Gunrock Creek Falls is one of the lesser known waterfalls in the Southern Highlands, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a beauty. There is a pretty set of cascades that make up the upper falls and then the gorgeous lower falls, which are especially picturesque after heavy rain.
There is also a great swimming hole at the base of the falls, although sadly it’s been somewhat marred by the fact that two people have driven their cars into it - a real shame, but don’t let it put you off checking out the waterfall itself, which is still very much worth the visit.
Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Gunrock Creek Falls.
Visiting Gunrock Creek Falls
Although there is a quicker route to the falls than the one we are going to describe, it’s been closed in recent times, so unless that changes the best way to get there is the one we’ll describe.
You used to be able to drive right up to the falls if you have a 4WD and some serious skills, but that’s no longer the case and all vehicle access is prohibited.
Update: It now seems that the whole of the Meryla State Forest is closed for the foreseeable future.
The Gunrock Creek Falls Walk
The stats
Distance: 6km return
Elevation: 175m
Difficulty: Easy to upper falls, moderate to lower falls
The track to get to Gunrock Creek Falls is mostly along a wide fire trail, which makes for very easy walking. To get to the upper falls requires a very short detour along a rougher track and the lower falls requires an easy scramble.
Neither are difficult to reach, but neither can be accessed directly via the fire trail.
Starting the track: along the fire trail
The walk begins by heading into the forest along the fire trail. The path is wide and in pretty good condition for the majority of the way. The first 1.5km can become heavily waterlogged with giant puddles after a lot of rain!
However there was never a single puddle which we couldn’t skirt the edge of, and that was after weeks of heavy rain. The forest is relatively dense, which keeps it nice and shady and there were plenty of birds and butterflies which made the walk a little more interesting.
The first 1.9km is almost entirely flat and it’s a lovely leisurely stroll through the bush.
After that point you begin to gently descend and the trail gets a bit rougher. It’s not hard on foot, but goodness knows how anyone drives it! There are some gullies (avoidable on foot) and lots of rocky terrain.
You’ll see a split in the path where it’s best to stick right, but both trails re-join within minutes - the right is just in slightly better condition.
After 700m you leave the fire trail and keep left on a narrow sandy path. At this point you are just moments away from the creek.
The upper falls
You can head right, carefully skirting the side of the creek (no need to get your boots wet) and follow it for approximately 100m, it quickly becomes a bush track again - only the first few steps are actually beside the creek.
You will then see the upper falls and cascades. To get down to them is the only little scramble on this part of the walk. If it’s been very wet the last couple of rocks become slippery, so tread really carefully.
You’ll then be right at the creek beside the small upper falls and it’s a lovely spot to relax or take a little paddle.
If you want to see over the top of the falls you can continue down the obvious bush track for 50m. You’ll then see a little beaten down track on your left which goes into the creek.
Cross the creek (this may be a wet boots/boots off situation if visiting after heavy rain). You can then carefully walk out to the top of the falls and look down into the pool - it’s unfenced and could be wet and slippery, so of course don’t go too close!
Finding the lower falls
The upper falls are pretty, but the real beauty is the lower falls - basically they are the main waterfall. To find them you need to retrace your steps back to where you first left the fire trail and began skirting the creek.
Instead you will need to cross the creek here. For us, this was shallower than walking to the top of the falls and didn’t require wet boots, but that will depend on the water level.
It takes less than a minute to cross the creek and wasn’t slippery - but go carefully incase conditions change.
You then continue along the fire trail and take the second path on the right (the first is a dead end). It should be obvious, but the co-ordinates for the trail down to the bottom are: -34.631941, 150.418766.
From here it’s only 120m to reach the bottom of the falls, but it is a scramble. The first half is easy and it’s just a case of picking your way down a couple of rocks.
After that the path is a little less formed, although not difficult. There are trees to hold onto if you need to steady yourself, but it is a tiny bit slippery due to wet leaves and loose soil.
Again, not difficult, but wear shoes with grip and take it slow if you aren’t used to scrambling.
You’ll then be standing at the base of the falls.
Gunrock Creek Falls
The waterfall is beautiful, especially after plenty of rain - which is when we’d recommend visiting for maximum flow. As mentioned there is also a good swimming hole, but it has been spoilt by the two cars that have been driven into it. One is really off to one side and not so much of an eye sore, but one is smack bang in the middle of the pool.
I brought my swimsuit, but on seeing that I definitely didn’t want to swim - as well as that, the pool was in flood after the rain. It’s a shame as it’s a lovely swimming hole, but I doubt anyone would enjoy swimming there anymore.
If you can look past the pool, the waterfall is still fabulous though, and there are plenty of rocks to sit on and take it all in.
How to get to Gunrock Creek Falls
There is no official car park for the trail to the falls. You basically pull into a lay by on the right side of the road, just by the fire trail itself, at Redhills Road in Meryla. There’s only room for two cars, but I don’t think it ever gets that busy.
It’s a 2 hour drive from Sydney (140km) and only around 10 minutes from Fitzroy Falls if you want to make a day of it.
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