If you’ve never laid eyes on a waterfall before, you’re in for a treat. New South Wales has an extensive list of great outdoor options to visit, each representing something completely different. From the swimming options of Curracurrong Falls to the historical beauty and cultural significance of the Minerva Pool, the best waterfalls in Sydney are primed for exploration. Check them out below.

Best for: Hikers

Perhaps one of the most well-known waterfalls in Sydney, Wentworth Falls can be easily viewed from the iconic Princes Lookout along the National Pass walking trail. Set upon the breathtaking backdrop of the mountain ranges, this waterfall is by far one of the most stunning in Sydney.

Budderoo National Park houses one of the best waterfalls in Sydney, so a road trip here is essential! Carrington Falls is one of the best, and it truly has it all, with flowing cascades, waterholes and rock pools for you to bask in. To get there, put on your hiking shoes and follow the Carrington Falls walking track, not forgetting to stop at the lookout point for some smashing views! Walks, views and swimming – name a better combo!

Best for: A Day Trip

Another Blue Mountains gem, Empress Falls is one of the more underrated waterfalls in Sydney. Conveniently located on the looped track that takes you down to Wentworth Falls, Empress Falls is the lesser-known cousin of the gushing tourist attraction. 

For waterfall seekers that find themselves down south, Belmore Falls won’t leave you disappointed. Getting to this waterfall requires some work, accessed only via a dusty dirt road with creek crossings – four-wheel drives are recommended! The sightseeing and adventure spot you will find makes the journey well worth it, with a few lookouts along the way, making it the perfect day out in the Morton National Park.

Best for: Swimming

Fancy a walk? Head just south of Sydney for an 8km circuit that will take you through the leafy Royal National Park, and you’ll also stumble upon Curracing Falls along the way. The walk is easy enough, and there’s a high chance you’ll have the waterfall all to yourself, only accessed via the track. Best of all, this hotspot is actually swimmable, with a large secluded swimming hole located at the foot of the waterfall. Deep enough to swim in, the body of water is great for a quick dip, but be warned, it will be cold.

Another southern gem, Fitzroy Falls is everything your mossy, rainforest dreams are made of. Located in Morton National Park, this gushing waterfall is just a short drive from the Southern Highlands and is super easy to access, with a car park and visitor centre for all your waterfall-nerd needs. If you’ve got some spare time, there is also a walk you can do that takes you along the surroundings.

If you like your waterfalls with a side of tropical rainforest, Minnamurra Falls is your guy. Nestled in the tropical oasis that is Budderoo National Park, to reach the waterfall, follow the elevated Falls walk and take in all the moss, ferns and perfectly placed water droplets you could imagine. The 3.7km loop is located near Jamberoo and is generally considered to be one of the more challenging hikes in New South Wales, however, the result is worth it. Once you managed to traverse the 189-metre elevation gain, you’ll find yourself at the base of a stunning waterfall that looks like something out of a storybook.

Located in the Dharawal National Park, Minerva Pool and Waterfall is one of our all-time favourite watering holes. With all the rain Sydney’s recently had, it is now also a gushing cascade! To get here, it’s a short and easy bushwalking track through the national park and will also take you through the surrounding oh-so-tranquil scenery, arriving at Minerva Pool, a pristine waterhole with sandstone features.

Best for: A Secluded Experience

If your ideal waterfall includes a swim at the bottom, Winifred Falls is one of the best waterfalls in Sydney for you. Pack your swimmers and your walking shoes, it’s a 4km walk to get there. Warning- it gets pretty steep, but it will be worth it for the cascade and swimming hole you will find. This also means you may very well have the place all to yourself!

Only a short 15-minute drive from Gosford, you will find this peaceful oasis to relax away from the hustle and bustle. Located on the eastern side of Brisbane Water National Park, Somersby Falls is surrounded by short walking tracks, plenty of picnic tables and spots for a little dip of the toes. Designed more for families, this spot is very easy to locate with the whole round trip only taking around half an hour. Additionally, the hike has a limited elevation gain, so practically anyone can do this route. This spot can get busy at times, especially with the floods of bush turkeys roaming around!

Take in all the scenic waterfall views of your dreams at Maddens Falls, one of the best waterfalls in Sydney. The Maddens Falls walk is super easy, so it’s perfect for a weekend with the kids in tow. You’ll be met with a stunning view of the falls and the pools below. Along the way, you may bump into some local residents, including honeyeaters, red wattlebirds and tree frogs! This hidden gem also houses some gorgeous native fauna- keep an eye out for the rare fern-leaf grevillea!

This peaceful hideaway located in the Bargo River will have you zenning out to the max. Mermaids Pool is as raw as it gets, located on crown land, there are no signs or facilities you would expect from a national park, so be prepared to get adventurous! Follow the blue and yellow markers along the trail for roughly five kilometres until you reach the stunning pools. While described as a pool, swimming is not advised as it is seen as disrespectful of the site’s religious significance, not to mention, it’s also dangerous!

For one of the best waterfalls in Sydney that requires the least amount of effort to get to, head to Wattamolla Falls in the Royal National Park. Only an hour’s drive from the Sydney CBD, the final leg of the drive is also incredibly scenic as it takes you through the national park. When you arrive, you will find a huge car park and a short trail down to the falls, which sits next to a gorgeous beach, connected to the ocean by a small lagoon. Remember to pack swimmers, a towel and some snacks, as this spot truly has it all- beach, lagoon, waterfalls, and sand, you won’t want to leave!