After visiting the gorgeous, but ever popular Somersby Falls, we wanted to find another waterfall nearby that was a little off the beaten track.
Kariong Brook Falls turned out to be the perfect choice. This gorgeous waterfall cascades down a cliffside, surrounded by jungle and is a true hidden gem. It also has a perfect swimming pool at the base, which we’ve already planned to revisit in the summer!
Here’s what to expect from the falls and the walk to get there.
Kariong Brook Falls
The Falls
I just want to caveat our pictures and this description by saying we visited after heavy rainfall. This is our recommendation if you’re looking for a really dramatic flow. If you visit after a long dry spell, I imagine the falls would be much less impressive, although it would still be a beautiful spot. With a full flow they are one of the most beautiful waterfalls close to Sydney.
Your first glimpse of the falls will be from an overhang to the right of them. It’s not a clear view, but it gives you just enough to know that it’s going to be a beauty. The overhang and the fairly dense vegetation shielding part of the falls gives it a really secluded and wild feel.
The view from the overhang
There are three different places from which you can get a great view of the falls, all of which offer different angles.
You get to the first by walking along the large rocky platform to the right of the falls. It can get pretty slippery, so be careful with your footing. This is also a nice spot to sit on the some of the rocks and soak up the atmosphere.
The first view (rock platform on the right of the pool)
The next is a little cut through between the trees in which you’ll see a great view of the falls head on. There’s a tree that hangs in the way of the falls, but otherwise it offers that classic front on view. Depending on the rain, the water level here can be quite high.
It is a great spot for photos and for entering the pool, but there’s nowhere to sit and relax, as either side of the path there are trees and vegetation.
The second view (face on, just off the path)
The final spot is to continue round to the left side of the falls. You will need to head over the rocks and tree roots until you are within touching distance of the falls! It’s a great place to sit, or paddle and take in this incredible spot.
If there’s been a lot of water, part of this route gets flooded. It’s easy to manage, except for one section where you have to make a huge stretch or go in the water up to knee deep. This isn’t a problem in summer, but a bit chilly in winter!
The third view (the left of the pool)
We loved this spot the most for photography. It provides a really nice angle and there are lots of large rocks, so it’s another good spot to sit and relax.
Swimming at Kariong Brook Falls
The pool at the bottom of the falls is stunning. It’s big enough to be able to have a proper swim, and the fact it’s surrounded by trees and cliffs makes it feel like you’ve found your own secret spot.
It might be more popular in summer (we did visit in the winter after all), though I’m sure if you came early you’d probably have it to yourself! The 3.2km walk will put off quite a few people.
Naturally the water was freezing in winter and even paddling had to be done in short bursts. It was definitely invigorating though! I can’t wait to come back in warmer weather and try it out properly.
As the pool is surrounded by dense foliage and tall cliffs, I can’t imagine it gets much sun, so to really appreciate it you probably want to visit on a fairly hot day!
The Kariong Brook Falls walk
The shortest walk to Kariong Brook Falls is from Staples Lookout which you can reach by car, and is the route we describe below. You can also get to the falls using public transport by taking the train to Wondabyne Station. The walk from the station follows a different route and is just over 8km.
Kariong Brook Falls Walk Stats
Distance: 6.4km
Elevation: 184m
Difficulty: Moderate
Type of trail: Return
There’s no way round it: to get to Kariong Brook Falls requires a 3.2km walk each way. The majority of the trail is along a fire trail, but there is a steep section that is 800m long. It’s easy for the vast majority, it just how a steep section which can feel like a scramble in parts.
We recommend allowing 1.5 hours for the walk (45 mins each way) and at least 30 minutes to truly appreciate this beautiful spot.
Starting the walk
The walk begins at Staples Lookout which offers pretty views over Brisbane Water and the Central Coast.
You’ll immediately need to cross over the busy main road and you’ll see the locked gate which you need to walk around to enter the trail.
There are no signposts so you’d definitely need to know the falls were there, which is probably what keeps them a bit quieter than other nearby spots.
Heading onto the fire trail
You’ll start the walk on a wide fire trail that is lined with lots of trees on both sides. This makes it quite nice and shady for the first part of the walk. After 400m you’ll turn left onto the M19 loop fire trail.
The majority of this first part of the walk is heading gently downhill. After another 450m you need to make a right turn onto Tommos fire trail. Neither of these turnings are signposted for Kariong Brook, so you do need to know when to turn.
You’ll soon come to a more scenic section, where you are walking along a wide rocky platform with some nice views.
There is one part of the platform which is partially sealed off, so we thought it might be an engraving site, but we couldn’t spot any, let us know if you do!
You’ll continue heading very gradually downhill until you come to a junction at the 2.4km mark, where you need to turn right, it’s signposted as Girrakool.
This is when the track completely changes and gets much prettier.
The final and most beautiful part of the track
You have roughly 850m left of the walk when you make the turning on to the narrow bush track. This is where you’ll notice a dramatic difference and it feels like you are properly entering the bush.
The trail starts off flat but then after just 200m starts to descend.
It’s fairly steep in parts and quite rough, with lots of big rocks to climb down. It’s not difficult, but it does slow you down considerably.
At this point - assuming you’re visiting after some decent rain - you’ll start to hear the roar of the falls and the scenery is gorgeous.
There are a couple of flat sections to relax on as you make your way down, and they have some great bush views. The final part of the descent is partly on stairs, but they aren’t always in the best shape. Again, it’s not difficult, but you end up going a lot slower.
When you reach the overhang there are two different ways you can go, just beside the overhang is the easiest way, with steps cut into the rock. We didn’t see this at first and went to the left of the overhang where it is a bit more slippery and rubbly.
Once you’re at the bottom you can easily access the falls.
The walk back
I found walking up the bush track easier than coming down because I am not the most stable person when descending on roughish tracks.
It is fairly steep in parts, but there are little flat sections to get your breath back.
The start of the ascent is steep, shooting up 90m over the first 600m, but then it becomes much more gradual. By the time you hit the fire trail you hardly notice it going up at all.
Packing suggestions for the walk
Having the right gear can make a huge difference. Here’s what we pack and have relied upon for years:
Sunscreen: Cancer Council Active. With a high SPF, but not the greasy feel of other sunscreens. Makes a big difference when you’re working up a sweat on a sunny day! Check it out on Amazon
Good Rain Jacket: North Face This is an essential item we always pack in our bag! This jacket from North Face is designed to keep you dry but also comfortably warm (many rain jackets will make you feel like you’re in a sauna). Check it out on Amazon
Day Pack: Osprey Talon 22 (we’ve owned this for years). Check on Amazon or direct with Osprey
Hiking Boots: Merrell Moab (for men and women). We’ve both used these for over three years and they just keep going. Check them out on Amazon
Trekking poles: We’ve used Black Diamond for years as they are light, solid and durable. Check them out on Amazon.
Reusable water bottle: To avoid single-use plastic. Check them out on Amazon
Essential information about visiting Kariong Brook Falls
Parking for the falls
There are quite a few parking spots at Staples Lookout and they are both free and unlimited in terms of time. Even if the lookout happened to be full, which seems unlikely, most people are only looking at the view and moving on, so you could wait with no issues as there is a lot of space.
Public transport for the falls
You can access the falls from Wondabyne Train Station. You can get to Wondabyne Train Station on a direct route from Central Station which takes 1 hour 10 minutes.
Brisbane Water National Park entry fee
There is no vehicle entry fee for this part of the park so you can visit Kariong Brook Falls for free!
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Are you planning a trip to the Central Coast? What’s your favourite waterfall in the area? Let us know in the comments below!
