7 Magnificent Waterfalls Near Byron Bay

If you can’t get enough of nature’s magnificent waterfalls, Byron Bay is within reach of some pretty memorable ones.

The Northern Rivers region is home to an incredibly diverse range of stunning waterfalls, all within driving distance of Byron Bay on the Traditional Lands of the Bundjalung people. While some have swimming holes to enjoy, others are just about admiring the falls from afar. There are even a couple of waterfalls that are best experienced at night.

Add these amazing waterfalls to your next Byron Bay itinerary, but remember they are always best visited after a decent rainfall. Also make sure to leave no trace behind – respect the land and always take your rubbish with you.

NOTE: Please check the NSW National Parks website for safety updates and closures before you embark on visiting any of the below waterfalls.

1. Protestors Falls

Distance from Byron Bay: One-hour drive
Where: Nightcap National Park
Parking: Yes
Difficulty: A short, easy 1.4-kilometre return walk
Swimming: No

This would have to be our favourite one of all. Protestors Falls, nestled perfectly into the World Heritage rainforest of Nightcap National Park, takes its name from a protest that happened back in 1979 by a group of conservationists who were trying to stop the area from being logged. They were thankfully successful. To access the falls, make use of the car park (there’s plenty of space) and take a peaceful stroll along the lovely timber boardwalk to reach the falls.

Protesters Falls in Nightcap National Park, Byron Bay, NSW — The falls are nestled within Nightcap National Park. (Image: Brian McLachlan/DCCEEW)

This spectacular waterfall plunges 25 metres into a natural pool below. As tempting as it may seem, swimming is not allowed here, as it’s an important habitat area for a range of endangered frogs, including the threatened Fleay’s barred frog. In any case, it is the most stunning place to sit, listen to the birds and soak up the magical energy of this ancient land.

You can also enjoy a picnic at the nearby Teranian Creek picnic area. If you’re adventurous enough to come back at night, you’ll be treated to the most incredible light show by thousands of glow worms and bioluminescent mushrooms that light up the forest – it’s truly an astonishing sight to behold.

Couple at Protesters Falls, Nightcap National Park, Northern Rivers — Take the 1.5-kilometre return walk to Protester Falls. (Image: The Legendary Pacific Coast)

2. Minyon Falls

Distance from Byron Bay: 45-minute drive
Where: Nightcap National Park
Parking: Yes
Difficulty: A short and easy stroll from the car park
Swimming: Yes

Minyon Falls is a 45-minute drive from Byron Bay and is one of the region’s most popular falls. Also in Nightcap National Park, Minyon Falls are set amidst the spectacular World Heritage-listed Gondwana rainforest. It’s just a short and easy stroll from the car park along a pretty walking track to the falls lookout.

Boardwalk within Nightcap National Park on the North Coast of NSW — Walk through the spectacular World Heritage-listed Gondwana rainforest to reach the falls. (Image: Destination NSW)

A plunging waterfall with an impressive 100-metre drop, the water cascades over huge rhyolite cliffs that were once part of the Tweed Volcano. You can choose to view this magnificent waterfall from above (at the lookout), or you can hike down to the base of the falls and view it from there (and jump in for a swim if you feel like it). If you’re in the mood for a longer walk, you can opt to take the nine-kilometre loop track that winds through the valley of the giants, with its huge Brush Box and Strangler Fig trees, and past Condong Falls as well.

Minyon Falls, Nightcap National Park — Marvel at the impressive 100-metre drop of Minyon Falls. (Image: Destination NSW)

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3. Goonengerry Falls

Distance from Byron Bay: 45-minute drive
Where: Goonengerry National Park
Parking: Yes, at the clearing on Garrong Road
Difficulty: A 10-minute walk from the car park
Swimming: Yes

The Goonengerry Waterfall can be found within Goonengerry National Park, it’s considered a bit of a hidden treasure. To reach the waterfall, it is an easy loop walk from the northern end of the car park. From there, you can choose to swim in the little rock pools at the top, enjoying the beautiful views over the mountains, forest and the waterfall itself.

Coopers Creek in the Northern Rivers region of NSW — The waterfalls plunge into the tranquil Coopers Creek. (Image: Dianne Brown/DCCEEW)

You can’t actually see the whole waterfall, but you can see enough, and the setting itself is dramatic and beautiful. There is also an option to walk the Goonengerry Waterfall loop track that passes by two beautiful waterfalls plunging into the valley below to join Coopers Creek. It’s a decent 10-kilometre round trip that can get a little challenging in parts, but definitely worth it if you have the stamina.

