The Katoomba Falls Round Walk is a family-friendly hiking trail that includes several lookouts offering great views of the popular Katoomba waterfall.
In this article, we’ll share the highlights of the Katoomba Falls Round Walk and where to get the best views of the waterfall.
| Katoomba Falls Round Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 2.5 km (part loop) |
| Duration: | 1.5 hours |
| Grade: | Easy / moderate |
| Dogs: | Not allowed |
Getting There
There are two locations where you can park your car and start this walk:
- Katoomba Falls Reserve (see map location)
- Scenic World Carpark
Both locations offer free parking, but we recommend parking at Katoomba Falls Reserve. Scenic World can often get quite hectic. Also, while parking there is free, the carpark mainly exists for visitors to Scenic World.
From the carpark at Katoomba Falls Reserve, cross the road and find the walking trail to start hiking. We recommend doing the loop anti-clockwise so that you can enjoy the most exciting highlights in the second part of the loop.
If you’re travelling by public transport, catch a bus from Katoomba Station and get off at the bus stop on Cliff Drive at the reserve.
Map
We have marked the six highlights and sections of this walk, as well as the two parking options, on the map below:
- Prince Henry Cliff Walk
- Vaniman’s Lookout
- Juliets Balcony
- Underfalls Walk
- Witches Leap
- Katoomba Falls Lookout
Track Notes
We rate this walk as easy to moderately challenging. Although it’s only a short bushwalk, it does have a few steep sections. Also, after rainfall, the path can get quite muddy.
Overall, the path is well-maintained and well-signposted. We recommend wearing comfortable hiking shoes or sneakers to better cope with the path and the various staircases.
1. Prince Henry Cliff Walk
Assuming you’re starting the walk from the Katoomba Falls Reserve, cross Cliff Drive, and walk towards the old kiosk building.
The start of the walk is to the right of that building, at the Prince Henry Picnic Area.
As mentioned, we recommend going anti-clockwise. To do that, find the signs for Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Scenic World and start walking in a northwestern direction.
The first 200 metres are slightly uninspiring, as you walk towards Scenic World along a section of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk. At the first junction, turn left following signs for Katoomba Falls Round Walk and Federal Pass.
2. Vaniman’s Lookout
Very soon after that junction, you will arrive at the Vaniman’s Lookout, which offers fantastic views of most of the waterfall from a high angle.
Stick around long enough at that lookout, and you may see the Scenic Skyway (Scenic World’s cable car) fly past, crossing the valley.
The views from Vaniman’s Lookout of the waterfall, the Three Sisters, the Jamison Valley, and the cable car are pretty amazing.
3. Juliets Balcony
From the Vaniman’s Lookout, the trail continues through a pleasantly lush rainforest landscape, soon arriving at the Juliets Balcony viewing platform.
To reach that viewing platform, you’ll have to walk up a staircase via a short side trail. It’s not signposted, so make sure to look for it.
Juliets Balcony is perhaps the best lookout to see Katoomba Falls because the entire waterfall is visible from there.
4. Underfalls Walk
From Juliets Balcony, continue on the main trail, heading towards the junction with the Underfalls Walk.
The (signposted) Underfalls Walk is a side trail that leads to a viewing spot right next to the waterfall.
This side trail consists of several staircases and is reasonably steep, passing the Rainforest Lookout, a small cascade waterfall, and a footbridge.
Once you arrive at the viewing spot, you’ll see how impressive it is. Seeing the waterfall from close by, especially after heavy rainfall, is quite the experience.
5. Witches Leap
From the waterfall, retrace your steps to the main trail and continue hiking northbound towards the Witches Leap waterfall.
This section of the Round Walk is very pleasant, navigating through a beautiful rainforest landscape with lush fern and moss vegetation.
Once you arrive at Witches Leap, you may see why it is named that way. Look closely, and you’ll be able to recognise a face structure!
Witches Leap is only a small waterfall, and when there hasn’t been much rain, you won’t see much water dropping over the rock formation.
6. Katoomba Falls Lookout
From Witches Leap, the trail climbs out of the rainforest gully via a zig-zag path and multiple staircases.
After a few hundred metres of climbing, you’ll arrive at a four-way intersection. Choose the path to the right, up the small staircase, to visit the Katoomba Falls Lookout on the Reids Plateau.
The Reids Plateau is home to three lookouts, the most impressive of which is the Katoomba Falls Lookout. The other two are the Solitary Lookout and the Orphan Rock Lookout, and all three are signposted.
From the Katoomba Falls Lookout, you’ll enjoy fantastic views of the waterfall against the backdrop of the Jamison Valley. Wait for the cable car to fly past, and you’ll have the perfect Blue Mountains picture!
From the lookout, retrace your steps to the four-way intersection, from where it’s only a short stroll to complete the beautiful Katoomba Falls Round Walk.
If you’re not ready to go home yet, turn right at that intersection and walk to Katoomba Cascades via two more lookout points. It’s only a short walk, and both the cascades and the lookouts are very pretty.
Up for another waterfall walk? Read our guide to the Transit of Venus Track in Woodford, a quiet bushwalking trail that includes three small waterfalls.
