Wonderful Waterfalls

Anyone who follows me closely on Instagram will know, I LOOOOOVE a good waterfall! Luckily for me, living in the Southern Highlands between Sydney and Canberra there is an abundance of beautiful falls right on my doors step. 

When you think of The Highlands and waterfalls, you think of Belmore, Carrington and Fitrzroy Falls. They're the biggest and they're the best. 

Belmore Falls just outside the town of Robertson is the tallest of all The Highlands falls and ranks 18th in the tallest falls in Australia. Its first tier is a 160m (525ft) drop, almost unobstructed on the clear rock face and dropping cleanly to a large pool below. 

Driving to the falls is easy, you'll come to a weir where the water runs over the road before dropping off the cliff edge. Here there is a small viewing platform where you can look directly down over the edge to the pool below. 

A little further down the road is the official car park and lookout, it's only about a 300m walk to the lookout for a beautiful view of the first two tiers of the falls, loosing sight of the river as it bends its way through the undergrowth to the third their and then the lower junction where several streams converge. 

Access to the bottom of Belmore falls is prohibited however you will often see many people (who are capable of jumping fences and unable to read signs) enjoying swimming at the bottom of the falls or venturing even further into the gully in search of Belmore Junction. 

A little past Robertson and down Jamberoo Mountain Rd you will find Carrington Falls, another big draw card to The Highlands. A very popular spot for tourists with a small board walk and several viewing platforms making it easy for everyone to enjoy a view of these stunning falls. 

The more adventurous hikers who know where they're going can find the bottom of these falls, I went with a guide and I can tell you this was probably the hardest hike I have ever done, so do not attempt lightly. The reward for your efforts is a perspective of the 130m drop unlike any other. 

Carrington is known as a great place to swim, with families often spending weekends paddling in the shallows above the falls or enjoying the nearby Nellie's Glen swimming hole. Picnic tables and toilets set this spot up as a great way to spend a warm summers day, escaping the heat and enjoying all that Carrington has to offer. 

Last on the list and definitely not least is Fitrzoy Falls. With its 80m drop to the stream below, it's one of my all time favourites. Visiting these falls is a very civilised affair, there's ample parking at the visitors centre and there are two paths you can take around the eastern or western sides of the escarpment rim, both affording stunning views of the falls and the rest of Moreton National Park. 

I have walked both sides of the valley and each has its own benefits, the western rim is shorter and more appropriate for those with small children and lower fitness levels however both are very easy to walk and don't need a great deal of expertise or guidance to follow. See my YouTube channel for more details on my walk of the eastern rim. 

and regardless of which path you take a stop here is a must. It is the closest view of the falls, jutting right out over the edge of the cliff, giving you the best photo opportunity of the falls with the valley in the background. The visitors centre is very well equipped with flushing toilets and picnic tables, costing $4 for all day parking. 

The Highlands is a wonderful place to come exploring and while there are many, many more waterfalls to check out, the big three will never disappoint. 

Safe Travels, 

Dimsim Outdoors.