Empress Falls — Attraction in Blue Mountains National Park

Exploring Empress Falls in the Blue Mountains

Empress Falls is located in the Blue Mountains National Park, just outside Wentworth Falls. This spot is a favorite among visitors due to its stunning waterfalls and appeal to both canyoners and tour groups. The walk to the falls is of moderate difficulty, with steep steps on the way back that might challenge some hikers. Essentials for this walk include sunscreen, water, a jumper, and a hat. For canyoners, there are excellent spots to enjoy before reaching the final descent down the falls. The round-trip walk is approximately 1.1 km and takes a little over an hour. For those wanting to extend their adventure, there are additional trails that connect to other walks.

Starting Your Journey to Empress Falls

The walk begins at the Conservation Hut, a café near a small parking area. To avoid crowds and secure parking, it’s best to start early in the morning. The café is a great lunch stop on your return if seating is available; otherwise, bring a picnic and water to enjoy at the bottom.

Follow the “Valley of the Waters” signs down timber and dirt steps for most of the trail. Along the way, you’ll encounter intersections, but staying on the marked “Valley of the Waters” path will lead you directly to the falls. The track also intersects with the “Short Cut Track,” where you should continue straight. Smaller paths branching off lead to picnic spots, but sticking to the main trail ensures you’ll reach Empress Falls...

Empress Falls is one of the most striking and dynamic waterfalls along the Valley of the Waters track in Wentworth Falls. Set within a narrow gorge surrounded by moss-covered cliffs and rainforest, the falls plunge into a deep rock pool, creating a scene that’s both powerful and serene.

What makes Empress Falls especially unique is that it’s not just for viewing—this spot is also a favourite among adventure seekers. Guided canyoning and abseiling tours operate here, allowing thrill-seekers to rappel right down the face of the waterfall. Watching them descend through the cascade adds a real sense of energy and awe to the setting.

Reaching the falls is relatively accessible from the Conservation Hut, with a well-formed but stair-heavy track. The descent is straightforward, but the climb back out will test your legs, particularly if you're not used to hiking or uneven terrain.

Whether you’re there to photograph, relax by the water, or watch others conquer the vertical drop, Empress Falls is an unforgettable stop—where the raw beauty of nature meets a rush...

You've gotta be pretty fit for this one. I was not expecting the amount of stairs this trail had! The descend is quite difficult as some of the stairways are quite narrow and steep, and there are a lot of uneven steps where you basically need to sit on the rock to get down.

If you do go, be prepared to get a little wet as one of the smaller waterfalls before climbing down to Empress Falls provides a bit of splashback over the path. While not as impressive as Empress, this waterfall was quite nice.

All in all though, the hike is completely worth it. Empress is absolutely gorgeous and is so serene to be beside. Photos don't do it justice. I do recommend going, but only if you have hiking experience and are fit enough to handle what I'd say is about 90% stairs of varying steepness, width and length...