When experiencing Waterfall Way highlights on any trip, itโs hard to conceive the natural beauty on display: stunning vistas, charming towns and of course, majestic waterfalls.
Taking in Waterfall Way highlights sees you take in 4 national parks across 3 distinct regions and traversing one World Heritage site.
Itโs hard to imagine that all the scenery on this one trip is packed into a mere 180km stretch of road. And thatโs not even remembering that it begins in rolling farmlands and ends in idyllic beaches.
When taking this scenic route from Armidale to Coffs Harbour, thereโs no shortage of places to stop and admire the best this Northern New South Wales route has to offer. But whatโs the best way to start the ultimate Waterfall Way highlights drive?
Waterfall Way Highlights: The Itinerary
Armidale to Wollomombi
For this journey, we are heading from west to east. This means the journey starts in the main hub for the New England region โ Armidale. A town of just under 25,000, Armidale is the perfect place to stock up for the journey ahead. But just doing that would be doing the town a vast injustice. Armidale is home to a wealth of boutique cafes and restaurants making it a delight for foodies looking for a hidden gem of a restaurant.
The town itself has a variety of great throwbacks to its farming heritage and is a great base to set camp with several great campsites and hotels scattered in its vicinity. As you head out on Waterfall Way, itโs worth taking a short detour south to Gara Gorge. A deep gorge on the Gara River, this amazing spot offers some spectacular scenery and the chance to spot wedge-tailed eagles soaring amongst the cliffs. The Thredfall Track is also a great spot for bushwalking as you explore the outer edges of Oxley Wild Rivers National Park. Itโs also the perfect teaser for what approaches as you reach Wollomombi.
Best Camping Spot: Armidale Showgrounds
For those wanting a camping spot close to town, the Armidale Showgrounds is an excellent spot to set up camp. Located on the edge of Armidale, this campsite has a full range of facilities including shower blocks, toilets, a camp kitchen and BBQ facilities. It also has both powered and unpowered berths and can host anything from small tents to large motorhomes.
Wollomombi
Wollomombi itself is only a small village but the natural highlights around it are some of the best Waterfall Way highlights that need to be seen. The main attraction: Wollomombi Falls. Nestled within Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, Wollomombi Falls is one of the highest in Australia. From top to bottom, the Wollomombi River falls over 200m from the valley before. This makes it the third-highest waterfall in Australia โ one that draws breath all around.
The surrounding Wollomombi Gorge is also a sight to behold with several tracks designed to offer excellent ways to discover this wild part of NSW. Not to be outdone, the nearby Chandler Falls also provide stunning views as the Chandler River cascades its way into the valley below. All these are easily within reach of Waterfall Way itself and just a short drive from the namesake town too. A true sight to experience as you trundle across this pristine road.
Best Camping Spot: Wollomombi Campground
For those looking to spend a couple of days exploring this section of Waterfall Way, Wollomombi Campground offers a great place to set up camp. Easily accessible, this campground has basic facilities such as toilets and picnic tables and is suitable for campervans and vehicles. Its proximity to vistas such as Edgarโs Lookout makes it a great place to see the main attractions without going too far off the beaten track.
Wollomombi- Ebor
After leaving Wollomombi, itโs time to head east. As you meander through the valleys, Waterfall Way stretches and touches the southern fringes of New England National Park. Like its surrounding neighbours, this region offers stunning vistas and views from every corner. But none can be matched quite like that at Point Lookout. At this rest stop, you venture just 200 metres from the roadside to see cliff-edge views atop The Great Escarpment. On a clear day, you can see across the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests below and even see the Pacific Ocean!
After this, itโs only a short stop to the town of Ebor โ a small village nestled amongst several national parks. Perhaps the most spectacular is the stunning Ebor Falls. Just 1km north of the village, Ebor Falls is the star attraction of Guy Fawkes River National Park as the Guy Fawkes River falls 100m down the mountainside. The entire 3-tier waterfall is accessible via a 360ห walk leaving for countless views. For more intrepid explorers, Cathedral Rock National Park is also a short reach from the town. This is a great spot for bushwalking, climbing and seeing great views. Throw in a wealth of curious creatures and birds to spot too amongst the rocky outcrops. All this makes Ebor one of the ultimate Waterfall Way highlights to discover.
