Edit for 2023: Gibraltar Falls is closed until further notice.
The first time I ever saw a picture of Gibraltar Falls I assumed it was probably in Queensland. When I realised it was in the ACT I couldn’t believe it. A stunning infinity pool on top of a waterfall with glorious mountain views right by the capital? Canberra really does have it all!
As well as the pools you can also get a great view of the waterfall from the lookout.
Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the gorgeous Gibraltar Falls.
Gibraltar Falls
The Lookout
The best view of the waterfall itself is from the main lookout. It’s just a 150m walk each way from the car park and involves a few staircases.
It’s well maintained and an easy walk which leads to a railed viewing platform. You are really close to the upper part of the falls, and after rain the waterfall is just spectacular.
The huge rocks give the falls a dramatic feel and the view out to the mountains only adds to the scene.
The gorge walk to Woods Creek Reserve
We took the 1.4km walking track (each way from the car park at the top of the falls) to Woods Creek Reserve thinking that it might lead to the bottom of the falls. Spoiler alert, it doesn’t.
The walk is basically an alternative route to the top of Gibraltar Falls if you’re not able to get a parking spot at the main car park which is very small.
The walk is pleasant enough and has some good views, including a nice but obscured view of the falls - if you stray a little off track - but despite this it’s not a must do.
There are a lot of stairs to get down to Woods Creek, which you then turn around and walk back up afterwards!
It’s a good bit of exercise, but there are so many better walks in the area that I wouldn’t really recommend it unless you are unable to park closer to the falls.
The infinity pool
Safety warning: This pool sits on top of a huge cliff face, with no railings to stop potential accidents. Sadly there have been fatalities here, so please exercise extreme caution and don’t go too near to the edge. A slip here is almost guaranteed to be fatal. Do not visit in wet conditions when the water is volatile and the rock slippery.
The infinity pool, ie the top of the falls, is located just a two minute walk from the car park. It is off trail and unfenced so you do have to exercise caution.
To get there, start walking down the gorge walk (straight on from the car park, rather than left to the lookout) and after less than a minute you’ll see two distinct trails leading left (under the railing).
Follow either of these and you’ll arrive at a large rocky area a minute later. You can sit well back from the pool and the edge if you’re not keen on heights and it makes for a wonderful picnic spot.
You have the cascades behind you and endless mountain views ahead of you. The small pool sits right on the edge of the falls and the view and setting is just spectacular.
The water is cool but not freezing as it gets a lot of sun. Don’t visit during or directly after rain when the rock will be wet and potentially slippery. In dry times it’s grippy but don’t go right to the edge nonetheless.
In terms of the pool itself, It’s shallow with a sandy bottom and is best visited during times of low water flow when it’s as still as a millpond. If you visit after heavy rain there will be a lot of water running into the pool causing churn, making it less safe.
I would not recommend going into the water at this time, especially on the left side where there are no substantial rocks to stop you going over the top.
It’s a much nicer experience when the water level is lower and it’s also a prettier colour too without the churn. We visited a few times after rain and it’s definitely better to wait for a lower flow.
There are warning signs beside the pool but almost everyone chooses to head here anyway. And on that note, due to its popularity you’ll want to avoid weekends and holidays if you’re looking for some serenity.
Even midweek in the warmer months it’s hard to get it to yourself unless it’s early or late in the day.
An alternative swimming spot
If you fancy a dip but you don’t like the look of the pool being so high up you can drive down to Woods Creek Reserve. You can find small shallow water holes along the track, with the first being just a few seconds walk from the car park.
You can cross the creek (on the stepping stones by the first pool) and follow the unmaintained track for more secluded spots, but it starts to get rougher and a bit scratchy.
The further you go it turns into a proper bush bash. This is the old route to the bottom of the falls which has fallen into disrepair.
It’s now in a sorry state and after heavy rain impassable - speaking from experience as we were really hoping to get to the bottom of the falls, but abandoned the idea after around 800m and a whole lot of cuts and bruises! In drier times I am sure you could get there but it will still be a rough ride! It’s also seldom trodden and without phone signal so don’t attempt it alone.
Getting to Gibraltar Falls
Gibraltar Falls is located in Namadgi National Park, roughly a 40 minute drive from Canberra. There is very limited parking by the falls and it fills quickly on sunny weekends in the warmer months. If you can’t get a space you can also park at Woods Creek Reserve (which has a huge amount of parking) and walk up to the falls from there.
Facilities at Gibraltar Falls
There are no facilities at the car park closest to the falls. Please remember to take all rubbish with you and keep the area pristine. There are bathrooms located just down the road at Woods Creek Reserve where you’ll also find a campsite.
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