The Valley of the Waters Track
Dharug & Gundungurra Country

2 h 30 min to 3 h

3 km
return

↑ 741 m
↓ -741 m

Hard track
Venturing into the canyon of the Valley of the Waters along a slippery winding track, this walk demonstrates the beauty of the deep valley of Wentworth Falls. This walk explores the upper section of the track as far as Wentworth Pass. The walk passes several waterfalls, a great highlight especially in early morning when the falls form a mist over the valley. Let us begin by acknowledging the Dharug & Gundungurra people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. 
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Conservation Hut. | Photo by admin, 2008.
The Conservation Hut Restaurant. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Stairs down into Valley of the Waters. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Sign at int of National pass and Valley of the waters. | Photo by admin, 2008.
The track between the Shortcut and the Overcliff. | Photo by admin, 2008.
The view of the cliffs from Queen Victoria Lookout. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Following the track under a shallow rock overhang. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Looking down stair case on Valley of the waters track. | Photo by admin, 2008.
following the cliff line closely. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Empress Falls. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Crossing under Empress Falls. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Sylvia Falls. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Downloads GPX PDF

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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-33.7201726,150.3628839)
Mode Car (There is free parking available.)
DirectionsFrom Valley Road
  • Turn on to Fitzgerald Street then drive for 90 m
  • Turn right onto Fletcher Street and drive for another 60 m
  • Keep right onto Fletcher Street and drive for another 50 m
  • Turn left onto Fletcher Street and drive for another 4 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From Conservation Hut, this walk follows the 'Valley of the Waters' sign down some timber and dirt steps passing a couple of picnic shelters. The track soon leads to the signposted intersection with the 'Short Cut Track' (still in view of the Conservation Hut).
From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Valley of the Waters' sign down the steps, passing an information sign. After the handrail and more signs, the track passes a couple of faint tracks (on the left, leading to an old picnic area). Further down the steps, the walk comes the end of another handrail and a three-way intersection (signposted 'Overcliff Track' and 'National Pass').....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After 10 m pass the car park (25 m on your left).
Then pass the toilet (25 m on your left).
After another 25 m find the "Conservation Hut" (5 m on your right).
Conservation Hut
Conservation Hut

Conservation Hut is a small cafe perched above the Valley of the Waters, Blue Mountains National Park. The hut was opened in 1963 as a meeting place for the local conservation movement. Rebuilt, Conservation Hut opened as a cafe in 1993, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week. Around the Conservation Hut is a small parking area, public toilets, picnic shelters, town water and B&B's. For further information or bookings call (02) 4757 3827.
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Conservation Hut is a small cafe perched above the Valley of the Waters, Blue Mountains National Park. The hut was opened in 1963 as a meeting place for the local conservation movement. Rebuilt, Conservation Hut opened as a cafe in 1993, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week. Around the Conservation Hut is a small parking area, public toilets, picnic shelters, town water and B&B's. For further information or bookings call (02) 4757 3827.

Turn right.
After another 30 m pass the picnic table (8 m on your left).
After another 9 m continue straight.
After another 155 m veer left.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Queen Victoria Lookout. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 130 m turn sharp right.
After another 70 m turn right.
Then find the "Empress Lookout" (10 m on your left).
Empress Lookout
Empress Lookout

Empress Lookout is a fenced and signposted lookout, perched on a sandstone overhang above the Valley of the Waters Creek. There is a view down to part of the Empress Falls and into the canyon. The views are filtered through the surrounding trees. It makes for a good spot to catch your breath when walking into, or out of, the Valley of the Waters.
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Empress Lookout is a fenced and signposted lookout, perched on a sandstone overhang above the Valley of the Waters Creek. There is a view down to part of the Empress Falls and into the canyon. The views are filtered through the surrounding trees. It makes for a good spot to catch your breath when walking into, or out of, the Valley of the Waters.

