Underneath a spectacular waterfall in the Byron Bay Hinterland.
Where to Base Yourself for Waterfall Adventures
If your goal is to visit multiple Byron Bay waterfalls in one trip, I recommend staying in Bangalow, a charming hinterland town just 20 minutes from Byron Bay. It’s a perfect central base to explore all the waterfalls on this list and other nearby attractions.
For interstate or international visitors, Bangalow is about 45 minutes from the Gold Coast Airport (QLD) and just over 2 hours from Brisbane.
Good to know: All the waterfalls in this guide can be reached in a standard 2WD vehicle. Although one does involve a short unsealed road, and most require a brief walk to reach.
Best Time to See Waterfalls in Byron Bay
As with all New South Wales waterfalls, these are best visited after decent and consistent rainfall. This region receives most of its annual rainfall totals in the late summer and autumn months (specifically January–May), although it is not uncommon to have rain in other months of the year too. I personally found May to be a great time to see all of the waterfalls with a steady flow.
Some waterfalls have larger catchment areas than others, so while one may be a trickle, another may still be flowing well. With this in mind, it’s worthwhile contacting the Byron Bay Visitor Centre for recent rainfall information to determine which waterfalls are worth visiting.
Must-See Waterfalls In The Byron Bay Hinterland:
Marom Falls in the Byron Bay hinterland.
1. Marom Falls.
Marom Falls is a real hidden gem in the Byron Bay hinterland. It is nestled in a pocket of rainforest surrounded by farmland. The waterfall itself is actually on private property, but the farmer allows public access so long as visitors are respectful.
To get to Marom Falls, park at the trailhead on Dalwood Road, 450 m west of the Boundary Road intersection near Goonellabah. At the time of writing, the trailhead is listed on Google Maps. There is a small gravel area where only a few cars can park.
Access to Marom Falls is at your own risk - the landowner accepts no responsibility for any injury or incidents. To find the waterfall, go through the fence by the parking area where the trees are signed. Follow a faint, unmarked trail through the paddock. After crossing a small gully, follow the trail parallel to the creek until you reach the top of Marom Falls. The walk is approximately 450 m each way and is quite easy.
Reaching the bottom is more difficult. If you follow the unfenced cliff line downstream from the top, you’ll see a faint trail that eventually drops off the cliff. From here, I found it fairly obvious where to climb down, but it is not something I can recommend. It is a vertical climb and a fall could result in serious injury. Proceed entirely at your own risk.
There are no facilities here, so carry out anything you take in. Pets are not permitted anywhere on the property.
2. Tosha Falls.
Tosha Falls is another quiet waterfall that is still relatively unknown in the Byron Bay area. I visited this stunning cascade and natural rock pool on a weekday and had it all to myself!
The waterfall is accessed from the end of Johnstons Road in Alstonville, just 30 minutes from Byron Bay. There is enough room at the end of the road to park a few cars without blocking access to the water treatment plant.
From the car park, walk along the grass around the perimeter fence of the treatment plant until you reach an obvious clearing that allows access to Tosha Falls. The entire walk from car park to waterfall is about 450 m, and you’ll arrive at the base of a lush little cascade.
There are no facilities here, so take out all rubbish. The nearest public toilets are at Geoff Watt Oval on Deegan Drive.
Tosha Falls, near Alstonville.
Minyon Falls in Nightcap National Park.
3. Minyon Falls
Minyon Falls is an impressive waterfall in the Byron Bay hinterland, plunging 100 m into the pool below. It’s one of the most popular waterfalls in the region for good reason.
Access is via Minyon Falls Road in Repentance Creek, NSW. There are two main parking areas with different viewpoints and hiking trails - approximately 42 minutes from Byron Bay or 35 minutes from Bangalow.
The route feels indirect, with winding country roads (sometimes rough) and minimal signage. Set your GPS before leaving town and trust the directions. Once you turn onto Minyon Falls Road from Coopers Creek Road, you’ll begin to ascend toward the top of the falls. The road becomes gravel but is generally in good condition - sometimes smoother than the earlier sealed roads!
You can park at either:
Minyon Grass Picnic Area – best for accessing the base and for a distant view of the falls.
Minyon Falls Lookout – offers a great view from the top and access to the base via a longer, steeper trail.
There are toilets at both car parks, but the lookout car park has more space.
4. Killen Falls
Saving the best for last - Killen Falls is my favourite waterfall in the Byron Bay region! It’s not as tall as Minyon Falls, but it’s easy to access, often has a healthy flow, and features a large overhanging basalt rock formation you can walk under.
Killen Falls is less than 30 minutes from Byron Bay and only 15 minutes from Bangalow. The car park is located at the end of Killen Falls Drive in Tintenbar. The hike to the lookout above the falls is less than 300 m on a well-maintained path. From here, it’s about 400 m to the base along a more rugged track - worth it if you’re steady on your feet.
Toilets are located near the car park.
Killen Falls from below.
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Marom Falls in the Byron Bay hinterland.
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A spectacular waterfall in the Southern Highlands, NSW.
5 Must-See Waterfalls In The NSW Southern Highlands.
New South Wales has no shortage of spectacular waterfalls, and the Southern Highlands Region is home to some of the best. Spanning from west of Bundanoon, to Jamberoo in the east, and as far north as Campbelltown - the highlands boast some spectacular and diverse scenery. The 5 waterfalls listed in this guide are all only a short drive from the town of Robertson.
Read about them here.
Read about them here.
Important Notes:
- I recommend doing your own research and visiting the local visitor information centre for the most up to date information, as the conditions can vary from year-to-year.
- Get the most enjoyment out of your visit whilst staying safe. Prepare for natural hazards (such as weather conditions & wildlife encounters) and other outdoor risks. Only you are responsible for your own safety and the safety of those in your care.
- Wear suitable footwear and appropriate clothing to protect yourself during your planned activities.
- Plan ahead and ensure to take enough food, fuel and water for your journey. It is always recommended to let a responsible person know your plans and report back into them once you have finished.
- Stay on the marked trails and obey signage.
- Always look after and prioritise the environment. Take rubbish back out with you, or place in bins if provided. Lack of respect for the environment gets these places closed down & ruins other visitors experience.
- Pets are prohibited in all of these locations, please leave your furry friends at home for these waterfall chasing adventures.