalls
- Day 1 — Wentworth Falls lookouts and the Overcliff–Undercliff track in the morning; afternoon at Leura Cascades and along the Prince Henry Cliff Walk to Echo Point. Sleep in Katoomba.
- Day 2 — sunrise at Echo Point, then the Giant Stairway and Federal Pass to Scenic World; ride up, and drive or take the train to Blackheath for Govetts Leap and Bridal Veil Falls in the late afternoon.
3 days (September – April)
Canyon weekend
- Day 1 — arrive in Katoomba; Wentworth Falls track and Princes Rock, then dinner in Leura.
- Day 2 — full day in Empress Canyon with a Parks Eco Pass operator, finishing with the 30-metre abseil down Empress Falls.
- Day 3 — Blackheath: the Fairfax Heritage track to Govetts Leap, then the Grand Canyon track loop to Evans lookout before heading back to Sydney.
Practical notes
- Closures and alerts Blue Mountains National Park has carried a rolling list of storm, rockfall and landslide closures since 2022. In September 2026 that list includes most of National Pass, Slack Stairs, Wentworth Pass, the lower Valley of the Waters, Honeymoon Bridge, the Govetts Leap descent and, until 30 October 2026, the lower Fern Bower track. Check nationalparks.nsw.gov.au alerts on the morning you go; penalties apply in closed areas.
- Fire season A park fire ban applies from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027: no campfires or solid-fuel barbecues, and gas or electric cookers only under strict conditions. Total fire ban days bring tighter rules, and tracks can close at short notice in high fire danger. Check the NSW Rural Fire Service and park alerts in summer, and leave early if smoke or fire is reported.
- Weather and what to pack Katoomba sits at about 1,040 metres and averages roughly 7 °C cooler than Sydney, with frequent mist. Winter maximums are around 10 °C and nights near freezing. Bring layers, a rain jacket, water and shoes with grip for wet sandstone stairs. For canyoning, operators supply wetsuits and helmets; bring enclosed shoes and a water bottle.
- Stairs and fitness Almost every waterfall view here involves steps. It is about 200 steps down to Fletchers lookout at Wentworth Falls, and National Parks gives the Giant Stairway at the Three Sisters as 998 steps. Furber Steps and the climb out of the Valley of the Waters are steep. Allow extra time on the way back up, and supervise children closely near unfenced cliff edges.
- Canyon safety Only Parks Eco Pass holders may guide in the park. Independent canyoners should fill in the log book at the Empress Canyon entrance, submit a trip intention form and carry a personal locator beacon, which the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre in Blackheath lends free. Never enter a canyon just before, during or after heavy rain. There is no guaranteed safe drinking water in any creek.
- Getting around without a car The Blue Mountains Line stops at Wentworth Falls, Leura, Katoomba and Blackheath, all within walking distance of trailheads or an easy connection. The Blue Mountains Explorer Bus runs hop-on hop-off around Katoomba and Leura, including Echo Point, Scenic World and Leura Cascades; a full-day pass is A$55 adult (about US$39). Wentworth Falls itself is best reached on foot from the station via Darwins walk.
- Accessibility The Wentworth Falls track itself has steep steps and no wheelchair access, but the lookout near the car park is reached on a gently sloping sealed path. The Three Sisters walk is accessible with assistance from Echo Point to Oreades lookout. The Fairfax Heritage track to Govetts Leap and the paths to Evans lookout and Valley of the Waters lookout are rated accessible.
How it compares
This waterfall
Wentworth Falls
Australia
Height187 mWidth—
Most similar
Liffey Falls
Australia
Height160 mWidth—
Also a tiered waterfall, of similar height and in Australia too
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
108 m
160 m
187 m
330 m
979 m
Victoria FallsLiffey FallsWentworth FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Angel Falls is 5.2× taller than Wentworth Falls. It drops 1.7× further than Victoria Falls (108 m). We don't have a reliable crest width for Wentworth Falls yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Videos from Wentworth Falls
11:10
15:09
10:35
Chosen from YouTube; videos belong to their creators and play from YouTube's privacy-enhanced player.
Books worth packing
Top Walks in New South WalesKen Eastwood
Walking guide
Top Walks in New South Wales
Ken Eastwood · 2024
Current graded NSW day walks with maps, including Blue Mountains walks, for planning around Wentworth Falls.
Guidebook
Lonely Planet East Coast Australia
Lonely Planet · 2024
More detail than the national guide on Far North Queensland, the Gold Coast hinterland and the Blue Mountains.
Guidebook
Lonely Planet Australia
Lonely Planet · 2024
The 22nd edition covers the Top End, Far North Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria and NSW in one volume.
On the map
Questions people actually ask
Is the National Pass walk open?
Not as a loop. As of late September 2026 NSW National Parks lists National Pass as closed west of Wentworth Falls' middle crossing after a major landslide, and as closed between the Valley of the Waters and Slack Stairs. Slack Stairs and Wentworth Pass are also closed for boardwalk repairs. You can still walk the upper escarpment section from Wentworth Falls picnic area to the lookouts and the top of the falls.
How tall is Wentworth Falls?
