Minyon Falls is one of the most majestic waterfalls close to Byron Bay, but you don’t really get the best view of it from the top. Whilst there are two lookouts, neither showcase the whole 100m high cascade - for that you need to head down to the bottom.
From there you’ll be able to get right up close to the magnificent falls, and even swim in the pool at the base.
There are two different trails that will get you there, and both take you through some truly spectacular rainforest.
Here’s what to expect on both of them.
Top tips for visiting Minyon Falls
Before we get into the nitty gritty, here’s a few things you want to know before you go.
Flow
Minyon Falls does run dry in periods of drought - and the first time we visited there was literally no water whatsoever. You ideally want to visit after a decent period of rain, but not so much that the pool at the base will be too dangerous to swim in - unless you aren’t planning to take a dip.
We visited after around a month of seriously heavy rain and you literally couldn’t swim in the pool due to the crazy amount of water thundering into it. Even getting close to the falls left you as soaked, as if you’d just got out the shower.
If you aren’t worried about swimming then really prolonged heavy rain is fine, and the falls do look absolutely breathtaking in full flow.
Swimming spots
If you do visit when the pool is out of action, or you just fancy multiple swims, the cascades (250m before the falls) are a wonderful place for a dip. In fact, it was so beautiful, with the series of cascades, dense rainforest setting and the huge waterfall behind it that when I saw it for the first time it felt like a fairytale. It really is a special spot.
If you want to swim and there is a powerful flow, just watch for the white water which might look tame but is actually pretty forceful.
How to avoid the crowds
The bottom of the falls is a popular spot and it can get quite crowded. If you’re a lover of serenity and you want to get it to yourself, or close to, the best time to go is very early morning or late afternoon.
We had planned a sunrise trip but heavy rain made us switch to later in the day, and we actually arrived at the base about an hour and a half before sunset. There were still people at the cascades when we arrived, but only a handful.
There were none at Minyon Falls itself, and by the time we got back to the cascades, we got that to ourselves too! It was magic.
Footwear
You do want shoes with decent grip for the hike, particularly for that last 250m along the rocks.
We saw people in running shoes (and even barefoot) and they seemed to go hand in hand with being covered in mud!
Getting to the bottom of Minyon Falls
Most people don’t realise that there are two routes down to the bottom of Minyon Falls, a side trail to another waterfall and a way to use the road to connect both tracks and make one big loop!
Depending on your preference, you can either take the fastest route down and up, or create a really picturesque and diverse loop. You can see the options on the map below.
Route one - the lookout to the base
The majority of people surprisingly choose to walk the longer trail from the lookout (probably because it’s signposted as the trail to the bottom). Our Applewatch measured this trail as 4.3km one way.
It’s a really good path and even though we hiked after a month of heavy rain, which has closed other falls in the area, the path wasn’t very slippery.
It was muddy, but for the most part stable. There is no part of the walk which is seriously steep, it’s all quite gradual and there is also a lot of flat track too.
You’ll have the chance to see another impressive waterfall from a distance, and have a paddle on the top of the falls if you take a short unmarked side trail.
You’ll arrive at the junction with the Minyon Grass Trail a few hundred metres before you reach the falls. From the junction to the base of Minyon Falls requires climbing over some rocks, we’ll go into more detail in our trail notes below.
You can either return the way you came, or head up the Minyon Grass Trail and along the road for 1.2km, which forms a loop track back to your car.
Route 2 - the Minyon Grass Trail
The Minyon Grass Trail is the quickest way to reach the base of Minyon Falls, at just over 2km each way. You’ll also climb less elevation than from the lookout, as the starting point for the Minyon Grass trail (the Minyon Grass Picnic area and car park) sits at a lower position than the lookout.
You’ll still get to walk through spectacular rainforest, so you don’t miss out on that front, but you spend a little less time in it and you don’t get to see the other waterfall - but there is only a partial view of it and at a distance so that’s not a biggie.
The Minyon Grass Trail meets up with the track from the lookout at a series of cascades a few hundred metres from the base of the falls.
Just like with the lookout trail, you can return the way you came or form a loop.
Which route is better?
We walked the loop track, which meant we covered both the tracks you use to reach the bottom of Minyon Falls.
I would say that if your primary interest is just in seeing the falls and going for a swim, then you should use the Minyon Grass Track both ways.
It’s quicker, less climbing is involved, and you still get to experience some truly special rainforest.
If you’re as interested in hiking as the falls itself, you should use the lookout route, or the loop to combine the best of both worlds. With the route from the lookout you get to spend more time in the rainforest - which is one of the most beautiful we’ve seen in Australia - so that’s a major bonus.
I was happy with our choice to hike the loop, especially as we finished up in the dark, when there weren’t any cars around to fly past us on that final 1.2km stretch along the road. Without the cars, the road is pleasant enough as it’s still surrounded by forest.
The Minyon Falls Loop Track
The stats
Distance: 8.5km (including the side trail to Condong Falls)
Elevation: 400m
Difficulty: Moderate
The entire loop and side trail for Minyon Falls took us just under three hours, but that was partly because we stopped for a lot of photos and took it slow around the stunning rainforest area! If you wanted to power through, then you could probably do the loop in 2 - 2.5 hours.
