Skirting the rim of spectacular escarpment country, this easy walk is replete with dramatic lookouts, tall waterfalls and even a hidden grotto. It’s a very accessible introduction to the spectacular scenery of Morton National Park, which is easily on a par with the Blue Mountains.
Verdict
This is a great walk for children and adults alike: the path is flat, there are steps for any graded sections, and the regular lookouts are perfect spots to take in the views of the tumbling falls and densely forested valley.
Even better, you can vary the length from a few hundred metres to the full 4km return walk, or turn back at any one of the many lookouts along the way (we walked about 2.5km return to the Grotto).
But be warned: this is a very popular walk. We had to fight our way through the crowds on a hot summer’s day. The numbers dwindled the further we got from the Visitors Centre but look elsewhere for a wilderness experience (I’m told the less-popular, longer and rougher East Rim walk, which skirts the eastern side of the escarpment, would be a better, if less child-friendly, option for those seeking solitude).
A busy day at Jersey Lookout, Fitzroy Falls, Morton NP
The walk at a glance
- All walks departs from the Fitzroy Falls Visitors Centre, about 18km south-east from Moss Vale
- Follow the path under the road-bridge and down to the Main Lookout directly adjacent the 80m Fitzroy Falls where you get a close-up view of the water tumbling onto large boulders below
- Jersey Falls is the second lookout and the best place to appreciate Fitzroy Falls in all its majesty – compare the scale of the main look out with the height of the falls in the photo below
- From there you follow a single path through dry sclerophyll forest to additional lookouts, more waterfalls and a secluded grotto (this was our return point)
- Lookouts are definitely the highlight of the walk
The 80-metre plunge to the Yarrunga Valley, Fitzroy Falls, Morton NP
Access and duration
- Full length is 4km but you can walk as few as several hundred metres to Jersey Lookout from the Visitors Centre
- We took about 1.5 hours (with a 5yo) to walk the 2.5km to and from The Grotto, including a stop for lunch next to a little creek (which turned into a waterfall)
Flat paths are the mainstay of the West Rim Walk, Fitzroy Falls, Morton NP
Flora/Fauna
- Given the walk’s popularity (and our midday timing), birds were in short supply
- There are some nice copses of banksia and Sydney Peppermint eucalypts along the way
Conditions
- We walked in late December with temperatures in the high-20s
- At midday, much of the walk was shaded by trees and there was a cool breeze too, making for pleasant walking conditions
Resources
- Walks, Tracks and Trails of NSW, Derrick Stone, CSIRO Publishing
- National Parks website
View from the Grotto, one of the main destinations along the West Rim Walk, Fitzroy Falls, Morton NP
View of the eastern escarpment, West Rim Walk, Fitzroy Falls, Morton NP
5 Comments
I did part of this walk during a stop off on the way from Goulburn to Nowra once for work. The views were indeed spectacular, and so surprising after all that English looking countryside ( if you come via the Southern Highlands). I had the place to myself, but it was midweek in Autumn. Thanks for reminding me about it!
You’re welcome Eliane… The Southern Highlands are definitely a place of contrasts. It was my first but definitely not last visit to Morton NP. I look forward to trying the East Rim walk next time.
[…] Fitzroy Falls walks (this one’s probably about 30 mins drive) […]
A great walk… lot’s of spectacular views for relatively little effort! You can combine the East Rim and West Rim tracks if you have time – although West Rim is the more scenic option! Didn’t look too busy in your photos – some of the lookouts can get pretty busy during school holidays.
Yes, it’s a great little walk. Would be even better to do it mid-week when there are less crowds.