Somersby Falls

Download & Print Map and Notes

20 mins

426 m Return

39 m

Moderate track

This short walk starts from the Somersby Falls picnic area and follows the series of waterfalls along Floods Creek. The picnic area provides barbeques, picnic tables, toilets and ample parking. This walk could make part of a great family day out in the area. The main falls drop onto a large rock platform and are best viewed after rain.

Somersby Falls Picnic Area

Somersby Falls Picnic Area is located at the end of Somersby Falls Rd, inside Brisbane Water National Park. There is parking (and coach parking), gas BBQ's, picnic tables and bench seats, toilets (include wheelchair accessible) garbage bins, recycling bins, tap water (not for drinking) and information signs. This is a great and popular spot to enjoy a picnic lunch and the waterfalls. A national Park entry fee applies for cars driving in.

(0km) Picnic Area → Int with 1st Falls lookout

30 m

1 mins

-7m Moderate track

From the information board at Somersby Falls Picnic area (at the end of Somersby Road), this walk follows the 'To the Falls' sign down the stone, then timber stairs. At the bottom of the timber staircase the walk comes to an intersection with a short path leading to the 1st Fall Lookout.

(0km) Int with 1st Falls lookout → 1st Falls lookout

20 m

-2m Moderate track

Turn right: From the bottom of the stairs, this walk follows the flat path down a couple of steps, keeping the fence to the left. The path soon leads to the fenced and signposted '1st Falls' lookout. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer right.

1st Falls lookout

The 1st Falls Lookout at Somersby Falls is the upper most lookout. The fenced and signposted lookout provides a view down onto the top Somersby Fall. The lookout is a short walk from the picnic area and provides good but limited view compared to the lower view points.

(0km) Int with 1st Falls lookout → Int with side falls track

40 m

1 mins

-7m Moderate track

Veer left: From the bottom of the stairs, this walk follows the stone stairs down the hill (keeping the valley to the right). The track passes through some pleasant bush, past a metal arrow post to come to a faint 'T' intersection with a dirt track.

(0km) Int with side falls track → side falls

10 m

-1m Moderate track

Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the narrow flat track keeping the gully on the right. The track soon leads to a small waterfall and sandstone overhang. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.

side falls

Side Falls is an informal name for a small horseshoe shaped falls near the main Somersby falls. The waterfall is on a small tributary of Floods Creek. The water flows over a sandstone overhang onto the slippery rock platform. The creek then heads into the gully and heads underground for a while.

(0km) Int with side falls track → Int of Top fall and Bottom Fall tracks

20 m

-4m Moderate track

Veer right: From the bottom of the stone steps, this walk follows the timber steps and track down the hill. The track soon leads to a 'Y' intersection with a 'Top Fall / Bottom Fall' sign.

(0km) Int of Top fall and Bottom Fall tracks → Bottom of Top falls

50 m

1 mins

-1m Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Top Falls' sign to the visible rock platform. (The rock platform can be slippery and there is an unfenced cliff, care is needed). Once on the rock platform, the walk turns right to visit the falls. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

Somersby Falls (top)

The main Somersby Fall is signposted at 'top falls' in the Brisbane Water National Park. The water cascades steeply down the jagged rock face onto a large rock platform. The unfenced rock platform at the base of the falls is interesting to explore. The water continues its flow across the rock and over another ledge to form the 'bottom falls', then down to Mooney Mooney Creek.

(0km) Int of Top fall and Bottom Fall tracks → Bottom of Bottom Falls

120 m

3 mins

-18m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Bottom Falls' sign down the hill (keeping the main valley on the right). The track soon heads along a sandstone platform (passing a metal arrow) and down the stone steps to come to a timber platform. The walk follows the platform and heads down the staircases. At the bottom of the timber staircases, the walk turns sharply right to follows the stone steps down to the creek (On the way the track passes over a slippery unfenced rock ledge, care is needed). Just before the creek there is a 'No Track Beyond this point' sign. The steps then lead to the rock platform at the base of the falls. (The rock platform can be slippery and there is an unfenced cliff)

Somersby Falls (bottom)

The bottom Somersby Falls (signposted 'Bottom Falls') in Brisbane Water National Park, is found in Floods Creek. Here the water cascades down the cliff and through the mossy boulders to the rock platform. The falls are particularly specular after rain and tranquil most of the time. A great spot to rest and enjoy the cool of the rainforest before climbing back up the hill.

Maps for the Somersby Falls walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Gosford	1:25 000 Map Series	91312S GOSFORD	NSW-91312S
Gosford	1:100 000 Map Series	9131 GOSFORD	9131

Cross sectional view of the Somersby Falls bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Somersby Falls

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	426 m
		Time	20 mins
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

Around 120m of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 90m has short steep hills.

Quality of track

Around 180m of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 30m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 180m of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 30m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 120m of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 90m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 120m of this walk is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 90m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 120m of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 90m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Somersby Falls walk.

Somersby & Mooney Mooney Creek Loop

20 km Circuit, 7 hrs 30 mins

<b>**Closed**</b> The link track west of Somerby Falls is closed, an alternate route is been sought. This loop walk takes you through the Brisbane Waters National Park, starting from the Girrakool picnic area and exploring Piles Creek down to the Mooney Mooney Creek Junction. The walk meanders back

Total climbing: 744m

Moderate track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Somersby Falls walk.

