One for the waterfall chasers!
UPDATE :: The Fitzroy Falls Cafe in the Visitor’s Centre is now open again, yay! Visit The Burrow Cafe at Fitzroy Falls for some fab coffee and lovely local produce.
The Fold’s Adventure Queen, Dimity went and chased one of the most majestic waterfalls of them all! Here’s everything you need to know about the stunning Fitzroy Falls West Rim Walk [Hint:: don’t stop where everyone else does…..just keep walking!].
Fitzroy Falls is one of those places many have talked about going to but often never seem to quite get there. Or if you’ve been its likely you haven’t walked the full rim walk and I say…. YOU NEED TO GO!!! You need to go, and you need to do the full track. Why? You’ll be hard pressed to find a better combo of views, accessibility and well-maintained track anywhere.
Family friendly :: That’s a big, fat yes. This walk is suitable for all ages both young and old.
Easily Accessible :: Easy, peasy, lemon squeezy! Drive along Nowra Rd and hang a left at the big sandstone entry towards the Fitzroy Falls Visitors Centre.
Dog friendly :: This walk is in Morton National Park so puppers need to stay home.
Stairs :: While there’s a few sections of stairs, for the most part the walk isn’t too steep and the stairs are manageable.
Length :: 5.3km return
Time :: Allow 2 hours
Cost :: If you don’t have a National Parks pass, parking at the visitors centre will cost you $4 for the day.
Starting out
Roughly 150m from the visitors centre is the lookout directly over Fitzroy Falls itself. This is where the West Rim walking track starts and it’s just a teaser of the amazing views you’re going to be in for on this awesome hike.
This is a favourite stop off for many visitors to the area and it’s a very busy little lookout. A lot of people seemed to come and view the falls then leave and to them I say noooooo – get hiking!
From the viewing platform, I just followed my nose (and the abundance of signs) and headed along the nice, even and often built-up walking track.
The whole way around the first section I got little glimpses of the falls between the trees and it was just magical.
To Jersey Lookout
This walk is a nice easy path from lookout to lookout, and not far from where I started there’s a little boardwalk where you can stop and admire the view from the path.
As I continued on, following the handy signs that gave me helpful info on exactly how many metres it was to the next lookout, I hopped down a few log steps and I was at Jersey lookout.
This is a busy little spot with a nice wide platform and where most people “get their shot” of the falls including a few lower cascades.
There’s a bench to rest on if you need it but honestly this walk is super easy and I skipped the kind offer, which is soooooo unlike me I know!
Onward To Richardson Lookout
Roughly only 200m from the last lookout up some log steps (okay these ones sucked just a wee little bit) I pop out at Richardson Lookout.
This one is cantilevered over the cliff edge with unobstructed views of the falls and out over the valley below.
Over Twin Falls
Leaving Richardson Lookout, I travelled up a few more steps where I met with the Red Hills Fire Trail for about 30m before taking a left-hand turn at the sign pointing to Twin Falls.
Here you can see where recent fires have torn through part of the scrub or perhaps this was recent backburning – I’m not quite sure.
Either way it reminded me how close this part of the park came to being completely wiped out and I’m so thankful this wasn’t the case!
Before I know it, I’m at Twin Falls Lookout and then just around the next bend I was crossing the creek that dramatically drops off the edge right in front of me!
Now this is where most people call it quits and if this is what you did when you visited, then I have one thing to say to you – go back and do it again.
Seriously.
Down into The Grotto
After Twin Falls, the walk gets even better! Paines Lookout is just around the corner and from here on in, is where it gets seriously cool.
Down some rather steep stone steps – okay, I’ll admit these ones burnt a little on the way out but don’t fret there’s a handrail if you need to hold on.
Before I knew it, I’d rounded a corner and was faced with some seriously impressive rock walls that I had to dip under and finally emerged into a wonderfully lush little glen called The Grotto.
The path down here is a little less developed and has a few roots and rocks to navigate but honestly it’s really not that bad at all.
The path took me over the creek that feeds into The Grotto and from here I followed the sign to take a little offshoot and see The Grotto from below.
This was seriously cool, guys and quite literally, it’s so much cooler down in the undergrowth, under some big boulder faces where you’re so close to the water you can almost reach out and touch it.
Around to Starkeys Lookout
Reluctantly leaving The Grotto I’m back on track and off to the next lookout.
The views aren’t as magical on this section as it’s a little further back from the cliff edge, but because not so many people venture this far, the bush and wildlife makes up for it!
I was surrounded by wattle just starting to blossom and watched many small birds darting back and forth through the trees. I’m sure there were lyrebirds about, but I wasn’t so lucky as to see one on this adventure.
Getting to Starkeys Lookout is fairly easy, the track is nice and smooth again and the views at the lookout are just…. *insert chefs kiss*
Finishing at Renown Lookout
Another 300m further down the main path, I reach a handful of stairs to take me to Renown Lookout.
From here you can finally take in Fitzroy Falls in all her glory!
It’s so beautiful to see Fitzroy Falls from this perspective.
You really get a feel for how big and beautiful they really are when you see them nestled into the landscape from this distance.
Cascade upon cascade, flowing through the valley in front of you until it reaches the perfectly cute Lady Hordern Falls before the final drop into the creek below.
My oh my, I am just in awe! *chef kiss* *chef kiss* *chef kiss* This is waterfall hunters heaven!
And there’s some beautiful flora around every which way you look.
Back the way we came
Getting back to the start is super-duper easy, with maybe the exception of the burn on those steep stone steps I mentioned earlier.
I just head back the way I came and within two hours of setting out I’m back at the visitors centre to make the most of the facilities and be on my merry way.
Now, you may think you know all that Fitzroy Falls has to offer because you’ve stood on the main viewing platform and looked directly down.
But please give this walk a chance! For (relatively) very little effort you get so much bang for your buck when it comes to views, waterfalls and magical little grottos.
Okay I’m gushing, I’ll stop but seriously… put this one on your bushwalking bucket list, people.
We love sharing our awesome outdoor adventures with The Fold readers and want to make sure everyone stays safe and healthy when giving our walks and rides a crack for themselves. So, always check the weather forecast before you venture out. If you’re heading into a National Park, be sure to consult the National Parks website for up-to-date information about current alerts. Prepare yourself with the right equipment, clothing, safety items, with plenty to eat and drink if you’re going on longer hikes, and always let someone else know where you’re going and what time you are expected to be back. Have fun and stay safe!