Much like Wollomombi Falls, Dangars Falls is one of the most dramatic waterfalls in NSW. It’s a little off the Waterfall Way, but it’s definitely worth the detour. Dangars Falls is magnificent, as is the huge gorge it thunders into, which you can view at one of many lookouts. It seems to appear out of nowhere: you’re driving through farmland and then suddenly there’s a cliff edge and a huge drop!

Those willing to put in a little extra distance can also check out nearby Mihi Falls. It may not be quite as dramatic as Dangars, but anywhere else in NSW it would be a highlight in itself.

There are a total of seven lookouts dotted around the gorge, but not all are created equal - some are actually not worth the effort.

We’re sharing all about the best views and trails you can check out at Dangars Falls (also known as Dangarsleigh Falls), one of the best things to do near Armidale.

The best lookouts at Dangars Falls

There are a total of seven lookouts at Dangars Falls, and working out which is the best can be difficult at first glance, especially as they are pretty unimaginatively named - Falls Lookout, Falls View, Falls Look Down etc. If you take the trail that connects six of the lookouts, you’ll do a 10.8km walk with 360m of elevation gained - which is a fair workout! The only one we missed was Sarum Hill because it was quite far from the others.

Here’s the full low down on the six lookouts we visited and which were worth the walk.

1. Falls Lookout

Worth it? - Yes
Distance from the car park: 100m each way

Falls Lookout is an easy win and is a must do for anyone visiting. It’s a leisurely 100m walk along a flat, paved path to a lookout that checks out Dangars Falls straight on. If you’re lucky you’ll see a beautiful rainbow form in the spray.

2. Falls View

Worth it? - Yes
Distance from the car park: 350m each way

Falls View is another spot that everyone visiting Dangars Falls should head to, especially if there has been a lot of rain recently. The walk to the lookout follows the river before coming out at a platform directly above the falls. If there’s a good flow, you’ll feel the full force of the waterfall from here and may even get wet from the spray!

It’s a great spot for seeing just how ginormous the canyon is and the drop from the top to the bottom of the waterfall.

The lookouts that are further away

After the first two lookouts, the remaining four require a bit more effort as they are along a walking trail. Starting at the car park, the trail heads right before crossing the river. We did this after a lot of rain and the river was nearly up to the level of the bridge!

Once you’ve crossed, the track follows the river before you have to go through a gate - the famous Dog Fence! Yes, we weren’t expecting that either, but the 5,600km Dog Fence that stretches from South Australia to Queensland actually crosses through Dangars Falls! After the fence you’ll reach Falls Look Down.

3. Falls Look Down

Worth it? - Yes
Distance from the car park: 850m each way

Like the name suggests, Falls Look Down is another lookout at the top of Dangars Falls, but on the opposite side to Falls View. It is a great viewpoint, and unlike Falls View you can see the whole waterfall, rather than just the top.

The trail then gently heads uphill for 300m when you have the choice of making a left turn to Rock Wallaby Lookout or continuing on. Here’s what to expect if you make that turn.

4. Rock Wallaby Lookout

Worth it? - Yes
Distance from the car park: 1.1km each way

Rock Wallaby Lookout is named for the resident rock wallabies that call this area home. We’d read that almost everyone who visits sees one of these cute marsupials, however we were unlucky on our visit - it may have been due to the horrendous amount of rain we had during the walk.

If you can’t spot them from the lookout, continue a little further along the trail, we got lucky a few hundred metres later, although it scarpered before we could get a photo!

The viewpoint also offers the best view of the canyon, whilst you can’t see the falls, you get an absolutely fantastic look at the incredible gorge. It’s staggering.

After Rock Wallaby Lookout we decided to go on towards McDirty’s Lookout (the strangest named of the bunch). The trail heads through the forest, with little in the way of views until close to the lookout. After 2.2km you’ll reach McDirty’s Lookout.

5. McDirty’s Lookout

Worth it? - No
Distance from the car park: 3.5km each way

For the amount of effort you put in to get to McDirty’s (7km round trip) it isn’t worth it. It’s another canyon view, but it didn’t feel anywhere near as grand as Rock Wallaby Lookout.

Granted, this would be a good view anywhere else, but when you have six lookouts to choose from, and an unremarkable bushwalk to get there, it gets a no vote from us.

From McDirty’s we turned around and walked 1.3km back to the junction for Mihi Falls. From here the trail gets rougher and the scenery totally changes. After heading downhill you’ll cross a creek, we saw a cute kangaroo who was less timid than most.

From here you’ll then head into a field and walk alongside the fence. At one point there is some debris blocking the path, but there is another trail to the left which still gets you there.

The field on the way to Mihi Falls near Armidale

If you keep following the beaten path you’ll reach the lookout for Mihi Falls. The whole side trail is 1.9km from the junction with the McDirtys Track (each way).

6. Mihi Falls Lookout

Worth it? - If you are willing to walk 8km return (and there’s been a lot of rain), then yes
Distance from the car park: 4.1km each way

Mihi Falls is one we’d only recommend visiting if there’s been a good amount of rainfall. Even after weeks of rain, it didn’t have a fraction of the flow of Dangers. Mihi Falls may just be the quietest waterfall close to the Waterfall Way, probably because few people are willing to walk 8km to see a waterfall in the distance.

This is part of the charm though as it’s unlikely you’ll share the viewpoint with another soul and the waterfall is dramatic if it is flowing. There’s a little seat to sit on and it’s a nice quiet spot to relax and contemplate.

If this waterfall was anywhere else in NSW it would undoubtedly get a lot more attention.

Getting to the bottom of the gorge - the Salisbury Waters Track

When I first read up on the area the walk that interested me the most was the Salisbury Waters Track, which takes you all the way to the bottom of the gorge. Unfortunately this is a track for good weather only - which we sadly didn’t have - as the trail is not well maintained and very steep. In wet weather you would be risking a slip and it just isn’t worth it.

If you have dry conditions and you don’t mind the very steep walk back out the gorge to the rim, you’ll be able to get a whole new perspective on the area. You can also swim in the gorgeous river below - you won’t see Dangars Falls though - it’s more about swimming in the gorge and the feeling of being inside looking up, which generally speaking, we always prefer to on the rim looking in.

The full track is 16km return and takes you past a few of the lookouts mentioned above before it diverges.

Essential info about Dangars Falls

Best time to visit Dangars Falls

The best time to visit Dangars Falls is after a lot of rain. This is when the waterfall will be really dramatic and the amount of water that thunders down the cliffside is breathtaking. You’ll be blown away at Falls View and Falls Lookdown if you go after a lot of rain!

As it is a little off the official Waterfall Way, Dangars Falls doesn’t get overly busy, so you don’t need to worry about what time you visit unless it’s a public holiday.

Facilities at the falls

There are picnic benches with BBQ’s, toilets and a campground at Dangars Falls.

Getting to Dangars Falls

Dangars Falls is a 16km drive from Armidale and should take about 20 minutes to get to. Be careful on the last 7-8km, as the road is not only unsealed, but has some sections of corrugation. 2WD cars will be able to make it (there’s no steep parts or sections which need clearance), it’s just not very comfortable.

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