Best Camping Spot: Chaelundi Campground
Located near the Guy Fawkes River, the Chaelundi Campground is a hidden gem to stay. It might be slightly off the beaten track but this 7-berth campsite can accommodate most motorhomes and caravans. There are toilets and picnic facilities to dine at and itโs not far to reach local highlights such as Chaelundi Falls a short walk away. Expect to see wallabies frolicking nearby as well as the New England Tree Frog โ an endangered species that is frequently found in only this part of Australia.
Dorrigo
Continuing east from Ebor, Waterfall Way snakes its way around to the town of Dorrigo. The town is wrapped within the upper reaches of the Bellinger River and provides some of the Waterfall Way highlights everyone knows. This comes to the sights and sounds found within the nearby Dorrigo National Park. Itโs not hard to see why thanks to several stunning waterfalls as well as amazing vistas.
Perhaps the best-known sight of the entire drive can be found here โ Crystal Showers Fall. This stunning small waterfall provides a stunning sight and is only a short walk from the road itself. You can choose to swim in the lagoon pool below or walk around or even behind the falls. A little further along is the equally stunning Dangar Falls. A single 30m drop fall, this stunning sight is set amongst lush rainforest and can be explored from paths as well as from the water itself. For those looking for something simpler, the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre provides great insights into the regionโs natural beauty. It also provides access to a stunning boardwalk which ends with an aerial lookout overlooking the rainforest below. This makes sure there is something for everyone within the confines of Dorrigo.
Best Camping Spot: Dangar Falls Lodge
Nowhere allows to stay as close to a highlight as Dangar Falls Lodge does. This site is a few hundred metres from Dangar Falls itself which can be heard from your berth. The campground is designed to cater for all types of travellers. This ranges from tents to motorhomes. You will find a mix of powered and unpowered berths with full toilet and shower facilities available too. A great choice for anyone wanting to experience Dangar Falls nearby.
Bellingen & Urunga
As you approach the eastern end of Waterfall Way, the dramatic hills give way to lush coastal scenery. Itโs here where civilization starts to come to fruition. This comes in the shape of Bellingen โ a town of 4,000 people. Bellingen provides a great way to restock at the end of your journey and is home to cafes and shops filled with local gifts. It also sits on the lower stretches of the Bellinger River. Here, the Bellinger can be explored at your leisure โ by foot, car or even canoe. Itโs a different way to explore the end stretches of this serpentine river.
Waterfall Way itself ends a bit further on in the coastal town of Urunga. Urunga itself has developed into a coastal gem. At the heart of this is the Urunga Boardwalk. This unique boardwalk lets you explore the Urunga Lagoon & Wetlands by foot whilst the Lagoon is a great swimming spot in the warmer months. From here, itโs less than a 20-minute drive to the largest town in the area: Coffs Harbour.
Best Camping Spot: Bellingen Showgrounds
For those looking to base themselves in Bellingen, then the Bellingen Showgrounds is a great place to do just that. Located close to the town centre, everything is within a short walk including shops, restaurants and the Bellinger River. Itโs suitable for hosting tents, campervans and motorhomes as well as offering powered and unpowered berths. Itโs a popular campsite in peak tourist season so booking is essential for this in-demand camping spot.
Conclusion
Itโs not hard to see why Waterfall Way highlights are revered across Australia. Thereโs no shortage of stunning sights to explore no matter what type of interests you have. Whether it is stunning views, seeing breathtaking waterfalls or exploring wild outcrops, thereโs always something around the corner. Throw in some charming towns and colourful wildlife โ it makes for an unforgettable experience. It’s why thereโs nothing quite like discovering Waterfall Way highlights anywhere else in Australia.
