From the Coffs Coast to Armidale, take the breathtaking 185km roadtrip called the Waterfall Way. You can experience the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, five national parks (four world heritage listed), six country towns and at least a dozen waterfalls. Or reverse our list, and choose to start in the country, and work your way to the coast.
Either way, do we have some treats in store for you – including little known waterholes and all sorts of camping! Some you don’t need to get out of the car, or walk very far – and we’ll let you know which stops are pet friendly (not all the national parks are not).
Start at beautiful Urunga and boardwalk or lovely Coffs Harbour! The Waterfall Way officially begins at Raleigh on the Coffs Coast.
This Bellingen swimming hole is so secret, the information centre keeps directions under the counter! Please, be considerate of locals as you park here, and always leave no trace. (And despite what Heatley says, I do not believe it is a clothing optional location!) Check out our swim here – with togs on!
CAMP: Bellingen Showground or Burdett Park, out of town, both pet friendly.
Or drive a bit further up the hill to camp …
DONATION CAMP: Roses Park, Thora
On this next leg passengers have your camera ready, you’ll drive right next to Sherrard and Newell Falls! That’s right, Waterfall Way is so aptly named because some are right on the road.
Dorrigo National Park has loads of waterfalls, including Crystal Shower, Tristana, Red Cedar, and Casuarina! Plus there is a skywalk lookout, with upgrades underway.
However it was Dangar Falls, so close to town where we had a dip! Access is excellent, and you don’t need to walk to the lookout – it is at the carpark and picnic area. You can also take your doggo here.
CAMP: next door at Dangar Falls Lodge, Dorrigo Mountain holiday Park or Dorrigo Showground all are pet friendly.
SIDE TRIP: Platypus Flat Campground in the Nymboi-Binderay National Park. See why it is so very special.
TOWN: Ebor
CAMP: Ebor Sports & Rec Reserve or Ebor Hotel Motel (both pet friendly)
You can walk from town to one of my favourites, Ebor Falls in Guy Fawkes River National Park. Look out over the Upper Falls or drive to the Lower Falls. They are linked via another walk and there are two picnic areas as well as four lookouts. Redeveloped after a fire, we were pleased to finally be able to drive in.
SIDE TRIP: Go climbing in Cathedral Rock National Park.
Check out the views from Woolpack Rocks, the Warrigal Track and our overnighter at nearby Native Dog Creek Camp. Barokee Campground is closer to the hike up Cathedral Rock itself.
SIDE TRIP: Look out for the Trout Hatchery, Heatley also keen to stop in there next time!
SIDE TRIP: Point Lookout and and Wright’s Lookout in New England National Park. Lovely camping options here, too.
TOWN: Wollomombi
Oxley Wild Rivers National Park’s Wollomombi Falls has a 220m drop which makes it the highest falls in New South Wales! There is a national park campground nearby, a pet friendly free camp at the Wollomombi Store and a farmstay.
TOWN: Hillgrove
Although many historic buildings were dismantled in Hillgrove, the museum is located in the old schoolhouse.
Nearby is Metz Gorge Lookout and Baker Creek Falls (pet friendly).
Blue Hole (Gara Gorge)
Another favourite! As an Armidale uni student, groups of us would bask on the rocks, after swims in summer. I did not know back then it was Oxley Wild Rivers National Park. Created a rec reserve in 1882, you can walk to Gara Gorge, a weir and old dam or along the Gara River cascades. No camping.
CAMP: Look out for rest areas along the Waterfall Way for free overnighters – they are all in the CAMPS App with pets allowed.
Dangars Falls
Also in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, Dangars Falls is another spectacular gorge and waterfall. Mihi Falls is seasonal and a hike away!
CAMP: Dangars Gorge Campground is only a few steps away from lookouts, paddling in the upper pools and Dangars Falls.
TOWN: Armidale
We stopped again in Armidale last week. Yes, Heatley and I did meet here, but it holds many other lovely memories! Our son is finishing up there this month, so we’ll have to find other excuses to revisit – like the hotels, retail therapy and I only just read about the Armidale Aboriginal Cultural Centre! Plus beautiful churches, lovely towns nearby Guyra and Uralla – and bushranger history…
CAMP: Showground (pet friendly), caravan parks (some pets ok) and the new free camp at another uni hangout, Dumaresq Dam.
Find more destinations like Waterfall Way camping throughout Australia in the CAMPS 12 guide books, CAMPS Pendium boxed set and FREE updated CAMPS AUSTRALIA WIDE App.
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