Empress Falls: The Blue Mountains’ Most Dramatic Swimming Waterfall

Empress Falls is one of the most striking waterfalls in the Blue Mountains. It cascades through a narrow slot canyon before tumbling into a deep emerald pool, with towering sandstone walls rising on either side that keep the gorge permanently cool and shaded. It is a place that feels genuinely wild, even by Blue Mountains standards.

Most visitors come for the walk, but those who take a dip in the pool at the base of the falls get a completely different experience, looking straight up at the cascade from below with the canyon walls overhead. It is the kind of spot that is hard to forget.

Here is everything you need to know before you visit.

Quick Facts

Getting There

The walk to Empress Falls begins at the Conservation Hut on Fletcher Street, Wentworth Falls. This is a well-known mud brick hut and cafe at the top of the Valley of the Waters trail network, with a car park, toilets, and a balcony cafe overlooking the Blue Mountains.

• By car: The Conservation Hut is on Fletcher Street, Wentworth Falls, approximately 95 kilometres west of Sydney. Allow around 1 hour 20 minutes from the CBD.
• By train: Take the Blue Mountains line to Wentworth Falls station. The Conservation Hut is around 2.5 kilometres from the station, adding roughly 30 minutes each way to your day.

Note that the car park fills quickly on weekends and school holidays. Arriving before 9 am is strongly recommended.

The Walk to Empress Falls

From the Conservation Hut to the lookouts

The trail begins right behind the Conservation Hut and heads immediately into the bush and down a series of shallow wooden steps. The path is well-maintained and almost entirely shaded by the forest canopy, which makes a noticeable difference on warm days.

After around 320 metres, you will reach a short sidetrack to Queen Victoria Lookout, which offers a deep valley view that is worth a few minutes of your time. If you have young children or less confident walkers in the group, you might prefer to save this for the return journey when it doubles as a handy rest stop.

Another 130 metres along the main track brings you to Empress Lookout, where you get your first view of the falls from above. Canyoners are often visible from this point, either preparing for or mid-way through their descent.

Down to the base of the falls

From the lookout, the track gets steeper, with a mix of metal and older timber staircases, all fitted with handrails. The stairs are what give this walk its reputation. Almost the entire descent involves steps of one kind or another, and the return climb is considerably harder than the walk down. That said, anyone with a reasonable level of fitness will manage it comfortably.

Before the final descent to the falls, you will reach a junction with the Nature Track. Lillian’s Bridge is just off to the right here, a small timber bridge beside a pretty cascading waterfall that makes an ideal rest stop, especially if you are walking with children. A shady picnic bench nearby is the best place in the area to stop for a break.

If you have extra time and energy, a detour of 700 metres each way from this junction leads to Flora’s Bath and Asmodeus Pool, two quiet swimming holes in the forest that see far fewer visitors than Empress Falls itself.

Continuing left at the junction takes you on the final descent to the base of the falls, down steep wooden stairs and then uneven but solid stone steps. Just before the bottom, two openings in the tree cover give excellent framed views of the top of Empress Falls.

Empress Falls: What to Expect at the Bottom

Arriving at the base of the falls is one of those moments that earns the effort. The canyon walls are impossibly high from below, the pool glows deep green, and the sound of the water is amplified by the enclosed rock chamber around it.

A metal handrail runs along the track beside the falls, giving a good head-on view of the cascade and the smaller cascades in front of it. The track continues beyond this point into the broader Valley of the Waters trail network, passing Sylvia Falls, Lodore Falls, Flat Rock Falls, and several other named waterfalls further along.

Swimming at Empress Falls

Empress Falls has one of the more memorable swimming spots in the Blue Mountains. The pool is small but very deep, and entry is straightforward: two large rock shelves lead down to the water’s edge from above the handrail.

What to know before you swim:

• The water is cold year-round, even in summer. A wetsuit will make the experience considerably more comfortable.
• The rocks at the water’s edge are generally grippy, though there is a small water channel between the rock shelves that requires a careful step.
• Once in the pool, there is very little current, even when the flow above is strong, so it is a relaxed swim.
• Empress Falls is also a popular canyoning destination. Canyoners typically rappel down from above, and a rope descending the falls before them will give you a warning. Midweek visits in the morning are the best bet for a quieter experience.

Tips for Families

The walk to Empress Falls is achievable for families with older children, but it requires some thought if you have young kids.

• Children aged 7 and up who are comfortable on uneven terrain and stairs will generally manage the walk well.
• Children under 5 and toddlers are not recommended. The metal staircase sections have wide fence gaps, and the base of the falls involves water and slippery rocks that require close supervision.
• Prams are not suitable for any part of this walk.
• Bring at least one litre of water per person for every two hours of walking, plus food for energy on the return climb.
• Start early enough to take your time. Rushing children back up the stairs in fading light is not ideal.

What Else Is Nearby

Empress Falls sits at the top of the Valley of the Waters trail network, which connects to a large number of other walks in the Wentworth Falls area.

• Valley of the Waters continues past Empress Falls to Sylvia Falls, Lodore Falls, Flat Rock Falls, Vera Falls, and Hippocrene Falls
• Overcliff and Undercliff Track loops back to the Conservation Hut via dramatic cliff-face passages and open heathland
• Nature Track is a quieter alternative path through the rainforest, passing Flora’s Bath and Asmodeus Pool
• Wentworth Falls Track is a 10-minute drive east for views of the Blue Mountains’ most iconic waterfall

Practical Notes

• No dogs are permitted on this walk, as it runs through the national park.
• The track is not suitable for anyone with significant difficulties on stairs.
• If you have a fear of heights, the lookouts at Queen Victoria and Empress are quite exposed. The main track itself is manageable.
• Always check nationalparks.nsw.gov.au for current closures before visiting. As of April 2026, the National Pass, which connects to this trail network, remains closed due to a landslide.