Explore Fitzroy Falls in Morton National Park

Fitzroy Falls, nestled in Morton National Park in the Southern Highlands, is a stunning waterfall located in a village of the same name.

A short walking trail from the Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre takes you to a lookout platform, where you’ll be treated to spectacular views of the waterfall and the sweeping Yarrunga Valley.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about visiting this stunning natural attraction, including popular nearby walking tracks.

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Getting There

To visit the Fitzroy Falls waterfall, you’ll need to park at the Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre (see location on map).

If you’re driving from Bowral, take Kangaloon Road, Sheepwash Road, and Nowra Road to reach the visitor centre. From Moss Vale, follow the Illawarra Highway and Nowra Road.

For those coming from Wollongong or Kiama, drive along the Illawarra Highway through Macquarie Pass National Park, then continue on Pearsons Lane, Myra Vale Road, and Nowra Road.

Parking at Fitzroy Falls costs $4 per vehicle for the entire day. Keep in mind that dogs are not permitted in the area, as it is part of a National Park.

Official address of the Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre:

1301 Nowra Rd
Fitzroy Falls NSW 2577

Map of Fitzroy Falls and Visitor Centre

About Fitzroy Falls

Fitzroy Falls is a rural village in the Southern Highlands region of New South Wales, with a population of just over 200 people.

The village shares its name with the impressive waterfall, which plunges over 80 metres into the Yarrunga Valley.

Fitzroy Falls
Fitzroy Falls

The waterfall is part of Wildes Meadow Creek, which flows into Yarrunga Creek and eventually connects with the Kangaroo River further south.

Interestingly, Yarrunga was the original name for what is now known as the Fitzroy Falls area.

Fitzroy Falls in the 19th century
Fitzroy Falls in the 19th century (Credit: Southern Highland News)

Charles Throsby, a surgeon and explorer, was the first European settler to witness the waterfall in the early 19th century.

The waterfall was later renamed after Sir Charles Fitzroy, the Governor of New South Wales, who visited the area in 1850.

While Fitzroy Falls became a tourist attraction in the 19th century, the village itself has always remained sparsely populated.

Visitor Centre and Lookouts

The Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre, located next to the car park on Nowra Road, is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, with parking costing $4 for the entire day.

Starting your visit at this award-winning visitor centre is an excellent way to get the most out of your trip to Fitzroy Falls.

Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre
Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre

The centre provides a wealth of information about the area’s history, wildlife, and Aboriginal culture. It also organises environmental programs for schools and tour groups.

Inside, you’ll find a gift shop offering a variety of authentic, Australian-made souvenirs. Next door, a cosy café serves coffee and delicious cakes, with a small play area available for children.

To reach the main lookout, simply follow the signs from the visitor centre. A well-marked path along the creek leads to a stunning viewpoint offering incredible views of the waterfall and the Yarrunga Valley.

Waterfall views from the Jersey Lookout
Waterfall views from the Jersey Lookout

A little further along the same trail, known as the West Rim Track, you’ll find another viewpoint called Jersey Lookout.

The views of the waterfall from that lookout are fantastic, with plenty of unique photo opportunities.

Walking Tracks

The walk to the main Fitzroy Falls lookout is relatively short, but there are a couple of longer walking tracks for those looking to stretch their legs and enjoy a proper bushwalk.

The two main trails are the West Rim Track and the East Rim Track. Each offers a different experience in terms of scenery, so if you have the time and energy, exploring parts of both is well worth it.

1. West Rim Walking Track

The West Rim Track is a 3.5 km return walk with fantastic views of the Yarrunga Valley. Along the way, you’ll find several lookouts to stop and enjoy.

West Rim Track signpost
West Rim Track signpost

This trail is considered the easier of the two and offers slightly more varied and exciting scenery compared to the East Rim Track. It’s a relatively gentle walk, with only a few steep sections to navigate.

The track ends at Renown Lookout, a stunning vantage point where you can take in views of both Fitzroy Falls and Lady Hordern Falls.

2. East Rim Walking Track

Also known as the Wildflower Walk, the East Rim Track is a 7 km return trail that takes you through lush rainforest teeming with wildlife.

This track also provides views of Fitzroy Falls and the Yarrunga Valley, but from different perspectives than the West Rim.

The trail begins directly underneath the bridge, where the boardwalk branches off to the east, making it easy to locate.

More Waterfalls

A visit to Fitzroy Falls is often paired with trips to three other nearby waterfalls. In geographical order, these waterfalls are:

  1. Belmore Falls
  2. Fitzroy Falls
  3. Carrington Falls
  4. Minnamurra Falls

With an early start, it’s possible to visit all four waterfalls in one day.

However, Minnamurra Falls is the only one that requires a longer hike of around 4 km to reach, so you might prefer saving it for another day.

 

Fitzroy Falls in Morton National Park

 

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Author:

AJ Mens

AJ Mens is a digital publisher based in Sydney, Australia, and the editor-in-chief of Sydney Uncovered and Blue Mountains Uncovered.

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2 Comments
  1. Both the “East Rim” and “West Rim” walks are great, a lot of spectacular scenery for relatively little effort. If time is limited, the Visitor Info Centre to The Grotto and back is the most scenic section (West Rim). The West Rim gets more visitors and can get crowded on public holidays / school holidays.

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