Waterfall Walk
Ngarigo Country

2 h to 2 h 30 min

5.9 km
circuit

↑ 198 m
↓ -198 m

Moderate track
This walk explores the upper section of Sawpit Creek from the Sawpit Creek picnic area beside Kosciuszko Road. You will follow a circuit track visiting the main highlight, a small but lovely cascade near the halfway point. The walk guides through the tall eucalypt forest, exploring the sides of the valley and passing some frost hollows and large granite boulder outcrops. An enjoyable way of exploring this pocket of Kosciuszko National Park Let us begin by acknowledging the Ngarigo 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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Waterfall Track trackhead at Sawpit Creek Picnic Area. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking through underpass. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Western side of underpass. | Photo by admin, 2008.
NPWS walking sign on Waterfall Walk. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking through Kosciuszko National Park. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Forest on the Waterfall Walk. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Metal grate in Kosciuszko National Park. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Grand burnt tree. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Crossing clearing on the Waterfall Walk. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Posts beside track in Kosciuszko National Park. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Tree hugging in Kosciuszko National Park. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Track winding up the side of the gully. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Sawpit Creek upper waterfall lookout. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Sawpit Creek Falls. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Sawpit Creek Falls and pool. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Icy plants beside Sawpit Creek falls in Kosciuszko National Park. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Crossing Sawpit Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Icy morning on track near Sawpit Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Friends' footprints in fresh snow. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Snow beside Waterfall Track. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Fallen tree beside track. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Passing the three kilometre milestone. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking along the waterfall track. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking amoung some granite boulders. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Granite outcrop with view. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Walking through tall forest. | Photo by admin, 2010.
One kilometre milestone. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Burnt out tree. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Passing split rock. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Tree beside track. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Crossing Sawpit Creek. | Photo by admin, 2010.
Sawpit Creek Picnic Area. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Sawpit Creek Picnic Area. | Photo by admin, 2010.
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 (-36.3499848,148.5637151)
Mode Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)
DirectionsFrom Barry Way
  • Turn on to Kosciuszko Road then drive for 12.4 km
  • Keep left and drive for another 255 m
  • Turn slight left onto Kosciuszko Road and drive for another 850 m
  • Turn left and drive for another 45 m
  • Turn left and drive for another 110 m
  • Keep left and drive for another 15 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the 'Waterfall Track' sign (on the western side of Sawpit Creek Picnic Area), this walk follows the paved footpath upstream through the underpass, under Kosciuszko Rd. The underpass may become impassable after rain, in which case you can walk around and cross over the road. The walk passes through the tunnel, then leads across the clearing a short distance to find an intersection marked with a National Parks arrow (and a footbridge a short distance to your right).....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start heading along Waterfall Trail.
After another 20 m head through the tunnel (about 10 m long)
Kosciuszko Tourist Park (about 125 m back from the start).
There is a fee to use this campsite.
Sawpit Creek Picnic Area (about 80 m back from the start).
Sawpit Creek Picnic Area
Sawpit Creek Picnic Area

Sawpit Creek Picnic Area is found beside Kosciuszko Rd, and is accessed through the 'Kosciuszko Mountain Retreat' driveway. The picnic area is about 1km further into the park from the NPWS pay station. A great starting point for several popular walks, this is also a pleasent spot to just stop and rest. Sawpit Creek runs along the side of the open area and there are also several picnic tables, wood BBQs and a non-flush toilet. There are information signs about the area, explaining that the creek is named for the Alpine Ash that were milled in the area during the 1860s .
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Sawpit Creek Picnic Area is found beside Kosciuszko Rd, and is accessed through the 'Kosciuszko Mountain Retreat' driveway. The picnic area is about 1km further into the park from the NPWS pay station. A great starting point for several popular walks, this is also a pleasent spot to just stop and rest. Sawpit Creek runs along the side of the open area and there are also several picnic tables, wood BBQs and a non-flush toilet. There are information signs about the area, explaining that the creek is named for the Alpine Ash that were milled in the area during the 1860s .

