The three tiered Somersby Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls near Sydney, and its ease of access makes it a very popular spot. If you’re lucky enough to visit after a bout of rain, the falls will be at their most powerful. However it’s still a good year round spot, which isn’t so common in the Sydney area.
For those that love an off track adventure, you can leave the maintained path behind and visit the hidden cave falls and even a secret swimming spot.
Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Somersby Falls.
The Somersby Falls Walk
The stats
Distance: 780m return to lower Somersby Falls, 3km return to the swimming spot
Elevation gain: 110m
Difficulty: Easy - moderate depending on if you go past the main falls
Trailhead: Somersby Falls Picnic Area
Summary: The walk to the middle and lower falls at Somersby is all on a well maintained track, though there are several sets of stairs you’ll need to descend and then climb back up afterwards!
If you continue on to the Cave Falls and then the secret swimming spot you’ll need to head off track.
The remains of the old walking track exists all the way to the Cave Falls and then a little further still. After that it’s a bit rougher and requires care on any rocky sections which can be slippery.
The Somersby Falls Walk
The walk to the Middle Falls - 210m each way, 5 minutes
From the car park you’ll walk down the stone steps leading between the picnic area and the toilet block and then come to the walking track sign for the Middle and Lower Falls, 40m from the parking area.
Although it’s only a very short walk to the middle falls, it is predominantly steps downhill, so there’s a bit of a climb on the way back up. It’s a very pretty path which takes you straight into some dense bushland. It isn’t long before you reach a little turn off on your left where you can see an extra cascade.
It’s not part of the main Somersby Falls, but it is a lovely little waterfall if there has been recent rain.
It’s a quiet and peaceful spot that most people seem to just power past! Carrying on from this smaller cascade you are just one staircase away from the Middle Falls.
Middle Falls
The Middle Falls are magnificent. Whenever we visit waterfalls with more than one tier, there is usually one which is much more impressive than the other, but that’s not the case at Somersby.
When the waterfall is in full flow it’s incredibly powerful, but even with less water it’s still very pretty. The pool at the base of the falls is fairly shallow, which makes having a paddle, or setting up a tripod for a photo, easy.
They are easier to photograph than the Lower Falls because there is plenty of space surrounding them and even after a lot of rain, you don’t need to worry about the water knocking you over!
The walk to the Lower Falls - 180m further on
The walk to the Lower Falls is also very short, but it isn’t quite so manicured. It’s not in bad shape, but there are a few steps that are less even, and could be slightly slippery when wet.
You’ll walk down several more staircases through the forest before you come to a narrow path which leads to the well maintained final staircase to the Lower Falls.
You’ll also see a sign saying ‘no track beyond this point’ which is beside an old stone staircase and this is the route to the cave falls and swimming hole. However, definitely stop at Lower Falls first.
It’s another beautiful spot and as there are a couple of levels, and a log running along one part of it, it feels more wild than the Middle Falls.
The Lower Falls
The viewpoint at the bottom of the manicured steps is essentially one big rock, so there isn’t much space if it’s busy. We were lucky to have only a few other people around when we were there, but this may be a tricky spot to get to if it’s crowded.
However, it’s worth waiting if you have to because it’s probably the best view of the Lower Falls.
After this spot you can carry on down the other old stone staircase, which gives you a different perspective of the falls, with an extra cascade that you can’t see from the path with the better staircase.
There are a couple of rocks to hop over and a few of them had a fine layer of sand covering them, which can make them a bit slippery, but it’s just a couple of steps.
After you’ve enjoyed the falls, if you’re not heading off track, you then have the climb back up to the top. It’s fairly steep, but you’ll be up in less than ten minutes, so it’s not too bad!
To the cave falls - 315m further on
If you don't mind leaving the formed track behind and are looking for something a bit more adventurous, you can continue past the bottom falls and onto the cave falls.
That's not their official name, but essentially it's a gorgeous set of cascades which flows over the top of a large overhang. You can even walk behind the falls.
Although the trail is not maintained beyond the bottom falls, it used to be a proper track, so it's not a bush bash by any means. It is however, more slippery (when wet) than the main path, so you'll need to be more careful.
How to find the cave falls
To find the path, head down that old stone staircase at the lower falls and cross over to the other side of the creek. There’s a large fallen tree here (unless it’s cleared) but it’s easy enough to climb over, the creek will now be on your left.
From here, you’ll stay on the right side of the creek all the way - you don’t need to cross the creek again. After the creek crossing you'll have to walk up and down a few rock shelves and the scenery immediately begins to feel more wild.
The rainforest is gorgeous and you can't believe that you're still at Somersby Falls, yet all the crowds have melted away.
Roughly 100m after climbing over the fallen tree, there’s a little clamber up from the rock platform to begin walking in the bush.
Roughly 30m later there is one short (few steps) of very narrow ‘track’ which requires care to cross, especially if it’s muddy. It’s not actually too slippery when dry, but as you are now a little above the creek you want to be more careful.
The path then heads downhill before flattening and there are intermittent stone steps to reassure you you’re on the right track. You’ll soon see a huge boulder below you in the creek, the path continues through the bush on the right and doesn't head down to the boulder.
Roughly 210m from the Lower Falls it’s best to keep left at the fork, the stone steps leading uphill to the right look like they’d be the obvious route to take, but it's more slippery and sketchy than the lower route.
The lower route takes you down a couple of rocky steps and then it’s flat and easy through the bush.
The path to the top of the cave falls is obvious and you’re now just 65m away.
To get to the bottom of the falls continue heading right, past the top of the falls and you’ll immediately see some uneven stone steps leading downhill on your left. They are almost always damp and a bit slippery.
