The Waterfall Way is one of New South Wales’ premier road trips, taking you from New England to the coast via incredible waterfalls, ancient rainforest and beautiful hiking trails. It’s one of our favourite parts of the state, and you can spend anywhere from a couple of days to several weeks exploring this stunning area.
Whether you are a family looking for relaxed stops, or an outdoor lover seeking the best adventures, there is something for you in this guide.
So here are the major stops, hidden gems and highlights to help you plan your trip along the Waterfall Way.
Planning your trip
The Waterfall Way is actually the name of one road that is over 150km long, beginning in Armidale in the west and finishing in Coffs Harbour in the east. It’s a 5.5 hour drive from Sydney, which becomes a lot longer if you go in the school holidays or weekends (it took us about 7 hours to get to Armidale at Christmas!).
You can make the trip in either direction, but if you are starting in Sydney, we’d recommend beginning in Armidale. This is mainly because it’s a great introduction to the Waterfall Way and we preferred to finish the trip by driving down the Pacific Highway back along the coast.
It’s also quite nice to relax in Bellingen and enjoy the best coffee shops and food in the area after lots of exploring.
The best stops along the Waterfall Way
(in the order that you will pass them)
Here are the 18 must-see stops along the Waterfall Way:
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1: The arts and culture of Armidale
2: Dangars Falls - Armidale
3: Baker Creek Falls
4: Wollomombi Falls
5: Eagles Nest Trail - New England National Park
6: The Wrights Lookout & Cascades Trail - New England National Park
7: Point Lookout - New England National Park
8: Cathedral Rock summit- Cathedral Rock National Park
9: Ebor Falls
10: Dangar Falls - Dorrigo
11: Skywalk Lookout - Dorrigo National Park
12: Crystal Shower Falls - Dorrigo National Park
13: The Wonga Walk - Dorrigo National Park
14: Red Cedar Falls - Dorrigo National Park
15: Newell Falls
16: The Promised Land - Bellingen
17: Bongil Bongil Beach
18: Coffs Harbour
1. Soak up the arts and culture in Armidale
Armidale is one of the biggest towns in New England, and has plenty to keep you busy if you have a little time to spare before beginning your trip along the Waterfall Way.
Our top pick would be to head to the Aboriginal Cultural Centre, where you can learn a lot about the indigenous history of the area, as well as look at the incredible artwork on display - when offered a guide, say yes, it really brings it all to life and we couldn’t believe there was no charge!
You can also visit the nearby Aboriginal rock art site, which was very well preserved, as well as an excellent regional art gallery. There are lots of old heritage buildings to explore throughout the city and a great winery nearby.
We have all the details on the best things to do in Armidale in this post.
2. Chase rainbows at Dangars Falls
So technically Dangars Falls is not part of the Waterfall Way, but if there has been recent rain you really shouldn’t miss it! It’s less than a 20 minute drive from Armidale and one of our favourite waterfalls in the area.
It is gigantic and thunders into a dramatic gorge causing a huge amount of spray. That spray regularly creates rainbows and the whole scene is just breathtaking.
If you only want to take a quick look at the falls, you can get to a great viewpoint within minutes, it’s just 100m from the car park. If you’re keen to see more of the lookouts, we’d recommend reading our post on which lookouts are worth the walk.
3. Admire the view at Baker Creek Falls
Baker Creek Falls is the first of the waterfalls along the Waterfall Way, and whilst you can only view it from a distance it’s still worth a stop.
If you are lucky enough to visit on a misty day, like we did, it’s wonderfully atmospheric, it reminded of a David Attenborough rainforest documentary! The low cloud swirls around the mountain tops and you catch glimpses of the falls between the mist. It’s really spectacular.
In normal conditions, the view will be good, but it’s less about the falls than it is about the mountains and forest. It’s just a one minute walk from the car park so it’s definitely worth a peek.
4. Marvel at the incredible Wollomombi Falls
Wollomombi Falls is just jaw-dropping. There are actually two waterfalls, Wollomombi and Chandler falls, which cascade into an immense gorge.
