Winifred Falls

Download & Print Map and Notes

2 hrs

4.4 km One way

179 m

Hard track

Winifred Falls is one of the best waterfalls in Royal National Park. This walk not only goes to the magnificent falls but has the optional side trip down to the beautiful South West Arm Pools. Anice Falls are not as great as Winifred but worth the visit. The walk then continues through the heath to Maianbar Rd.

(0km) Warumbul Rd → South West Arm Pools Trk

1.4 km

33 mins

-117m Moderate track

From the intersection at the gate, this walk heads down the hill following the 'Winifred Falls Fire Trail' sign. The trail then steeply descends, as the vegetation starts to include more trees. The walk continues to wind down the hill for some time to the flat clearing at the intersection.

(1km) South West Arm Pools Trk → South West Arm Pools

370 m

6 mins

-9m Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection the track heads north, down stream, leaving the clearing of the intersection down a steep rocky section of track. The track reaches the pool below Winifred Falls within 15m. The track then leads from the pool along the creek line or above the creek line for approximately 300m down stream to a large pool with three large boulders on the left. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer left.

Winifred Falls

Winifred Falls, Royal National Park, is a large a picturesque waterfall created by a large rockshelf, over which pours South West Arm Creek. The waterfall has a large pool at its base which is an ideal place to get your toes wet.

(1km) South West Arm Pools Trk → Anice Falls

1 km

24 mins

88m

-48m Hard track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads out of the clearing and away from the service trail, heading towards the water, and after approximately 10m, comes to a grass plant. From the grass plant, the track continues for approximately 10m upstream, to then cross the river above the small waterfalls.
Continue straight: From the creek and waterfall, this walk heads onto a rockshelf where the track turns right, heading steeply up the hill. The walk continues up the hill for approximately 50m to a creek. The track then traverses a spur to a second creek. The walk then continues for a short time to a sign marked intersection.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign 'Maianbar Dr via Anice Falls'[1] through the trees for approximately 100m. The track then turns left and descends to the creek which creates Anice Falls. Just a little further downstream is the unfenced Anice Falls, tumbling over the cliffs.

Anice Falls

Anice Falls are viewed from the top which makes for a not-so-impressive view when compared to the neighbouring Winifred Falls. The falls are fed by a creek running off Mount Bass which then flows into the South West Arm Creek.

(2km) Anice Falls → Maianbar Rd

2 km

39 mins

86m

-18m Hard track

Turn right: From the top of Anice Falls, this walk climbs steeply up the hillside, keeping the falls below on the left. The track passes to the right of the rocky outcrop, then winds for some time through thick, low vegetation. After approximately 1.3km, the walk comes to a three-way intersection.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads up the hill through the dense scrub, away from the water (far below). The track continues for approximately 200m to the intersection with the road.

Maps for the Winifred 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.

Port Hacking	1:25 000 Map Series	91294N PORT HACKING	NSW-91294N
Port Hacking	1:100 000 Map Series	9129 PORT HACKING	9129

Cross sectional view of the Winifred Falls bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Winifred 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	4.4 km
		Time	2 hrs
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
		Signs	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
		Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

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

Gradient

Around 4.2km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 260m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

2.8km of this walk follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and another 1.4km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (260m) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

Around 2.7km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 1.8km has minimal directional signs.

Experience Required

Around 3.7km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 690m requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 4.4km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 2.8km of this walk has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged), whilst the remaining 1.7km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

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

Mt Bass- Winifred Falls

6.7 km Return, 2 hrs 30 mins

This walk follows Mount Bass Fire Trail, then a bush track, to Winifred Falls. Be prepared to get your feet wet crossing upper Winifred Falls. The Winifred Falls are really nice, and can be complemented by the brilliant side trip down to to South West Arm pools. These pools are a great place for a

Total climbing: 213m

Hard track

Loftus to Winifred Falls

11 km One way, 4 hrs

Following well-maintained bush tracks and service trails, this walk descends into the Royal National Park, to a spectacular set of pools and cascading falls on South Western Creek. The Royal National Park Information Centre, on Sir Bertram Stevens Drive, is approximately in the middle of this walk a

Total climbing: 400m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

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

Gibraltar Rock

858 m Return, 20 mins

This short walk starts near the Willow Tree Picnic Area (near Audley). The walk follows a short section of the historic Lady Carrington Drive to a large sandstone overhang called Gibraltar Rock. At the base of the overhang is a rare sandstone cobble section of road. At Gibraltar Rock, there are also

Total climbing: 17m

Easy track

Jersey Spring

5 km Return, 1 hr 45 mins

Starting near the Willow Tree Picnic Area (near Audley), this walk follows the northern section of the historic Lady Carrington Drive to Jersey Spring. Past the sandstone overhang of Gibraltar Rock, this walk follows the old road and the Hacking River, enjoying the palms and tall gums along the way.

