Eight Spectacular Waterfalls in Sydney & Beyond

  • Family
    Kids

If you're an outdoorsy family and love seeking new adventures and climbing to new heights, then why not add the best waterfalls in Sydney to your family bucket list?

Sydney might be a city but she's surrounded by natural waterways, many of which have magnificent waterfalls just waiting to be discovered and swum under. So if you're looking for a new adventure outside of your comfort zone, we suggest jumping in the car, loading up the playlist and enjoying a new kind of wet and wild excursion.

Waterfalls in Sydney & Beyond

1. Collins Flat Beach Waterfall, Manly

Waterfalls in Sydney
Collins Flat Beach Waterfall in Manly is one of the closest waterfalls in Sydney.


Nestled between North Head and Little Manly Cove, Collins Flat Beach offers one of our favourite secluded waterfalls in Sydney. Scenic harbour views and calm waters make Collins Flat Beach the perfect spot for families, and you might even spot a passing ferry or a fairy penguin!

Location: Collins Beach Road, Manly

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2. Wentworth Falls, The Blue Mountains

Wentworth Falls Blue Mountains
Wentworth Falls


Possibly one of the most iconic waterfalls in Sydney, Wentworth Falls is an impressive three-tiered, 200-metre high waterfall that cascades over Jamison Valley before reaching its destination.

There are numerous lookouts in Wentworth falls to view the stunning waterfall in its entirety, and the best way to view the base of Wentworth Falls is by starting at the Conservation Hut and going straight down into the Valley of the Waters.  

Location: Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains

3. Upper Gledhill Falls, Garigal National Park

Upper Gledhill Falls
For those close to Garigal National Park, you've got to give Gledhill Falls a visit.


Just a five-minute walk from McCarrs Creek Road in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase is Upper Gledhill Falls, a tall waterfall surrounded by lush greenery, feeding into an enchanted pool ideal for swimming. The stream is larger after rainfall, but if not, you can delicately get right amongst its flow.

Location: Garigal National Park, Ku-Ring-Gai Chase

4. Empress Falls, The Blue Mountains

Empress Falls Waterfall Blue Mountains
The short track is relatively steep to get to Empress Falls, but this gem is well worth it!


Another one of our favourite waters in Sydney, you can find the stunning Empress Falls along the National Pass Walking Track.

There are plenty of rest stops along the way, so don’t let ‘walking track’ scare you! Water passes down 30 metres of rock layers into a deep swimming lagoon below. Amazing!

Location: Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains

5. Winifred Falls, Royal National Park

Waterfalls in Sydney
Winifred Falls is nestled in the stunning Royal National Park.


Winifred Falls is probably better for older kids as this waterfall comes with a four-kilometre walk! But what awaits you is definitely worth the effort - water cascading into a gorgeous deep green pool at Winifred Falls. An optional side trip along the track will lead you to the South West Arms Pools, which are also worth a visit.

Location: Winifred Falls Firetrail off Warumbul Road, Royal National Park

6. Nellies Glen, Budderoo National Park

Nellies Glen, Budderoo National Park
A majestic pool beneath cascading freshwater makes Nellies Glen well worth the 90-minute drive out of Sydney to get to it.


If you haven't visited Nellie's Glen yet, chances are you've already heard of it its neighbour!

The enchanted Blue Pool in Carrington Falls and Nellie's Glen are both located in Budderoo National Park and are the perfect family adventure. Keep your eyes open for brightly coloured orchids and bower birds... as if it gets more stunning than that!

Location: Nellie's Glen Walking Track, Budderoo National Park

7. Jump Rock, Macquarie Pass

Jump Rock Macquarie Pass
Please be careful if you decide to swim as the rocks around Macquarie Pass can get slippery.


Not to be confused with Manly’s Jump Rock, Jump Rock Macquarie Pass can be found along the Jump Rock Falls Walk in Macquarie Pass National Park and is another must-visit waterfalls in Sydney.

Jump Rock flows into a deep swimming pool that people love to jump into, thus the reason we call it Jump Rock!

Location: Jump Rock Falls Walk, Macquarie Pass National Park

A Little Further Afield...

8. Crystal Shower Falls, Dorrigo National Park

Waterfalls in NSW
Get ready to walk through a waterfall at Crystal Shower Falls. Image source: Destination NSW.


If you feel like going on a real waterfall adventure or you just happen to be up north, Crystal Shower Falls in Dorrigo National Park looks like it's been plucked right out of the Jungle Book!

More Outdoor Adventures in Sydney

Nature Experiences the Kids will Love
Caves you can Visit Near Sydney
Sydney's Best Secret Spots

 

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