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Rainbow Falls Hilo: Waterfalls on the Big Island of Hawaii

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Rainbow Falls Hilo

Rainbow Falls Hilo: Waterfalls on the Big Island of Hawaii

Rainbow Falls is located in Hilo, on the Big Island of Hawaii. Named for the rainbows that are often spotted in its mist each morning, Rainbow Falls are 80 feet tall and almost 100 feet in diameter. Waianuenue Falls is its Hawaiian name and means “rainbow seen in water”.

Part of the Hawai’i State Parks, there is no fee to see the falls.

Legends say that the cave beneath the waterfall was the home of Hina, mother of the demigod Maui.

Follow the path to the left of the look out to walk to a viewpoint at the top of Rainbow Falls.

Restrooms are available. To get to Rainbow Falls, take Waianuenue Ave. from downtown Hilo mauka for approximately two miles. Rainbow Drive branches off to the right just after crossing a bridge. Follow the signs to the parking lot. The park opens at sunrise and closes at dusk.

Read more about Rainbow Falls

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ʻAkaka Falls State Park: Waterfalls of Hawaii

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ʻAkaka Falls State Park

ʻAkaka Falls State Park: Waterfalls of Hawaii

See majestic ʻAkaka Falls, 442 ft high & one of the most iconic waterfalls on the Big Island of Hawaii, & Kahuna Falls in the one short hike.

ʻAkaka Falls State Park is located at the end of End of ʻAkaka Falls Road (Hwy. 220), 3.6 miles SW of Honomū on the northeastern Hilo Coast.

ʻAkaka Falls State Park

The 0.4-mile hike goes down into the valley via quite a lot of steps, so the path is not wheelchair or stroller accessible. It is, however, a short, easy walk for kids. The path weaves through a lush rainforest filled with wild orchids, bamboo groves and draping ferns.

ʻAkaka Falls State Park

Along the paved path first is 100-foot Kahuna Falls, followed around the bend by towering ʻAkaka Falls which plummets 442-feet into a stream-eroded gorge.

ʻAkaka Falls State Park ʻAkaka Falls State Park ʻAkaka Falls State Park

There is reasonable parking in the car park. A fee must be paid to enter ʻAkaka Falls State Park and see the waterfalls.

Read more about ‘Akaka FallsnState Park

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Find the best things to do in Hilo, Hawaii
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Enjoy Liluokalani Gardens in Hilo
See the Captain Cook Monument and Kealakula Bay
Get a glimpse of the past at the Waikoloa Petroglyphs
Get the best things to do on the Big Island of Hawaii
See a volcano up close at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Visit Rainbow Falls, Hilo
See a majestic waterfall at Akaka State Park, Hilo Hawaii
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Swim with giants on a manta ray night snorkel, Hawaii
See lava and land at the foot of a waterfall on a helicopter tour
Hold a seahorse at Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm Kona Hawaii

Wentworth Falls Walks Blue Mountains, NSW

/ Australia, Blue Mountains, NSW, Travel / 0 comment

Wentworth Falls Hike Blue Mountains Australia

Wentworth Falls Walks Blue Mountains, NSW

Enjoy breathtaking grand valley and waterfall views on the Wentworth Falls walks in the Blue Mountains National Park.

Blue Mountains Wentworth Falls

The Wentworth Falls track starts from Wentworth Falls picnic area. There is one main car park plus overflow parking on Falls road. The picnic area has shaded picnic tables and a decent bathroom.

Blue Mountains Wentworth Falls

If you’re catching public transport, regular trains run from Sydney Central Station to Wentworth Falls. The picnic area is around 2km walk along Falls Road, or you can catch a bus to the corner of Fletchers Road and Falls Road.

Blue Mountains Wentworth Falls

The road into the car park is sealed and easy to access. There is a wide, paved path from the carpark along to Jamison and Wentworth lookouts. 

Blue Mountains Wentworth Falls

The Wentworth Falls walk is 1.4km return, with an estimated time of 45min – 1hr. There are steep steps involved that are not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. The trade is a grade 3, and we found it quite do-able with our nine-year-old. There were plenty of younger children also completing the walk.

Follow the path past Jamison and Wentworth lookouts.

Blue Mountains Wentworth Falls Blue Mountains Wentworth Falls

Blue Mountains Wentworth Falls

Blue Mountains Wentworth Falls Blue Mountains Wentworth Falls

There is a steep descent of around 200 steps to the cliff-edge Fletchers lookout. This is a stunning spot to take a look at Wentworth Falls as it plunges 100m into the valley. 

Blue Mountains Wentworth Falls Blue Mountains Wentworth Falls Blue Mountains Wentworth Falls Blue Mountains Wentworth Falls

Keep following the path down a few more steps to the top of the Falls.

