Empress Falls Walking Track in Wentworth Falls

Empress Falls is one of the prettiest waterfalls in the Blue Mountains and can be reached via a short but steep walking track starting from the Conservation Hut.

This scenic trail to Empress Falls is part of the Valley of the Waters Track, one of the most popular bushwalks in the Wentworth Falls area.

Empress Falls Walk
Distance:	1 km (return)
Duration:	1 hour
Grade:	Moderate (short but steep)
Dogs:	Not allowed

The trail to Empress Falls starts and ends at the Conservation Hut, located at the end of Fletcher Street in Wentworth Falls (see map location).

Getting to the Conservation Hut is straightforward. From the Great Western Highway, take the exit onto Falls Road in Wentworth Falls, then turn right into Fletcher Street, which leads to a car park.

The car park at the Conservation Hut is well-sized but tends to fill up quickly on weekends. If it’s full, you can look for parking on nearby suburban streets.

The map below gives you an overview of where this scenic walk is located and where you can park your car.

The walk down to Empress Falls is relatively short but quite steep. While descending is easy, the return trip can be challenging.

Bringing a bottle of water is a good idea, especially on warmer days. It’s also important to wear sturdy hiking shoes, as the trail can get quite slippery in wet conditions.

We’ll describe the walk along the following highlights:

1. Queen Victoria Lookout
2. Empress Lookout
3. Empress Falls
4. Sylvia Falls (optional)

Start of the Walk

As mentioned, the walk begins at the Conservation Hut, which now operates as a cafe.

Originally opened in 1963 as a meeting place for the Blue Mountains Conservation Society, the Conservation Hut was redeveloped into a cafe in 1993 but closed in 2021. A new cafe opened in 2023.

Several walking tracks in the Wentworth Falls area start and finish at the Conservation Hut, including the Overcliff Undercliff Track, Wentworth Pass, and Nature Track.

To find the start of the walking track to Empress Falls, look for the sign pointing to Valley of the Waters, Queen Victoria Lookout, and Empress Falls.

1. Queen Victoria Lookout

The first section of the walk to Queen Victoria Lookout follows a relatively easy path, descending via a series of wooden steps.

After about 300 metres, a short side track leads to the lookout, which sits above the Valley of the Waters and faces Jamison Valley.

The views are spectacular, stretching as far as Mount Solitary straight ahead. To the east, you can also see Kings Tableland.

2. Empress Lookout

The next stop is Empress Lookout, which faces the opposite side of the valley, where Empress Falls and Empress Canyon are located.

Interestingly, despite its name, Empress Lookout doesn’t actually offer views of Empress Falls. You can certainly hear the waterfall, especially when there’s a strong flow, but it’s mostly hidden behind the trees.

Still, the lookout is well worth a visit for its scenic views. From here, the track continues further into the valley via a series of metal staircases.

While they may look a bit daunting in the photo above, the staircases are easy to navigate with the help of handrails.

3. Empress Falls

After making your way down the stairs, you’ll notice the surroundings suddenly become much darker as towering trees and cliff walls block some of the natural sunlight.

This is where the walking track gradually transforms into a rainforest trail, offering a striking contrast to the drier bushland on higher ground.

After passing the intersection with the Nature Track, the path to Empress Falls soon crosses a creek via a set of stepping stones.

From here, you’ll catch your first glimpses of Empress Falls, which can be especially impressive after heavy rainfall, when torrents of water crash into the natural pool below.

The track eventually leads right up to the waterfall, where hikers are surrounded by boulders and trees, creating a beautiful setting.

The stepping stones in front of the waterfall are the perfect spot to capture a full view of Empress Falls in a photo.

4. Sylvia Falls (Optional)

If one stunning waterfall isn’t enough, continue on the path downstream along the creek to visit another beautiful water spectacle.

Sylvia Falls is a picturesque waterfall not far from Empress Falls. Simply follow the trail and steps down, and the waterfall soon comes into view.

Beyond Sylvia Falls, the track continues to Lodore Falls, Flat Rock Falls, Brittania Falls, Red Rock Falls, and Vera Falls.

However, the path to these waterfalls, especially Vera Falls, becomes more challenging and is recommended for experienced bushwalkers only.