Ebor Falls, Point Lookout and Cathedral Rock: The High Country of the Waterfall Way
Halfway along the Waterfall Way, between Dorrigo and Armidale, the road crosses the roof of New England. This is high, cool country of granite tors, snow gums, ancient rainforest and waterfalls that drop off the edge of the tableland. Three national parks sit close together here, and most people drive straight past all of them.
At a glance
Ebor Falls: an easy, accessible stop right beside the Waterfall Way
New England National Park: Point Lookout's sunrise views and Gondwana rainforest walks
Cathedral Rock National Park: a granite boulder summit and sunset views
Best for: walkers, photographers and anyone escaping the summer heat
Pack: warm layers, even in summer. Weather changes fast up here.
Ebor Falls, Guy Fawkes River National Park
Ebor Falls is the easiest big waterfall on the Waterfall Way. The Guy Fawkes River plunges about 100 metres over two falls, and four lookout platforms line the gorge edge, three of them with Gumbaynggirr names. The 360-metre Upper Falls loop walk from the car park is easy and accessible, and there's a picnic area with tables and barbecues a short walk away.
For more, walk the 2-kilometre-return Muurlay Garriirlgundi track past six lookouts, or follow the 1.1-kilometre Village track into Ebor. In the warmer months, golden everlasting daisies bloom along the paths.
New England National Park
New England National Park protects a stretch of the Great Escarpment where the tableland drops away towards the coast. Its best-known spot is Point Lookout, a sunrise favourite with views over layers of forested ridges. From there, the Lyrebird walking track leads to Wrights Lookout, and the Snow Gum walk heads into ancient Gondwana rainforest.
To stay overnight, Thungutti campground has 17 sites for tents, camper trailers and small campervans (not caravans), with toilets, barbecues and picnic tables. Bring your own firewood and book through NSW National Parks. The Tea Tree Falls track starts right at the campground.
Good to know: the park is remote and the weather changes quickly. The nearest reliable phone reception is at Point Lookout or in Ebor.
Cathedral Rock National Park
Cathedral Rock is a landscape of huge granite boulders stacked on the tableland. The climb to the Cathedral Rock summit is a hard scramble with steep drop-offs, so take care, especially with children. The rewards are wide views across New England and some of the best sunsets in the region. For an easier walk with similar boulder views, take the Woolpack Rocks track from Native Dog campground.
Why go in summer
This is the high country, so it stays cooler than the coast and the inland plains even in January, and summer storms bring the waterfalls to life. It's also bushfire season. All three parks can close because of poor weather or fire danger, so check NSW National Parks alerts and NSW Rural Fire Service fire danger ratings before you set off, and keep away from exposed summits in thunderstorms.
Make it a road trip
These parks sit in the middle of the Waterfall Way. Come up from Bellingen and Dorrigo on the coast side, or continue west to Wollomombi Falls and Armidale.
Where to stay
Camp in the parks, or browse places to stay on Booking.com in Dorrigo and Armidale. Accommodation near the parks is limited, so book early for the summer holidays.
This post includes affiliate links. If you book through them, Best Bits Travel may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
FAQs
Is Ebor Falls worth stopping for?
Yes. It's right beside the Waterfall Way, the main lookouts are a short accessible walk from the car park, and the river drops about 100 metres over two falls.
What is Point Lookout known for?
Sunrise. Point Lookout in New England National Park sits on the edge of the escarpment with views over layers of forested ridges, and it's the start of walks into Gondwana rainforest.
Is the Cathedral Rock climb hard?
The summit is a challenging scramble over granite boulders with steep drop-offs. For an easier walk with similar views, try the Woolpack Rocks track from Native Dog campground.
Is it cold in New England National Park in summer?
It can be. The park is high on the tableland, and the weather changes quickly, so bring warm layers and rain gear even in summer.