The view from the main lookout, (just a 200m walk from the carpark) is the sort of vista that just makes you stop and stare. It really is sensational and despite visiting during heavy rain it was a while before we could tear ourselves away.
There are many other viewpoints located along two walking tracks. We’ve outlined each viewpoint and the distance it is from the car park, as well as whether we rated it highly or not in this post.
5. Walk the atmospheric Eagles Nest Trail
If you only have time for one walk in the glorious New England National Park then make it this one.
The 2.2km circuit track has a little bit of everything, with huge old Antarctic beech trees dripping in moss, a giant weeping rock, and some fabulous mountain views.
We absolutely loved it and dream of going back to walk it in winter when icicles drip from the giant basalt cliffs.
The signpost says it’s difficult and recommends two hours for the walk, but this was double the time it took us and we stopped many times just to appreciate the scenery, as well as to take photos and videos.
The reality is there are a few uphill sections and some parts of the track have rocks and tree roots to climb over, but it’s not a hard walk. We’d recommend it even to people who don’t usually do much walking, as long as there are no issues with the path not being manicured.
You can read more details on the track in our Eagles Nest guide.
6. Adventure to Wrights Lookout and the Cascades
Unlike the Eagles Nest, the 8km walk to Wrights Lookout and the Cascades is one we’d recommend to keen hikers. This walk is just fantastic, with an incredible viewpoint and one of the most atmospheric Antarctic beech forests we’ve walked in, but it isn’t an easy stroll.
We headed up to Wrights Lookout for sunrise, which was very special if you can manage the early start. You can then join up with the Cascades Track which will take you through what really does feel like a fairytale forest.
The walk has some elevation gain and sections of track which are quite slippery and rough. It is so worth it for the chance to visit such a special area though. There’s even a fabulous waterfall near the end, which is probably one of the least visited falls along the Waterfall Way, it doesn’t even appear to have a name!
You can read more about the trail, including the track conditions in this guide.
7. Take in one of the most photographed views in NSW
If you only have time for a lookout rather than a walk in New England National Park, then opt for Point Lookout.
It’s a magnificent view over layers and layers of mountains and takes just a few minutes to walk to from the carpark (if you’re walking the Eagles Nest you will pass this lookout).
Photographers come for sunrise, but not fancying another early start we opted for sunset - as well as visiting during the day - and both times were beautiful. Essentially what I’m trying to say is, come at any time of day and you won’t be disappointed!
It’s worth noting that for all three spots we’ve mentioned in New England National Park, you do have to negotiate a stretch of dirt road, it has potholes but no special clearance was needed when we visited.
If you have more time to spend in the park, we have a full guide on all the day walks there.
8. Scramble to the top of Cathedral Rock
If you love tracks which have a touch of adrenaline then the 5.8km walk to the Cathedral Rock summit in Cathedral Rock National Park is the hike for you. The trail is very leisurely to begin with before ramping up in the last 500m towards the summit.
From here it’s more like boulder hopping, which makes for a fun challenge. The majority is fairly easy (providing the rock is dry and therefore grippy), but the very last bit is steeper and there is a fixed chain to help. I had a moment of vertigo on this last section but the view from the top was worth the push.
We went for sunset but it would be spectacular at any time of day. You can read more in our Cathedral Rock guide.
9. Be blown away by Ebor Falls
Ebor Falls has both an upper and a lower falls and both would be a spectacular waterfall in their own right. The upper falls is the more famous of the two, and the one you will have seen in many photographs.
It’s wide and powerful and makes a beautiful shape as it flows over the rock. It takes less than a minute to get there from the car park.
The lower falls does have its own carpark but you can also walk to it along a paved path from the upper falls in around 5 minutes. Unfortunately the viewing platform for the lower falls burnt down in the fires of 2020 so you can’t get a completely unobstructed look at the whole waterfall.
We recommend walking along the path from the upper falls because at the moment the best views are located there, rather than beside the old viewing platform.
10. Take a dip in the sublime Dangar Falls
Dangar Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in Dorrigo, if not all of NSW. It’s not surprising when you catch your first glimpse. Not only is the waterfall wide and dramatic, but it cascades into a huge swimming hole.
