10 Best Waterfalls To Visit Near Sydney (2023)

10 Best Waterfalls in Sydney, That'll Leave You Mesmerized

Sydney has been showered with blessings from mother nature. Apart from its bustling cities, Sydney has beautiful valleys, a vast stretch of deserted land, and some scenic waterfalls which can make you rejuvenate your love for nature. There are waterfalls near Sydney where you can swim and spend an entire day with your family having a picnic in a blissful ambiance.

Get ready with your family to explore 10 of the most waterfalls in Sydney. All you need is to grab the swimming costumes, get in the car, drive to the venues and enjoy a day beside these waterfalls. Visiting waterfalls during the rain is an added advantage and it increases the beauty tenfold. Immerse yourself in the sound of water plunging into natural pools with the chirps of birds in the lap of nature. You will feel rejuvenated, and energized and will be more at peace after a day of visit in any of the below-listed waterfalls.

1. Carrington Falls and Nellie’s Glen

Carrington Falls and Nellie’s Glen

Some of the highlights of Carrington Falls and Nellie’s Glen are its parks, gardens, and picnic facilities. The Carrington falls walking path is decorated with mesmerizing views. There are several paths that you can take to reach the waterfall. Nellie’s Glen waterfall is a hidden gem inside the Boonderoo National park. It is among the lesser-known waterfalls near Sydney. It is secluded and is one of the waterfalls which is fun to explore. Nellie’s Glen is placed at top of the Carrington falls with a rock pool and a smaller water pool perfect for swimming. The journey of Carrington Falls begins from the flat top first and then a walk through the mossy bedrock where you can dip your feet in the plunge pool or stand on the slipstream overlooking the Southern Highlands.

As you walk around Nellie’s Glen and ascend 100 meters up the hillock more surprises await. You will find a natural rockpool that is sufficient for swimming and taking turns for the shower. Your family and kids can have a wholesome enjoyable afternoon in the place. Don’t forget to bring your towels and snacks, and enjoy looking at the butterflies and dragonflies skimming the water of Nellies Glen. It is an excellent spot for spending time with nature and is far from the crowd.

  • Location: 44-48 Hoddle Street, Robertson, NSW 2577, Australia
  • Timings: Open for 24 hours
  • Swimming: Yes
  • Picnic: Yes, there are benches near the park.

2. Kung-ring-gai Chase Waterfall

Kung-ring-gai Chase Waterfall

If you take a 5-minute walk from McCarrs Creek Road, hidden inside the forest is the break-taking Ku-ring-gai Chase waterfall. The azure pool is surrounded by lush green forest which creates an enchanting surrounding around the place. Visit these waterfalls nearby after rain to experience their elegant beauty which has been embellished by rainwater. There is a swimmable 10-meter pool under the charming little waterfall. On a quiet day, among the amphitheater of rocks and bushes, you will find yourself in a peaceful isolated place. Though there are boulders to cross while reaching the water, at the edge, a small sandy beach will welcome you to relax in the shade. The place has a small children’s area where they can rope swing in the pool. The place remains busy often, but it is a great pitstop after having a hike in the neighboring Ku-ring-gai National Park. Overall, it is a great place to chill and have fun by the waterfall.

  • Location: Garigal National Park, Ku-Ring-Gai Chase NSW 2084, Australia
  • Timing: The visitor center is open from 10 am to 4 pm daily, from 9 am to 4 pm during summer holidays, and closed from 12 pm to 12:30 pm.
  • Picnic: No
  • Swimming: Yes

3. Winifred Falls

Winifred Falls

It is a perfect vacation spot if you have a family with kids. Considered among the best waterfalls in Sydney, Winifred Falls has bright blue and warm water, perfect for older people and children. The height is perfect for the kids to remain safe while keeping the experience enjoyable. There are plenty of native animals you can come across and improve the experience of a weekend in the lap of nature. If you are looking for a waterhole amongst the lap of nature, Winifred Falls is the perfect spot. The journey begins with a perfect 5-6 miles fire trail with tracks that lead to Winifred Falls. The terrain is varied with occasional steep climbs with rocky scrambles. You can also find an off-trail section that will lead to South West Arm Creek and its large waterhole. Winifred Falls is the perfect place for visiting with kids or having a weekend trail through the forest leading to a large pool at nature’s waterpark.