Starting the trail at Minyon Falls Lookout
The trail starts by taking you 150m along boardwalk to the lookout over the falls. You can only see the top of the falls from here which is why you’ve made a good decision to head down to the bottom!
You’ll then hop over some stepping stones and into a dry eucalypt forest where you’ll actually have a few staircases to climb, as the trail undulates for the first 1.5km.
Optional side trip to Condong Falls
At the 1.9km you’ll see an obvious but un-signposted side trail on your right. This path leads to the top of Condong (formerly Quandong) Falls.
It’s only 400m each way so it’s no hardship to get there but unfortunately you don’t get a good view of the falls from here.
What you do get is a very quiet spot which would be a great place for a picnic, or to go for a paddle on top of the falls.
There is also said to be a good swimming hole 200m down the river, but it was flooded on our visit.
I’d say it’s nice enough but not a must do depending on how keen you are to just get to the bottom of Minyon Falls!
Into the rainforest
After being back on the main track for 150m, you’ll get an opening in the bush and a partial view of Condong Falls. We couldn’t believe it as we’d spent about half an hour bush bashing around the top of the falls, trying to find a viewpoint!
From this point on, the walk to the bottom of the falls is all downhill and mainly on very gentle switchbacks.
You’ll start descending into the most incredible rainforest and every step is spectacular. The trees are taller and more lush, the forest is more dense and it feels like you’ve suddenly descended into Jurassic Park.
After 450m you’ll reach the forest floor and it continues to be unbelievably beautiful. You pass small cascades and crystal clear creeks, all the time completely surrounded by dense rainforest.
It quickly became one of my favourite hikes in NSW.
After 400m you reach the cascades which are another fabulous swimming spot.
This is probably the best spot for a dip if there’s been heavy rainfall as the base of the falls can be pretty wild! Whilst there is a bit of a current, it’s nothing compared to the blast from the falls! Just avoid the white water if there has been heavy rain.
After crossing the cascades, you’ll see where the lookout trail and the Minyon Grass Trail converge. There are little red signs which show where the trail continues as it can be tricky to make out.
The rock scramble
I’d read a little bit about the final section of track which takes you to the base of Minyon Falls, and it sounded pretty sketchy! I was worried that especially with how wet everything was it would be a bit of a slippery nightmare. The reality was actually quite different.
The whole rocky section is just 250m long and if you’re used to hiking you probably won’t bat an eyelid. I thought it was easier than a lot of sections along popular stretches of the Great North Walk close to Sydney.
You do have to climb up and over the rocks but there are always good places to put your hands and feet and the last little bit is almost like a trail again, so I wouldn’t say it’s anything to worry about.
If you haven’t done much hiking over rocks before, just take your time and you shouldn’t have too much trouble.
The more difficult bit is actually climbing into the pool as the rocks by the falls are very slick and wet. Pair that with the blast of the falls (which is powerful after a lot of rain) and you’ll find this last section can be a little tricky.
We couldn’t get into the pool because of the sheer force of the water but normally you can and it is an idyllic swimming spot. Even so, it was still incredible and one of our favourite experiences in Byron Bay.
The climb back up from the base
We chose to take the Minyon Grass Track so that we could experience some different scenery and get to check out both trails.
You’ll head straight into yet another patch of atmospheric rainforest and parts of the trail are boardwalked so you can avoid the worst of the mud.
The first 650m are entirely flat and you begin to wonder when the climb is going to begin! We were hiking up in the twilight and the sounds of the rainforest were amazing, it’s totally different to in the middle of the day.
When we did begin the climb I was surprised that rather than the steep hike I was expecting, it was a very gentle incline on a series of switchbacks. There is no point at which the track is very steep and there are only a handful of steps at a time to take you up to the next switchback!
It’s one of those rare trails when it was much easier than I was expecting - although it was relatively cool as we were walking so late. In the heat of the day it would be harder.
The uphill part of the ascent lasts just 1.2km and you’ll leave the rainforest for the dry bushland once again. You’ll arrive at Minyon Grass picnic area which has a nice lookout across the rainforest to the falls. The total elevation gain from the base of the falls to the picnic area is just 150m.
The last part of the loop is along the road and you’ll climb another 70m elevation over 1.2km. Again. it’s fairly gentle, although slightly steeper than the rainforest track. The road has some lovely bush surrounding it and I didn’t mind this section, but it might have been different in the daytime if cars were splashing us!
Initially we were walking this track because I wanted to see Minyon Falls in all its glory, but though the waterfall is utterly jaw dropping, I loved the rainforest just as much. It’s a truly fantastic hike.
If you’re looking for other beautiful waterfalls in NSW, we have a whole post dedicated to them.
Essential information about Minyon Falls
Getting to the falls
Minyon Falls are located in Nightcap National Park in the Byron Hinterland. The quickest route from Byron Bay is around 34km and roughly a 45 minute drive. They are much closer to various villages in the hinterland, with Rosebank being closest at just a 20 minute drive.
The last 2.5 km of the road is unsealed, and quite potholed. You don’t need a 4WD but it will get a bit bumpy in places.
There is no cost for parking at, or entering the national park.
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