Ellenborough Falls — Attraction in Elands

You'll either love or hate it. :D The road to Elands is in pretty poor condition, and frankly can be a bit scary. If you're not a confident rough-road driver, take it slow and ignore it if the locals get stroppy that you're going slow. (This from someone who used to be a local.) There is a cafe in the park, but it can be a bit hit-and-miss if it's open. There are BBQ plates, but wood, rather than electric, and there are taps. In short, bring your own food, and consider a cold picnic. This is a venue you'll want to plan ahead for. The park is heavily wooded, and usually covered in sticks, so kids won't have much space to run around in. The number of frisbee's and cricket/tennis balls my family lost up here beggars belief. Can get very hot and dry during clear weather - ideally you would want to go on an overcast, but dry day. The falls look their best after rain. The view from the lookouts are FANTASTIC, but if you decide to take a walk around the track, be aware that most of it does NOT have a rail. People born and raised in the area won't even blink, but I've terrified a few of my non-local friends trying to take them here. To the point that they needed to use the toilet facilities immediately. It is possible to walk to the bottom of the waterfall, and this has a handrail and wooden platforms. This has been open and closed on and off over the last few years due to maintenance. Be aware that a healthy male will take about 40 minutes to reach the bottom, and a good hour and a half to get back up. This is not a light stroll. :D Ellenborough Falls is the tallest single-drop waterfall in the Southern Hemisphere, so it's an effort to get back up from them, and there's no other way out other than the climb. Do NOT attempt if you have a heart problem or bad knees. In summary, well worth a visit because you will NOT see a waterfall as spectacular anywhere else, but plan ahead because the amenities are what you'd expect for an off-the-coast national park. And be gentle on family members who...

I was driving from port Macquarie to Comboyne, then to the small village of Elands. Then making my way to Dingo Tops campground. From there we drove to the spectacular Ellenborough Falls and gorge. There is over 641 well made steep wooden steps with small seats at intervals leading down to the bottom of the falls. Only attempt these steps down if you’re fit. There is a good size car park, And clean toilets. There are no other shops in the area. We also camped for 1 night at Blue Knob lookout. There are no amenities here. The views there are also spectacular. We came out this way in a normal car in wet conditions and had no problems. The dirt roads are well maintained. Obviously drive to the conditions.Then made our way to the Oxley Highway to Walcha. Bring a thermos of coffee or tea and water and food/snacks. I also recommend going to Oxley Wild Rivers National Park. We went to Wollomombi Falls Campground to the Spectacular Gorge that’s there. And also drove to Bakers Creek Falls. Dangars Gorge Falls and Campground is also worth checking out. The dirt roads out here are maintained. We came in small front wheel drive car in wet conditions with no problems. Obviously drive to the conditions. There were no shops out this way. You will need provisions. Nearest town would be Armidale or Uralla. Or Walcha about 60 klms away. And in the Atherton Table Lands at Topaz. I recommend Windin falls Trail. Also Spectacular.If you’re looking for something to eat in Armidale, I recommend the Corner Creperie Cafe on the corner of Rusden and Taylor streets Armidale. Another place I highly recommend is Wombeyan Caves and Campground. And Jenolan Caves. And Wellington Caves at...

This is a spectacular waterfall plunging off the Bulga Plateau into a deep narrow gorge. There are two lookouts on top of the gorge, one just a stone's throw from the car park and another on the opposite side at The Knoll looking straight across to the falls. On the way to The Knoll you can divert via a short track to the Tallowwood Grove, which has a number of large trees, including one that's 50 metres tall. There is also a track to the base of the falls which has 641 steps (mostly non-slip) and descends through verdant rainforest. I'm of average fitness and I took about 20 minutes to get down and 25 minutes to get back up, and there are plenty of seats where you can sit and rest along the way. The view of the falls at the bottom is well worth the effort to get there (and back up). There is also a view of the river at the top of the falls, accessed via a short track from the car park.

Around the spacious car park there are plenty of picnic tables, an information display, a kiosk (not open every day) and toilets. The tracks themselves are well signposted.

The falls are quite out of the way, being located in an area called Elands, situated on the Bulga Plateau, which is west of the Comboyne Plateau, in the hinterland of the NSW mid north coast. It's about a 1.5 hour drive west of Port Macquarie via Wauchope and Comboyne or about a 1 hour 20 minute drive (my driving time) from Taree via Wingham and Bulga Road. As you get close to the falls the roads become gravel, but the last few kilometres...