DAYTRIPS

Exploring Somersby Falls, NSW Australia

Trent Webster, Editor, Australia

Just a quick run down the M1 (from either Newcastle or Sydney), you take the Peats Ridge Road exit and a few minutes later you are at Somersby Falls. Situated in the Brisbane Waters National Park, these falls are a great spot for a day trip.

Somersby Falls, NSW Austalia

Photograph by Not A Gap Year

Being a National Park, to park inside you will need either a National Park pass or to purchase a day pass from one of the ticket machines. Once inside, its only small, but there are amenities (inc disabled) as well as BBQ’s, picnic tables and plenty of grass to set up on.

“A top picnic spot and good fun bouldering down to the lower falls.”

The tracks to the main falls areas are man-made, but are still slippery in areas. As you’d expect, there are quite a few stairs to get down to the lower areas. There are also sign posts everywhere to direct you to the two main viewing areas.

We were there after a long dry spell, so the top and bottom falls were just a trickle, but I can only imagine what they’d be like after some good rain. Even so, the area is magical.

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Exploring beyond the lower falls, you can continue bouldering down stream.

Photograph by Not A Gap Year

Being minimal water lying around, we headed off downstream to explore. If you have the time, its worth hopping through the boulders. If you go far enough you will be rewarded with another waterfall. If you are feeling adventurous, you can even climb down the sides for a couple of photos, or even a quick shower.

More info about the area can be found on the National Parks website here.