Although you can swim in other nearby waterfalls, none have a pool anything like Dangar. It’s big, it’s deep and it’s very easy to access.
If you only want to take a quick look you can view the falls from the lookout right beside the car park, but heading down the quick and easy walking trail will give you better views.
The signpost says the walk to the bottom of the falls is 20 minutes, but you could do it in less than half that time, and it isn’t much of a climb on the way back up either.
It’s an absolute must visit!
11. Tower over the rainforest canopy at the Skywalk Lookout
I’m not sure if anyone comes to Dorrigo and doesn’t visit the Skywalk Lookout. The walk to reach it is less than a couple of minutes and the view is nothing short of extraordinary. We visited multiple times because it looks so different depending on the conditions.
Sunrise was our favourite because as well as watching the sun illuminate the mountains, you also hear the whole rainforest come to life. It’s also very special on misty days when the cloud swirls to reveal different parts of the view. If you get a completely clear sky you will be able to see all the way to the coast.
A visit to the Skywalk Lookout is via gold coin donation.
We spent a lot of time in Dorrigo and have put a whole guide together on all the best things to do there if you have a little more time to go beyond the big hitters we’ve included on this list.
12. Walk behind the spellbinding Crystal Shower Falls
Along with Dangar Falls, Crystal Shower Falls is the most popular waterfall in the area. The setting is truly awe-inspiring as it tumbles down a huge cliff deep in the ancient rainforest. It’s a spellbinding view and always a difficult spot to leave.
You can walk right the way behind the falls if you don’t mind getting a bit wet and it offers a unique perspective and photo opportunity. There is also a fun suspension bridge which offers my overall favourite view of the falls.
There are a couple of different ways of getting here, the quickest being the 3.2km return Crystal Shower Falls Walk. The second being the longer Wonga Walk which we’ll talk about in more detail next.
If you’re feeling adventurous and want to return to the rainforest at night you’ll find that Crystal Shower Falls hides a nighttime secret…… a magical glow worm colony!
All the details on the walk and the glow worms are in this post.
13. Delight in one of NSW’s best day walks
The 6km paved Wonga Walk is nothing short of extraordinary. It is no exaggeration to say it’s one of our favourite walks in all of Australia - and we’ve done A LOT of walks!
I will never forget the experience of wandering through the ancient Gondwana rainforest, past hanging vines, gnarled roots and towering Blackbutt trees, all to the backdrop of the eerie Catbird calls.
The thick canopy keeps out most of the light and creates a mysterious atmosphere which feels like walking through the pages of a novel.
It would not feel out of place to round the corner and come face to face with a dinosaur! If you are lucky enough to walk this track on a misty day (don’t let rain deter you!) then it may just be the highlight of your entire trip - it was for us!
As well as the glorious rainforest you will also visit two spectacular waterfalls. More details can be found in our Wonga Walk guide.
14. Take the plunge at Dorrigo’s tallest waterfall
I defy anyone to round the corner and catch their first glimpse of Red Cedar Falls and not let out a ‘wow’! It is simply sensational and so powerful that sitting and staring for a while is pretty much mandatory.
Depending on the flow of the falls you can even take a little dip in the small pool at the base of the waterfall. If there has been a lot of heavy rain the flow will be too strong, as it was for us, but you can still take a shower in the spray - it’s that powerful!
For somewhere this majestic you would expect to find it very busy, but the walk to Red Cedar Falls puts many people off, with the shortest option being 6.8km (return) and there’s a steep hill to climb.
That makes a visit here even more special. We recommend taking the slightly longer route so that you can also visit the exquisite turquoise pools along the way.
All the details on each route are in our Red Cedar Falls guide.
15. Photograph the unusual Newell Falls
Newell Falls is unusual in that it cascades underneath the main road between Dorrigo and Bellingen! When driving from Dorrigo you’ll first pass Sherrard Falls (which is also gorgeous but there’s nowhere to stop), before you pass Newell Falls.
