Minnehaha Falls is a charming waterfall in the Katoomba area of the Blue Mountains, featuring a picturesque pool at its base ideal for a refreshing swim.
Accessible via a short walking trail, the journey takes you through scenic bushland, with a few steep staircases adding a touch of adventure towards the end.
| Minnehaha Falls Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 3 km (return) |
| Duration: | 1.5 hours |
| Grade: | Easy / moderate (steep sections) |
| Wheel-friendly: | No |
| Dogs: | On a lead |
Getting There
The trailhead to the waterfall is located at Minnehaha Reserve at the end of Minni Ha Ha Road (see map location).
The name of that road is a bit confusing as it’s spelled differently from the name of the waterfall and the reserve. The waterfall has gone by various names, such as Minni Ha Ha Falls, Minni Haha Falls, and Minnehaha Falls, its current official name. To add to the confusion, there is a Minnehaha Road nearby, but that’s not where you should go for this walking trail.
You’ll find a well-sized car park at the reserve, which is also home to a large information board, picnic tables, and an open field.
The nearest bus stop is only 100 metres from the reserve, with regular services running from Katoomba station.
Track Notes
The walking track to Minnehaha Falls is a relatively easy, 3 km return walk that is well-maintained and easy to navigate.
There are a couple of steep staircases at the end, but they are well-built and have handrails for balance.
Map
Here is a map of the walk from the car park at the reserve to the waterfall:
Walking Track
From the reserve, make your way to the information board where you’ll see the start of the walking track.
Shortly into the walk, you’ll come across a junction with a side trail to Yosemite Creek, which we recommend checking out.
This quick detour takes you to a small cascade waterfall, a perfect warm-up for the main event.
Back on the main track, the path is very easy to follow and navigate, roughly following the creek downstream.
Soon, you’ll catch your first glimpse of the big waterfall on the left, framed by beautiful tall trees.
Once you spot the waterfall from the trail, it’s time to get ready for the steep descent into the valley.
This section features various staircases and steps heading down.
It’s definitely a bit of a workout, but the track has recently been upgraded and is in great shape.
Minnehaha Falls
Once you’ve reached the bottom of the staircases, the path makes a sharp left turn heading towards the base of the waterfall.
Minnehaha Falls is a small but beautiful waterfall on Yosemite Creek in the northern section of Katoomba, not too far south of the old Katoomba Airfield.
You’ll notice immediately why this isolated waterfall is so popular during the warmer summer months. The pool at the base is a beauty; perfect for a quick swim.
It’s safe to go into the water, but be mindful that the rocks surrounding the pool can be quite slippery.
For the best views of the waterfall, cross the creek to the other side of the pool. From there, you can see the entire waterfall.
Once you’re finished exploring this beautiful waterfall, retrace your steps via the same path back to the car park.
For more waterfall walks, check out the family-friendly Wentworth Falls Walk, a scenic 2 km return walking track with a few great lookouts.
Another waterfall walk we love and recommend doing is the Terrace Falls Walk in Hazelbrook, a 4.5 km circuit with several waterfalls and pools to discover.
