Valley of the Waters Creek

Valley of the Waters is situated at the end of Fletcher Street and the Conservation Hut Cafe. This area is the start or end of several walks of varying grade and length and also provides access to Queen Victoria Lookout, Empress Lookout and Lyrebird Lookout. From there you can walk to Empress Falls, Sylvia Falls, Lodore Falls, Vera Falls as well as Flat Rock and Brittania Red Rock.

Empress Falls may be reached by a direct walking track, which descends steeply through temperate rainforest from the Conservation Hut Cafe. Cool, moist, shady conditions prevail, and the area is a rich wildlife habitat. Empress Falls is a spectacular waterfall in the Valley of the Waters. The Valley of the Water Creek comes out of the slot in the cliff and drops 30 metres into a deep pool where locals swim. The water is so deep and cold that it's not easy to find the bottom. The fall is the site of the last abseil in a popular canyon, making a great site for walkers in the area. Stepping stones help walkers cross below the falls. There is a small overhang next to the falls, giving the area shade and offering a great place to rest.

From in front of Empress Falls, this walk heads downstream along the track, keeping the creek to the left. After passing the 'Track' sign (pointing back up to the falls), the walk heads down the steps (with handrail). Soon the steps lead to the base of a wide cascade - Sylvia Falls. From Sylvia Falls, this walk heads downstream along the track, keeping the creek and handrail to the left. Soon after heading down a staircase, the walk comes to a creek crossing at the base of Lodore Falls.

Sylvia Falls on the Valley of the Waters Creek is a lovely tall cascade. The falls are in a deep sandstone canyon with mossy walls. The stairs and handrail pass closely to these falls, helping walkers get nice and close. From near the top of the falls, there is a great view down the valley looking between the canyon walls.

Lodore Falls are a lovely set of falls on the Valley of the Waters Creek. The narrow falls have a staircase on one side and stepping stones (and handrail) crossing the bottom, making it easier for walkers to appreciate this waterfall from many angles. Just beyond the handrail, the water falls over another cliff, providing a great view down the valley.

The next waterfall - Flat Rock Falls is a little bit further down the track. The other three waterfalls, Brittania Falls, Vera Falls and Hippocrene Falls are quite far from there and the track is steep and hard.

Directions: Driving up the highway from Sydney to Wentworth Falls, turn left at the second set of traffic lights into Falls Road. Continue along Falls Rd for 1.25km and turn right into Fletcher St. Drive 750m to the end of Fletcher St and you're at the Conservation Hut. There is a walks information signboard on the hut wall just to the left of the entrance and the shop itself has pamphlets, books, maps etc as well as being an excellent spot to have a cuppa and indulge in their scrumptious food.