Valley Of The Waters
"WELL IT'S NOTHING BUT A VALLEY OF WATERFALLS"
VALLEY OF THE WATERS
GRADE 4
Time: 2 hours
Distance: 3.4 km - out and back
Total Ascent: 290 m
Map: 8930-1S Katoomba
Start: Conservation Hut - 92 Fletcher St, Wentworth Falls
Waterfalls, cascades, towering cliffs, lush rainforests, panoramic views over the Jamison Valley: the Valley of the Waters has it all!
“It was when Sir Henry saw the beauty of the new work that he asked Mulheran what he would call such a beautiful place. Mulheran answered: “Well, it’s nothing but a valley of waterfalls.” “Right,” said Sir Henry, “we’ll name it the Valley of the Waters,” and as such it is known.” The Sun, 17 July 1932
The waterfalls in the Valley of the Waters were named in 1897 by the Wentworth Falls Reserves Trust.THE CONSERVATION HUT
The walk starts at the Conservation Hut café: it is the perfect place to start and end a day of hiking. It has extensive views onto the Jamison Valley and further away the Kedumba Valley.
A “refreshment pavilion” opened in December 1904 at the top of the Valley of the Waters. A building was subsequently erected in 1930 then fell into desuetude.
Renovated by the members of the Katoomba and District Fauna and Flora Protection Society (now known as the Blue Mountains Conservation Society), the Conservation Hut, was officially opened by the Minister for Conservation on 28 July 1963. The building was demolished in 1990 and rebuilt in its present location. Officially opened in 1993, the Hut has been providing sustenance to walkers, locals and tourists alike.
The Conservation Hut re-opened late 2023: you can check the menu and opening hours here.
Take the steps down between the platform and the café: this is a taste of what awaits you!
The track on the left just below the Hut is the Shortcut Track: it links the Valley of the Waters to the Picnic Area.
Continue down the steps, passing the two intersections with the Overcliff Track on the left. Our first stop is the Queen Victoria Lookout after the second intersection with the Overcliff Track.
QUEEN VICTORIA LOOKOUT
Named in honour of Queen Victoria, the lookout offers two viewing points over the Valley of the Waters and Prince Regents Glen, the upper part of the Jamison Valley.
Kedumba Walls
Lincoln's Rock
Kings Tableland
Lions Head
Jamison Valley
Korrowal Ridge
Broken Rock Range
Mount Solitary
Cathedral Point
JAMISON VALLEY FROM QUEEN VICTORIA LOOKOUT
EMPRESS LOOKOUT
The Empress in question is Queen Victoria. Technically this is another Queen Victoria lookout!
Empress Falls are better heard than seen from this lookout. The vegetation was recently cleared by National Parks and now you can see the top of Empress Falls. You get better views however from the track below.
The lookout marks the start of the steep descent into the Valley of the Waters or the Gorge as it used to be known. It is also a convenient spot for those who are climbing back up to catch their breath…
THE GORGE
ISOBEL FALLS
Step onto the Nature Track on a small wooden bridge to the picnic table.
Isobel Falls do not have a high flow but it is a nice cool spot to rest on a hot day or before the last steep climb out.
The falls are named after Isobel Kendall Bowden (1908-1986), a local artist, historian and conservationist.
EMPRESS FALLS
At 30 m, Empress Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls of the Valley of the Waters creek. It is popular with photographers, swimmers and abseilers.
The falls are named in honour of Queen Victoria who was proclaimed Empress of India in 1876. 1897 marked her Diamond Jubilee and the Wentworth Falls Reserve Trustees named the falls, Empress Falls.
Cross at the intersection of Isobel and Valley of the Waters creeks using the stepping stones (the second crossing) and continue down to Sylvia Falls.
SYLVIA FALLS
“One of the prettiest is that, for which the name of Sylvia Falls is suggested, and the name is indeed very appropriate ; the waters are broken into a thousand ripples by the rugged rocks, and with the sun shining on it has a very silvery appearance, rendered still more beautiful by the numberless ferns growing in the crevices of the rocks.”
The Mountaineer – Fri 3 May 1895.
The silvery appearance of the water tumbling over the rocks gives its name to this lovely waterfall, one of the most photogenic waterfalls of the walk!
Continue down to Edith Falls. where the track crosses the Valley of the Waters creek (third crossing).
EDITH FALLS
Edith Falls marks the end of the maintained part of the Valley of the Waters track. The old stepping stones have been replaced by large sandstone steps.
Continue down along the trail Falls which is not maintained – no sandstone steps, no graded trail. It is however well-formed and well signed.
LODORE FALLS
Lodore Falls were named after Lodore Falls in the Lake District of England. The track follows the falls down. This is one of the taller waterfalls but unfortunately there are no good viewpoints.
Continue down and pass the entrance to the National Pass to the left which is closed due to a landslide. Flat Rock Falls appear through the foliage.
FLAT ROCK FALLS - CREEK CROSSING
The track crosses the creek at the bottom of the falls: this is the fourth crossing. Notice the large flat rock over which the water tumbles: that is the origin of the name!
ALONG THE TRACK
BRITANNIA FALLS
RED ROCK FALLS
This is the final waterfall before reaching Wentworth Pass. The falls take their name from the red rock that juts out of the water.
INTERSECTION WITH WENTWORTH PASS
Turn around when you reach the intersection with Wentworth Pass. Retrace your steps and enjoy the waterfalls a second time!
INFORMATION
BEST TIME TO GO
Anytime! The Valley of the Waters is popular and busy during weekends and holidays.
Expect people (especially large groups) going slowly up and down the track.
GETTING THERE
SAFETY NOTES
Drinking Water: drinking fountains at the Conservation Hut and the Wentworth Falls Picnic Area.
Toilets: located near the Conservation Hut and in the Wentworth Falls Picnic Area.
Creek Crossings: the track has four creek crossings. Do not cross when creeks are in flood! Water levels rise suddenly after a thunderstorm (a good reason to check the weather): people have been stranded on this track after thunderstorms. You may have to wait for the water levels to subside!
Mobile Reception: patchy as you descend into the Gorge! Consider carrying a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).
GPS: the signal is affected by the cliffs and the canyon-like topography. Carry a map of the area!
What should I pack for the day? Check this page for further information.
