Quick Facts
Accessibility: 6/10 (moderate)
Height: 45′ / 14 m
Hike: 0.6 miles / round-trip
The Record
If near Sydney, a visit to Blue Mountains National Park, an easy and scenic two-hour train ride from Sydney, is an absolute must. The park is stunningly beautiful, with a number of incredible waterfalls that are surprisingly easy to access, especially if you use a service like the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus. One of the most enchanting areas to explore is the network of trails around Leura, which leads to the beautiful Leura Cascades and the dramatic Bridal Veil Falls.
The adventure begins near the town of Leura, with the Explorer Bus conveniently dropping you off at stop 17, right by the start of the trail. My own visit was a bit of a happy accident. I started walking down a path without realizing it was the direct route into the fern-filled glen that houses the cascades. The first section you encounter is the Leura Cascades, a series of gentle, picturesque drops where the creek tumbles through a shaded, mossy oasis. It’s a serene and popular spot for families to relax and enjoy the cool air.
Following the trail further downhill involves navigating a series of stairs and paths that can be a bit slippery, so good footwear is a must. The path leads to a viewpoint for the main event: Bridal Veil Falls. I remember hiking back uphill from the falls to the cascades as sunset was quickly approaching, which made it difficult to capture photos in the darkening, atmospheric gully. Despite the low light, the experience was awesome. Hopping back on the bus was easy, making it a great end to a day of exploration.
Directions
- If in Katoomba, I would suggest taking the Blue Mountain ExplorerLink bus to stop 16 or 17. Both will lead you to the Leura Cascades and Bridal Veil Falls. If you start at 16, you can loop around to 17, and vice-versa.
Waterfall Record 
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