Yerrinbool Falls is a pretty waterfall set on a serene creek at the foot of the Southern Highlands. Though the waterfall is not huge, it’s backdrop makes it more dramatic and it was far more beautiful than we had been expecting.
Once you descend from the top of the escarpment to the creek, you’re in a whole new world. The sounds of the highway melt away and are replaced by soothing cascades and melodic bird calls.
The walk to get to the falls is short, but does involve a few hundred metres of steep descent, which we’ll cover in detail in the track notes below.
Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Yerrinbool Falls.
The walk to Yerrinbool Falls
The stats
Distance: 2.4km return
Elevation gain: 90m
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead: Formosa Avenue, Yerrinbool
Summary: The first kilometre of the trail to the falls is easy and whilst not a formerly marked track, it’s very well tagged with blue ribbons. In fact, it’s so well tagged that I don’t really need to give any directions, though I will still note the turns to make incase the ribbons are ever removed.
After a kilometre the bush track gives way to a steep rocky descent. There is some minor scrambling involved and a couple of short loose sections. It’s best not attempted after rain when the wet rock could become slippery.
Starting the trail: along the fire trail
From the parking area (full details below) head around the gate blocking the fire trail and into the Bargo State Conservation Area.
After 10m heading downhill on the gravel road you’ll see another track leading off to the right, take this path which is tagged with blue ribbons.
After 120m keep heading straight at the fork. Roughly 150m later or 280m into the walk, you’ll head left at the fork, again it’s all tagged with blue ribbon.
You have another 170m on fire trail to go before you head onto the narrow bush track, 450m from the parking area.
Along the bush track
You’ll now head along a narrow bush track which is easy to follow and flat, as the whole walk has been to this point.
A few hundred metres later there are a few fallen trees to climb over, but they are all small and skinny, so it’s very easy.
Just after this point, or 785m into the walk, you’ll come to a small rock platform. The path then heads back into the bush on the left after a couple of metres.
Around 65m later the trail will begin heading downhill.
Roughly 30m later the path bends right and there are a few rocky bits amongst the dirt track. Just under 100m later or 950m into the walk, the real descent begins.
The steep descent to the river
It’s only 100m of steep descending before you reach the creek, but it feels longer, or it did to me anyway! The start of the descent is quite easy because it’s on big grippy rocks, there is one bit which requires a slight leg stretch to get down, but none of it is particularly difficult or slippery.
However, as you continue heading downhill the large rocks give way to sections of loose soil and small stones. My least favourite kind of terrain!
There are often trees or rocks to grab for a bit of extra stability if needed, and it’s not awful, but I didn’t find this last bit enjoyable.
Luckily it really isn’t long and going back uphill is much easier as you don’t have to worry about slipping in the same way.
It’s best to pick a dry day so all the rocks are as dry and grippy as possible.
After 100m or 1.05km into the walk, you’ll arrive at the creek and it’s worlds apart from the dry bushland above.
Reaching the falls
Once you’re down at creek level it’s a leisurely 200m to the falls. It’s absolutely beautiful along this section and when you look back at the ‘trail’ you just came down, it appears completely impenetrable. It’s a mass of boulders and gum trees as far as the eye can see.
Despite being so close to the road, it gives it a wild feel.
At the end of the descent, you’ll head right and follow the creek bed all the way to the top of the falls. Unless in flood, there’s very little water down here, so there’s plenty of space to walk beside the shallow pools until you get to within 20m or so of the falls.
At this point you may need to cross some very shallow water. Even the wet rock was not slippery here, but it’s always best to treat it like it is.
You’ll arrive at the top of the falls 1.25km after leaving the car park.
Yerrinbool Falls
Yerrinbool Falls is really pretty, surrounded by small but steep rock walls on either side and backed by much bigger sandstone cliffs.
The waterfall would be a lovely spot in its own right, but the setting makes it really beautiful.
There is plenty of room to sit on the rock walls to the right of the falls and take it all in.
The right side of the falls is very easy to access and provides a great view. You can also carefully pick your way along the left side for a different perspective, but it’s not as easy due to a bit of dense bush you need to get through.
It’s not too bad to the first open bit of rock wall, but continuing further (which we only did looking for a route down to the bottom of the falls as there’s not much to see) had some narrower loose bits of soil and was on a partial slope which doesn’t offer as much secure footing.
The only disappointment of our trip to Yerrinbool was not being able to find access that I felt comfortable with to the pool beneath the falls.
I tried to find a route down where I was confident I could get out, as well as get in, (always important!), but both sides offered steep access.
There’s a bit of a slope down from the right side and I could get very close to the water, but the drop was still just enough I didn’t think I could definitely get out.
There may be a better access point, or perhaps others would feel confident with the bit that I didn’t, but alas for me the refreshing dip I had been hoping for alluded me.
I did try some of the pools on the way back to the trail, but all were too shallow for a proper swim.
Please let me know if you find a good route into the pool because I’d love to go back for a dip : )
Keep them wild
Please remember to take all rubbish with you and keep these places wild and pristine - as with anywhere in the outdoors. It’s important to leave them exactly as you found them so they will remain beautiful for generations to come.
Litter tends to breed litter, so if you do spot any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the reserve, it will go a long way to keeping the area clean.
Getting to the trailhead for Yerrinbool Falls
The track to Yerrinbool Falls begins just by the locked gate off Formosa Avenue in Yerrinbool, at the foot of the Southern Highlands, you can see it here on Google maps. The parking area is small, but it’s not a popular track, so you shouldn’t have trouble parking, please remember never to block the fire trail access.
The last 750m to the parking area is on a gravel road, but it’s well graded and suitable for any vehicle.
It’s approximately 20km and a 20 minute drive from Bowral and 100km and a 1 hour 10 minute drive from Sydney.
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