KATOOMBA CASCADES
VIEWS, WATERFALLS AND CASCADES IN A SHORT WALK
KATOOMBA CASCADES - REID'S PLATEAU
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Katoomba Falls and Cascades have been a classic since the late 19th century! If time is an issue, this walk is for you!
Grade 2
Time: 30-40 minutes
Distance: 1.3 km loop
Ascent: 30 m
Map: 8930-1S Katoomba
Start: Katoomba Cascades Carpark, Intersection of Katoomba Falls Road and Cliff Drive, Katoomba
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KATOOMBA FALLS PARK
The Prince Henry Cliff Walk track starts near the creek. Down the stairs, follow the sign to the cascades
KATOOMBA CASCADES
A bridge fords the creek for those who do not want to cross the creek on the stepping stones. The Council has done an outstanding job laying tracks.
PICNIC AREA
The small picnic area near the Cascades is popular with locals who come there with children for a relaxing time by the Cascades.
KEDUMBA RIVER: CHAIN OF FALLS
The track follows Kedumba Creek as it flows downstream, providing glimpses of the water. The gully is lush with ferns and rainforest plants. The stretch of Kedumba River, between the cascades and the top of the main falls was known in the 1880s as the Chain of Falls.
DUKE AND DUCHESS OF YORK LOOKOUT
No point in guessing who the lookout is named after! But which Duke and Duchess of York? Albert and Elizabeth of the House of Windsor, then Duke and Duchess of York, visited Echo Point in 1927. This lookout is named after them. Albert would later become King George VI and Elizabeth, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
The lookout is next to the ledge over which the creek leaps in the void. Although you can see the water, the vegetation prevents you from seeing the falls. The cliff walls are impressive.
NEW CLIFFTOP RESCUE TECHNIQUES DEMONSTRATION
On Monday 04 April 1949 the lookout was the site of the demonstration of clifftop rescue techniques by the members of NSW Police Force. Four constables sent 150 m down one by one followed by a stretcher. Sergeant Henry Ware was then lowered. One of the constables was strapped to the stretcher and a team at the top hauled up the “casualty”. Justice Taylor was invited to “see for himself” and was lowered down the side of the cliff.
THE WATCHTOWER
The Watchtower Lookout offers expansive views of the Jamison Valley, Mount Solitary and Orphan Rock.
The Skyway TBA
At this point you can retrace your steps if you do not want to go to Reid’s Plateau.
REID'S PLATEAU LOOP
I had not been in the area for 10 years; since the 2017 upgrade this is a luxurious walk: concreted paths, benches, ironwrought signage, …. The only giveaway this is Council land is the presence of weeds: blackberry, dandelions, buttercups, etc.
Reids Plateau is a small plateau overlooking the Jamison Valley.
SO WHO WAS REID?
George Houston Reid (1845-1918) was another politician. He was a NSW Premier for five years and went on to become the Prime Minister of Australia in 1904 for 10 months and 17 days, after which he resigned. He then enjoyed the perks of political life: King’s Counsel, High Commissioner to the UK. He even was elected in the UK House of Commons serving till his death.
Without further ado, up the flight of stairs and right!
SOLITARY LOOKOUT
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Retrace your steps back to Reid’s Plateau track. Walk in a northerly direction ignoring the track to the left until you arrive to the intersection with Prince Henry Cliff Walk where you started the loop..
KATOOMBA FALLS LOOKOUT
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Retrace your steps back to Reid’s Plateau track. Walk in a northerly direction ignoring the track to the left until you arrive to the intersection with Prince Henry Cliff Walk where you started the loop..
ORPHAN ROCK LOOKOUT
Orphan Rock is a rock outcrop which touristically used to be more popular than the Three Sisters.
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Retrace your steps back to Reid’s Plateau track. Walk in a northerly direction ignoring the track to the left until you arrive to the intersection with Prince Henry Cliff Walk where you started the loop..
WITCHES LEAP LOOKOUT
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Ignore the short track on the left: this delivers you to the faux-rock cave and Solitary Lookout.
Continue and conclude the loop by going down the stairs back to where you started. At the track intersection, go straight up the stairs back to Cliff Drive and Katoomba Falls Kiosk.
KATOOMBA FALLS KIOSK
Built before 1920, the kiosk was one of four buildings built in the Upper Mountains to provide food and drinks to ravenous bushwalkers and tourists. Only two remains: this one and the Leura Falls Kiosk (Solitary Restaurant).
The Kiosk is currently closed.
Walk along Cliff Drive back towards the Park.
ALONG CLIFF DRIVE
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STORMWATER TRAP
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TOP OF THE CASCADES
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PICNIC AREA
Why not have a picnic at one of the tables and wait for dusk!
KATOOMBA FALLS NIGHT-LIT WALK
And for something different, why not do this walk at night!
All the lights turn on at dusk and flood lights are turned off at 10.30pm and path lights at 11pm.
FLOODLIGHTING KATOOMBA
As an experiment, flood lights were installed at Katoomba Cascades as well as at Echo Point in 1932.
“The idea originated in the mind of Ald. Spellacy, who conceived a plan after observing the effect of motor car headlights, which threw rocks and foliage into relief“.
Lithgow Mercury, 05 December 1932.
INFORMATION
OTHER STARTING POINT
Katoomba Falls Kiosk.
BEST TIME TO GO
Anytime! However the area is popular and busy during weekends and holidays.
Expect people (especially large groups) near the Cascades and Katoomba Falls Lookout.
GETTING THERE
EXTRA SAFETY NOTES
Drinking Water: tap 30 m from the toilet block.ni.
Toilets: block on Katoomba Falls Reserve near Cliff Drive.
