Whilst there are no big falls within the city itself, Sydney is surrounded by dozens of stunning waterfalls. Some are dramatic year round and some really come to life after heavy rain. Whether you’re looking to simply drive up and take some photos or hike to a waterfall you can swim in, we have you covered in this list.
We’ve visited most of these falls many times so we can give the inside scoop on exactly what to expect when you get there, including whether or not you should wait for heavy rains.
You’ll notice that we haven’t included any waterfalls in the Blue Mountains, that’s because there are so many beautiful ones that we’ve written a whole post on them!
Here are the most beautiful waterfalls in and around Sydney.
The best waterfalls near Sydney
To make things easier, we thought we’d categorise waterfalls by distance. All of the waterfalls on this list can be reached within a two hour drive of the city. There are closer falls, but these are our favourite destination waterfalls.
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1. Curracurrong Falls - Royal National Park
2. Kariong Brook Falls - Central Coast
3. Somersby Falls - Central Coast
4. National Falls - Royal National Park
5. Gledhill Falls - Ku-Ring-Gai National Park
6. Maddens Falls
7. Winifred Falls - Royal National Park
8. Girrakool Falls - Central Coast
9. Kelly Falls
10. Wattmolla Falls - Royal National Park
11. Fitzroy Falls - Southern Highlands
12. Carrington Falls - Southern Highlands
13. Belmore Falls - Southern Highlands
14. Nellies Glen - Southern Highlands
15. Minnamurra Falls - Jamberoo
Up to one hour from Sydney
These are the best waterfalls that are within an hour’s drive of Sydney.
1. Curracurrong Falls, Royal National Park
We’re starting with our favourite of them all. Who can resist a double drop waterfall which cascades straight into the ocean? It sounds like the kind of thing you’d see in a fantasy movie!
It really is a sight to behold and if you only have time to see one falls on this list, make it this one. It flows year round, but if you possibly can, we’d recommend coming after a couple of days heavy rain when the power of the waterfall is just awe inspiring to watch.
The whole scene is incredibly dramatic with the waves crashing against the rocks, the rugged coastline and the dense vegetation behind the falls.
Getting to Curracurrong Falls requires hiking on one of three different trails. None are difficult, and our personal favourite route is from Wattamolla which is 8.8km return.
2. Kariong Brook Falls, Central Coast
Kariong Brook Falls has been a relatively recent discovery for us, and it was well worth the wait. This gorgeous waterfall has a fantastic swimming hole at its base, making it the perfect place to cool off on a hot day.
The waterfall cascades over a cliff face and is surrounded by lush greenery giving it a real jungly vibe.
The quickest way to get to the falls is via a 6km return walking track which keeps it much quieter than nearby Somersby Falls. All the details on the falls and the walk to get there are in this post.
3. Somersby Falls, Central Coast
Somersby Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls on this list, and is a three tiered waterfall that is as beautiful as it is popular.
Both the middle and lower falls would be worthy of a visit in their own right, and each looks very different. The walk to get to both tiers is less than a kilometre long and takes you through a pretty forest.
Somersby is a year round waterfall, but of course - as with all the falls on this list - looks even better if you visit after rain.
It’s a lovely waterfall for photography and we share all our favourite spots as well as what to expect on the walk in our detailed guide to Somersby Falls.
4. National Falls, Royal National Park
National Falls offers the biggest reward for the least effort of any waterfall on this list. If you’re short on time, or don’t want to walk far, this is the one to head to, as it’s literally next to the road!
It’s a relatively unknown waterfall, despite being one of the most beautiful in Royal National Park.
You can be standing at the upper falls in just a few minutes and looking up at 20m drop. It’s a really majestic falls and the hanging garden in the middle of it makes it look especially wild.
You can even walk behind the falls which gives you a much greater appreciation of its power. National Falls is a year round waterfall but is at its best after heavy rain.
It's also possible to reach the lower falls, but the access is a bit trickier and there is no longer an official path. If you do want to see the lower falls, we describe exactly how to get there and what to expect in this post.
5. Upper Gledhill Falls, Ku-ring-gai National Park
Upper Gledhill Falls in Ku-ring-gai National Park does require a short scramble to get to, but it’s worth it, and rewards you with one of Sydney’s best wild swimming holes to relax in.
