Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Start	(-33.7199986,150.3629813)
Mode	Bus Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From Great Western Highway, Wentworth Falls. Turn on to Valley Road then drive for 1 km Turn right onto Fitzgerald Street and drive for another 90 m Turn right onto Fletcher Street and drive for another 145 m

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Find the car park at the start.
	After another 10 m turn right. After another 15 m pass the toilet (4 m on your right). After another 20 m find the "Conservation Hut" (on your left). Conservation Hut Conservation Hut Conservation Hut is a small cafe perched above the Valley of the Waters, Blue Mountains National Park. The hut was opened in 1963 as a meeting place for the local conservation movement. Rebuilt, Conservation Hut opened as a cafe in 1993, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week. Around the Conservation Hut is a small parking area, public toilets, picnic shelters, town water and B&B's. For further information or bookings call (02) 4757 3827. + - Conservation Hut is a small cafe perched above the Valley of the Waters, Blue Mountains National Park. The hut was opened in 1963 as a meeting place for the local conservation movement. Rebuilt, Conservation Hut opened as a cafe in 1993, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week. Around the Conservation Hut is a small parking area, public toilets, picnic shelters, town water and B&B's. For further information or bookings call (02) 4757 3827. Then pass the picnic table (25 m on your left). Then pass the sign (5 m on your left).
	Continue straight. After another 6 m head down the steps (about 4 m long)
	Veer right, to head along Valley of the Waters Track. Then pass the picnic table (6 m on your left).
	After another 20 m (at the intersection of Valley of the Waters Track & Short Cut Track) continue straight, to head along Valley of the Waters Track. Then pass the sign (on your left).
	After another 155 m (at the intersection of Valley of the Waters Track & Overcliff Track) continue straight, to head along Valley of the Waters Track. Then pass the sign (on your left). After another 155 m pass the sign (on your left).
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Queen Victoria Lookout. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. Turn right, to head along Valley of the Waters Track. After another 70 m find the "Empress Lookout" (on your left). Empress Lookout Empress Lookout Empress Lookout is a fenced and signposted lookout, perched on a sandstone overhang above the Valley of the Waters Creek. There is a view down to part of the Empress Falls and into the canyon. The views are filtered through the surrounding trees. It makes for a good spot to catch your breath when walking into, or out of, the Valley of the Waters. + - Empress Lookout is a fenced and signposted lookout, perched on a sandstone overhang above the Valley of the Waters Creek. There is a view down to part of the Empress Falls and into the canyon. The views are filtered through the surrounding trees. It makes for a good spot to catch your breath when walking into, or out of, the Valley of the Waters.
	Turn right, to head along Valley of the Waters Track. After another 10 m pass the sign (on your right). After another 100 m pass the picnic table (about 30 m ahead). Then pass the sign (about 30 m ahead). Then pass the "Isobel Falls" (about 35 m ahead).
	At the intersection of National Pass Track & Nature Track turn left, to head along National Pass Track. After another 30 m cross the stepping stones.
	At the intersection of National Pass Track & Isobel Creek continue straight, to head along National Pass Track. After another 45 m find the "Empress Falls" (6 m on your right). Empress Falls Empress Falls Empress Falls is a spectacular waterfall in the Valley of the Waters. The Valley of the Water Creek comes out of the slot in the cliff and tumbles down a series of cliffs to a sandy pool. The fall is the site of the last abseil in a popular canyon, making a great site for walkers in the area. Stepping stones help walkers cross below the falls. There is a small overhang next to the falls, giving the area shade and offering a great place to rest. + - Empress Falls is a spectacular waterfall in the Valley of the Waters. The Valley of the Water Creek comes out of the slot in the cliff and tumbles down a series of cliffs to a sandy pool. The fall is the site of the last abseil in a popular canyon, making a great site for walkers in the area. Stepping stones help walkers cross below the falls. There is a small overhang next to the falls, giving the area shade and offering a great place to rest. After another 7 m come to a stepping stones. About 55 m past the end is "Sylvia Falls".
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Lodore Falls. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip veer right when you get back to this intersection. Details below. Turn around here and retrace the main route for 600 m to get back to the start.