Blue Mountains Wentworth Falls

The Jamison Creek cascades into a shallow pool to one side, which makes for a lovely little paddling pool for kids.

Blue Mountains Wentworth Falls

The other side opens into the Jamison Valley. 

Blue Mountains Wentworth Falls

You can continue on a variety of routes from here, including the National Pass, Weeping Rock circuit, Undercliff track or historic Princes Rock lookout track.

Blue Mountains Wentworth Falls

We took the this round walk track, which is a short circuit through the bush and comes out at the most incredible view of the other side of Wentworth Falls.

Blue Mountains Wentworth Falls Blue Mountains Wentworth Falls Blue Mountains Wentworth Falls

Return to the car park via the same route. Take a towel and change of clothes if you’re planning on paddling in the cascades. 

Wentworth Falls
270 Govetts Leap Road, Blackheath
nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/wentworth-falls-track

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Wentworth Falls Hike Blue Mountains Australia

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Where to Find Beautiful Waterfalls in Sydney

/ Australia, NSW, Travel / 0 comment

Waterfalls in Sydney

Where to find Beautiful Waterfalls in Sydney

Ready to chase waterfalls in Sydney this weekend? You don’t have to look far to fund spectacular plunge waterfalls to satisfy your wanderlust.

Blue Mountains

Katoomba Cascades

Katoomba Cascades

Katoomba Cascades is a small waterfall on the Kedumba River, in the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains, 1.5 hours west of Sydney.

The cascades can be found in a bend on Cliff Drive, near Katoomba Park. There are some picnic benches in the park, making it the perfect place to stop for a break before heading down to the cascades. 

It’s a short 300 metre walk down to the falls, which takes about 15 mins. It can get quite muddy, so wear closed in shoes and possibly bring a change of shoes in the car.

Read more about visiting Katoomba Cascades.

Katoomba Falls

Katoomba Falls

The Katoomba Falls is a segmented waterfall that is located close between Echo Point and Scenic World, near Katoomba. The falls flow into the Jamison Valley in the Blue Mountains.

To view the falls, you can take the short, picturesque circuit walk starting at Scenic World. The 1.5km circuit, which takes about 1 hour 45 mins, goes through the rainforest, all the way to the waterfall, with panoramic views of Jamison Valley.

There is an excellent view of the falls from the Scenic World Skyway.

Wentworth Falls

Blue Mountains Wentworth Falls

The spectacular Wentworth Falls  are a true Blue Mountains gem, with plenty of surrounding bush walks to enjoy the region’s natural beauty. Head to the Wentworth Falls Picnic Area and the nearby Wentworth Falls Track, which leads past the Jamison and Wentworth lookouts and then descends to the spectacular Fletchers lookout.

Read more about visiting Wentworth Falls.

The Minni Ha Ha Falls

Minni Ha Ha Falls Katoomba Australia via christineknight.me

The beautiful Minni Ha Ha Falls (also known as Minniehaha Falls and Minnihaha Falls) are the reward hikers receive for taking the 1.3km trail down to the bottom of the valley floor. You can swim in the waterfall (be warned – it’s cold!) or just enjoy the serenity.

Get more info on visiting the Minni Ha Ha Falls here.
NOTE: the falls have been reported closed, so check they are open before going.

Southern Highlands

Carrington Falls

Carrington Falls, Southern Highlands, Australia

The magnificent Carrington Falls, a 50m waterfall plunging into a natural swimming gully, is located in the Budderoo National Park in the Southern Highlands of NSW.

The Kangaroo River flows over a sandstone escarpment into the gully below. There is a loop walk that takes approximately 25 minutes to complete and takes visitors to three lookouts with stunning views as well past cascades, waterholes and rockpools. 

Read more about visiting Carrington Falls here. 

Fitzroy Falls

Fitzroy Falls, Morton national Park, NSW, Australia

The spectacular Fitzroy Falls is located inside the Morton National Park, in the Southern Highlands of NSW, a two hour drive from Sydney or Canberra and 60mins from Wollongong. The 81-metre waterfall is easy to access and makes for a stunning day trip.

Fitzroy Falls are viewable from several lookout points, the first of which is only a short walk from the Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre and is full accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.

Read more about visiting Fitzroy Falls here. 

Belmore Falls

Belmore Falls

Belmore Falls is a plunge waterfall with three drops. It’s extremely easy to drive directly up to the lookout point and enjoy these stunning views over the Kangaroo valley. There is a 1.8km return walk that can be taken from the lookout to the top of the waterfalls.

Read more about visiting Belmore Falls here.