The waterfall itself is fairly modest (unless there’s been a lot of rain) but the pool really makes up for it, and it’s a great place to cool off after a long hike in the park. It only takes five minutes to walk to, but there isn’t a defined path.
You’ll have to climb down a couple of rocks and then along a narrow muddy ledge. If it’s been wet recently, I definitely wouldn’t do it in flip flops, but you’ll be fine barefoot or in proper shoes.
You can’t tell from photos, but Gledhill does sit directly beneath the road. You don’t notice too much noise, and we still think it’s fab, but it’s not a wilderness experience.
Although we quickly forgot about the road as the emerald pool and the waterfall itself were just so lovely.
We have a full guide on what to expect from the trail and swimming hole here.
6. Maddens Falls, Dharawal National Park
Maddens Falls is another relatively easy waterfall to get to, and is a gem to visit in the late afternoon as it looks out to where the sun sets.
The falls are made up of a few cascades in a really gorgeous setting. It isn’t the biggest, or most powerful on this list, but there’s just something about the feel of this place. It’s a special spot.
You can enjoy the falls from one of several lookouts and it’s just a 600m walk to reach the main viewpoint.
We visited after quite a dry spell and they still looked great, but I’ve seen pictures from here when there has been a lot of rain and it looks magical.
All our tips for visiting Maddens Falls are in this post.
7. Winifred Falls, Royal National Park
If you want to swim in a pretty and secluded waterfall, then Winifred Falls in Royal National Park is the place to head. The pool is large and deep and the falls are very picturesque.
You don’t want to visit after a long dry spell though as the falls are reduced to just a trickle.
It’s a little over 1km to reach the top of the falls and a few minutes further to reach the base.
There’s also another of our favourite wild swimming spots on an unmarked trail close by which we take you through in detail here.
8. Girrakool Falls, Central Coast
Girrakool Falls might not be the tallest on this list, but there’s something about it that we just love. It’s hidden right next to a popular walking trail, but unless you know where to go, you’d never see it!
If you visit after heavy rain the amount of water coming over the falls is incredible, and there’s also a large rock platform beside it where you can sit and take it all in.
Just go carefully because parts of the rock were very slippery.
The waterfall is surrounded by dozens of ferns that give it a lovely enchanted feel, especially as it’s a little off the beaten track.
Accessing the falls is fairly easy but it’s not signposted. Walk for 700m clockwise on the Girrakool circuit from the picnic area to the Illoura Lookout. Keep walking on the circuit towards Andamira Lookout.
Less than one minute from the Illoura Lookout you’ll see a path on your left, beside a flimsy wire fence. Do not take the path beside the huge rock, this looks incredibly sketchy and has a huge drop! Follow it down for around a minute and you’ll see the falls to the right.
9. Kelly Falls, close to Royal National Park
Kellys Falls is another beauty and has a great swimming hole at the base. The only way to see it is to go down an unmaintained and un-signposted path, because you can barely see the falls from the lookout at the top. You can get a partial view around five minutes along the Kelly Falls Track but it’s from quite a distance.
To get to the bottom you need to take the Princes Marina trail which is the right hand trail from the car park. The trail to the left is horrendous and we were glad to have made it back unscathed!
We have a detailed guide on the easiest route to get to the bottom of the falls here.
Kellys Falls is a year round waterfall but as always at its best after rain.
10. Wattamolla Falls, Royal National Park
Wattamolla Falls is one of the more famous waterfalls in Royal National Park and very easy to get to. The first view point is just moments away from the car park.
You can also view it from Wattamolla Beach and even swim right to it in the Wattamolla Lagoon.
Jumping from the top of the falls is a popular past time and it’s rare to visit without seeing people standing on top ready to test their nerve. It’s not strictly allowed though and the depth of the lagoon changes throughout the year so it can be risky. Always test the water first if you are thinking of jumping and note that there sadly have been accidents here in the past.
Wattamolla Falls is a permanent waterfall but it doesn’t have a huge flow during dry spells.
If you’re planning on spending the day in the Wattamolla area, we have a whole guide on all the best things to do there, which includes a couple of our favourite walks in Sydney.
1 - 2 hours from Sydney
11. Fitzroy Falls, Southern Highlands
Fitzroy Falls is the most famous of all the falls in the Southern Highlands and a definite must visit. The scenery is reminiscent of the Blue Mountains and then you have a huge and powerful 80m waterfall cascading down the mountainside.