You then need to immediately pull over just after the falls, beside the picnic benches, to get a proper look. It’s hard to turn on this long windy road and the pull off is not obvious so be ready for it!
Once you’ve parked you can get a slightly closer look at the falls as well as watch how it affects the traffic! It may be the slowest line of moving traffic you’ve ever seen as everyone tries to grab pics through the car window!
16. Live out your jungle book fantasies at the Promised Land
If you thought you had to visit Queensland for electric blue swimming holes, then think again. The Promised Land is about as magical as it gets.
The colour changes according to the light and can be anything from electric blue to turquoise to almost crystal clear. It’s a large area so if you happen to visit on a busy day there is plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the serenity.
I loved swimming here but if that’s not your thing it is also a lovely picnic spot. There’s even a rope swing if this all sounds too sedate.
The water has shallow and very deep areas and there is a current, so after a lot of rain it is best to stay closer to the bank where you can’t feel any pull.
If time is in your favour, Bellingen has plenty more things to do that we detail in this post. If you’re in need of a caffeine fix we’d highly recommend Heartfire Bakery and for dinner or drinks, the eclectic Bellingen Brewery.
17. Hit one of NSW’s best beaches at Bongil Bongil National Park
Directly on route between Bellingen and Coffs Harbour, but slightly off the Waterfall Way, you’ll find the Bongil Bongil National Park. Known for having one of the largest populations of koalas in NSW, (we sadly didn’t spot one though) this park also has a phenomenal 7km long golden sand beach.
We walked for 3km along it during the busy Christmas holidays and ran into just one other person. How that is even possible I will never understand because this beach is utterly beautiful.
It’s perfect for lazing on the sand or going for a stroll (because the sand is compact and easy to walk on) and the one person we did see had a surfboard so it must be good for that too!
It’s one of our favourite beaches in all of NSW, and we all know how many amazing beaches there are here!
18. Finish the Waterfall Way at Coffs Harbour
The Waterfall Way officially ends at the coast at Coffs Harbour. There’s plenty to do in the area; from looking out for turtles at Muttonbird Island, to kayaking along the emerald creek, saying hello to the local kangaroos at Look At Me Now Headland and keeping an eye out for koalas at the botanic garden.
If you still haven’t had your fill of waterfalls, then we’d highly recommend a visit to Scouts Falls. It has a wonderful swimming hole at the base and the area feels wild and remote. There aren’t any signposts to get you there, but we put the directions in this post.
Here are all the details on our favourite things to do in Coffs Harbour if you want some more ideas.
Accommodation along the Waterfall Way
The best accommodation options are in Armidale, Dorrigo and Bellingen, with slim pickings inbetween. Additionally, there is a good motel in Ebor Falls, and a couple of cabins in New England National Park, which don’t appear on any booking sites (nor does the Ebor Falls Motel).
Where to stay in Armidale
Hideaway Motor Inn - great when on a budget
We stayed at the Hideaway Motor Inn and even at Christmas the price was good! The motel room was a good size, clean and comfortable, so we were happy with our choice.
Check out the reviews and prices on:
Petersons Armidale Winery and Guesthouse - great for midrange
We visited the winery for a tasting and the setting, wine and staff were great, which tallies with the reviews for their guesthouse too. The superior suite looks the pick of the bunch with a huge free standing bath tub.
Check out the reviews and prices on:
Where to stay in Dorrigo
Now we don’t like to speak ill of anywhere but we stayed in several places in Dorrigo and let’s just say we aren’t including them here. Were we to return we have our eye on the Lookout Mountain Retreat.
Lookout Mountain Retreat
All the rooms look good here but if you can, I’d opt for the apartment which offers the opportunity to self cater. Again we don’t like saying it but after a couple of dinners out in Dorrigo you’ll thank us for the tip!
Check out the reviews and prices on:
Where to stay in Bellingen
Guest House on Hyde
Within easy walking distance to all of Bellingen’s cafes and restaurants the Guest House on Hyde gets rave reviews. Rooms are comfy and cosy and after reading the reviews I wanted to go for the brekkie alone.
Check out the reviews and prices on:
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