The first time we did the South Lawson Waterfall Circuit it didn’t blow me away. We walked during a long dry spell, when the waterfalls had been reduced to a trickle. We didn’t realise that the magic of this track is all in the rain. Not only do the falls roar and become some of the best in the Blue Mountains, but all the bushland is brought to life too. Cascades rush along much of the trail and there’s a photo opportunity around every corner.
It completely transforms the trail. It went from being an average track (for the mountains) in our eyes, to one of our favourite short walks in the area.
Here’s everything you need to know about the circuit, plus a little night time secret too.
Know before you go
The stats
Distance: 2.8km loop (although our watch read 3.8km after every side trail)
Elevation: 160m
Difficulty: Easy
The South Lawson Waterfall Circuit is an easy walk and passes by five waterfalls in under 3km. We took 1.5 hours to do the entire walk, but that was mainly because we wanted to see every waterfall and cascade, and took a lot of photos!
The trail is in good condition on the whole and whilst it does go down hill to Federal Falls and then uphill on the way back, most people will find this an easy trail. Edit for 2024: the trail is in worse condition than it used to be, with more mud and waterlogged sections after rain.
Where to start the circuit
There are two car parks you can walk the circuit from, both on Honour Avenue. We chose the North Honour Avenue car park. There aren’t many parking spaces at either car park, but there’s plenty of street parking which is free and the time is unlimited.
Track conditions in the rain
Unfortunately since we first wrote this post the track conditions are worse than they used to be. You will face more muddy and waterlogged sections, which can be quite extensive after heavy rain. Hiking boots are likely now very much required, in the past trainers would have been fine.
Mud and puddles aside, some of the steps heading downhill are a little rocky and uneven, but luckily even after heavy rainfall it isn’t too slippery.
Short sections of the track have handrails to use when going downhill on the rocky steps, which helps give that bit of added security.
The South Lawson Waterfall Circuit
Heading to Adelina Falls
From the car park you’ll walk through a very short, slightly overgrown bush track before a minute later you pick up signs for the trail. You’ll head briefly downhill on rocky steps before you reach an un-signposted path on your right 150m later.
It leads to a small cascade and the top of the first waterfall. It’s only 100m to get there and nice enough, but by no means a must do - you don’t really get a great look at the top of the falls.
Back on the trail and a few hundred metres later you’ll reach the turn off for Adelina Falls. After a couple of minutes you’ll be in a gorgeous little spot, which feels nice and secluded, where Adelina Falls tumbles into a small pool.
It’s surrounded by ferns and all the trees and foliage make it a lovely shady spot. If you’re walking on a warm day it’s a nice place for a paddle - and there are plenty more along the rest of the trail too.
Onto Junction Falls
From Adelina Falls you have just under 1km before reaching the top of Junction Falls. The narrow path is mostly flat and surrounded by really pretty bushland.
You’ll hear so many sets of cascades along the way, although the path rarely takes you to see them close up.
This was the only section of track where there was quite a big mud patch. Someone had kindly thrown a couple of logs down and you could cross without any issues.
Joe went straight through the middle and even then it wasn’t bad at all, well below getting above his boots, but probably not great in trainers!
The top of Junction Falls isn’t signposted but you’ll hear it, and then see a short side trail off to the left, it’s where the main track heads uphill to the right.
It only takes a minute to see the top of the falls, although it doesn’t even begin to show you how incredible this waterfall is. I was taken aback when I saw it from the base.
The bottom of the falls is 200m from the top and once at the bottom you can climb over the log onto the rocky platform for a closer look.
All the waterfalls on this track were pretty fantastic after so much rain, but Junction Falls is probably my favourite. It reminded me of Katoomba Cascades but in a more secluded spot and with no crowds! It’s definitely one of my favourites in the Blue Mountains.
If you want to get up close to the waterfall it’s easy to get onto the section that you can see in our picture, and it’s not slippery until you get to the water itself. It would be good for a waterfall shower on a hot day if you’re careful on the rocks!
