The Waterfall Way Scenic Drive Highlights

It turns out we’ve been doing the Waterfall Way all wrong…

One of the most magnificent road trips in NSW, the Waterfall Way takes travellers through five national parks, dramatic gorge country and lush rolling farmland, with the chance to explore historic towns along the way. But while lots of guides to the Waterfall Way start at the Coffs Coast and work their way up to Armidale, we say it’s even better to be like a waterfall and flow down from the New England highlands to the sea.

Rather than joining the 185-kilometre Waterfall Way (also known as the B78) from the busy Pacific Highway, we suggest starting with a country drive along the New England Highway or Thunderbolts Way. As well as feeling easier to drive down winding roads than up, you’ll also be able to see the sweeping views open up in front of you as you make your way down the mountains. Here’s our guide to what to see and do along the Waterfall Way.

Thunderbolts Way NSW — Take the winding country roads along Thunderbolts Way. (Image: Destination NSW)

Armidale to Ebor: 81 kilometres

Start your road trip in Australia’s highest city, Armidale, where you can stroll along streets lined with heritage-listed buildings and see Australian art treasures at the New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM).

Armidale Post Office — Discover the many charms of the country town of Armidale in the New England region.

The indoors of a museum with white wall and colorful frames, and two people walking past. — A visit to NERAM’s vibrant art gallery featuring Australian art collections, artist’s studio, shop, and café is a nice addition to your road trip. (Image: Destination NSW)

As you drive east along Waterfall Way it’s only half an hour to Wollomombi Falls, the first waterfall of the trip and the highest in NSW. After rain the falls are a spectacular sight as the water cascades 220 metres into the valley below.

Wollomombi Gorge Oxley Wild Rivers National Park — See the highest waterfall in NSW at the impressive Wollomombi Falls. (Image: Harrison Candlin Photography)

In dryer times you may not see the waterfall, but it’s still worth stopping to look out over the massive wild gorge from the viewing platform near the car park, or you can stretch your legs along the four-kilometre return, grade three Wollomombi walking track.

Listen to local elder Steve Widders share Wollomombi gorge Dreaming stories on the Wollomombi Falls soundtrail, where you can also learn about the ecology and colonial history of the area.

Continue along the Waterfall Way to the New England National Park, where the Point lookout walking track offers incredible 180-degree views over World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests all the way to the ocean.

Point Lookout New England National Park — Soak up the 180-degree views of the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests in New England National Park. (Image: Harrison Candlin Photography)

With its sealed track, this 500-metre, grade one loop is easy for the whole family; the first lookout is only 100 metres from the car park and is accessible for those with mobility issues. Be sure to keep an eye out for the lyrebirds who call this ancient rainforest home.

Explore the New England National Park. (Image: Harrison Candlin Photography)

Keep your hiking boots on as you drive another 35 minutes to Cathedral Rock National Park, where you can go rock hopping on huge boulders. There are short walks from the campgrounds to enjoy, as well as the six-kilometre return, grade five Cathedral Rock track for more experienced hikers who’ll be rewarded with scenic views from the summit.

Then it’s only a 20 minute drive to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Australia: Ebor Falls. With its upper and lower falls, this tiered wonder turns Guy Fawkes River into a white water beauty. Unfortunately the viewing platforms that were lost in the bushfires have yet to be replaced, but you can still see part of the falls from behind a safety barrier.

Rainbow and brown trout thrive in the rivers and streams around Ebor, and in trout fishing season they can also be caught in the Bielsdown River that flows through the village. Just outside Ebor you can visit the Dutton Trout Hatchery, which raises two million trout to be released into NSW waterways annually.

Shop

In Armidale’s open-air Beardy Street Mall the New England Collective shares a wide range of products from local designers and artisans, while Granny Fi’s Toy Cupboard is filled with handmade dolls, dragons and other fantastic creatures.

Armidale Plaza is a mix of national brands and local shops. Discover special New England blend teas at the award-winning Daily Ritual, and find a handcrafted hat – or have one custom made for you – at New England Hatters.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

Eat

Start your day in Armidale with breakfast at The Goldfish Bowl, where the organic bread is traditionally baked on the hot bricks of the oven floor, and the coffee is roasted on site.

A yellow pastry on a white and blue plate with a coffee in a brown mug in a wooden table. — Choose from a delicious range of pastries and start your road trip day in the right way. (Image: Destination NSW)

For a great pub lunch, White Bull has you covered; think pub classics, Thai salads and daily specials. When it’s time for dinner, the Napoli-style wood-fired pizzas at Signor Vertelli are a stand out, while at Tattersalls Hotel you can choose between fine dining in the restaurant and more casual meals in the pizza garden.