Eastern Girrakool Loop

803 m Circuit, 20 mins

This walk explores the eastern branch of the Girrakool Loop track. Starting from the car park, this walk first visits the Aboriginal Engraving site. Before reaching Broula Lookout, there is an optional side trip to a lovely section of Piles Creek. There is a second optional side trip, to Illoura

Total climbing: 39m

Moderate track

Girrakool Aboriginal Engravings track

378 m Return, 10 mins

This short walk takes you from the Girrakool picnic area to the Aboriginal Engravings site, located on a large rock platform. From the picnic area, the walk follows a well-maintained track to the signposted site. The engravings have faded but with a bit of time, it is still possible to see the eng

Total climbing: 21m

Easy track

Girrakool Loop track

1.4 km Circuit, 45 mins

Starting at the well-established Girrakool picnic area, this walk visits four lookouts and an Aboriginal engravings site. The walk offers a couple of side trips, visiting some nice spots on Piles Creek. The views from each of the lookout are filtered through trees, but still worth the visit. The wa

Total climbing: 55m

Moderate track

Girrakool to Patonga

24.8 km One way, 10 hrs

This walk explores the main ridge of Brisbane Water National Park. Starting at Girrakool picnic area in the north, this track heads over Scopas Peak, with some excellent views over Mooney Mooney creek, and then over Mt Wondabyne, further south. As the track approaches the southern edge of Brisbane

Total climbing: 1083m

Hard track

Girrakool to Patonga Overnight

24.8 km One way, 2 Days

This overnight walk explores the main ridge of Brisbane Water National Park. Starting at Girrakool picnic area in the north, this track heads over Scopas Peak, with some excellent views over Mooney Mooney creek, and then over Mt Wondabyne, further south. Much of this walk follows the Great North Wal

Total climbing: 1083m

Hard track

Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls

12.3 km One way, 5 hrs 30 mins

This walk starts from the Girrakool picnic area and winds down alongside Piles creek, before climbing up through the Brisbane Waters National Park to Scopas peak, and then on to the lovely Kariong brook falls. The walk finishes at the Staples Lookout. This walk mostly follows a section of the Grea

Total climbing: 697m

Hard track

Girrakool to Wondabyne station

9.5 km One way, 4 hrs

This walk starts from the Girrakool picnic area and winds south, through the Brisbane Waters National Park. The walk crosses some long rock flats and climbs to the top of Scopas Peak, providing views spanning right across the park. The walk then continues down to Wondabyne station, and provides an

Total climbing: 438m

Hard track

Girrakool to Wondabyne station via Pindar caves

18.1 km One way, 7 hrs 30 mins

This walk starts from the Girrakool picnic area and winds south, following Piles creek into the Brisbane Waters National Park. The walk crosses over Scopas Peak and continues down to Pindar caves, passing the Pindar lookout and Pindar Pool on the way. From the caves the walk backtracks some distance

Total climbing: 741m

Experienced only

Girrakool to Woy Woy station via Mt Wondabyne

20.7 km One way, 8 hrs 30 mins

This long day-walk starts from the Girrakool picnic area and works its way south, alongside Piles creek and through the Brisbane Waters National Park. The walk climbs over Scopas Peak and passes the Kariong brook falls, before winding to the top of Mt Wondabyne and finishing at the Woy Woy train st

Total climbing: 870m

Hard track

Piles Creek Loop

4.2 km Circuit, 2 hrs

Starting from the Girrakool picnic area, this walk takes you on a round trip through part of the stunning Brisbane Water National Park. The walk explores both sides of Piles Creek, rewarding you with its waterfall and lookouts. Girrakool picnic area also has barbeques and toilets.

Total climbing: 306m

Moderate track

Western Girrakool Loop

1.1 km Circuit, 30 mins

This walk explores the western half of the Girrakool Loop track. From the picnic area, this walk heads down the footpath to Illoura Lookout, with views down over Piles Creek (there is an optional side trip to the top of the waterfall). The walk then has another optional trip to Bundilla Lookout, p

Total climbing: 43m

Moderate track

Mooney Mooney Creek Trackhead to Somersby

16.1 km One way, 6 hrs

This enjoyable walk starts from where the old Pacific Hwy where you walk along dirt roads and trails for while alongside the wide Mooney Mooney Creek, and under the huge F3 Mooney Mooney bridge. The wide track continues upstream, passing a few campsites before crossing the wide creek at a pleasant l

Total climbing: 680m

Hard track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Somersby Falls walk starts and ends at the Picnic Area (gps: -33.401114, 151.27011)

Car. Parking fees apply in the area.<br /> (get details)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Hunter weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Brisbane Water National Park

Brisbane Waters National Park is situated south west of Gosford perched on the Hawkesbury River. The park is characterised by sandstone features, Aboriginal engravings, flowery heaths, bird life and spectacular water views. Brisbane Waters NP has many bushwalks through the are with the Great North Walk passing through the middle of the park.

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