Empress Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Blue Mountains, reached via a short walking track from the Conservation Hut in Wentworth Falls.
Although the walk is short, it involves a steep descent into the Valley of the Waters. After arriving at Empress Falls, you can continue along the trail to discover even more waterfalls.
| Empress Falls Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 1 km (return) |
| Time: | 1 hour |
| Grade: | Moderate (steep) |
| Dogs: | Not allowed |
| Maps: |  PDF map |
 Interactive map |
|
Getting There
This walk begins at the Conservation Hut, situated at the end of Fletcher Street in Wentworth Falls.
To get there from the Great Western Highway, take the exit onto Falls Road in Wentworth Falls, then turn right into Fletcher Street, which leads to a car park.
The car park is well-sized but often fills up quickly on weekends because of its café and access to several popular walking trails.
Below is a map of the walk with parking at the Conservation Hut.
Track Notes
As mentioned, this walk is quite steep with numerous steps. However, its short length (just 1 km return) makes it manageable for people of all ages and fitness levels.
The path, including the steps, can become slippery at times, particularly after rain, so it’s a good idea to wear sturdy hiking shoes.
The Start
This enjoyable walking track begins to the left of the Conservation Hut, where you’ll find a path and a prominent signpost.
The Conservation Hut originally opened in 1963 as a base for the Blue Mountains Conservation Society.
In 1993, the building became home to a small café, which closed in 2021 and reopened in 2023 under new management. It’s a fantastic spot for lunch after a day of hiking!
At the prominent “Valley of the Waters” signpost, the path begins a steep descent via a long series of well-maintained steps.
The descent into the valley is fairly easy, but the climb back up is much more challenging. But it’s only a short walk, and there’s plenty of space along the path to pause and catch your breath if needed.
After about 300 metres, you’ll come across a turn-off to the left that leads to the Queen Victoria Lookout.
Queen Victoria Lookout
The Queen Victoria Lookout is a stunning vantage point, perched above the Valley of the Waters with sweeping views of the Jamison Valley.
On a clear day, the fenced lookout platform provides breathtaking views, with prominent landmarks like Lincoln’s Rock, Kings Tableland, and Mount Solitary visible in the distance.
After taking in the views, retrace your steps to the main track, and you’ll soon reach the next highlight: Empress Lookout. While the views here aren’t as expansive, you can catch glimpses of the Empress Canyon and its waterfall.
From Empress Lookout, the trail descends further via steep metal staircases. As you make your way down, you’ll notice the landscape shifting from dry bushland to lush rainforest.
Empress Falls
The track soon becomes noticeably darker as the trees and cliff walls block much of the natural sunlight.
As you continue descending, you’ll pass a small waterfall on your right before the main attraction comes into view.
The trail first leads to a large pool where the waterfall cascades, then continues across a series of stepping stones directly in front of the waterfall.
These stepping stones are perfectly placed, offering an ideal vantage point to take in the entire waterfall in one view.
Like most waterfalls, Empress Falls is at its most impressive after significant rainfall, so timing your visit can make a big difference.
For those keen to explore more waterfalls, the trail continues beyond the stepping stones and past the large boulders.
Sylvia Falls
From the base of Empress Falls, the trail follows the creek downstream, leading to several more waterfalls as part of the picturesque Valley of the Waters Track.
We highly recommend continuing at least to Sylvia Falls, which is just a short distance away. Sylvia Falls is a breathtaking cascade waterfall, with the trail curving around it; perfect for capturing great photos!
Depending on track conditions, the path may continue further downstream past Lodore Falls, Flat Rock Falls, Brittania Falls, and Red Rock Falls.
Keep in mind that track closures are fairly common in this part of the Blue Mountains, particularly deeper into the valley. However, Empress Falls and Sylvia Falls are typically more accessible and less affected by closures.
More waterfall walks nearby:
