NSW has hundreds of waterfalls, but most visitors hit the same famous spots. Wentworth Falls. Ebor. Fitzroy Falls. Maybe Carrington, if they're feeling adventurous. All fantastic, but often busy.
The real magic happens off the beaten track. These 10 hidden waterfalls range from rainforest swimming holes 45 minutes from Sydney to remote plunges requiring navigation skills and a sense of adventure. Best visited after rain for impressive flow.
1. Killen Falls, Byron Hinterland
The spot: A 10-metre waterfall plunging into a rainforest swimming hole with a cave you can sit behind without getting wet.
Killen Falls sits in one of the last remaining patches of Big Scrub rainforest. This subtropical forest once covered 75,000 hectares. Today, just 1% remains. The 500-metre walk from the carpark is easy until the final steep, rocky section.
Reef shoes are recommended for the submerged rocks. Keep an eye out for turtles and fish.
Quick facts:
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Location: Tintenbar, 25 minutes from Byron Bay - Google Maps
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Entry: FREE
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Facilities: Basic toilets at the carpark
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Tip: Arrive before 8 am or visit midweek to avoid crowds.
Heads up: Even though the water turns brown after heavy rain, it’s still safe for swimming.
2. Upper Gledhill Falls, Ku-ring-gai Chase
The spot: A turquoise swimming hole with a small waterfall, hidden just 100 metres from the road and 45 minutes from Sydney CBD.
One of Sydney's best-kept secrets. No official track, just a short scramble down rocks to a deep pool with a small sandy beach and a cave behind the falls. Lower Gledhill Fall, downstream, is even more spectacular, accessed via the Duckholes Trail (1.3km return, with some rope sections).
Quick facts:
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Location: McCarrs Creek Road, near West Head Road junction - Google Maps
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Entry: FREE (outside park payment barrier)
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Parking: Very limited (2-3 cars)
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Facilities: Toilets at the nearby Duckholes picnic area
Heads up: Someone died at Lower Gledhill Falls in early 2025 after falling from the cliff edge. NPWS has prohibited climbing and abseiling. Stick to safe routes.
3. Scouts Falls, Coffs Harbour Area
The spot: A 10-metre waterfall with a deep swimming hole reached by scrambling up Middle Creek for 800 metres. No marked trail. No crowds.
You'll rock-hop, cross the creek multiple times and navigate rocky ledges. Several smaller pools along the way offer alternatives. The sandy-bottomed main pool is perfect for swimming, and you can climb left of the falls to explore pools above.
Quick facts:
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Location: Sherwood Nature Reserve, 40 minutes from Coffs via Glenreagh - Google Maps
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Entry: FREE
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Access: Last 14km unsealed, limited roadside parking
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Facilities: None. Take everything out with you.
4. Paradise Pool, Linden
The spot: A picture-perfect swimming hole with a waterfall, sandy shore and rock ledges for jumping.
Paradise Pool lives up to its name. The waterfall cascades into a deep emerald pool surrounded by sandstone cliffs. Less crowded than the famous Blue Mountains spots because most visitors don't know it exists. The ~1.5km walk through bushland has a steep descent to the pool.
Quick facts:
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Location: Linden, eastern Blue Mountains (~80km from Sydney) - Google Maps
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Entry: FREE
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Walk: ~1.5km each way, moderate difficulty
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Facilities: None at the pool
5. Nellies Glen, Southern Highlands
The spot: A small waterfall cascading into a fern-surrounded swimming hole, just upstream from Carrington Falls but with a fraction of the crowds.
This place has an enchanted feel reminiscent of NT waterholes. The 100-metre walk from the car park is flat and family-friendly. The rock pool is deep enough for laps, and you can stand under the waterfall. Combine with Blue Pool and Carrington Falls lookouts for a full day.
Quick facts:
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Location: Budderoo National Park, 15 minutes from Robertson - Google Maps
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Entry: FREE
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Facilities: Picnic area with long-drop toilets
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Camping: Carrington Falls Campground nearby
Heads up: Water is cold year-round. Gets busy on hot weekends.
6. Victoria Falls, Blue Mountains
The spot: A 20-metre waterfall dropping from a rock overhang into a swimming hole that feels remote, despite being 90 minutes from Sydney.
The 4km return hike involves a steep descent into the Grose Valley. Pass Victoria Cascades first (also swimmable) before reaching the central falls. Sandy-bottomed pool with easy entry, mostly shallow but with a deeper section for swimming. The climb out earns you the view.
Quick facts:
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Location: Mount Victoria area, northern Blue Mountains - Google Maps
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Entry: FREE
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Access: 5km unsealed road to trailhead, 2WD fine
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Facilities: Basic toilet at the carpark
Heads up: Allow extra time for steep climb out. Very cold water year-round.
7. Clover Falls, Macquarie Pass
The spot: A powerful single-drop waterfall into a pristine turquoise pool at the end of an unmarked trail. Finding it feels like a genuine discovery.
The official Clover Hill Trail runs 6km to Rainbow Falls. From there, an off-track scramble upstream through dense rainforest passes Mulangong Falls before reaching Clover Falls (~9.5km total). Navigation skills are essential. Lyrebirds and goannas inhabit the surrounding forest.
Quick facts:
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Location: Macquarie Pass National Park, 2 hours south of Sydney - Google Maps
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Entry: FREE
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Parking: Limited at Clover Hill Road trailhead
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Facilities: None beyond Rainbow Falls
Heads up: No marked trail beyond Rainbow Falls. GPS essential. McAndrews Falls upstream has injured multiple people. Not recommended.
8. Boonoo Boonoo Falls, Tenterfield
The spot: A 210-metre plunge into a gorge, with cascading granite rock pools above, perfect for swimming. Where Banjo Paterson proposed to Alice Walker.
You can't swim at the main falls, but the granite swimming holes along Boonoo Boonoo River above are spectacular. Platypus Hole offers ladder entry for easier access. Endangered brush-tailed rock-wallabies and glossy black cockatoos frequent the area.
Quick facts:
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Location: 35km from Tenterfield, far northern NSW - Google Maps
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Entry: $8 per vehicle (self-registration, exact change)
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Access: 14km unsealed, 2WD fine in dry conditions
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Facilities: Picnic shelter, BBQs, toilets. Cypress Pine campground is nearby.
Heads up: The road can become inaccessible in heavy rain. Check conditions first on the official website.
9. Minyon Falls, Nightcap National Park
The spot: A 100-metre plunge through World Heritage Gondwana rainforest. The lookout is easy. The base is an adventure.
The wheelchair-accessible lookout offers stunning views, but the 4km one-way hike to the swimming hole at the base is the real experience (8km+ with loop). The trail drops through scribbly gum, then into dense subtropical rainforest. Lyrebirds and rare frogs inhabit the area.
Quick facts:
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Location: 45 minutes west of Byron Bay - Google Maps
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Entry: FREE
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Camping: Free at Rummery Park (2km from lookout)
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Access: Last 2.5km unsealed and potholed
Heads up: Remote trail. Bring a PLB (personal locator beacon), and tell someone your plans. No phone signal. Can run dry in drought.
10. Dangar Falls, Dorrigo
The spot: A 30-metre curtain waterfall into a large swimming pool, 5 minutes from Dorrigo. One of the few swimmable falls along the famous Waterfall Way.
Don't confuse with Dangars Falls near Armidale (higher, no swimming). Dorrigo's version has an easy boardwalk to the base. Pebbly entry leads to deep water surrounded by rainforest. Morning light creates stunning mist effects.
Quick facts:
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Location: 2km from Dorrigo on Coramba Road - Google Maps
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Entry: FREE
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Facilities: Caravan park adjacent, toilets, BBQs, playground
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Combine with: Crystal Shower Falls in Dorrigo NP (walk behind it)
Heads up: Most accessible swimming hole in the region. Can get busy weekends.
Practical Tips for Chasing Waterfalls
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Timing: Visit after rain for flow, but check BOM forecasts as trails can be slippery or flooded.
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Gear: Reef shoes, dry bag, plenty of water and snacks.
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Safety: Never turn your back on waterfalls. Check depth before jumping. Avoid sunscreen in natural waterways where possible.
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Navigation: Download offline maps. Many spots have no phone signal. Tell someone your plans.
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Leave no trace: Pack out all rubbish.
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Resources: NSW National Parks for alerts. AllTrails for track conditions.
NSW has hundreds more waterfalls like these – if you know where to look. Soledrift maps the swimming holes, hidden plunge pools, and secret spots that don't show up on Google.
Exact coordinates, access tips, and honest intel from travellers who've actually made the scramble.
Stop chasing the same crowded falls as everyone else.