A photo of a cake, ice cream and fruit on a white plate. — The cake is served at the Tattersalls Hotel in Armidale – it is the perfect excuse to stop by. (Image: Destination NSW).

In Ebor, the family-friendly Fusspots Cafe serves sandwiches, salads and light meals for breakfast and lunch.

Stay

After a multi-million dollar renovation, Armidale’s Tattersalls Hotel has been transformed into an Art Deco delight in the heart of the city. As well as restoring period features including a sweeping walnut staircase and pressed tin ceilings, the makeover offers guests a range of luxurious rooms and a stylish lounge area.

An historical facade of a hotel painted in white under a blue sky. — The Tattersalls Hotel in Armidale is the perfect spot for the discerning traveller and locals alike. (Image: Destination NSW)

Outside Ebor, Moffat Falls is a regenerative farm with a range of accommodation options, including cabins, a cottage, and a fly fishing lodge. The latter can sleep up to eight guests in four bedrooms, each with balconies overlooking the property’s waterfall.

On the edge of the escarpment in the New England National Park, The Chalet is a cosy cabin that can sleep up to three people. Enjoy a BBQ on the deck with a view, and step out your front door to join walking tracks through World Heritage-listed rainforest.

Ebor to Dorrigo: 46 kilometres

Watch the landscape change to rolling green hills as you make your way from Ebor to Dorrigo. While it only takes around 40 minutes to drive between the village and the small town, the views change so dramatically it’s easy to believe you’re in a different part of the country.

A 4WD driving through a scenic forest near Dorrigo. — Be prepared to open your windows and get your cameras out as you will be driving through the scenic forests of Dorrigo. (Image: Destination NSW)

Step out onto the Skywalk at the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre, a 70-metre boardwalk that takes you over the edge of the escarpment for panoramic views of the rosewood rainforest basin and Bellinger Valley. Dorrigo Rainforest Centre is also where you can learn about local plants and animals, and get tips on how to make the most of your time in the Dorrigo National Park, including guided tours and the best walking tracks for your level of fitness.

Highlights include the Crystal Shower Falls walk, a 4.4-kilometre, grade two walk that takes you through World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest and over a small suspension bridge. After admiring the falls from the bridge you can walk down to a rocky cavern behind the waterfall to look back out at the rainforest through the falling water. For those with more time and energy, the Wonga Walk takes in both the Crystal Showers Falls and the Tristania Falls on a 6.6-kilometre, grade two loop.

Crystal Shower Falls Dorrigo National Park — Hike to the magical Crystal Shower Falls in Dorrigo National Park.

On the other side of Dorrigo, just a few minutes’ drive from the centre of town, Dangar Falls can be viewed from above (thanks to a platform right next to the car park) or from below (after a 20-minute walk down to the water’s edge). If the water’s warm enough you can swim out to the 30-metre-high falls, but this is best for stronger swimmers as the water is deep and there’s no chance to rest.

A photo of waterfalls. — Admire the picturesque and scenic Dangar Falls. (Image: Destination NSW)

Shop

Thanks to an excellent gift shop in the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre you may find yourself doing a spot of shopping before you make it out of the national park.

In town, The Mountain Merchant has a well-curated selection of clothing, gifts, beauty and wellness products, with a focus on sustainable Australian labels. Miss Wink is another top spot for gifts and homewares.

Eat

In a cute cottage on Hickory Street, Components Cafe serves up flavour-packed all-day breakfasts and lunches, with vegetarian and gluten-free options available. The cafe also sells local products including bespoke timber furniture and cruelty-free organic skincare in compostable timber pots by Avirida.

At the Lookout Mountain Retreat, Waterfall Way Cafe & Bistro serves fresh seasonal dishes with ingredients sourced from their own onsite garden and local farmers and producers. Sit by the huge stone fireplace in colder months, or enjoy the outdoor terrace when the sun is shining.

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Stay

Just a few minutes out of town, looking out over the Dorrigo National Park, the newly refurbished Lookout Mountain Retreat has 26 comfortable rooms including queen, family, triple-share and executive suite layouts. The retreat also has its own deer enclosure, where the family can get close to the gentle creatures as they explore the grounds.

The Dorrigo Town House B&B has a king-size bed with linen sheets, a kitchenette with an air fryer and microwave, and a Smart TV with streaming services ready to go. Bikes and helmets are provided for those who’d like to explore on two wheels; if relaxing is more your thing, you can arrange to have a massage in your B&B.

