Dangars Falls

Plunging into a dramatic gorge carved from ancient granite, Dangars Falls is one of the New England region’s most spectacular natural sights. Located within the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, this 120-metre cascade thunders over the escarpment into the deep Apsley Gorge, creating a misty spectacle that shifts with the seasons. The viewing platform offers a vertigo-inducing perspective straight down the chasm, while the surrounding bushland is rich with eucalypts, birdlife and, after rain, wildflowers. It’s a place that rewards patience—arrive in the late afternoon for the golden light that sets the gorge walls ablaze.

Highlights & What to See

• The Main Lookout: An easy 50-metre walk from the carpark leads to a fenced platform with heart-stopping views of the waterfall and the gorge. On clear days you can see the vast, layered wilderness stretching to the horizon.
• Gorge Rim Walk: A 2.5-km loop (allow 1 hour) that traces the escarpment edge, offering changing perspectives of the falls and the deep, wooded valley. Keep an eye out for wedge-tailed eagles riding the thermals.
• Swimming Holes: In warmer months, a short scramble downstream from the falls (carefully, as rocks can be slippery) leads to natural rock pools—refreshing spots for a dip with a view.
• Picnic by the Water: The grassy area near the carpark is dotted with tables and barbecues, perfect for a lunch with the soundtrack of rushing water.
• Wildlife Spotting: Eastern grey kangaroos often graze at dusk, and the gorge is home to glossy black-cockatoos and the rare brush-tailed rock-wallaby.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors find two to three hours ample for the lookout and the Gorge Rim Walk, plus a relaxed picnic. If you’re keen on photography or birdwatching, plan for a half-day—especially in the late afternoon when the light is at its best. Combine with a visit to nearby Point Lookout or the waterfalls of the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park to fill a full day of exploring.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Point Lookout – A 15-minute drive east, this lookout offers sweeping views over the New England escarpment and, on clear days, all the way to the coast.
• Wollomombi Falls – One of Australia’s highest waterfalls, just 25 minutes south, with a dramatic two-tier drop and excellent walking trails.
• Armidale – The nearest town (30 minutes north), with historic buildings, museums, and a lively café scene—good for supplies or an overnight stay.
• Oxley Wild Rivers National Park – The entire park is a wonderland of gorges, waterfalls and lookouts; consider a self-drive loop linking Dangars, Wollomombi and the Apsley Gorge.
• New England National Park – About an hour east, this park features ancient Antarctic beech forests and the iconic Wrights Lookout.

Please check official sources for current details.