After another 90 m turn left.
After another 60 m pass the picnic table (35 m on your right).
Then cross the stepping stones.
After another 35 m find the "Empress Falls" (on your right).
Empress Falls
Empress Falls

Empress Falls is a spectacular waterfall in the Valley of the Waters. The Valley of the Water Creek comes out of the slot in the cliff and tumbles down a series of cliffs to a sandy pool. The fall is the site of the last abseil in a popular canyon, making a great site for walkers in the area. Stepping stones help walkers cross below the falls. There is a small overhang next to the falls, giving the area shade and offering a great place to rest.
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Empress Falls is a spectacular waterfall in the Valley of the Waters. The Valley of the Water Creek comes out of the slot in the cliff and tumbles down a series of cliffs to a sandy pool. The fall is the site of the last abseil in a popular canyon, making a great site for walkers in the area. Stepping stones help walkers cross below the falls. There is a small overhang next to the falls, giving the area shade and offering a great place to rest.

After another 25 m cross the stepping stones.
After another 65 m find the "Sylvia Falls" (30 m on your left).
Sylvia Falls
Sylvia Falls

Sylvia Falls on the Valley of the Waters Creek is a lovely tall cascade. The falls are in a deep sandstone canyon with mossy walls. The stairs and handrail pass closely to these falls, helping walkers get nice and close. From near the top of the falls, there is a great view down the valley looking between the canyon walls.
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Sylvia Falls on the Valley of the Waters Creek is a lovely tall cascade. The falls are in a deep sandstone canyon with mossy walls. The stairs and handrail pass closely to these falls, helping walkers get nice and close. From near the top of the falls, there is a great view down the valley looking between the canyon walls.

After another 75 m find the "Lodore Falls" (25 m on your left).
Lodore Falls
Lodore Falls

Lodore Falls are a lovely set of falls on the Valley of the Waters Creek. The narrow falls have a staircase on one side and stepping stones (and handrail) crossing the bottom, making it easier for walkers to appreciate this waterfall from many angles. Just beyond the handrail, the water falls over another cliff, providing a great view down the valley.
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Lodore Falls are a lovely set of falls on the Valley of the Waters Creek. The narrow falls have a staircase on one side and stepping stones (and handrail) crossing the bottom, making it easier for walkers to appreciate this waterfall from many angles. Just beyond the handrail, the water falls over another cliff, providing a great view down the valley.

After another 10 m cross the stepping stones.
After another 15 m veer right.
After another 120 m pass the "Flat Rock Falls" (25 m on your left).
After another 75 m pass the "Brittania Falls" (15 m on your left).
After another 50 m turn around.
Continue another 490 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 1.5 km to get back to the start.

An optional side trip to Queen Victoria Lookout.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
Sylvia Falls (about 145 m back from the start).
After another 170 m come to "Queen Victoria Lookout".
Queen Victoria Lookout
Queen Victoria Lookout

The Queen Victoria Lookout is perched above the Valley of the Waters, south-west of Conservation Hut. The fenced lookout has views into the narrow section of the valley. The views are made more dramatic by the roar of the waterfalls below and the mists which frequent the area. Empress Falls are only just visible - the main views extend down Jamison Valley. Kings Tableland (left) and Sublime Point(right) dominate the views and the eastern edge of Mount Solitary and beyond is also visible.
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The Queen Victoria Lookout is perched above the Valley of the Waters, south-west of Conservation Hut. The fenced lookout has views into the narrow section of the valley. The views are made more dramatic by the roar of the waterfalls below and the mists which frequent the area. Empress Falls are only just visible - the main views extend down Jamison Valley. Kings Tableland (left) and Sublime Point(right) dominate the views and the eastern edge of Mount Solitary and beyond is also visible.

Continue another 0 m to find Queen Victoria Lookout at the end.
About 85 m past the end is "Lodore Falls".
Lodore Falls
Lodore Falls

Lodore Falls are a lovely set of falls on the Valley of the Waters Creek. The narrow falls have a staircase on one side and stepping stones (and handrail) crossing the bottom, making it easier for walkers to appreciate this waterfall from many angles. Just beyond the handrail, the water falls over another cliff, providing a great view down the valley.
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Lodore Falls are a lovely set of falls on the Valley of the Waters Creek. The narrow falls have a staircase on one side and stepping stones (and handrail) crossing the bottom, making it easier for walkers to appreciate this waterfall from many angles. Just beyond the handrail, the water falls over another cliff, providing a great view down the valley.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 35 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

The Valley of the Waters Track


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 3 km
Time 2 h 30 min to 3 h
Quality of track Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient Very steep (4/6)
Signage Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route
Toilet: There is one 10 m from the start.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Toilet
10 m[toilet]
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