Just over the little bridge in front of the falls you’ll come to yet another pretty waterfall. This one doesn’t appear to have a name, but I found a government website which refers to a fifth waterfall on the track as Leslie Falls, so I can only assume it’s this one!
It’s slightly smaller than the others and a little obscured by greenery, but it’s still very lovely. Sadly the little picnic bench beside it has been removed, so there is no longer a dry spot to have a rainy day picnic.
Onto Federal Falls
A few hundred metres beyond Leslie Falls you’ll reach a junction. The track heading uphill is signposted and will take you to Cataract Falls. The path heading straight on is now signposted and will take you to Federal Falls.
Don’t miss this one because it’s another little gem! It’s just 250m beyond the junction and you’ll head very gently downhill through the bush and then into a area with a large fern covered overhang and another stunning waterfall.
The pool at the base is fairly big here, not deep enough for a swim but deep enough for a good paddle. I really liked this spot which has that hidden away feeling.
After Federal Falls you’ll head very slightly uphill and back to the junction. From here you have a few staircases to climb before the path flattens.
There are a couple more undulations but nothing very noticeable.
Onto Cataract Falls
The path through the bush is really pretty, especially because it was so lush and green in the rain. Roughly 400m after leaving the junction there’s a little side trail off to the left which leads to a small cascade.
It’s a slightly muddy path, but nothing too major and it’s a peaceful little spot.
After the cascades you are just 300m from Cataract Falls. There are a few more staircases to climb before you’ll arrive at the falls.
There is a decent size pool at the base of the lower falls and water roughly up to thigh level on an adult if you want a dip, kids can have a proper splash about - again assuming there has been rain, otherwise that won’t be the case!
There’s a little sandy beach and it’s a popular spot with families on a hot day - and as it definitely wasn’t hot when we visited we got it all to ourselves!
The secret of Cataract Falls
This waterfall holds a special place in my heart. And that’s because it hides a secret by day. By night it shines with one of the most spectacular glow worm colonies in the Blue Mountains.
We think we got especially lucky because glow worms thrive in wet conditions, but when we arrived here at night, there were thousands upon thousands of them.
We’d spent the last few months uncovering glow worm dells in the mountains and beyond, and this one absolutely took my breath away. It was magic. We couldn’t get over the amount there were and what a big area they covered.
Another great thing about this spot is that if you are going to see the glow worms, it’s only a 450m walk from the South Honour Avenue car park, which is perfect for those who don’t want to embark on a massive hike in the dark!
Absolutely everything you need to know about exactly where they are and other tips for seeing glow worms are in the post linked above.
Upper Cataract Falls
Once you're ready to leave the lower falls, there are a couple of stairs to climb before you can make a left turn to the upper falls, or carry on straight to complete the circuit.
Assuming all the falls are running nicely don’t miss the upper falls, they are well worth a visit. You can get quite close, but I wouldn’t walk on the area with running water because it gets slick, but the view from the dry rocks is fantastic.
This is the last trail highlight as finishing the loop mainly involves walking on fire trail. You do have bush either side of the path, but it doesn’t compare to what you’ve seen already.
There are some stairs to climb and some undulating track to get back to the car park but nothing steep. From the top of the falls to the end of the circuit is an 800m walk.
Overall I really enjoyed this walk, I am so glad we returned in the rain which made it so much more special.
It would be just as nice if you’re lucky enough to be able to time it for a dry patch after some decent rainfall but in the end I didn’t mind walking in the rain!
Getting to the Lawson Waterfall Circuit
The Lawson Waterfall Circuit is just under 90km and a 1 hour 20 minute drive from Sydney. It’s very close to Hazelbrook, so if you’re a waterfall fanatic like us you could also do the Horseshoe Falls Circuit which is another gorgeous, short walk with 4 waterfalls to see.
Planning on seeing the glow worms? Where to stay close by
Just five minutes from the trail you’ll find this cute self contained apartment. It’s perfect for visiting the glow worms at both Cataract Falls and Horseshoe Falls and saves driving far in the dark afterwards.
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