Wentworth Falls

With some of the most spectacular lookouts, waterfalls and bush trails in the Blue Mountains, the historic village of Wentworth Falls is a great base to explore the Blue Mountains National Park, whether that be simply admiring the sights or tackling them on an adrenaline-pumping adventure.

Water flowing down Empress Falls in the Blue Mountains National Park

Walk through history

In 1836, Charles Darwin visited this area, describing the terraced Wentworth Falls as “exceedingly worth visiting” and marvelling at the “grand bay of gulf… thickly covered with forest” below. You can now follow in the naturalist’s footsteps on the Charles Darwin Walk, starting from Wilson Park and continuing through open forest and hanging swamps to the pools and cascades that plummet into the Jamison Valley.

Pack a picnic and finish your hike at the tranquil Wentworth Falls Picnic Area. Another popular lookout with incredible views to Mount Solitary is Lincoln’s Rock, a flat-topped clifftop on the Kings Tableland plateau named after local mountaineer Lincoln Hall.

Couple enjoying a walk along the Wentworth Falls Track in the Blue Mountains National Park.

Wet & wild

Nearby is the evocatively named Valley of the Waters a track passing several waterfalls that  provides access to one of the Blue Mountains’ most popular adventure activities – canyoning in the frigid Empress Falls with the experienced local guides of Blue Mountains Adventure Company. After your thrilling adventure, relax over coffee and Devonshire tea as you take in distant views at the NPWS-run Conservation Hut.

Wentworth Falls Lake is a great spot for a family day out with picnic and barbecue facilities and a children’s playground. Created as a water source for steam trains, the lake is now home to native and introduced water birds, crayfish and dragonfly nymphs. An easy walking circuit winds around the lake.

Baked goods at Bakery Patisserie Schwarz - Wentworth Falls

Fuel up

Stop off in the Wentworth Falls village for a coffee at Fed or Bakery Patisserie Schwarz; or for a more hearty snack, head up the highway to the award-winning Mountain High Pies. After establishing a reputation for fine dining at Leura over the past 26 years, Silk’s Brasserie has moved to the gracious 1923 Wentworth Falls house Silvermere.

Getting there & where to stay

Wentworth Falls is a 1hr 20min drive from Sydney, or 90min by train from Central Station on the Blue Mountains. There are many places to stay like Valley of the Waters B&B, with incredible views across the Jamison Valley, and Falls Mountain Retreat’s deluxe apartment-style accommodation in a tranquil garden setting. Book in for a yoga and wellness retreat at Happy Buddha or choose from a selection of secluded self-contained cottages, including the romantic Glen Isla.