Exploring Wentworth Falls in Australia’s Blue Mountains
What is Wentworth Falls?
Wentworth Falls is one of the many towns along the drive through the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Blue Mountains area. The town is so-called because of the beautiful waterfall only a short walk from the town centre which offers up spectacular, sun-drenched views of the Jamieson Valley below. There are so many fabulous Wentworth Falls walks to do and it is an area you’ll want to return to again and again!
Wentworth Falls is easily accessible on a day trip from Sydney by train or by car and is the perfect place to spend an afternoon bushwalking.
Why visit Wentworth Falls?
Wentworth Falls punches well above the weight of most small towns in terms of reasons to visit. The town centre, Wentworth Falls Village, is a quaint strip of shops ranging from pizza to pies to bakery made delicious fruit laden pastries. Perfect to fill your stomach before a walk to visit the Falls.
The bushwalks around the Falls area range from moderate to challenging, so there is absolutely a view and a walk to suit all needs.
It’s also a very close range from other lovely Blue Mountains towns such as Leura and Katoomba, so the avid explorers could hike their scenic tour of the mountains, whilst other more relaxed adventurers could hop in the car and drive from place to place.
How to get to Wentworth Falls from Sydney
Public Transport
The Blue Mountains has a train line running right through the major towns, so from Sydney’s busy Central Station, you are able to hop on a Katoomba bound train which will stop in Wentworth Falls on the way up the mountains.
The train journey will take you just under two hours and you can just kick back and relax with a book or a podcast without having to worry about driving or traffic. It will cost you under $10 AUD for a one-way train trip and on Sunday’s you’ll get the special Sunday rate of $2.70 AUD return.
Drive
If you’re fortunate enough to have a car, then a drive up to Wentworth Falls shaves about 30 mins off your travel time compared to the train.
On weekends, though, you may have to contend with some traffic and often there are accidents on the windy roads through the mountains, so be prepared for anything.
Driving is easy if you have someone happy to be designated driver as you’ll be able to drive from town to town at your leisure, stopping wherever you feel.
Tour Bus
If you’re just not interested in worrying about navigating in any way, shape or form, then perhaps a guided tour through the Blue Mountains is best for you!
There’s a huge number of tours available from large groups to small, more curated tours so you’ve got plenty of options.
Best walks around Wentworth Falls
Wentworth Falls walks under 2km
Wentworth Falls Track
A quick 1.4km round trip, this short soujourn from the Wentworth Falls picnic area offers you quick and easy access to some of the best views in the Blue Mountains.
Stop in at Jamison, Wentworth and then Fletcher’s Lookouts with the latter providing cliff-edge sights to make your eyes water. The Wentworth Falls track can be completed in isolation or you can continue on for a longer walk onto the National Pass loop.
Wentworth Falls walks between 2-4kms long
The Darwin Walk
The Charles Darwin Walk starts all the way back in Wentworth Falls Village and is about 2.4km one way. It’s so called because this is the track Charles Darwin himself walked along in 1836.
For those not wanting to trek all the way from the town centre, it is possible to park your car at the Blue Mountains National Park boundary and from here it’s a short 400m walk to join up with the Darwin Walk and head to the Falls.
If you do have the time, the full Darwin walk is gorgeous and not too challenging as it walks along the picturesque Jamison Creek.
Wentworth Falls walks over 4kms long
National Pass Circuit
The National Pass is one of the Blue Mountains best walks. A 4.5km loop carved into the side of the cliffs, this incredible, vertigo-inducing walk is unparalleled in terms of scenic beauty.
Starting at the Wentworth Falls picnic area and covering the Wentworth Falls track, the National Pass then continues on past the falls and down the Grand Stairway into the Valley of the Waters which affords more water views from some of the UNESCO World Heritage Listed area’s many cascades and falls.
This loop will take between 3.5 and 4.5 hours to complete, so ensure you have your comfy shoes on, plenty of water and sunscreen to fend off the harsh Aussie sun.
Tips for doing a Wentworth Falls walk
- Be prepared for steep sections – you’re in the mountains after all!
- Wear sturdy shoes. Paths can get muddy, slippery and unstable in sections, especially near waterfalls.
- Bring plenty of water. The Australian sun can really dehydrate you if you’re planning to be out for a while, so make sure you have enough water for the duration of your walk.
- Slip, Slop, Slap! Don’t forget a hat, sunscreen and to wear clothes that cover your skin so that you don’t get burned by the sun.
- Beware of cliff edges. Some trails are dangerously close to the edge of cliff faces. Obey the signs & make sure you don’t get too close to the edge. No selfie is worth your life.
- Watch out for Australian wildlife. I’m talking the cute fluffy kind, but also the scaly, venomous kind (i.e. snakes). Both are around the mountains area so make sure you’re watching where you walk.
- Leave everything as you found it. That means no littering – make sure you have enough room in your backpack to store any rubbish to dispose of when you get back to the parking lot.
Must Have Hiking Gear
- First Aid Kit
- 5L Folding Drinking Water Container
- Hiking Boots (preferably waterproof)
- Sunscreen
- Lightweight Day Pack
- Lightweight jacket
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