Photo: Amos T Fairchild / CC BY-SA 3.0
Plunging dramatically into a lush gorge on the New South Wales Northern Tablelands, Ebor Falls is a two-tiered natural spectacle that rewards visitors with thundering views and the crisp scent of eucalypt forest. It’s a classic pit-stop on the Waterfall Way drive, offering easy access to the lookout platforms and a refreshing dose of wild scenery without the crowds of more famous falls.
Highlights & What to See
- Upper Falls Lookout: An easy, wheelchair-accessible boardwalk leads to the main viewpoint, where the Guy Fawkes River drops 100 metres in a single, powerful cascade. The mist and rainbows are near-constant.
- Lower Falls Lookout: A short but steep walk (about 500 metres) takes you to a lower platform with a different perspective – the water plunges into a deep pool before continuing its journey through the gorge.
- Guy Fawkes River National Park: The falls are the gateway to this rugged wilderness. Keep an eye out for wedge-tailed eagles soaring overhead and, if you’re lucky, platypuses in the quieter pools downstream.
- Picnic Facilities: Well-maintained picnic tables and barbecues near the upper carpark make this a perfect spot for a lunch break surrounded by the sound of falling water.
- Waterfall Way: The drive itself is a highlight – the road winds through ancient rainforest, past other waterfalls like Dorrigo National Park’s Crystal Shower Falls, and over dramatic escarpments.
Suggested Time to Spend
Most visitors find 45 minutes to an hour sufficient to take in both lookouts, snap photos, and enjoy a picnic. If you’re keen on a longer walk, the 1.5-kilometre Lyrebird Walking Track connects the upper and lower falls and can add another 30 minutes. Plan your visit for late morning or early afternoon when the light is best for photography and the mist creates the most dramatic rainbows.
Nearby Areas Worth Combining
- Dorrigo National Park – just 30 minutes south, with Skywalk, rainforest boardwalks, and Crystal Shower Falls.
- Waterfall Way – the entire scenic route from Coffs Harbour to Armidale is dotted with waterfalls, national parks, and charming country towns.
- Armidale – a historic university town with excellent museums, galleries, and the New England Regional Art Museum, about a 45-minute drive west.
- Point Lookout – in New England National Park, offering panoramic views from the escarpment and walking trails through Antarctic beech forests.
- Coffs Harbour – a coastal hub with beaches, the Big Banana, and the Solitary Islands Marine Park, about 1.5 hours east.
Please check official sources for current details.
Note: opening hours, prices and booking requirements change often — please check official sources for current details.
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Image credits
- Dorrigo National Park — Cgoodwin / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Waterfall Way — Cgoodwin / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Armidale — Terry Cooke / CC BY 2.0
- Point Lookout — Blue Mountains Library, Local Studies / CC BY-SA 2.0
- Coffs Harbour — Paul Lakin / CC BY 3.0
- Guy Fawkes River National Park — Cgoodwin / CC BY-SA 3.0