South Lawson Waterfall Circuit

Starting from the car park on Honour Avenue, Lawson, this walk takes you on a circuit around the Blue Mountains, visiting Cataract, Adelina Junction and Federal Falls. This relaxing walk awards you with views of 4 different falls and a chance to see the wildlife as you traverse. Additionally, the plantation is quite diverse and suitable for enthusiasts. You might want to visit the area after rainfall as the water flow intensifies and the scent of the beautiful forest surrounds you through the walk. The texture of the track is muddy, especially after heavy rainfall, so you might want to bring your waterproof shoes, along with drinking water and something to bite on. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Downloads GPX PDF

Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
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.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	(-33.726421,150.4374797)
Mode	Car
Directions	From Great Western Highway, A32, Lawson. Turn on to Orient Street then drive for 125 m Turn slight left onto Christabel Street and drive for another 7 m Turn right onto Orient Street and drive for another 170 m Turn slight left onto Honour Avenue and drive for another 670 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the car park at the intersection of Honour Avenue and Livingstone Street, head towards the subtle dirt walking track along the paved path, moving directly away from the road. Follow this track as it meanders into the woodland for about 150 metres, then continue straight at the 4-way intersection to continue along South Lawson Waterfall Circuit (counterclockwise).....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After 45 m pass the sign.
	After another 110 m continue straight. After another 65 m pass the sign.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional little side trip taking you closer to Adelina Falls. To start this optional side trip veer right here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 6 m turn left. After another 610 m come to the viewpoint (on your left).
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This side trip takes you to Junction Falls. 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. After another 80 m turn right. After another 245 m pass the sign.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This little side trip takes you to Federal Falls and back. 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 sharp left. After another 570 m pass the sign. After another 35 m pass the sign.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This side trip takes you to the bottom of Cataract Falls. To start this optional side trip veer left here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. Continue straight.
	After another 25 m veer right. After another 50 m pass the sign.
	Veer left, to head along South Lawson Firetrail.
	After another 45 m (at the intersection of Cataract Falls Walking Track & South Lawson Firetrail) veer left, to head along Cataract Falls Walking Track (a walking track). After another 30 m pass the sign. Veer left, to head along Cataract Falls Walking Track. Then cross the bridge (about 15 m long)
	After another 65 m continue straight. After another 25 m pass the sign. Then come to the viewpoint (10 m on your left). Veer right. After another 85 m pass the sign.
	After another 115 m continue straight. After another 30 m continue straight. After another 95 m continue straight. After another 80 m continue straight. After another 270 m pass the sign.
	Turn right.
	After another 155 m come to the end.

An optional little side trip taking you closer to Adelina Falls.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After another 30 m come to "Adelina Falls". The end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 30 m to the main route.

This side trip takes you to Junction Falls.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After 20 m pass the picnic table (on your right). After another 15 m come to "Junction Falls". The end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 30 m to the main route.

This little side trip takes you to Federal Falls and back.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After another 65 m come to "Federal Falls".
	The end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 65 m to the main route.

This side trip takes you to the bottom of Cataract Falls.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After another 45 m come to "Cataract Falls".
	The end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 45 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

South Lawson Waterfall Circuit

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	2.8 km
Time	1 h to 1 h 30 min

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Katoomba Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed
  
  Wednesday 4 December
  
  Cloudy.
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower, becoming less likely later this evening. The chance of a thunderstorm, possibly severe. Winds easterly 15 to 25 km/h.
  
  Thursday 5 December
  
  12°C → 24°C
  Cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and early evening. The chance of a thunderstorm in the morning and afternoon. Winds east to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h becoming light in the middle of the day. Overnight temperatures falling to between 13 and 18 with daytime temperatures reaching 25 to 30.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 8:30am to 5:00pm, UV Index predicted to reach 12 [Extreme]
  
  Friday 6 December
  
  16°C → 27°C
  Shower or two. Possible storm.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of fog in the early morning. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and early evening. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds. Overnight temperatures falling to between 15 and 19 with daytime temperatures reaching 27 to 32.
  
  Saturday 7 December
  
  19°C → 26°C
  Shower or two. Possible storm.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 5mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds north to northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h tending west to northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h during the day. Overnight temperatures falling to between 17 and 21 with daytime temperatures reaching 25 to 31.
  
  Sunday 8 December
  
  18°C → 26°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 7mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning. The chance of a thunderstorm in the north. Winds westerly 15 to 25 km/h shifting east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between 17 and 21 with daytime temperatures reaching 26 to 32.
  
  Monday 9 December
  
  9°C → 20°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Tuesday 10 December
  
  11°C → 25°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 4mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Wednesday 11 December
  
  14°C → 26°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 10mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts

Weather Forecast

Alerts