About 187 metres in total over three tiers, the figure most references use. NSW National Parks describes the falls as plunging 100 metres into the Jamison Valley, which likely refers to the main drop. You see the upper tiers best from Fletchers lookout and Princes Rock; the lower tiers disappear into the valley below.
Can you get to Wentworth Falls by train from Sydney?
Yes. Blue Mountains Line trains run from Central to Wentworth Falls station, a little under two hours, paid by Opal or contactless card. From the station, cross to Wilsons Park and follow Darwins walk, 2.4 km along Jamison Creek, which brings you to Weeping Rock and the top of the falls. Katoomba is two stops further west.
How long is the walk to Wentworth Falls?
The Wentworth Falls track from the picnic area is 1.4 km return and takes 45 minutes to an hour. It is Grade 3, with about 200 steps down to Fletchers lookout and more to the top of the falls. The Weeping Rock circuit (1.6 km loop) is a gentler way back, and Overcliff–Undercliff (3.5 km loop) links to Conservation Hut.
Can you swim at Wentworth Falls?
There is no designated swimming area at Wentworth Falls. The pool at the base of the falls is only reachable via National Pass and Slack Stairs, both currently closed. On hot days people cool their feet in the shallow rock pools at Weeping Rock, but stay well back from the top of any drop: the cliff edges here are sheer and often hidden.
Do you need a guide for Empress Canyon?
Unless you are an experienced, equipped canyoner, yes. National Parks rates Empress Canyon hard for independent parties because of the down-climbs, swims and a 30-metre overhanging abseil. High and Wild, Blue Mountains Adventure Company and the Australian School of Mountaineering run guided days from about A$345 (about US$242), September to April, with minimum ages of 14 or 15.
What is the best time to visit the Blue Mountains waterfalls?
Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) give the most comfortable walking. Summer is canyon season, with warm days but afternoon storms and a park fire ban. Winter is cold and clear, with maximums around 10 °C, frosty mornings and occasional snow; canyon tours do not run. The falls flow best after rain, when canyons should be avoided.
Do I need a visa to visit Australia?
Almost everyone except New Zealanders needs authority before flying. US and Canadian passport holders use the Australian ETA, applied for in the official app for a AUD 20 service charge. UK and EU passport holders use the free eVisitor. Both allow stays of up to 3 months at a time. Apply only through the Department of Home Affairs.
Where is Wentworth Falls?
Wentworth Falls is in Australia (Blue Mountains, New South Wales), inside Blue Mountains National Park. The nearest base is Wentworth Falls and the closest airport is SYD. Its coordinates are -33.7183, 150.3739.
Sources (60)
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/alerts/alerts-list
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/api/AlertsJson/GetAlertListWithCounts/1
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/api/AlertsJson/GetAlertListWithCounts/0
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/blue-mountains-national-park
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/blue-mountains-national-park/visitor-info
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/national-pass
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/wentworth-falls-track
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/weeping-rock-circuit
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/princes-rock-walking-track
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/overcliffundercliff-track
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/wentworth-pass-loop-walking-track
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/nature-track
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/den-fenella-walking-track
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/darwins-walk
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/wentworth-falls-to-leura-walk
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/picnic-areas/wentworth-falls-picnic-area
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/lookouts/valley-of-the-waters-lookout
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/cafes-and-kiosks/conservation-hut
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/adventure-sports-experiences/empress-canyon
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/guided-tours/empress-canyon-abseiling-and-canyon…
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/guided-tours/canyoning-abseiling-tours-empress-c…
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/lookouts/echo-point-lookout-three-sisters
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/three-sisters-walk
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/echo-point-to-scenic-world-via-gi…
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/furber-steps-walk
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/prince-henry-cliff-walk
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/leura-cascades-fern-bower
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/picnic-areas/leura-cascades-picnic-area
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/lookouts/govetts-leap-lookout
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/govetts-leap-descent
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/fairfax-heritage-walking-track
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/grand-canyon-track
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/adventure-sports-experiences/grand-canyon
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/lookouts/evans-lookout
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/kanangraboyd-national-park
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/kanangraboyd-national-park/visitor-info
- www.highandwild.com.au/canyoning/summer-canyoning/empress-canyon/
- www.bmac.com.au/blue-mountains-canyoning/empress-falls-canyon-and-abseiling
- www.bmac.com.au/
- www.scenicworld.com.au/tickets/unlimited-discovery-pass
- www.scenicworld.com.au/plan-your-visit
- www.explorerbus.com.au/
- www.visitnsw.com/destinations/blue-mountains/getting-to-the-blue-mountains
- www.pm.gov.au/media/its-official-western-sydney-open-passengers-25-october-and-freight-26…
- ozultimate.com/canyoning/track_notes/carrabeanga.htm
- www.lilianfels.com.au/
- www.hydromajestic.com.au/
- www.echoeshotel.com.au/
- www.fairmontresort.com.au/
- www.mountainheritage.com.au/
- www.thecarrington.com.au/
- www.parklands.com.au/
- www.yha.com.au/hostels/nsw/blue-mountains/
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wentworth_Falls_(waterfall)
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wentworth_Falls,_New_South_Wales
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katoomba_Falls
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scenic_World
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Sisters_(Australia)
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katoomba
- immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/electronic-travel-authority-601
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