  • Location: Royal National Park NSW 2233
  • Timing: 7 am to 8:30 pm
  • Picnic: No
  • Swimming: Yes

4. Collins Beach Waterfall

Collins Beach Waterfall

Some waterfalls near Sydney are hidden far away from prying eyes. Often people look for secluded places to spend quality time with their partner or family. Collins Beach Waterfall is the perfect place that matches the above aspects. Collins beach is a hidden away beach located between North Head and Little Manly. It boasts of an equally hidden waterfall where you can swim under the towering falls overhead. The beach remains hidden but it is easy to reach and will offer a perfect spot for an evening picnic. People enjoy taking a dip in the pool when the temperatures in Sydney soar high. After a rain, the waterfall becomes a picturesque cascade which is sure to be an eye candy for the visitors. Visitors have marked the waterfall as beautiful, idyllic, and shy which is hidden away from the hustle and bustle of Sydney.

The location is pristine, and untouched and offers an additional attraction; the shy Collins Beach. The place does feel like an oasis located within the traversable distance of Sydney. Its near-virgin environment is a perfect place where you can spend a romantic evening and enjoy quality time. Remember to bring your snack basket, and radio to enjoy the views.

  • Location: Collins Beach Rd, Manly NSW 2093, Australia
  • Timing: 4 am to 10 pm every day
  • Picnic: Yes
  • Swimming: Yes

“It seems the key to happiness is being able to find the joy in things as simple and beautiful as falling water.” – We Dream of Travel

5. Kelly’s Falls

Kelly’s Falls

Sydney gets heated up in summer and often becomes unbearable. Thanks to mother nature, there is a perfect place to run from the heat. Tucked amongst the greenery is Kelly’s Falls which is located on the outskirts of Wollongong. You can access it by taking a small drive from Sydney city. Located in Southern Sydney, it is a perfect place if you are looking for a cool swim underneath a waterfall and a place to cool down. The place offers a picnic spot since there is a separate space for it that oversees the falls. The water side is adorned with several flat rocks which is a good spot for enjoying the view around.

The scenery is framed with alluring bushland and ferns sprayed by the water. The waterfall has a climbing rope for visitors who love the thrill of jumping into the pool from a height. The simple picnic and car park area will give you no clue what beauty lies beneath it. Though the pool is visible from the top, there is no marked footpath to climb down. Be ready for the surprise of the waterfall beneath the parking and picnic area.

  • Location: Princess Marina Track, Stanwell Tops NSW 2508, Australia
  • Timing: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Picnic: Yes
  • Swimming: Yes

6. Mermaid Pools

Mermaid Pools

If you like the adrenaline rush, thrill, and adventure, the Mermaid pool is the waterfall for you. It is a waterfall in Sydney to swim which is not for the faint-hearted. The only way that you will be able to reach the water is if you manage to dive off a 15-meter-high rock platform. There is a higher 25-meter option for people who live by the thrill of life. The only way out from the place is by the rope and it will take a real test of your patience. It is not some chilling spot or picnic space where you can have a good time with your family.

It is a perfect place to gain some weekend adventure and feel great about life. It is one of the great examples of how extreme nature can become with its surfs and tides at the location. You must note that the place does not have any safety options and neither there are any available security services. The access to the pool is closed to the public. But you still can have the challenge of a lifetime if you can hold on to your own.

  • Location: Charles Point Road, Tahmoor, New South Wales 2573 Australia
  • Timing: Open 24 hours
  • Picnic: No
  • Swimming: Yes (at own risk)

7. Wattamolla Falls

Wattamolla Falls

If you are in search of paradise near Sydney, look no further than Wattamolla Falls. This place has been highlighted more due to pandemic times when people looked for places in their local areas. Wattamolla Falls can be considered a raw and untouched beauty that will make people come back to the place. The waterfall view is picturesque as it overlooks the lagoon, greenery, and beaches. You can relax with a view of the ocean from the top and it is an amazing scenery to behold. The mist from the falls hugs the sunlight hitting the ocean creating a magical movie of nature. The paradise combines the waterfall at the top which empties into the lagoon below and has a beach with swimming spaces appreciating nature’s scenery.

However, note that it is not recommended to jump into the lagoon from the cliff. The ranger would find a sum of AUD 300 as it is prohibited by law. The lagoon is just adjacent to the sea and is fed by a waterfall as well as the sea. It is a good place for beginners to start their basic kayaking and swimming lessons. There is a dedicated picnic area where you can have a great time in paradise with your family. Please remember to bring your water for cooking and drinking for a picnic. The parking fee applies to the place as it is a busy place. You can follow @royalnpalerts on Twitter for real-time updates on parking and traffic situations. It is best to reach the place early to avoid the rush during the day as it is a decent spot you will admire.

