Wentworth Falls (waterfall)

Wentworth Falls
Upper Wentworth Falls, the first section of Wentworth Falls waterfall, as viewed from the base. The falls are in two drops, with Lower Wentworth Falls below the frame. Both the first and second drop pictured.
Location	Blue Mountains National Park, Australia
Coordinates	33°43′41″S 150°22′27″E
Type	Tiered
Total height	187 m (614 ft)
Number of drops	3
Watercourse	Jamison Creek

Wentworth Falls is a three-tiered waterfall fed by the Jamison Creek, near the town of Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains region of New South Wales, Australia. The falls are accessible via the National Pass Walking Trail and the Overcliff/Undercliff Walk. The total height of the waterfall is 187 metres (614 ft).

Features and description

Near the falls, there is a rocky knoll that has a large number of grinding grooves created by rubbing stone implements on the rock to shape and sharpen them. These marks have been determined to be signs of early human habitation nearby.

In February 2013, following a period of high rainfall, the Wentworth Falls was reported as looking "spectacular" with torrents of water flowing.

Incidents and accidents

27-year-old Paul Marshall, an English tourist from Leicester, fell 76 metres (250 ft) off the waterfall and died while paddling in a rock pool in December 2000. Another English tourist, 20-year-old Josh Furber from Runcorn, slipped on rocks and died in January 2013 after falling 100 metres (330 ft) off the waterfall.

Access

A picnic area, accessible via a sealed road from the Great Western Highway, is located a short distance from the town of Wentworth Falls, with parking for cars and larger vehicles.

A view of the top of the falls is easily accessible from the Wentworth Falls Lookout which is accessed by a slightly sloping concrete path (wheelchair accessible) from the car park area. Stop first at the Jamison Lookout for views over the Jamison Valley.

There are two access points which lead down well-formed steps to Princes Lookout from where you can see most of the first two sections of the falls before they disappear into the valley below. A good way to do this walk to Princes Lookout is to walk out to the Wentworth Falls Lookout and then take the steps leading down to the falls, about an eight-minute walk. When returning take the left fork when you come to the meeting of two stairways, this will bring you back to the main pathway at the top near the Jamison Lookout.

Other easy and challenging walking trails loop from the picnic area and follow the Jamison Creek south to the top of Wentworth Falls where scenic views over the expansive Jamison Valley to the south can be enjoyed. A trail follows the creek as it cascades down several waterfalls; with a further trail leading down into the valley floor.

Arriving by train

Accessed via the Blue Mountains Line from the Wentworth Falls railway station, the easiest way to reach the Blue Mountains National Park is to walk the Charles Darwin Walk. This walk follows Jamison Creek along a track that provides access to waterfalls and birdwatching. The walk is 2.4 kilometres (1.5 mi) one way (45 minutes to one hour and 15 minutes) and starts from Wilson Park (10 minutes from the railway station).

Gallery

• 
  The Upper falls as viewed from the Overcliff / Undercliff Walk.

See also

• List of waterfalls of Australia

External links

• "Wentworth Falls". World Waterfall Database.
• Andrew Mitchell (5 January 2009). "Wentworth Falls". GigaPan. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)