Total climbing: 118m

Easy track

Willow Tree to Calala

10.5 km Return, 4 hrs

On this walk you follow the historic Lady Carrington Drive from Willow tree picnic area to Calala before returning the same way. The walk passes two icons on the old road, Gibraltar Rock and Jersey Spring whilst crossing several small brooks. At Calala you will find a large clearing and natural sh

Total climbing: 282m

Moderate track

Robertson's Roundabout

2.3 km Circuit, 1 hr 15 mins

From the Royal National Park Centre, this walk crosses the Hacking River before rising steeply up onto the ridge to fantastic views of the Hacking River. If you look into the distance you can see Cronulla on the horizon at the highest points. Towards the end of the circuit, with good views of the su

Total climbing: 146m

Hard track

Audley to Gibraltar Rock

2.2 km Return, 45 mins

This walk starts at the historical and beautiful Audley picnic area and dance hall. Have a picnic or enjoy a coffee from the cafe, before wandering along the quiet public road alongside Hacking River. After heading around the locked gate, you walk along the old Lady Carrington Drive trail for about

Total climbing: 55m

Easy track

Bungoona Path

918 m Return, 20 mins

This is a smooth and mostly flat walk with a fantastic lookout in the Royal National Park. The concrete path starts at the Area Office car park, passes a pleasant and usually quiet picnic area, then winds gently down through the bush. The path leads to the fenced Bungoona Lookout, where you can en

Total climbing: 30m

Very easy

Flat Rock Creek

294 m Return, 15 mins

This short walk explores a piece of the Royal National Park, with lovely wildflowers in spring, and some great sandstone rock formations. The main highlight is the creek. Flat Rock Creek, as the name suggests, has a solid and flat bed. The rock is red in colour and the water flows across the widt

Total climbing: 21m

Moderate track

Mowlee Ridge to Garie Beach

13.3 km One way, 5 hrs

This is a long and scenic walk down to Garie Beach. The walk travels along the ridge and then the heath covered cliff edge, with views over the coast and far out to see, as it meanders along to the beautiful Garie Beach. The descent from the headland onto Garie Beach also gives magnificent views of

Total climbing: 357m

Hard track

Heathcote to Audley

10 km One way, 4 hrs 15 mins

Passing through scrub and heath, this track goes into the Royal National Park along a well managed bush track, passing great pools and sections of creek at Karloo Pools and Uloola Falls. With some lovely rest spots at both of these places (especially with the toilet at Uloola) this walk is very plea

Total climbing: 327m

Hard track

Heathcote to Engadine via Audley

15 km One way, 6 hrs 30 mins

Covering a large section of central Royal National Park, this walk goes through the heath and scrub along a well managed and signposted track. The walk loops from Heathcote Railway Station around to Engadine Station. With public transport at both ends, toilets and water at both Uloola Falls and Rei

Total climbing: 635m

Hard track

Uloola Track (Heathcote to Waterfall)

11.3 km One way, 4 hrs 30 mins

This pleasant walk takes you from Heathcote to Waterfall Station. This walk ventures into central Royal National Park along a well maintained bush track. The walk goes via a beautiful set of waterholes and rock flats at Karloo Pools. The walk continues to the peaceful campsite at Uloola Falls and t

Total climbing: 388m

Hard track

The Karloo Track

5.6 km Return, 3 hrs

A popular trail for those wanting a well-signposted bush track, and a great place to swim. The Karloo Track follows the bush track from Heathcote Railway Station east, into the Royal National Park, to a great set of waterholes on Kangaroo Creek. This walk offers more than just a set of waterholes at

Total climbing: 312m

Moderate track