Macquarie Pass National Park – Cascade Falls Hike

Nae and I are so excited to showcase one of our favourite local tracks and a crowd favourite here in the Illawarra.

Cascade Falls is a stunning short waterfall walk at the base of Macquarie Pass just south of Wollongong.

We love it because the path is mostly easy making it an excellent walk for families and a popular wild swimming location during warmer months.

As locals living in Wollongong, we have spent many summers taking the kids wild swimming at Cascade Falls.

We’ve found this walk to be a fantastic introduction to hiking for those not confident with bushwalking.

So if this sounds like a track for you, and you’d like to know more, read on…

Where is Cascade Falls in Macquarie Pass National Park?

Cascade Falls is situated in the Macquarie Pass National Park, 2 hours from Sydney or only 45 minutes from Wollongong, NSW.

Cascades is one of 3 waterfall locations along Macquarie Pass, making it a highly sought-after location for hiking, abseiling, swimming and photography. Other great walks include the popular Jump Rock and Clover Hill Road.

Sadly, Jump Rock is closed indefinitely due to track deterioration/landslides and fines apply if you get caught in the area. The good news is that halfway up Macquarie Pass is the stunning Clover Hill Road with several waterfalls to enjoy.

Directions / Where To Park?

Click the link to Google Maps for directions to Cascade Falls.

There’s a car park at the Cascades Picnic Area, but it gets busy in summer, on weekends and holidays. That said, we’ve never had an issue finding a park.

What To Expect from the Cascade Falls Hike?

From the moment you enter the canopy, it feels like you have walked back in time to a world untouched by civilization. You can feel the temperature drop in the cool of the luscious, green subtropical rain forest with ferns and native flora all around.

That, along with the sound of the stream flowing beside you makes the tranquillity palpable.

Every few steps give a glimpse of something different and a new photo opportunity. Along the path, you’ll discover small side tracks to get down to the stream.

It has its own beauty to behold with moss-covered rocks, vines hanging across the stream and small waterfalls meandering through the many boulders along the way.

As you descend the final staircase into Cascade Falls, you will be greeted with a pretty waterfall flowing through an aperture in the rock wall with a little pool at the bottom and boulders scattered all around.

You can explore the area by walking behind the huge boulder in the centre of the path and crossing a little natural causeway.

Be careful, the rocks are slippery and require extra caution, especially if children are present. If water is flowing heavily though, it’s not recommended to cross.

This idyllic setting is beautiful to sit and admire, take photos, or take a picnic and enjoy while the kids splash about in the water.

It’s the kind of place you could stay for hours or 10 minutes and still feel like you have enjoyed it fully.

If however, you would like to explore Cascade Falls Further, there are several tiers to this gorgeous waterfall that you can discover below in our Hidden Gem section.

Hidden Gems of Cascade Falls

At Cascade Falls there are several waterfalls to explore… well, that’s if you don’t mind climbing steep ascents.

Please Note – The following tracks are NOT recommended for children as slopes are very steep and slippery, especially after rain. But if you’re happy to get your hands dirty, this next part is for you.

If you are looking at Cascade Falls, off to the right you will see a steep, red dirt track heading straight up the hill.

If you are new to this kind of hiking, carefully climb the hill holding onto the exposed tree roots. Just make sure that each root you hold onto is firmly fixed to the ground so you don’t slip.

Please also make sure that your footing is secure before taking each step.

At the top of the climb (after you catch your breath) you’ll notice two paths. Take the path to the left and follow this for about 1 minute until it brings you to the rocky creek bed.

Looking left, you’ll see the top of Cascade Falls, this is a high drop so be careful not to get too close. Then to the right is, in my opinion, one of the prettiest falls on this hike.

These stunning falls flow side by side; one through a crevice carved deep in the rock and another cascading into a bigger pool below.

The best part is that few know of its existence. This means fewer people to contend with, especially if you want to take photos or take a dip to cool off.

Now, you can sit here and enjoy the beauty in solitude, or, if you’re keen to explore further, there are a few more waterfalls to see.

If you are up for another climb.

However, the track is a little trickier to find to get to the next level of waterfalls.

While facing the top of Cascade Falls, to the right you should see a fallen tree.

Just before that tree, through the bushes, there is a less worn track.