There is a toilet (about 55 m back from the start).
After 105 m find the "Snow & Ice on walk" (25 m on your right).
Snow & Ice on walk
Snow & Ice on walk

This walk leads through an alpine environment and all walkers must be well prepared. During summer, be prepared for both hot and cold weather, high winds, rain, extreme UV levels and some sections of snow or ice on the ground. Before starting this walk, check advice with Snowy Region Visitor Information Centre (02) 6450 5600, the weather forecast and the snow conditions then change your plans as needed. These notes, grades and walking times have been written for use in the summer months only. Between May and the end of October, there is a much higher change of snow, ice and extremely cold conditions.
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This walk leads through an alpine environment and all walkers must be well prepared. During summer, be prepared for both hot and cold weather, high winds, rain, extreme UV levels and some sections of snow or ice on the ground. Before starting this walk, check advice with Snowy Region Visitor Information Centre (02) 6450 5600, the weather forecast and the snow conditions then change your plans as needed. These notes, grades and walking times have been written for use in the summer months only. Between May and the end of October, there is a much higher change of snow, ice and extremely cold conditions.

Veer right, to head along Waterfall Trail.
After another 2.4 km continue straight, to head along Waterfall Trail.
After another 160 m cross the bridge (about 15 m long)
Then find the "Waterfall Lookout" (5 m on your right).
Waterfall Lookout
Waterfall Lookout

This waterfall on upper Sawpit Creek is not formally named, but is the focal point of the waterfall track that passes just in front of the falls. The water cascades down these fairly wide falls to a shallow pool below. The main fall is about 4m high but the overall cascades are taller. NPWS have installed a metal bridge for crossing the creek, and a small platform on the south side that provides the best view of the falls.
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This waterfall on upper Sawpit Creek is not formally named, but is the focal point of the waterfall track that passes just in front of the falls. The water cascades down these fairly wide falls to a shallow pool below. The main fall is about 4m high but the overall cascades are taller. NPWS have installed a metal bridge for crossing the creek, and a small platform on the south side that provides the best view of the falls.

Then head up the metal steps (about 4 m long)
After another 1.6 km find the "Granite Outcrop" (10 m on your right).
Granite Outcrop
Granite Outcrop

This granite outcrop is perched on the northern side of Sawpit Creek. The track passes by the rocks, but in favourable weather and with great care, walkers can climb up on some of these rocks to enjoy the view down the valley. The view extends down Sawpit Creek valley to Lake Jindabyne and parts of the Jindabyne township.
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This granite outcrop is perched on the northern side of Sawpit Creek. The track passes by the rocks, but in favourable weather and with great care, walkers can climb up on some of these rocks to enjoy the view down the valley. The view extends down Sawpit Creek valley to Lake Jindabyne and parts of the Jindabyne township.

After another 15 m come to the viewpoint (25 m on your right).
After another 1.6 km cross the bridge (about 10 m long)
After another 25 m turn left, to head along Waterfall Trail.
After another 35 m head through the tunnel (about 10 m long)
After another 20 m come to the end.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Waterfall Walk


Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length 5.9 km
Time 2 h to 2 h 30 min
Quality of track Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required No experience required (1/6)
Weather Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route
Camp site: There is one -107 m back from the start.

Toilet: There is one -36 m back from the start.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Camp site
-107 mKosciuszko Tourist Park
Toilet
-36 m[toilet]
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Articles
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Snow & Ice on walk
This walk leads through an alpine environment and all walkers must be well prepared. During summer, be prepared for both hot and cold weather, high winds, rain, extreme UV levels and some sections of snow or ice on the ground. Before starting this walk, check advice with
Snowy Region Visitor Information Centre (02) 6450 5600, the weather forecast and the snow conditions then change your plans as needed. These notes, grades and walking times have been written for use in the summer months only. Between May and the end of October, there is a much higher change of snow, ice and extremely cold conditions.
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