Wentworth Falls (waterfall)

Wentworth Falls is a three-tiered waterfall fed by the Jamison Creek, near the town of Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains region of New South Wales, Australia. The falls are accessible via the National Pass Walking Trail and the Overcliff/Undercliff Walk. The total height of the waterfall is 187 metres (614 ft).

Features and description

Near the falls, there is a rocky knoll that has a large number of grinding grooves created by rubbing stone implements on the rock to shape and sharpen them. These marks have been determined to be signs of early human habitation nearby.[citation needed]

In February 2013, following a period of high rainfall, the Wentworth Falls was reported as looking "spectacular" with torrents of water flowing.

Incidents and accidents

27-year-old Paul Marshall, an English tourist from Leicester, fell 76 metres (250 ft) off the waterfall and died while paddling in a rock pool in December 2000. Another English tourist, 20-year-old Josh Furber from Runcorn, slipped on rocks and died in January 2013 after falling 100 metres (330 ft) off the waterfall.

Access

A picnic area, accessible via a sealed road from the Great Western Highway, is located a short distance from the town of Wentworth Falls, with parking for cars and larger vehicles.

A view of the top of the falls is easily accessible from the Wentworth Falls Lookout which is accessed by a slightly sloping concrete path (wheelchair accessible) from the car park area. Stop first at the Jamison Lookout for views over the Jamison Valley.

There are two access points which lead down well-formed steps to Princes Lookout from where you can see most of the first two sections of the falls before they disappear into the valley below. A good way to do this walk to Princes Lookout is to walk out to the Wentworth Falls Lookout and then take the steps leading down to the falls, about an eight-minute walk. When returning take the left fork when you come to the meeting of two stairways, this will bring you back to the main pathway at the top near the Jamison...