We’ve seen it many times, in all weathers, and it’s at its most atmospheric when the mountains are misty - which is lucky really because the Southern Highlands aren’t known for their good weather!
There are several lookouts that you can view it from and we’d recommend walking the whole of the 3.5km West Rim Track to get the most out of this gorgeous area.
Fitzroy Falls have a reasonable flow year round but again it will really blow you away after rain.
You can read our full guide to both walking trails, plus we let you in on a little secret about the falls too.
12. Carrington Falls, Southern Highlands
Carrington Falls is a 90m thundering waterfall in the Southern Highlands, it’s close to both Fitzroy and Belmore so you could definitely visit all three in one epic day trip from Sydney.
There are three lookouts for the falls, which you can visit on a short, easy walking trail of under 1km.
The first offers a good view of the falls from a distance, the second is much closer up and the third is not technically of the falls but of the Kangaroo River. You can walk from Kangaroo River to the very top of the falls but there are no barriers so just beware of the incredibly steep drop!
Carrington Falls has a good flow year round and like Belmore and Fitzroy will have more water than many waterfalls close to Sydney as the Southern Highlands get so much rain!
We’ve written a detailed guide to the falls, including the walking tracks and wild swimming holes, to help you plan the perfect trip.
13. Belmore Falls, Southern Highlands
Belmore Falls is one of the most magnificent waterfalls in the whole state. The upper and lower falls would both be worth a special trip to see alone. The setting is also absolutely jaw dropping as the waterfall cascades down the mountainside into a beautiful valley.
The only thing that lets it down a bit is the fact the trail to the bottom of the falls is now closed. This means that you can’t get very close to the falls and the look outs that offer the best views of the falls do feel quite far away.
Nonetheless it’s very much a must see and is a permanent waterfall that can be visited year round.
We’ve written a detailed guide on what to expect on your visit as well as how to find the secret swimming spot near the upper falls which feels like it’s been taken from the pages of the Jungle Book!
If you’re looking for other things to do around Belmore Falls, beyond waterfalls, we’ve got a full guide to the area here.
14. Nellies Glen, Southern Highlands
Nellies Glen might be a small waterfall, but it’s a truly gorgeous spot to go for a dip. If you luck out and get it all to yourself it is even more special, it reminds us of some of the waterholes in the Northern Territory.
It’s also the easiest to get to of all the falls you can swim in.
It’s just a 100m walk along a flat trail to reach and then you just need to climb over a couple of rocks to get in the pool itself.
It’s an enchanting spot and well worth stopping at on your way to or from nearby Carrington Falls.
15. Minnamurra Falls, South Coast
Minnamurra Falls is another fantastic waterfall and is located in the heart of the Minnamurra Rainforest.
In terms of steepness, rather than distance, it requires the most effort to get to. However, as the trail is paved, the walk isn’t difficult in terms of terrain.
Walking through the rainforest to get there is a delight in and of itself. It’s 4.2km return to get to the falls, which has a pretty decent flow year round.
It’s a lovely spot with a bench to sit and relax and enjoy the view. The only downside is the metal railing which takes away a bit from the natural feel of the scene.
Nevertheless it’s a beautiful waterfall and one we never tire of visiting.
Packing suggestions for Waterfalls near Sydney
Having the right gear can make a huge difference, especially if you’r here for some great photos. Here’s what we pack and have relied upon for years:
Camera Gear for the best photos
Tripod: Sirui A-1205 This has been a recent investment and it is seriously good! It’s very light, rock solid and dead easy to use. I wouldn’t take a waterfall photo without it. Check it out on Amazon
ND Filters: To get that dreamy look on your photos, you will need an ND filter. I’ve used NISI Filters for years as they are superb, have a great build quality and always deliver the best photos. I recommend the starter kit on Amazon.
General Gear
Day Pack: Osprey Talon 22 (we’ve owned this for years). Check on Amazon, or direct with Osprey
Hiking Boots: Merrell Moab (for men and women). We’ve both used these for over three years and they just keep going. Check them out on Amazon
Reusable water bottle: To avoid single-use plastic. Check them out on Amazon
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Which Sydney waterfalls have you visited? Have we missed any from this list? Let us know in the comments below!