Dorrigo to Urunga: 44 kilometres

You may now be saying goodbye to the big waterfalls of the trip, but keep an eye out for the smaller falls on the sides of the road as you wind your way down to Bellingen. Here the road is so narrow that at times you’ll need to take turns to cross single lane bridges; enjoy taking it nice and slow, and wind down your windows to hear the calls of rainforest birds as you go.

Explore the independent boutiques and organic cafes in bohemian Bellingen, and discover the wildlife and rich ecosystems along the Bellinger River from the water with Bellingen Canoe Adventures.

A photo of a couple on a canoe along a river. — Get a splash of fun by treating yourself and your family to a tour with Bellingen Canoe Adventures along the Bellingen River. (Image: Destination NSW)

Follow the last stretch of the Waterfall Way through fertile farmland to Urunga, where the Bellinger and Kalang rivers flow into the sea. Walk along the wheelchair-accessible Urunga Boardwalk, keeping an eye out for bottlenose dolphins in the estuary, and watch for humpback whales from May to November.

Urunga NSW — The Bellinger and Kalang rivers flow into the sea at Urunga.

Urunga is just half an hour’s drive from Coffs Harbour and a great base to explore the national parks and beaches in NSW’s first eco destination, Coffs Coast.

Boats docked in a marina between mountains. — Lying on the spectacular Coffs Coast, Coffs Harbour is a wonderful destination for family holidays and memorable adventures. (Image: Destination NSW)

Shop

The heritage-listed Hammond and Wheatley Commercial Emporium, one of the most beautiful buildings in the area, features decorative cement renders, pressed metal ceilings and cedar joinery. It’s now home to the clothing and homewares store Emporium Bellingen, as well as the eclectic Dervish Gallery.

Browse boutiques in historic buildings along Hyde Street, including local handmade and sustainable clothing at The Collective. On the third Saturday of the month you can check out stalls by local artisans, growers and producers while listening to live music at the Bellingen Community Markets.

A photo of a street in a town centre with cafes where people are sitting down. — Explore Bellingen’s town centre. (Image: Destination NSW)

In Urunga you can find clothing, cosmetics and gifts (as well as getting your brows done) at Banksie Blue, while the Urunga Riverside Market hosts stalls, entertainment and food on the Boardwalk on the second Saturday of the month.

Eat

In Bellingen, enjoy a quick bite with wine and cocktails or share a grazing-style meal that includes swordfish and slow cooked lamb in a renovated church at Cedar Bar & Kitchen. For wood-fired pizzas and craft beer, Bellingen Brewing Co is the place to be, while the Old Butter Factory Cafe shares tasty classics in a building with more than 110 years of history.

Start your mornings in Urunga with a hearty breakfast or a sweet treat at Pomegranate, then end your day with a Mediterranean-inspired dinner at Embers Restaurant.

Stay

Relax on a 100-acre sanctuary on the Never Never River at the Promised Land Retreat, where guests can choose between three architecturally designed chalets with fully equipped kitchens, large living areas, decks and spa baths.

At the Riverside Holiday Resort in Urunga there are 40 two-bedroom apartments featuring open-plan kitchen, dining and living rooms, including five wheelchair-accessible units. All the units can cater for up to six people and have their own patios or balconies, with a shared pool, trampoline and BBQ area.

To plan your trip and download maps and itineraries, visit My Waterfall Way.

Bate Bay’s sweep of beaches has been crowned Australia’s best for 2026, placing Sutherland Shire in the spotlight as a top coastal destination just south of Sydney’s CBD.

The beaches fringing Bate Bay – Cronulla, North Cronulla, Wanda, Elouera and Greenhills – have topped Tourism Australia’s 2026 list of best Australian beaches (as curated by Beach Ambassador Brad Farmer). For locals, it’s less revelation, more recognition.

The mood shifts from the moment you step off the T4 train service from Central to Cronulla and catch a glimpse of the ocean. At dawn, the Esplanade is already buzzing with regulars, and by mid-morning, parents have staked out a toasty spot on Cronulla Beach where excited toddlers clamber over rocks, and the Jellybean swim squad at Oak Park have donned their bright pink caps while singing Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’.

By the afternoon, towels are being collected from across the sand as visitors wander back to Cronulla in loose formation.

North Cronulla beach — Dive into the world’s best beaches.

