This Walk Has A Bit Of Everything!

Just a five minute drive from the village of Bundanoon, Fairy Bower Falls Lookout Walk can be done in less than an hour and has a little bit of everything – big boulders, rocky trails, snug staircases, pretty creeks and a lookout at the top of a waterfall!

Family-friendly :: It can be steep and a little rocky in parts so recommend it for primary school aged kids and up.

Easily Accessible :: There is a car park at the entrance to the walk or you can park in the Gambell’s Rest car park and wander down to the beginning of the path.

Dog Friendly :: No doggo’s, as it’s part of National Parks NSW.

Stairs :: There are a number of flights of stairs and walkways as it’s a bit of a descent [and then ascent] to the top of the falls.

Length :: We parked at Gambells Rest car park which brought the walk in at just under 3km.

Time :: It took us about 10 – 15 minutes to walk down to the Lookout [gravity will do that!] and about 20 – 25 minutes to walk back up. And that was with stopping to get some pics while we were there.

Cost ::  $8 per car to enter Morton National Park at Bundanoon. You can pay with your card – easy!

Good to know ::  The trail down to the bottom of Fairy Bower Falls was closed due to bushfire damage but it has been reopened [updated by National Parks NSW January 2022] so if you want to extend the walk down to the bottom of the falls, go for it!

Where is it? 

The Fairy Bower Falls Lookout Walk is in Morton National Park, just a few minutes drive from the village of Bundanoon.

Drive through Bundy and follow Church Street which turns into Gullies Road to the main entrance of Morton National Park.

Head of the trail 

You can access the walk in two ways.

Park at Gambells Rest – pay your $8 National Park entry fee – then turn left into the car park there. From there follow the Bundanoon Loop Road south on foot and a few hundred metres down the road, you’ll come across the entrance to the walk.

Or you can drive straight ahead after paying your fee following Echo Point Road then taking your first left onto Bundanoon Loop Road. It’s a one way road so just keep following it and veering around to the left.

You’ll pass the Grand Canyon Lookout, then Sunrise Point and the trail head to Tooth’s Lookout before coming across the Fairy Bower Falls Lookout walk start. It’s very well sign-posted so you won’t miss it.

There’s space for only a few cars to park here, which is why we parked at Gambells Rest Car Park and wandered down from there.

Make sure your shoes have good tread on them!

The walk down is rocky and a little steep in parts – nothing too hectic but you will need to watch where you’re going so you don’t roll an ankle.

In about 1.4km of pathway, you’ll descend 600 metres.

The first part of the track is wide and rocky.

We loved playing on some of the big boulders along this part of the trail.

You’ll climb down some flights of stairs before coming to a T-intersection.

Once again, it’s really well sign posted so just turn right to Fairy Bower Falls Lookout.

This is where the track becomes a little skinnier and there are some more staircases and walkways to navigate – all built really well and super safe.

You’ll come to a small creek and flat expanses of rock – this is the start of the top of the falls, and where we had a few stick and leaf races!

Was such a pretty spot here.

The Lookout

You can cross the water and follow the track down to the bottom of Fairy Bower Falls Lookout if you’re up for extending the walk.

Or do what we did [because it was getting towards late afternoon] and head towards the lookouts – there’s two spots at the top of the falls to grab yourself some gorgeous views.

Fairy Bower Falls Lookout itself.

The pathway down to the lookout with big rocks acting as steps were a little slippery we were there after some rain, so be careful navigating your way down to the platform.

And the Brides Lookout is a nice spot to stop to take in the panoramic view.

Why is it called Brides Lookout?

Well, Bundanoon used to be quite the honeymoon destination back in the day and according to a local, honeymooners would walk down to this spot to get photos taken.

We’re talkin’ way back when it was long dresses and petticoats.

They weren’t exactly in hiking books and activewear, so that would have been QUITE the effort.

What goes down must come up

Yeah we know that’s not quite the right turn of phrase but it is when you’re bush walking!!

The walk back up is a bit of a glute burner but there are plenty of spots to take a rest – from boulders to steps and a lovely bench at the top of one of the steep stairwells – handy!

There wasn’t as much talking on the way up, put it that way!

Now, the t-intersection you came to before on your way down, instead of turning left and heading up the stairs that you came down, you can follow the pathway straight ahead [the sign says Picnic Area] and it will take you back to Gambells Rest Car Park if you just want to add a bit of variety to your walk.

We headed back the way we came because the boys had spotted a bit of a rock wall on the way down that they wanted to climb up on the way back.

Cos…..why not?

I took the fire trail, thanks!

And took some pretty pics of the native flora along the way.

We also saw a lyrebird which was cool [also a little frightening when you hear a rustle in the bushes to start with but soooo fine when you realise it’s not a snake or a Yeti].

Retrace your footsteps and you’ll pop back up on the Bundanoon Loop Road.

Turn right there and follow it back to the main car park.

What to do afterwards…

We love the village of Bundanoon. If you’ve gone for an early morning walk, head back up to the main street and take your pick of fab cafes to treat yourself with some coffee and brunch.

Or if you knocked off the walk later in the day and it’s beer’o’clock, cross the railway tracks and settle yourself into the beer garden at the Bundanoon Hotel [take your cossies if it’s a hot day and cool off in their pool]. If you’ve been walking in the cooler months, snag a spot near the open fire. So cosy and warm!

You deserve it, right? That was QUITE the ascent.

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!