Ellenborough Falls

Ellenborough Falls is about a 3.5-hour drive from Sydney. It is one of the tallest waterfalls in New South Wales, with a drop of up to 200 meters, making it the second tallest in Australia. It is located around 1.5 hours from Forster. The route includes about 30 minutes of unsealed dirt road, so driving carefully is important. It is not recommended to visit in rainy weather. You can view the waterfall from the top lookout, which gives a full panoramic view of the falls, or walk down the 600+ steps to the base. The descent is quite steep, around a 45-degree slope in parts, and the path can be narrow. In total, there are about 780 steps if you complete the full return walk, and it is the same track up and down, so it is hard to get lost. At the top, there are two lookout platforms where you can see the full 200-meter drop. The bottom section is more scenic and enjoyable for photos, but the hike back up is quite steep and takes around 30 minutes. The drive feels like you are entering a remote, undeveloped area deep in the mountains. There is no mobile reception, no shops, and no places to buy food or water along the way, so you need to come prepared. Despite the isolation, the waterfall itself is stunning. Even wildlife like lizards can often be seen on the rocks. Some visitors even come for wedding photos because of how scenic it is. The best photo spot is usually at the base, reached after about 15 minutes down the boardwalk from the top lookout.