Central Coast

Somersby falls

Somersby Falls Central Coast

A popular place for family picnics and bushwalking, the Somersby Falls are located on the NSW Central Coast, an hour-and-a-half drive from Sydney.  

The Somersby Falls walking track is a 500m return walk that takes in views of the top and bottom waterfalls. Note that the walk is steep and can be slippery in places.

Read more about visiting Somersby Falls.

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Waterfalls in Sydney

Read more about visiting the Blue Mountains National Park. 

Visiting Somersby Falls on the NSW Central Coast

/ Australia, Central Coast, NSW, Travel / 0 comment

Visiting Somersby Falls on the NSW Central Coast

Somersby Falls Central Coast

A popular place for family picnics and bushwalking, the Somersby Falls are located on the NSW Central Coast, an hour-and-a-half drive from Sydney.  

The Somersby Falls picnic area has plenty of picnic tables and free barbecues available, plus lots of space to throw down a picnic blanket and set up your own table a chairs.

Set up either under the shade of the tall trees at the end of the carpark or next to Floods creek before it descends over the cascades.

Somersby Falls Central Coast

The Somersby Falls walking track is a 500m return walk that takes in views of the top and bottom waterfalls. Note that the walk is steep and can be slippery in places.

.The falls themselves can be a bit dry depending when you visit, so the best time is after a heavy rain (but mind how slippery that will make the track and be prepared). 

Somersby Falls Central Coast Somersby Falls Central Coast Somersby Falls Central Coast Somersby Falls Central Coast Somersby Falls Central Coast

There is an $8 entry fee into the park per vehicle per day. The park has coin-operated pay and display machines – please bring correct coins.

There are bathroom facilities available at the picnic area.

Somersby Falls
Somersby Falls Rd, Somersby
nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

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A Day At Katoomba Cascades

/ Australia, Blue Mountains, Katoomba, NSW, Travel / 0 comment

Katoomba Cascades

Katoomba Cascades is a small waterfall on the Kedumba River, in the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains, 1.5 hours west of Sydney.

Katoomba Cascades

The cascades can be found in a bend on Cliff Drive, near Katoomba Park. There are some picnic benches in the park, making it the perfect place to stop for a break before heading down to the cascades. 

It’s a short 300 metre walk down to the falls, which takes about 15 mins. It can get quite muddy, so wear closed in shoes and possibly bring a change of shoes in the car.

Katoomba Cascades

The trail is a very easy one, making it perfect for little kids to tackle as well. At the bottom of the walk is a bench seat and some shade, and plenty of rocks to sit on. If the weather is warm, it’s a beautiful spot to take off your shoes and go for a paddle in the bottom of the falls.

Katoomba Cascades

The water is very shallow at the base, making it a great spot for kids to splash around.

If you want to keep moving, the walk continues along the Kedumba River to a spot where there is a breathtaking view of the water falling into the valley. 

There are no bathroom facilities nearby, so play accordingly and bring plenty of water. 

If you’re after more things to do in the area, drive to the nearby (and extremely kid-friendly) Gingerbread Cafe, or enjoy some more nature with further bush walks around Leura, Katoomba and Blackheath. If you have children who are too young to take on longer bush walks, nearby Scenic World provides several different ways for families to enjoy the bush without much physical exertion.

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Carrington Falls and Nellies Glen, Budderoo National Park, NSW

/ Australia, NSW, Southern Highlands, Travel / 0 comment

Carrington Falls, Southern Highlands, Australia

Carrington Falls and Nellies Glen, Budderoo National Park, NSW

The magnificent Carrington Falls, a 50m waterfall plunging into a natural swimming gully, is located in the Budderoo National Park in the Southern Highlands of NSW.

The Kangaroo River flows over a sandstone escarpment into the gully below. There is a loop walk that takes approximately 25 minutes to complete and takes visitors to three lookouts with stunning views as well past cascades, waterholes and rockpools. 

Carrington Falls, Southern Highlands, Australia

The loop walk starts from northern car park off Jamberoo Mountain Road. Start at Carrington Falls picnic area, also known as Thomas Place. Located in the park’s north west, there is a picnic area here and rest rooms and the start of a variety of walking trails. The start of the path is paved and there is disabled access to the first lookout.

Carrington Falls, Southern Highlands, Australia

Carrington Falls, Southern Highlands, Australia Carrington Falls, Southern Highlands, Australia Carrington Falls, Southern Highlands, Australia

Further along the path are more lookouts and a gorgeous rock shelf with large pools of water.

Carrington Falls, Southern Highlands, Australia

Carrington Falls, Southern Highlands, Australia

Carrington Falls, Southern Highlands, Australia

From the lower car park, at the Nellies Glen picnic area, visitors can choose from more scenic walks, including the Warris Chair lookout track or Missingham lookout track for views over Carrington Falls Gorge. 

