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 ITINERARY 

Itineraries for the Waterfall Way Scenic Drive - 1, 3 & 5 days

Do you want to drive The Waterfall Way, but not sure how best to tackle the many sights found along this incredible scenic drive? Then this is the right place for you.

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First of all, it kind of goes without saying that with so much to see, it is recommended to give yourself as much time to explore The Waterfall Way as possible. The last thing you want is to feel rushed or to miss something because you ran out of time!

 

So, here are three suggested itineraries for a short (1-day), medium (3-day) and long (5-day) trip along The Waterfall Way. All of the itineraries head from Armidale to Coffs Harbour, but can be flipped if going east to west.

 

Whichever itinerary you choose, an early start each day will help you get the most of your time. And remember to prioritise the day’s activities, so you know what to cut if you start running short on time.

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Not sure what The Waterfall Way is all about? Then check out this related blog which provides the ultimate guide to The Waterfall Way.

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Also, be sure to download the PDF guide, which includes park maps, a travel time and distance chart, detailed track descriptions for all walks, these suggested itineraries and more!

1-day Itinerary - Beginner/Short

This is the perfect itinerary for those who don't have a lot of time, or don't want to do any of the longer walks and are happy just to see the main lookouts and short walks. This is also a great itinerary for those looking for wheelchair accessible sights along the drive.

 

Follow these simple steps for an amazing day.

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  1. Get an early start from Armidale.

  2. Drive to Oxley Wild Rivers National Park (30 mins).

  3. Walk to the Main Falls Lookout (30 mins).

  4. Drive to and view Edgars Lookout (15 mins).

  5. Drive to New England National Park (45 mins).

  6. Walk the Point Lookout track (30 mins).

  7. Drive to Ebor Falls (30 mins).

  8. Walk the Ebor Falls track (1 hr).

  9. Drive to Dangar Falls (45 mins).

  10. Walk to the base of the falls for a swim and lunch* (2 hrs).

  11. Drive to Dorrigo Rainforest Centre (10 mins).

  12. Walk to the Skywalk Lookout (15 mins).

  13. Drive to the Glade picnic area (5 mins).

  14. Walk the Crystal Shower Falls track* and Walk With The Birds Boardwalk* (2.5 hrs).

  15. Drive to Coffs Harbour (1 hr).

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Total time: 9.75 hrs
Driving: 233 kms
Walking: 9 kms

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* These walks are not wheelchair accessible.

Point Lookout

Above: The incredible view from Point Lookout at sunrise, in New England National Park. 

3-day Itinerary - Intermediate/Medium

This is the perfect itinerary for those exploring The Waterfall Way over a long weekend, hitting all the main lookouts and short walks, plus adding in a little extra adventure with some additional short and medium walks. 

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Follow these simple steps for an adventure-filled three days.

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Day 1

 

  1. Get an early start from Armidale

  2. Drive to Oxley Wild Rivers National Park (30 mins).

  3. Walk to the Main Falls Lookout (30 mins).

  4. Walk the Wollomombi track (2 hrs).

  5. Drive to and view Edgars Lookout (15 mins).

  6. Drive to New England National Park (45 mins).

  7. Walk the Eagles Nest track (1.5 hrs).

  8. Walk the Tea Tree Falls Walk (1.5 hrs).

  9. Optional: Walk the Point Lookout track for sunset (30 mins).

  10. Camp at Thungatti campground or stay in a cabin in the park.

 

Total time: 7.5 hrs
Driving: 85 kms
Walking: 11.1 kms

 

Day 2

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  1. Walk the Point Lookout track (again) for sunrise (30 mins).

  2. Pack up camp or check out (45 mins).

  3. Walk the Cascades track (3.5 hrs).

  4. Drive to Barokee campground in Cathedral Rock National Park (40 mins).

  5. Have lunch and set up camp (1.5 hrs).

  6. Hike to the summit of Cathedral Rock for sunset (3 hrs).

  7. Camp at Barokee campground.

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Total time: 9.75 hrs
Driving: 30 kms
Walking: 11.1 kms

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Day 3

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  1. Pack up camp and drive to Ebor Falls (20 mins).