That’s the thing about Bate Bay beaches. This isn’t a story about a single beach. This long, uninterrupted sweep of sand and sea, where you can walk for kilometres without breaking stride, is not just enjoyed over summer; it’s a year-round destination. Here, Cronulla’s buzz gives way to Wanda’s wild edges, before stretching out to the quieter reaches of Greenhills.

But while Bate Bay’s beaches may have taken top honours in the 2026 Best Australian Beaches list, they’re only part of the drawcard. Sutherland Shire stacks up as a full-spectrum coastal escape, where good food, national park adventures and on-the-water experiences sit within easy reach of the shoreline. Whether you’re planning a long weekend or stretching out a stay, here’s how to make the most of Cronulla beyond the sand, sea and surf.

Beyond the beaches

Dining

The Sutherland Shire dining scene delivers from early morning to late at night with a mix of vibrant cafes, bars and pubs. Start your day at Grind Espresso, where the coffee comes strong and fast. From there, drift towards HAM for pastries, best eaten buttery warm.

By midday, locals linger across sun-lit tables. Loaf and Next Door appeal to the surfers who come in for snacks after chasing waves. Blackwood’s Pantry and The Press are also popular for breakfast and lunch, while Pilgrim’s continues to hold a special place in the hearts of vegans.

Newer arrivals signal where Cronulla is heading: Homer Rogue Taverna is being hailed as one of the best restaurants in Cronulla, with the confidence that comes from understanding what locals want. Ask a local to reveal their favourite restaurant for a special occasion, and it’ll likely be Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare, Yalla Sawa or Alphabet Street. Summer Salt, Sealevel, Benny’s, Bobbys and Pippis are a few of the best waterfront restaurants in the Shire.

Finally, when most places are winding down, Duke’s Providore shifts gears to become Duke’s After Hours – a low-lit romantic spot perfect for a date night. Parc Pavilion, Northies Cronulla and bars The Blind Bear, Las Chicas and Low & Lofty’s are also part of Cronulla’s identity.

Visit Bundeena

Bundeena Ferry Wharf — Catch a ferry to Bundeena.

A short ferry ride from Cronulla, Bundeena offers a counterpoint to Cronulla’s mighty surf beaches. If Cronulla is the Shire’s social heart, Bundeena – or Bundenesia, as it’s affectionately known – is the place to go to exhale and unwind.

Hop on the ferry from Cronulla, and within 30 minutes, you’ll be inhaling the eucalyptus-scented air. Check the creative pulse of the local community by timing your visit with the Bundeena Maianbar Art Trail on the first Sunday of every month.

One of the best things to do in Bundeena is paddle into Cabbage Tree Basin with Bundeena Kayaks. Follow the five-kilometre Jibbon Beach Loop Track that leads past quiet coves to ancient Indigenous rock art, or simply find a stretch of pearl-white sand to relax on.

Pristine walking trails

Royal National Park Cape Baily Walking Track — Cool off with a coastal stroll.

Beyond the coastline, Sutherland Shire offers myriad ways to shift gears. Royal National Park – the oldest national park in Australia – sits just minutes from the surf. Clifftop walks trace the edge of the continent, the rugged bushland is threaded with creeks and hidden waterfalls, and a network of tracks rewards those willing to go a little further.

Take the Coast Track, where the land drops cleanly into the ocean over sheer cliffs that have been stacked together like giant Jenga. Or veer inland, where pockets of forest cool the air and filter the light. It’s a reminder of how close nature sits to the bustle of suburbs in the Sutherland Shire.

Enjoy whale watching

humpback whale sighting noosa experiences — Spot whales from May to October. (Credit: The Edit Suite)

Twist your binoculars until the ocean is in focus, stretched like a creased blue sheet all around. Come May, the East Coast becomes the humpback highway. Thousands of whales migrate along this stretch of coastline each year, their movements tracked by keen eyes from vantage points like the Cape Solander platform in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, one of the best places for whale watching in Australia. There’s something quietly thrilling about seeing that first telltale spout or the arc of a breaching body against the vastness of the sea. From June to October, whale-watching cruises depart from Cronulla, offering a closer look at the migration.

Awards come and go. But places like Cronulla endure because they belong as much to the visitors as they do the early-morning swimmers, walkers and surfers.

Plan your escape at visitsutherlandshire.com.au.

The new way to do the Waterfall Way

It turns out we’ve been doing the Waterfall Way all wrong…

Armidale to Ebor: 81 kilometres

Shop

Eat

Stay

Ebor to Dorrigo: 46 kilometres

Shop

Eat

Stay

Dorrigo to Urunga: 44 kilometres

Shop

Eat

Stay

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