Overview
Beaches and swimming holes aren't the only way to cool off during the warmer months. It's easy to forget that Sydney is also surrounded by loads of staggeringly beautiful waterfalls — many of them hidden within national parks and wilderness areas. While some are built for swimming under, others are made just for marvelling at (and furiously Instagramming). Here are ten of the most road trip-inspiring falls you'll find near Sydney.
FITZROY FALLS, MORTON NATIONAL PARK
Fitzroy Falls plunge from a height of 81 metres over a sandstone cliff face in the Morton National Park, about 90 minutes' drive south-southwest of Sydney. An accessible boardwalk takes you right to the top. To explore further, choose one of the longer, circuit walks, which range from 1.6 to 5 kilometres in length. The onsite Visitors Centre provides coffee, snacks and plenty of info about local history.
BELMORE FALLS, MORTON NATIONAL PARK
Just a few kilometres away from Fitzroy Falls are Belmore Falls, which tumble over the Illawarra escarpment into Kangaroo Valley. Cascading through three tiers, they're anywhere between 77 and 130 metres high, depending on where you're measuring from. For the best views, stop in the Hindmarsh Lookout carpark and follow the 750-metre walking trail, which takes in several gob-smacking vistas of the valley before showing you the falls.
CARRINGTON FALLS, BUDDEROO NATIONAL PARK
Carrington Falls aren't just falls — they're part of a wild, watery playground, dotted with swimming holes, rainforest, walking tracks, rockpools and cascades. For a laidback picnic, visit Carrington Falls picnic area, where you can kick back and relax or choose from several short walks. But if swimming's on the agenda, make tracks for nearby Nellie's Glen, to take a dip under cascades and maybe meet a satin bower bird. Or a hobbit.
MINNAMURRA FALLS, BUDDEROO NATIONAL PARK
What makes Minnamurra Falls particularly spectacular is their pretty, pretty surrounds. Ensconced in the Budderoo National Park, these falls are encircled by a patch of lush rainforest, complete with bright green mossy boulders, singing streams, magical fern gardens, fluttering butterflies and lyrebirds. To visit, take the 1.3-kilometre The Falls walk, which starts at Minnamurra Rainforest Centre, just west of Jamberoo.
WENTWORTH FALLS, BLUE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Falling over three drops, Wentworth Falls are 187 metres high. You can choose your own adventure — whether you'd prefer to laze about in the picnic area or commit to a hike. For an easy stroll, there's the Charles Darwin walk, which follows the path taken by the world's most naturalist back in 1836. Alternatively, try a tougher route with the Overcliff-Undercliff track, which rewards you with dramatic cliffs, rocky overhangs and, in summer, scores of wildflowers.
KATOOMBA FALLS, BLUE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
The most famous set of falls on this list, Katoomba Falls can be experienced in a variety of ways. For an adrenaline hit and a bird's eye view, catch the glass-bottomed Scenic Skyway, suspended 270 metres above the Jamison Valley. Not a fan of heights? Explore on foot instead — the 3.1-kilometre Echo Point to Katoomba Falls track and the 1.5-kilometre Katoomba Falls Circuit are both beauties. To see Katoomba Falls floodlit, drop by after dark.
GOVETTS LEAP (BRIDAL VEIL) FALLS, BLUE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Govetts Leap Falls are most easily seen from Govetts Leap Lookout, where their 180-metre drop forms a dazzling element in panoramas of the Grose Wilderness. To get a closer look, tackle the Govetts Leap descent, a steep, 1.2-kilometre trek that transports you to a picnic area at the base of the falls. Along the way, expect to meet king parrots and yellow-tailed black cockatoos.
KANANGRA FALLS, KANANGRA-BOYD NATIONAL PARK
Surging over two tiers and totalling 225 metres in height, Kanangra Falls is a favourite with abseilers and canyoners. Not the intrepid type? Stick to the cliff top while still getting cracking views, thanks to the accessible lookout walk, affording views of not only the falls, but Kanangra Creek's gorges, Mt Cloudmaker and, beyond, the Blue Mountains escarpment.
KALANG FALLS, KANANGRA-BOYD NATIONAL PARK
At the end of the Kanangra Falls lookout walk, another trail, known as Waterfall Walk, descends to Kalang Falls. On the way, you'll pass extraordinary vistas of Kanangra Deep, Kanangra Walls and Thurat Spires. Kalang Falls are found in an enchanting gully, where they splash into a deep pool. Look out for Australia red cedars and flame robins.
Want to swim under a waterfall near Sydney? Check out these five.
Images: Tony Heyward, Bjenks (WC), Phil Whitehouse (WC), OzIcedog (Wikipedia), profernity (WC), Diliff (WC), Terry Clinton (Flickr), National Parks NSW, Leigh Blackall (Flickr), Vern (Flickr), Sardaka.