Someone has added a rope here since our last visit, but that probably makes it sound harder than it is.
There was always a sturdy tree root here to help you get down and I actually think that’s even easier than using the rope. The steps are a little narrow, but it’s not difficult to get down, you just have to be a little careful due to the fact they are wet.
The Cave Falls
The cave falls might be a little harder to reach than the other sets of falls at Somersby, but they are definitely worth the effort.
After recent rain the falls create a powerful curtain of water which flows over the rock platform creating a fun little overhang to walk behind.
Even when there has been less rain like on our most recent visit, the flow is still pretty good here and it’s very picturesque.
To see the cave falls from below, you can follow the rock platform to the right, through the overhang and down another set of steps, which offers a lovely view of the waterfall framed by the surrounding trees and foliage.
On to the secret waterfall swimming hole - 700m further on
Whilst the swimming hole is only 700m beyond the bottom view of the cave falls, it’s a lot slower going than the route to the cave falls.
Much of the old path isn’t really there anymore, so it feels more like an off track walk than it has to this point.
The easiest route continues to be on the right side of the creek, so don’t cross over at any point until right at the end of the walk as described below, keep to the side you’ve been walking on all along (you can walk on the other side, but trust me it’s slower going).
Keep heading downstream following the old worn path where you can, or simply walking downstream in the creek if the water levels are low. In fact, if water levels are low you can walk on the rock platforms for the first 100m or so, which in my opinion is easier than the track.
At this point you’ll come to a small, but very pretty pool with a cascade. If the water is still low keep with the rock platforms and if not take the path on the right as usual.
Less than 100m from the small cascade pool you’ll see some small mossy rocks, we chose to stay high, away from the creek here. When you see the boulders with a fine layer of sand on them (less than 300m from the bottom cave falls) we thought cutting down to the creek was easiest. This requires some boulder hopping.
After the short boulder hop we headed back up onto the right river bank and followed this relatively easy path for 100m.
At this point you need to climb down a big boulder, it’s almost like a small rock chute.
Continue heading right and after 100m you’ll come to a large boulder you have to climb up and over. It’s grippy when dry and there’s a tree on the descent side which you can use to jam your foot into to get down more easily.
You’ll then see another small but gorgeous rainforest pool, with shimmering green water. If it were a little deeper this would be an amazing swimming spot, though you could definitely stop here and laze round in the water for a while.
There’s now a more obvious path alongside the creek again and the going is straightforward. Roughly 150m beyond the small pool you’ll see a cliff wall on the left, keep following the slightly overgrown path on the right, don’t cross the creek.
Roughly 100m later you’ll come to the point at which you finally do need to cross the creek. We crossed in two different places and it’s much of a muchness, so pick the one that looks easiest to you. I’d probably opt for crossing on the rock platform with the small holes by the cascades.
You’re now 50m away from the top of the main waterfall swimming hole and you should be able to hear it.
These last 50m on the other side of the creek are on a bush track and easy until the last few metres where you need to descend steeply on somewhat loose soil - however, this is only for a few steps.
This will bring you to secure footing above the pool where you’ll also see a rope swing.
Getting into the water involves scrambling down some tiered rock ledges, which when dry are not slippery and it’s easy, much preferable to the little loose bit above!
The secret waterfall swimming hole
The pool is much bigger than anything you’ve seen to this point and very deep. Even after little rainfall there was still a cascade here and the water is framed by an overhang on one side and a tall bushy rock wall on the other. It’s a great swimming spot.
Unfortunately following various flooding events there is some debris in the water, mainly around the edges, which is a little unsightly, but doesn’t prevent you swimming, there’s still plenty of space.
The bushy setting and the fact no one seems to come here give it a wonderfully hidden away feel and on a warm day the water is refreshing, but not too cold.
You could continue exploring further down the creek, though we’ve not yet ventured beyond this point. If this is your end point you simply retrace your steps back the same way.
It’s no more difficult in reverse, but for the little rock chute boulder, which I found a little harder to climb up than down!
A few more tips for visiting Somersby Falls
The Upper Falls
If you don’t want to walk off track, but still fancy a little paddle, you can cool off at the upper falls. Just to the right of the signpost for the Middle and Lower Falls, you’ll see the walkway to the Upper Falls which is a series of little rock pools.
Unless you’re visiting after heavy rain it won’t look quite as lively as it does in our photos, but there should still be water enough for a foot dunk.
If you’ve got plenty of time you could head over to nearby Kariong Brook Falls which has an amazing swimming hole at the base. It’s less than a 15 minute drive to the trail head, but then you do have to walk for 3km each way. We’ve got all the details in this post.
Somersby Falls picnic area
The picnic area at Somersby Falls has recently been renovated to become significantly larger, with improved facilities, including shaded bbq areas and a new toilet block, as well as a large lawn.
Whilst this is great for anyone wanting to cook up a feast, it’s sadly meant that the rustic charm of the old picnic area has gone.
Parking at Somersby Falls
The car park at Somersby Falls is huge and has the NSW parks $8 daily fee. The car park is beyond a lock gate which is open from 7am to 8pm during daylight savings, or to 6pm at other times.
Alternatively you can park 50m away on the roadside for free!
Getting to Somersby Falls
Somersby Falls is a 72km drive from Sydney CBD and takes around an hour to get to. You can’t get here by public transport easily.
Keep them wild
Please remember to take all rubbish with you and keep these places wild and pristine - as with anywhere in the outdoors. It’s important to leave them exactly as you found them so they will remain beautiful for generations to come.
Litter tends to breed litter, so if you do spot any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the national park, it will go a long way to keeping the area clean.
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