Minnamurra Falls is a scenic two-tiered waterfall on the Minnamurra River, tucked away in the lush rainforest of Budderoo National Park.
A 4.2 km return walk from the Minnamurra Rainforest Centre leads to a large viewing platform right in front of the waterfall.
| Minnamurra Falls Rainforest Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 4.2 km (part circuit) |
| Duration: | 2 hours |
| Grade: | Moderate (steep sections) |
| Dogs: | Not allowed |
Getting There
Minnamurra Falls is accessed via the Minnamurra Rainforest Centre in Budderoo National Park, located near Wollongong and Kiama.
To reach the centre, turn onto Minnamurra Falls Road from Jamberoo Mountain Road and follow it to the end. There is a well-sized car park available, with a fee of $12 per vehicle per day.
The centre is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm (closed on Christmas Day), with the park gates closing at 5 pm.
Official address (see map):
345 Minnamurra Falls Road
Jamberoo NSW 2533
Track Notes
The Minnamurra Falls Rainforest Walk consists of two parts:
- Loop Walk (1.6 km)
- Falls Walk (2.6 km)
The Loop Walk, also known as the Lyrebird Walk, is a scenic rainforest trail that follows the Minnamurra River, with a few suspension bridges to cross. It’s a family-friendly, well-maintained track, and the lower section is wheelchair accessible.
The Falls Walk, also called the Minnamurra Rainforest Walk, extends from the Loop Walk and is a moderately challenging trail leading to the waterfalls, with two lookout platforms along the way. While the track is quite steep, it’s manageable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness.
The two walks combined are approximately 4.2 km in length.
1. Loop Walk
To start the Loop Walk, simply follow the signs at the Rainforest Information Centre. Since it’s a circuit, it doesn’t really matter whether you head clockwise or anti-clockwise.
As mentioned, the lower section of the Loop Walk is wheelchair accessible. This part of the trail is quite scenic and gives you a good feel for the rainforest.
The walk includes a couple of footbridges crossing Minnamurra Creek, along with several information boards that share more about the rainforest environment.
2. Falls Walk
To begin the walk to Minnamurra Falls, look for the intersection marked with a small signpost. The track to the falls is similar to the Loop Walk but noticeably steeper.
While the gradient is challenging in parts, the path is well maintained, and no rock scrambling or climbing is needed to reach the waterfall.
Minnamurra Falls
Minnamurra Falls consists of two parts: the lower falls and the upper falls.
The lower falls are the larger section of the waterfall, but there is currently no walking track that leads down into the valley for a closer view.
A track once existed many years ago, but it was destroyed by landslides and has not been restored for safety reasons.
A large viewing platform now offers views over the valley, though the lower falls are partly obscured. That said, it’s still a worthwhile platform to visit and a good warm-up for what’s ahead.
From here, it’s only a short walk to the second viewing platform, located right in front of the upper section of Minnamurra Falls.
This platform sits close to the waterfall, offering fantastic views, especially after rain when more water flows through the river and into the valley.
Once you’ve finished admiring Minnamurra Falls, retrace your steps back to the intersection with the Loop Walk. The return is mostly downhill, making the trip back easier.
At the intersection, it’s worth completing the other half of the Loop Walk to finish the full 4.2 km Minnamurra Rainforest Walk before returning to the information centre.
More Waterfalls Nearby
Budderoo National Park and nearby Morton National Park are both home to various fantastic waterfalls. If you’re visiting Minnamurra Falls, we recommend also checking out the following waterfalls:
- Carrington Falls:
Carrington Falls is a beautiful plunge waterfall on the Kangaroo River in Budderoo National Park, less than a half-hour drive from Minnamurra Rainforest. A short loop walk includes a viewing platform offering fantastic views of this waterfall. - Belmore Falls:
Belmore Falls is located in Morton National Park, about 40 minutes from Minnamurra Rainforest and 20 minutes from Carrington Falls. It’s a stunning plunge waterfall with two drops on Barrengarry Creek. - Fitzroy Falls:
Another 15 minutes of driving will get you to Fitzroy Falls, a spectacular waterfall that drops into Yarrunga Valley in Morton National Park.
