There is a popular loop walking track called the ‘Nature Track’ that starts and ends at the Conservation Hut in Wentworth Falls. The main track is around 3.0 kilometres long and would be rated as ‘easy’.
It includes a handful of lookouts (which are nice, but not spectacular), but it also leads to a number of waterfalls – including the impressive Empress Falls.
To reach several of these, you need to deviate off the main track at various point – but you are well rewarded for the effort taken.
Unlike my efforts to visit various falls in 2021, this trip was in the midst of one of the wettest summers for many years, so the many water systems all over the Mountains were flowing very well indeed.
It is well worth noting that like most routes to waterfalls in the Mountains, these involve steep descents into valleys or gorges. And where you go down, you have to eventually come back up. So the trip was very worthwhile, even though the climb out of the gorge that the Empress Falls nearly killed me!
Even though the main track is very popular on a warm, sunny day, it is not hard to find more secluded spots along the route, and with such abundant water flows, there were 2-3 places suitable for a relaxing dip in the cool waters if you are so inclined.
Location
Getting to the Start/Finish of the Nature Track at the Conservation Hut is easy:
At the time of writing, the café that used to be conveniently located in the Conservation Hut has closed down, due to Covid. Hopefully it won’t be long before another opens there.
The parking area has capacity for around 20-25 cars.
This map shows the main spots I visited on this trip:
Images
Isobel Falls
Isobel Falls was the first on the trail. These are a small, gentle cascade nestling in a dark little glen. So dark (even on this bright sunny day), that the slow shutter speeds needed to blur the water were possible without an ND filter.
Flora’s Bath
Flora’s Bath is a delightful little falls set in a secluded glen off the main track (see map above). It isn’t enough to swim in, but a refreshing paddle is a fine thing on a hot day.
Asmodeus Pool
Asmodeus Pool is an absolute gem. It’s only around 20 metres or so off the main trail, but a large boulder and log sit in the exit to the pool and need to be clambered over to gain access. We wary of the slippery surfaces in the wet. Once there, you can go for a proper swim if you wish, with the pool being fed from a small fall at the exit of a tiny slot canyon.
Empress Falls
The Empress Falls are impressive waterfalls – especially with the flow levels I saw. It is popular with abseilers, and there are one or two shots with them in to give a sense of scale to the 30+ metre falls.
Owing to its great scenic beauty, much of the land around Empress Falls Canyon was among the first in the Blue Mountains to be set aside as a recreation reserve back in the 1870s, during the reign of Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and her Australian colonies. Another of Victoria’s titles was Empress of India and the stunning falls were named in her honour.
The smaller, very green flows are from a different source to the side of the main falls.