It’s hard to see at first, but once you find it, the trail is pretty clear.

Scramble up the trail keeping the water stream on your right until it brings you down into the next waterfalls.

And this picturesque view is the first thing that greets you.

From here, you can climb the rocks on the right of the little falls to bring you to the last set of falls on our hike.

You can venture further up, but in summer there are cobwebs galore and the track is very overgrown, so this is where we stopped this time.

Not a pretty bad effort given the beauty we have seen.

Stick around for a bit and enjoy the scenery, take some photos, or even try to spot the water dragons before heading carefully back to the bottom to Cascade Falls and out.

A couple of things to note when adding these additional falls to your hike.

This will extend your hike time by about 1.5hrs bringing your total time required to 2.25hrs – 2.5hrs. Maybe longer, depending on how much time you spend in each section.

Another thing to note is that heading into less trekked areas means you are more likely to come across wildlife.

It’s not uncommon to see water dragons close to the falls.

While hiking up the hills you may even come across a snake, especially if you are hiking in warmer months, so please keep your eyes open and give them a wide berth.

Important Information

How Long is the Trail?

From the car park to the waterfall, it’s only about 800m, taking about 20min to walk, especially if you love taking photos… because there are plenty of opportunities to take snaps along the way!

For this reason, we recommend at least an hour for this hike so you can get the most out of it.

What is the Signage and Trail Quality Like?

There is a sign with a map at the beginning of the trail, about 100m from the car park heading towards the mountain. The sign has interesting facts about the Macquarie Pass National Park, along with some general rules for using the track.

If you would like a map, you can take a photo to use, but it isn’t necessary as the track is pretty straightforward.

The only thing to note is that shortly into the track there is a fork in the road. Just follow the stream to your right on the way in and to your left on the way out and you won’t go wrong.

The trail is well-worn, clearly marked and of good quality.

What is the Track Difficulty?

The Cascade Falls Hike difficulty is medium. However, the track is generally easy. The reason for the medium rating is the number of staircases along the track. Other than that, the track is easy to complete for most fitness levels.

What Should I Wear?

We suggest a good pair of shoes. We always wear our hiking boots, but if you don’t have any, sneakers will do just fine as long as they have good grip.

Even though it’s generally warm in the Macquarie Pass National Park, we recommend wearing long pants. As you are in the Australian bush, you might come across snakes and other wildlife.

Water, sunscreen, hat, snacks and insect repellent for ticks and leeches are also important.

This hike is fairly short and easy and doesn’t require many supplies. For more information on what to take hiking, please click here.

Is This Track Child Friendly?

Yes. Children as young as 2 years old have walked this track. Just remember the track is beside a stream, so caution is required.

Is There Wheelchair Access?

There is no wheelchair access along this walking track.

Is There Swimming at Cascade Falls?

Generally, yes, however, after long periods without rain, the water can become a bit murky. It is also not recommended for swimming after heavy periods of rain, as dirt and debris can wash in.

It’s best to gauge on arrival. If the water is clear and fresh flowing, it’s a beautiful place to cool off.

When is the Best Time of Year to Visit?

If you are looking to swim at Cascade Falls – Macquarie Pass National Park, then warmer months are best to visit, however, these can also be the busiest months to go.

We have been here in all seasons and find in every season there is something incredible to see.

So don’t let the cold stop you from coming to see this beautiful place.

Is There Phone Service?

There is limited phone service in all of the Macquarie Pass National Park.

Are Pets Allowed?

No pets other than certified assistance animals are permitted according to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services. For more information please check their website.

Is Smoking Allowed?

All NSW National Parks are no smoking areas according to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services. For more information please check their website.

Is Cascade Falls Worth the Trip?

In short, absolutely! All in all, the Cascade Falls – Macquarie Pass National Park hike is a trail that just keeps on giving.

Even if you’re only going to see the bottom falls, it’s still a beautiful location. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, you find there is always more beauty to behold… every time you go.

For more hiking locations within the Illawarra area, feel free to check out our Top 13 Wollongong Walking Tracks. Or if you’re looking for easy walks, we have a family friendly Wollongong walks too.

If you are looking to stay overnight in the Wollongong area, there is plenty of accommodation available.

Click on the link below for a list of options for you.