The Southern Highlands is pure magic. It is home to some of the most beautiful natural wonders in NSW, couple that with quaint country town vibes and a calming atmosphere and you have yourself one of my favourite places in this world.
I started regularly spending my weekends exploring the Southern Highlands from 2019 as it was always a pretty easy weekender from Canberra.
Some of my favourites are listed here! Some I have left unamed as I do not wish to share where the locations are or name them, but just want to share the beauty.
Belmore Falls
The most magnificent waterfall in all of NSW, Belmore Falls is still my favourite waterfall. A huge almost 100m drop followed by another big 60m drop, it’s pretty epic. Once upon a time you used to be able to walk down to the base of the huge 100m drop but unfortunately after a few slips, falls and fatalities this is strictly prohibited.
The view from the base of the 60m fall is also delightful.
Not far from the top of Belmore Falls is this beautiful little hidden fall which most drive past after their visit to the main event. It’s a short walk and stunning, so worth checking out.
Carrington Falls
There’s a bit of a trifecta of the big waterfalls in the Southern Highlands, those being Carrington Falls, Belmore Falls and Fitzroy Falls. At least that being the big and publicly accessible waterfalls…
Carrington falls is a pretty beaut waterfall, and one of the first I regularly visited on my Southern Highlands adventures.
Quite close and from the same car park as Carrington Falls is a beautiful swimming hole and waterfall at Nellie’s Glen, which is well worth a visit too!
Cliff Side Caves
One of the most spectacular spots i’ve ever visited in the Southern Highlands is this cliff side cave, it has the most incredible views over the valley you feel miles high on the cliff.
It also happens to be a perfect spot to catch the sunset!
Macquarie Pass
If there isn’t a more bang for buck, short drive, short walked trail through beautiful dramatic ‘jurrasic park’ like fields past a quick collection of beautiful majestic waterfalls, then this must be it!
Clover Hill trial within the Macquarie Pass Rivulet leads to the most beautiful and easily accessible waterfalls.
Clover Falls
The first waterfall in the upper section is Clover Falls. Macquarie Pass is also a well known and travelled canyoning route, so Clover Falls is the first waterfall in this canyon.
This cave pool below is after a small waterfall below Clover Falls. It is only accessed via doing the Macquarie Pass Canyon and not accessed via walking to my knowledge… but I don’t know everything!
Mulangong Falls
The next waterfall along Clover Hill Trail is Mulangong Falls.
I believe this next fall is still part of Mulangong Falls… but the lower section? A beautiful waterfall where the water splits around either side of a balancing boulder… cool huh?!
Rainbow Falls
The final waterfall on the upper section is Rainbow Falls, another very cool cavern like waterfall which is the first you approach as you walk in from Clover Hill Trial.
A little further down from Rainbow Falls is this sweet two split fall, I am actually not sure what it’s name is! Let me know in the comments if you do 🙂
Jump Rock Falls
If you did the Macquarie Pass canyon from Clover Falls until the very end you would end up at Jump Rock Falls and the southern car park. As a popular swimming (and jumping) spot many people access Jump Rock falls from the south. Due to a recent landslip I believe Jump Rock Falls are closed, so check online for any closures before embarking!
Forty Foot Falls
The Southern Highlands is a clear waterfall oasis, so expect there to be A LOT of waterfalls on this list! Or essentially 99% waterfalls. I would almost go as far to say as it must be one of the top regions with the most waterfalls per square kilometer!
Forty Foot Falls is another sweet spot, easily reached via a 6.6km return hike along the Box Vail walking track outside of Mittagong.
One of my favourite things about Forty Foot Falls… it is dog friendly!! Don’t forget to bring your furry family along for the adventure with you.
Gerringong Falls
Oh Gerringong Falls… The waterfall of so much controversy. It is a shame the track to the base of the falls is blocked now as it is really such a sight to behold. Those that have seen it are very lucky, hopefully one day it will be opened to the world again.
The pool at the base of the falls is spectacular and a wonder. Its perfectly carved in a rectangular shape with rock ledges. Hard to imagine this was the work of nature. I believe there are quite a few different theories of what shaped this pool… which I can’t recall, so you’ll just have to research yourself.
Whilst the pool at the base is definitely the most captivating element of this waterfall, don’t forget to look up! Gerringong falls is HUGE, estimated to be 130m, that makes it one of the tallest waterfalls in NSW and even all of Australia!
Private Property Waterfalls
On Private Property there is another pretty impressive and tall waterfall, precedented by a smaller pretty cascade which almost has views of the larger fall behind. Unfortunately i’m not sure if this waterfall actually has a name.
You do however need approved access as the easiest way to get to the base of this other waterfall is across private property. The owners are very forthcoming and happy to approve access, we brought them a bottle of wine as a thank you and they even handed us walkie talkies so we could contact them in case we had any trouble, honestly so sweet! If only all land owners were this sweet.
Upper Kangaroo Valley
The Upper Kangaroo Valley is home to some more spectacular waterfalls. These are easily reached from Flatrock Waterhole which is a popular swimming and picnicking destination in summer months!
Gunrock Falls
The best thing about Gunrock falls is that being located in Meryla State Forest, the falls were dog friendly. However, the land is now part of the Meryla Flora Reserve and managed by NSW National Parks, so unfortunately, I don’t think dogs would be allowed anymore… but worth checking online because look at the joy on her face. Don’t leave your dogs at home if you don’t need to!!
The walk to Gunrock Falls is super short an early, down Gunrock Creek Firetrail. There was an old abandoned car left in the pool of the falls which ruined the serenity a little but but I believe it is not there any more.
Boxvale Track
One of the main elements that really adds a magical layer to the Southern Highlands is the abundant choices you have in dog friendly adventurous walks. Were not just talking bleak populated dog parks or footpaths passed playgrounds with screaming kids, but actual adventure with your best friend!
Box Vale is the most renowned dog friendly location in the Southern Highlands, and for very good reason! You can walk your pooch to visit Forty Foot Falls or take them up to the old Box Vale Track Tunnel, either way you will have a great day out.
Fairy Bower Falls
On top of being one of the sweetest towns in the Southern Highlands, Bundanoon is its own adventurer’s paradise. There are lookouts, caves, glow worms, waterfalls, and everything an adventurer could possibly imagine!
Fairy Bower Falls is an absolute beaut, and a fun start to a semi canyon! Before the Fairy Bower Creek meets Bundanoon Creek, there is another beautiful waterfall. It used to be a much loved secret in the area but has been another exposed location in the last few years. It seems the hike down to Bundanoon Creek is a deterrent for most people though! I also haven’t been back since 2022, so I hope its still as untouched as when I first saw it.
Bundanoon is spoilt with incredible lookouts over Bundanoon Creek and Gorge, some even have epic caves for a more personal viewing location!
Minnamurra Rainforst
Minnamurra Rainforest is a real gem, its pretty populated and a busy tourist location but still worth visiting. Afterall, I LOVE swing bridges.
And of course, the waterfalls!
Epic Waterfalls
The below is a series of some of my favourite waterfalls in the Southern Highlands, which I have chosen to leave unnamed but their beauty is worth sharing. So please enjoy!
This would have to be one of the most magical places I have ever been. There used to be a 3rd tier right in the middle but after a tree falling or a landslide it got blocked up. I think it might be clearer now but you can no longer access this creek.
I really need to start taking more photos with my drone again!
The above beautiful sites are only just scratching the surface of all the magic that can be found in the Southern Highlands. Get exploring and who knows what you may find! But remember, leave ONLY footprints!! Don’t ruin it for everyone else and stay safe.
Rachmartee 
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