Nellies Glen picnic area is another gorgeous spot. A 100m walk from the car park leads to a short cascading waterfall that flows into a natural swimming hole. Bring towels and take a swim if you don’t mind the water on the chilly side!

Carrington Falls, Southern Highlands, Australia Carrington Falls, Southern Highlands, Australia Carrington Falls, Southern Highlands, Australia

Carrington Falls, Southern Highlands, Australia Carrington Falls, Southern Highlands, Australia

From the Nellies Glen picnic area we we also took the Warris Chair lookout trail, which is a 1km / 1 hour return walk to a gorgeous lookout.

Carrington Falls, Southern Highlands, Australia Carrington Falls, Southern Highlands, Australia Carrington Falls, Southern Highlands, Australia

Carrington Falls, Southern Highlands, Australia

Get more info on Carrington Falls here. 

Carrington Falls, Southern Highlands, Australia

Sydney Day Trips With Kids: Minni Ha Ha Falls, Katoomba

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Minni Ha Ha Falls Katoomba Australia via christineknight.me

The Blue Mountains are full of insanely beautiful waterfalls, many of which are well known and full of tourists, like the Katoomba and Wentworth Falls. We like to get off the beaten path a bit and avoid selfie sticks, so took a stroll one fine summer’s day out to the adorably named Minni Ha Ha Falls in North Katoomba (and yes, I wanted to visit them just so I could say over and over again “Minni Ha Ha”!).

Minni Ha Ha Falls Katoomba Australia via christineknight.me

The Minni Ha Ha Falls (also known as Minniehaha Falls and Minnihaha Falls) are just past the main Katoomba city centre turn off, on the opposite side of the road. From the Great Western Highway turn onto Civic Plaza, then turn left to the Station Street and follow Victoria Street until South Street, where you need to turn right. Turn left onto Minni Ha Ha Road and drive until you reach the small car park at the end of the road. This is Minni Ha Ha Reserve – a large park with a small playground and a few picnic tables.

Minni Ha Ha Falls Katoomba Australia via christineknight.me Minni Ha Ha Falls Katoomba Australia via christineknight.me

The 1.3km trail to the Minni Ha Ha Falls begins in the reserve. There is only one trail to follow until right before the falls come into view, so it’s very easy to find, although the path is very steep in the second part, very rocky, and, if it’s been raining, like it had been just before we visited, very slippery and filled with muddy puddles. Right before the waterfall are several sections with steep stairs and handrails. Cheese was a bit scared to do down them but, with a bit of encouragement, she descended them successfully.

Minni Ha Ha Falls Katoomba Australia via christineknight.me Minni Ha Ha Falls Katoomba Australia via christineknight.me Minni Ha Ha Falls Katoomba Australia via christineknight.me Minni Ha Ha Falls Katoomba Australia via christineknight.me Minni Ha Ha Falls Katoomba Australia via christineknight.me Minni Ha Ha Falls Katoomba Australia via christineknight.me

Don’t be put off by this description. While the walk was hard with a preschooler, it was absolutely do-able and Cheese had an amazing time. We helped her over the hardest bits, or where the path was flooded, but she otherwise walked the entire route there and back again on her own.

Minni Ha Ha Falls Katoomba Australia via christineknight.me Minni Ha Ha Falls Katoomba Australia via christineknight.me

The trail leads right to the base of the falls, which are a pretty impressive 20-metres tall. If you’re brave enough (and don’t feel the cold!) you can swim in the pool at the bottom, right underneath the waterfall.

Minni Ha Ha Falls Katoomba Australia via christineknight.me Minni Ha Ha Falls Katoomba Australia via christineknight.me Minni Ha Ha Falls Katoomba Australia via christineknight.me Minni Ha Ha Falls Katoomba Australia via christineknight.me Minni Ha Ha Falls Katoomba Australia via christineknight.me

Be warned: there are no bathrooms nearby, so go at the service station on the highway or be prepared for bush wees.

Minni Ha Ha Falls Katoomba Australia via christineknight.me Minni Ha Ha Falls Katoomba Australia via christineknight.me Minni Ha Ha Falls Katoomba Australia via christineknight.me Minni Ha Ha Falls Katoomba Australia via christineknight.me Minni Ha Ha Falls Katoomba Australia via christineknight.me Minni Ha Ha Falls Katoomba Australia via christineknight.me

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Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids here.

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Find the best animal experiences in Sydney here.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney here.

Find the best high teas in Sydney here.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney here.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day here.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney here.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney here.