  2. Walk the Ebor Falls track (1 hr).

  3. Drive to Dangar Falls (45 mins).

  4. Walk to the base of the falls for a swim (1.5 hrs).

  5. Drive to Dorrigo Rainforest Centre (10 mins).

  6. Walk to the Skywalk Lookout and have lunch (45 mins).

  7. Walk the Wonga Walk and Walk With The Birds Boardwalk (3.5 hrs).

  8. Drive to the Promised Lands (35 mins).

  9. Have a walk and swim at the Promised Lands (1 hr).

  10. Drive to Coffs Harbour (45 mins).

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Total time: 10.25 hrs
Driving: 143 kms
Walking: 10.2 kms

Cathedral Rock

Above: The view from the summit of Cathedral Rock at sunset, in Cathedral Rock National Park. 

5-day Itinerary - Advanced/Long

This is the perfect itinerary for those with more time and who want to tick off each and every walk and sight along The Waterfall Way. 

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Follow these simple steps for an adventure-packed five days.

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Day 1

 

  1. Get an early start from Armidale

  2. Drive to Oxley Wild Rivers National Park (30 mins).

  3. Walk to the Main Falls Lookout (30 mins).

  4. Walk the Wollomombi track (2 hrs).

  5. Walk the Chandler track (2 hrs).

  6. Drive to and view Edgars Lookout (15 mins).

  7. Drive to New England National Park (45 mins).

  8. Walk the Eagles Nest track (1.5 hrs).

  9. Walk the Tea Tree Falls Walk (1.5 hrs).

  10. Optional: Walk the Point Lookout track for sunset (30 mins).

  11. Camp at Thungatti campground or stay in a cabin in the park.

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Total time: 9.5 hrs
Driving: 85 kms
Walking: 15.1 kms

 

Day 2

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  1. Walk the Point Lookout track (again) for sunrise (30 mins).

  2. Walk the New England Combo track - including the Lyrebird track, Weeping Rock, Cascades track & Wrights Lookout (5 hrs).

  3. Drive to and view Beech Lookout for sunset (30 mins).

  4. Camp at Thungatti campground or stay in a cabin in the park.

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Total time: 6 hrs
Driving: 18 kms
Walking: 8.7 kms

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Day 3

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  1. ​Pack up camp or check out (45 mins).

  2. Drive to Native Dog Creek campground in Cathedral Rock National Park (30 mins).

  3. Walk the Woolpack Rocks and Warrigal tracks (4.25 hrs). 

  4. Drive to Barokee campground in Cathedral Rock National Park (20 mins).

  5. Have lunch and set up camp (1.5 hrs).

  6. Hike to the summit of Cathedral Rock for sunset (3 hrs).

  7. Camp at Barokee campground.

 

Total time: 10.5 hrs
Driving: 46 kms
Walking: 14.2 kms

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Day 4
 

  1. Pack up and camp and drive to Ebor Falls (20 mins).

  2. Walk the Ebor Falls track (1 hr).

  3. Drive to Dangar Falls (45 mins).

  4. Walk to the base of the falls for a swim (1.5 hrs).

  5. Drive to Dorrigo Rainforest Centre (10 mins).

  6. Walk to the Skywalk Lookout and have lunch (45 mins).

  7. Walk the Lyrebird Link and Wonga Walk (3 hrs).

  8. Drive to the Glade picnic area (5 mins).

  9. Walk the and Walk With The Birds Boardwalk (30 mins).

  10. Stay in Dorrigo - lot of camping and accommodation options are available.


Total time: 8 hrs
Driving: 70 kms
Walking: 9.3 kms

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Day 5

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  1. Pack up camp or check out and drive to Never Never picnic area (15 mins).

  2. Walk the Never Never Combo track - including the Rosewood Creek Circuit, Casuarina Falls track and Red Cedar Falls track (5 hrs).

  3. Have lunch on the walk or at the picnic area.

  4. Walk to Callicoma Falls (1 hr). 

  5. Drive to the Promised Lands (50 mins).

  6. Have a walk and swim at the Promised Lands (1.5 hrs).

  7. Drive to Coffs Harbour (45 mins).

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Total time: 9.5 hrs
Driving: 88 kms
Walking: 13.5 kms

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Note: This itinerary is for advanced hikers and involves constant movement with limited downtime. It involves 60.8 kms of hiking and 307 kms of driving over 5 days. 

 

To see the entirety of the Waterfall Way, complete all the tracked walks, and do so with some downtime incorporated into your itinerary, it is advised to give yourself at least 7 days. There really is so much to see on this fantastic scenic drive!

Rosewood Circuit

Above: Standing at the base of Red Cedar Falls in Dorrigo National Park. 

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