  • Location: Wattamolla Rd, Royal Nat’l Park NSW 2233
  • Timing: 7 am to 8:30 pm
  • Picnic: Yes
  • Swimming: Yes (jumping in the lagoon from the top is not allowed)

8. Minnehaha Falls

Minnehaha Falls

You can reach Minnehaha Falls through a short walk with a scenic landscape. Minnehaha falls has to be on your bucket list due to its simplicity and beauty. The Minnehaha Falls is a small, but pretty waterfall placed on Yosemite Creek in the Katoomba area, Blue Mountains. The short walking track is an enjoyable scenic landscape that will take you to the base of the waterfall and it is a view that can be enjoyed from start to finish. There is ample information on the boards available for reading in the parking lot. There are details about the history, geology, vegetation, flora, and fauna found in the reserve. The walking track is laid following Yosemite Creek which drops in the valley of the Minnehaha Falls. The path is straightforward and there is an excellent view that soaks up the vision of the waterfall and surrounding scenery from a generous height. There is a swimming pool at the base of the trail and on one bright sunny day, there are hardly any competing waterfalls in Sydney Australia like Minnehaha Falls.

The pool has easy access and safety is well maintained. You just need to be careful about the slippery surfaces which surround the rocks and boulders. The Minnehaha falls have a great historical significance as the native Aboriginals in Australia once inhabited it. This rich history led to the establishment of Minnehaha Falls Reserve in 1895 intending to preserve the waterfall and area for the future. The official accessible track to the waterfall was established at the beginning of the 20th Century. The Minnehaha Falls provides the perfect place for resting and enjoying the panoramic view of Yosemite Creek.

  • Location: Minnehaha Rd, Katoomba, New South Wales 2780, Australia
  • Timing: 6 am to 10 pm or midnight
  • Picnic: No
  • Swimming: Yes

“Waterfalls are the proverbial pots of gold at the end of each rainbow.” – We Dream of Travel

9. Maddens Falls

Maddens Falls

Sydney has a stunning and cascading Maddens Waterfalls lookout near Helensburgh. Maddens waterfalls are bedded among scenic bushlands where visitors enjoy panoramic views of the waterfall and the landscape. The Dharawal National park is still a small unprotected national park in NSW. As it is still virgin in some sense, there is a vast network of swamps, creeks, and heath vegetation. There is a dedicated car park on either side of the road. Appleshack beside the road will provide you with a perfect place for buying some apples straight from the farm. There is a short and easy management trail that will lead you to Madden Falls. There is a clear signpost of the trail just beside the car park at the Apple Shack. There is a man-made viewing platform if you are to take a birds-eye view of the entire area. The walkway is perfect for young children and kids and they will enjoy the outdoors in the bush.

  • Location: Dharawal National Park, Illawarra, NSW
  • Timing: Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 4:30 pm
  • Picnic: No
  • Swimming: Yes

10. Somersby Falls

Somersby Falls

Somersby Falls is inside the Brisbane Water National Park. It is a small protected National park located in the Central Coast region north of the Hawkesbury River. Somersby Falls is the park’s highlight, which offers a series of small waterfalls in Floods Creek. The visitors need to climb down 500 meters to the bottom of the falls. The waterfall has a small picnic area located at the beginning of the walk which also has a parking area. There are good facilities like barbeques, picnic tables, washrooms, garbage beans, and signs for guidance. The picnic spot is closely located near the freeway so accessing it by car is easy.

The Somersby Falls picnic spot is famous in the entire NSW Coastal Coast route. If you have a family with kids, and you are looking for a good day off with a picnic and small hiking to the waterfalls, Somersby Falls will fulfill all the demands. The car park entrance has a board indicating the parking area and picnic area. The place has guideboards placed to guide you to the area of your choice. The picnic area is well supplied with tables and benches, and shades so you to have a great time. Try to reach the place in the early morning to avoid the rush during the day.

  • Location: Brisbane Water National Park
  • Timing: Open daily from 9 am – 5 pm
  • Picnic: Yes
  • Swimming: Yes

End Note

The visitors who are eager to spend time akin to nature and waterfalls, the list above is the best for them. Sydney is among those cities which are surrounded by scenic waterfalls. There are family-friendly waterfalls which is a perfect picnic spot. Sydney also offers waterfalls which are adventure lovers’ favorite destinations. Overall, these ten waterfalls have something to offer all kinds of visitors. Nature lovers, adventure geeks, kids, and even couples looking for a quiet little getaway can visit any of the waterfalls listed above.

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