4. Killen Falls

Distance from Byron Bay: The closest of all the falls, just a 25-minute drive
Where: Tintenbar (between Byron Bay and Ballina)
Parking: There is a car park but spots are very limited
Difficulty: An easy 10-minute walk to the lookout, but a longer/harder trip to the falls
Swimming: Yes

Killen Falls can be found in Tintenbar, in the hinterland between Byron Bay and Ballina, and is one of the more accessible falls to visit. It’s also located in one of the last remaining areas of intact Big Scrub local rainforest in the region. A short and easy walk from the car park to the falls lookout, it’s then another 400 metres or so down a rocky nature path to reach the base of the falls (it can get a bit slippery when wet but there is a handrail to support you).

Killen Falls Tintenbar — Killen Falls is just a 25-minute drive from Byron Bay. (Image: Destination NSW)

A beautiful 10-metre plunge waterfall that culminates in a deep green, rainforest water hole at Emigrant Creek with cave-like rocks as the backdrop – it’s an enchanting setting. You can choose to walk to the cave behind the cascade of water for a beautiful view back under the falls – and you won’t even get wet! Be sure to pack your swimmers, but note the pool has a shallow, rocky bottom and water levels can vary. Turtles can sometimes be spotted here as well!

5. Whian Whian Falls

Distance from Byron Bay: One-hour drive
Where: Whian Whian State Conservation Area
Parking: Yes
Difficulty: An easy five-minute walk
Swimming: Yes

Whian Whian Falls is another favourite in the Northern Rivers. It’s a beautiful place for a swim, located in the Whian Whian Falls Conservation Area near Nightcap National Park. To reach the falls from the car park, look out for a clearing and a little track on your left-hand side.

Whian Whian waterfall within Whian Whian State Conservation Area, NSW — Explore the gushing waters of Whian Whian Falls. (Image: John Spencer/DCCEEW)

From there, follow the fence until you arrive at the lookout, just a short five-minute walk. There are two different swimming holes to choose from. Getting down can be quite slippery and muddy if it has recently rained, but otherwise, it is generally fine. There is also a lovely picnic area to enjoy. Go early, it can get busy.

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6. Marom Creek Falls

Distance from Byron Bay: 50-minute drive
Where: Rous Mill, seven kilometres from Alstonville
Parking: There is no car park (and no signage), just grab a park on the side of the road
Difficulty: A nice and easy walk to the top of the falls
Swimming: Yes

Marom Creek Falls is much more off-the-beaten-track but it’s definitely worth travelling for. A double waterfall that plunges into a large swimming hole, it’s a truly magical setting. The falls are located on private property (but the owner doesn’t mind you visiting) near Dalwood, so you will need to find a park on the side of the road, jump a fence and then cross the countryside.

After heading down several hills and a rock face, you’ll reach the base of the falls. It’s only a 5-10 minute walk. You will no doubt see people jumping into the water from the edge of the cliff (it’s a three-metre drop), but if that’s not for you, there’s always the option to swim in the little stream at the top.

7. Hanging Rock Falls

Distance from Byron Bay: 1.2-hour drive
Where: Near the town of Nimbin
Parking: Yes, for a small fee
Difficulty: On the harder side, with a bit of rock climbing involved
Swimming: Yes

Hanging Rock Falls offers an incredibly magical setting for a rainforest swim in a very beautiful and large swimming hole that is more than seven meters deep (in parts). The water is usually crystal clear and you will be surrounded by lush greenery and the cascading waterfall beside you. It is quite something.

High up on the cliffs, you will find a rope that is very fun for swinging on, and there’s also a fallen log that is perfect for jumping off (being careful of course). This one can get quite busy as well, so go early. There is parking too, but be prepared to pay a small fee. It’s definitely worth it though!

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.

7 magnificent waterfalls to visit near Byron Bay

If you can’t get enough of nature’s magnificent waterfalls, Byron Bay is within reach of some pretty memorable ones.

1. Protestors Falls

2. Minyon Falls

3. Goonengerry Falls

4. Killen Falls

5. Whian Whian Falls

6. Marom Creek Falls

7. Hanging Rock Falls

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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.