An optional side trip to Queen Victoria Lookout.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Find the Empress Lookout at the start. Empress Lookout Empress Lookout Empress Lookout is a fenced and signposted lookout, perched on a sandstone overhang above the Valley of the Waters Creek. There is a view down to part of the Empress Falls and into the canyon. The views are filtered through the surrounding trees. It makes for a good spot to catch your breath when walking into, or out of, the Valley of the Waters. + - Empress Lookout is a fenced and signposted lookout, perched on a sandstone overhang above the Valley of the Waters Creek. There is a view down to part of the Empress Falls and into the canyon. The views are filtered through the surrounding trees. It makes for a good spot to catch your breath when walking into, or out of, the Valley of the Waters. Find the sign at the start. After 30 m find the "Queen Victoria Lookout" (5 m on your right). Queen Victoria Lookout Queen Victoria Lookout The Queen Victoria Lookout is perched above the Valley of the Waters, south-west of Conservation Hut. The fenced lookout has views into the narrow section of the valley. The views are made more dramatic by the roar of the waterfalls below and the mists which frequent the area. Empress Falls are only just visible - the main views extend down Jamison Valley. Kings Tableland (left) and Sublime Point(right) dominate the views and the eastern edge of Mount Solitary and beyond is also visible. + - The Queen Victoria Lookout is perched above the Valley of the Waters, south-west of Conservation Hut. The fenced lookout has views into the narrow section of the valley. The views are made more dramatic by the roar of the waterfalls below and the mists which frequent the area. Empress Falls are only just visible - the main views extend down Jamison Valley. Kings Tableland (left) and Sublime Point(right) dominate the views and the eastern edge of Mount Solitary and beyond is also visible.
	Continue straight.
	Continue another 15 m to find Queen Victoria Lookout at the end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 40 m to the main route.

An optional side trip to Lodore Falls.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of National Pass Track & Valley of the Waters Creek Start heading along National Pass Track (a walking track). Find the stepping stones at the start. Find the sign at the start. After 55 m find the "Sylvia Falls" (15 m on your left). Sylvia Falls Sylvia Falls Sylvia Falls on the Valley of the Waters Creek is a lovely tall cascade. The falls are in a deep sandstone canyon with mossy walls. The stairs and handrail pass closely to these falls, helping walkers get nice and close. From near the top of the falls, there is a great view down the valley looking between the canyon walls. + - Sylvia Falls on the Valley of the Waters Creek is a lovely tall cascade. The falls are in a deep sandstone canyon with mossy walls. The stairs and handrail pass closely to these falls, helping walkers get nice and close. From near the top of the falls, there is a great view down the valley looking between the canyon walls. After another 60 m come to a stepping stones. About 15 m past the end is "Lodore Falls". Lodore Falls Lodore Falls Lodore Falls are a lovely set of falls on the Valley of the Waters Creek. The narrow falls have a staircase on one side and stepping stones (and handrail) crossing the bottom, making it easier for walkers to appreciate this waterfall from many angles. Just beyond the handrail, the water falls over another cliff, providing a great view down the valley. + - Lodore Falls are a lovely set of falls on the Valley of the Waters Creek. The narrow falls have a staircase on one side and stepping stones (and handrail) crossing the bottom, making it easier for walkers to appreciate this waterfall from many angles. Just beyond the handrail, the water falls over another cliff, providing a great view down the valley. About 25 m past the end is "Edith Falls".
	Continue another 0 m to find at the intersection of Valley of the Waters Creek & National Pass Track at the end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 120 m to the main route.

Conservation Hut to Empress Falls


Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	1.2 km
Time	40 min to 1 h
Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route


Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	25 m	[toilet]

Get more information
Wildwalks

Show Full Weather

Alerts and Closures

Show all alerts

Show all alerts

Show all alerts