Wollomombi Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in NSW. It cascades into a dramatic gorge, with a second waterfall just behind it. There are a number of different viewing platforms perched along two walking tracks and it can be confusing to choose which to visit (after all, no one wants to miss an epic view!).
Like most places, not all lookouts are created equal at Wollomombi Falls. Whilst some are absolutely incredible and really should not be missed, there are also a couple of duds, and there’s no guidance to tell you which are the best when you get there. That’s where we have you covered.
The only viewpoints you can visit are from the top of the gorge - sadly - you can no longer access the bottom of the falls as the trail has fallen into disrepair.
We’re sharing each of the lookouts to help you plan the perfect trip to Wollomombi Falls, one of the best things to do near Armidale.
Wollomombi Falls
A note on waterfalls along the Waterfall Way
Before we get into the lookouts we wanted to write a note on what to expect from the waterfalls along the Waterfall Way. The most important thing to consider when planning your trip is that you ideally want to visit after rain.
The heavier the better. It is not uncommon for waterfalls in this area to dry up completely after a long spell without rain. We were lucky enough to visit in what can only be described as a period of monsoon. If you don’t mind getting a bit soggy, there really is no better time to visit.
Or perhaps just after the rains have finished would be better as I am currently writing this on an evening when we are going to get 139mm in just a few hours!
Wollomombi Falls Walking Trails and Lookouts
There are six lookouts at Wollomombi Falls, located along two different walking tracks. We’ll outline both walks and which lookouts are worth seeing along each.
The Chandler Walk
The Chandler Walk is 3km return, but as we’ll detail later, you only need to do 1km of it. The trail is gradually uphill, but it is pretty easy.
Keep an eye out for kangaroos and animals along the way - we spotted a few in the forest by the trail.
The main lookout
Distance from the car park: 200m each way
The main lookout is the best of all the lookouts in the area in terms of allowing you to see the scale of the gorge.
It’s absolutely huge and you can see both sets of falls, Wollomombi and Chandler, in the same view - something you don’t get at any other viewpoint.
It’s magnificent, and if you are only going to do one lookout make it this one. It’s also a flat paved walk to get there. However, it doesn’t get you close to either falls like other lookouts do.
Checks Viewpoint
Distance from the car park: 500m each way
Checks Viewpoint is 300m beyond the main viewing platform, and to be honest, after the one you’ve just come from, this isn’t anywhere near as special.
The view is still good, but there is quite a bit of foliage in front of it and it doesn’t offer the same expansive view as at the main lookout.
Chandler Viewpoint
Distance from the car park: 1.6km each way
Sadly the Chandler Viewpoint is a dud. For one, it’s not actually a viewpoint (more a pile of rubble at the end of a trail) and there’s no point in coming down here when you compare it to the other five viewpoints.
It requires going fairly steeply downhill on a trail which is narrow and a little slippery (or at least it was when wet) and you’re on a highway to nowhere. We didn’t know what we were in for, and it was a big fat disappointment.
After walking 500m on from Checks Viewpoint you’ll reach a bit of a confusing sign telling you that you have 1.2km to go and you won’t reach the river (which contradicts the sign at the car park).
As the sign was considerably older than the one at the start of the walk we pressed on. The path runs out at a huge pile of rocks with a rather redundant end of trail sign. No one would climb over those rocks that’s for sure!
The view is a distant and obscured look at the top of Wollomombi Falls and you can judge from the photo whether you think it is worth the 150m elevation gain to get back to the car park!
We thought we could see where the trail used to head down into the gorge but it looks like a real death trap now, and I mean a genuine death trap, not like at Belmore Falls, which doesn’t look so bad as to be closed.
If you want a longer walk we’d highly recommend doing the first two lookouts along the Chandler Walk and then heading over to the Wollomombi Walking Track for some more great views.
The Wollomombi Walking Track
The Wollomombi Walking Track has a little bit of elevation gain, but we’d still classify it as easy. At 2.1km long each way, it’s a pretty short trail that connects up three viewpoints that offer a different perspective of the gorge.
If you were to ask us what to do when coming here, we’d recommend visiting the Main Viewpoint, Check Viewpoint (if you have time), and then walking the Wollomombi Walking Track.
Eagle Lookout
Distance from the carpark: 700m each way
The first lookout along the Wollomombi Walking Track is Eagle Lookout. The path is in great condition and mainly flat or undulating but nothing very steep. You’ll also pass through the Dog Fence, which we’d seen just a couple of months earlier in Coober Pedy.
It seemed crazy to think how far away we were from outback South Australia and yet we were looking at the same fence!
Eagle Lookout offers a good view of the gorge but you won’t see the falls, you can hear them but you’ll need to continue further for that, and it’s definitely worth it.
Wollomombi Falls Lookout
Distance from the car park: 1.6km each way
After you leave Eagle Lookout you’ll continue on the trail for 500m before reaching a bridge over the river, it’s a really picturesque part of the walk.
After the bridge you’ll have a couple of staircases to climb, which is really the only steep part of the walk.
Around 400m after crossing the river you’ll reach the lookout.
Whilst you can’t see the entire falls from here you get a fabulous top down view of part of it, and much closer up than you get at the main lookout.
From this vantage point you can really feel the sheer power of the falls and you’ll see lots of spray.
Chandler Falls Lookout
Distance from the car park: 2.1km each way
If you’ve made it to Wollomombi Falls Lookout it’s well worth continuing on another 500m to check out Chandler Falls.
The path is mainly flat so it’s no real additional effort. There is an incredible view of Chandler Falls from what feels fairly close up when compared to the main lookout.
You also get fabulous gorge views and you probably won’t be sharing them with anyone else.
Essential information about Wollomombi Falls
Facilities
There is a an undercover picnic area (which is handy in the rain!) and it even had a couple of BBQs. There are also toilets. You can also stay nearby at Wollomombi campground.
Getting to the falls
Wollomombi Falls are 42km and roughly a 30 minute drive from Armidale along the Waterfall Way. There are several other spectacular waterfalls nearby including Ebor Falls, a 30 minute drive, and Baker Creek Falls, a 10 minute drive. Whilst Baker Creek Falls are smaller than the others and viewed from further away, the setting is gorgeous, especially if you are lucky enough to visit on a misty day which was so atmospheric.
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