The best waterfall hikes and walks in Metropolitan Special Area

From here you get a great view of Forty Foot Falls, and the trail officially ends. There is a large cave behind the falls, and several deep creek pools you can explore from this point if you feel comfortable with it, but be careful and take extra precautions around slippery sections of rock.

This track runs for about 3.5 kilometres, eventually leading you to a very nice viewpoint of Forty Foot Falls. It is a well-maintained trail that has some sections of raised wooden walkway, as well as some packed dirt sections through forest. Overall, it is an approachable trail, but there is a little bit of climbing, looser footing, and bushwhacking near the falls, so stay aware in that section.

This calm, lakeside recreation area is a great spot to relax and watch the ducks, have a picnic, or to take a walk around the loop trail around the lake. There is also access to several nearby trails that connect to the area, like the walking track to Forty Foot Falls and Mount Alexandra.

Hidden deep in Macquarie Pass National Park, Clover Falls is the final and most impressive waterfall along the Clover Hill Trail. The Macquarie Rivulet plunges around 20 m over a rocky cliff into a deep pool surrounded by steep, fern-covered walls. Reaching the falls usually involves leaving the main track and following the rivulet upstream, scrambling carefully over rocks along the way. The effort is worth it – the secluded setting and large plunge waterfall make this one of the most rewarding spots on the trail, and a refreshing place to pause beside the water.

Macquarie Pass National Park protects a lush section of rainforest along the Illawarra escarpment in New South Wales. Trails wind through dense subtropical forest filled with towering eucalypts, tree ferns, cabbage tree palms, and Illawarra flame trees, with creeks and small waterfalls hidden throughout the valley. Wildlife is abundant here, including lyrebirds, wallabies, and goannas. Pets are not allowed in the park. NSW National Parks sometimes run fox and wild dog baiting programs to protect native wildlife, and while there may not always be an active program, it’s important to check park alerts before visiting and follow all guidelines to keep both pets and wildlife safe.

Clover Hill Trail is a rewarding walk in Macquarie Pass National Park that follows an old logging track through lush rainforest before emerging into the surprising open fields of Clover Hill. The first section winds through dense forest filled with towering eucalypts, tree ferns, cabbage tree palms, and Illawarra flame trees, where lyrebirds and goannas are sometimes spotted along the trail. As the forest suddenly gives way to grassy clearings once farmed over a century ago, you'll get impressive views of the steep escarpment rising above. Near the end of the trail, you can walk upstream along the Macquarie Rivulet to reach Rainbow Falls.