The Terrace Falls circuit is one of the most glorious walks in the Mid Mountains, with lush rainforest, mossy boulders, and cascades and waterfalls galore. We’ve already covered the walking track in detail here so in this guide we’re taking a different slant.
This time it’s all about the swimming holes, from shallow pools with sandy banks for picnicking, to waterfall pools and even a little canyon-esque boulder pool.
There isn’t anywhere for a long swim, but if stunning plunge pools and relaxing in the shallows is your thing, you’re going to love it. And as it’s not known as a destination for swimming you’re unlikely to share them with anyone else.
Here’s a run down of the gorgeous swimming holes of the Terrace Falls Reserve.
The Terrace Falls Wild Swimming Walk
The stats
Distance: 5km circuit
Elevation gain: 250m
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead: Heron Place, Hazelbrook
Summary: The paths along the Terrace Falls track are generally well maintained and though there are lots of uneven sections, it’s generally not a slippery track (when dry).
There are some climbs and descents, but none are long enough to feel like too much of a slog. If it’s a hot day you’ll find the temperature is several degrees cooler down in the forest and there’s plenty of shade, which coupled with the frequent pools make it a great summer walk.
Accessing some of the water holes involves walking a short distance on less well maintained trails, with a couple of minor rough patches, but nothing overly challenging.
Starting the trail: along the fire trail
From the roadside parking before the locked gate on Heron Place you begin walking along a wide gravel fire trail. The first 500m head downhill before you’ll come to a turning circle.
Take the path bearing left which leads gradually uphill. After 215m (715m from the start of the walk) you will see a turning on the left and the signpost for Terrace Falls Reserve.
You’ll now leave the fire trail behind and head left, following the narrow path down into the forest. The scenery changes immediately and you’ll start to see huge rocky boulders and lots of ferns, it’s gorgeous.
The path descends through the shady bushland before you reach a junction at the 965m mark. The path to the left is a 35m (each way) detour and leads to Pyramid Falls.
Despite the lack of recent rain there was still some water in the falls which was a welcome surprise. There’s one tree down over the path, but it’s easy to step over.
To Bedford Pool
Back on the main track and you’re now 450m from the first pool. Part of the descent is on stone steps followed by a short section of narrow flat track and then a series of zig zag slopes taking you almost to creek level.
At the 1.4km mark you will see a social trail leading left, it’s somewhat steep and made up of rocky tree roots. It lasts for 20m before you reach a rock slab leading down to the creek.
If you don’t want to take that path, follow the well maintained track right and then at the bottom of the descent you will see a path leading left which takes you to the same rock slab beside the creek (it only takes a minute more).
You will then need to cross the creek which has some rocks for stepping stones, but you may prefer simply taking your shoes off and not worrying about jumping from rock to rock!
This will bring you to the sandy bank beside Bedford Pool (just over 1.4km from the car park).
Bedford Pool
Bedford Pool is lovely, with its little sandy beach and sandstone cliff wall for a backdrop, however, on our visit the water was very shallow.
Not deep enough to swim, though perfect for relaxing in the shallows. It would be a great spot to bring a picnic and then have little dips or a paddle to cool off. Following more rainfall it may become deep enough to swim, but I wouldn’t necessarily count on it.
There is a second pool no longer signposted 200m away. It used to have a proper track, but it’s now been left to fall into disrepair, though you can still get there fairly easily. It’s not going to win any awards, but it’s very secluded.
Lester Pool
From Bedford Pool, you’ll see a narrow opening in the bush behind the sand. The track goes sharply uphill, but only for about 10-15m before it flattens.
It’s less than 200m before you reach another sign and the edge of the pool. Like many of the pools at Terrace Falls, Lester Pool is pretty shallow.
Sadly when we visited, it was in shadow, which wasn’t ideal for photos. It’s incredibly unlikely you’ll see anyone here, so coupled with the shade it makes for a nice enough spot to chill on a very hot day.
To Willawong Pool
Once you’re back on the main track near Bedford Pool, you will see a sign for Bedford Pool (beside the route that doesn’t take that tree rooty short cut) and you’ll continue right, above the river, which you can make out inbetween peeks through the trees.
The path is in good condition and will take you briefly uphill before flattening. You’ll soon come to a lovely section with partial overhangs that reminded me a bit of the spectacular Grand Canyon walk.
Roughly 100m later, or 2.25km into the walk assuming you took both side trails, you’ll see a sign for Willawong Pool. It’s a 370m (each way) detour from the main track.
You’ll head left, crossing the shallow creek on large stones before continuing left, following the narrow path through the forest.
This next section is pretty much all flat and takes you past a series of beautiful rock walls which were the highlight of this side trail to Willawong Pool.
The path is in great shape but for one (couple of steps) you need to walk down a large rock before the bush track continues again.
You’ll reach Willawong Pool 70m later, or just over 2.6km into the walk (inc all side trails).
Willawong Pool
You may be somewhat underwhelmed with your first sighting of Willawong Pool, I’ll admit I was. However, if you continue a little further to the right of where the trail brings you out to (it’s a bit rougher, but not too bad) you’ll reach a small sandy access point to the water.
However, it’s not this easier entry point that makes it special, it’s the fact you can see a huge sandstone cliff behind the pool making it so much more picturesque. Sadly it was almost entirely in shadow on our visit so our photos won’t do it justice, but it’s very pretty.
The water however is, again, very shallow. During our visit it was for sitting in only so I was a bit disappointed not to be able to swim.
However, if you want to sit in the shallows it’s nice and feels tucked away from the main track, but it’s not as nice as Bedford Pool in my opinion - as you don’t have the beach and the pool doesn’t get as much sun.
To Little Terrace Falls
At this point you may be wondering why I decided to give this walk its own second article when the pools are not really the best for swimming. Well it’s because the next two pools, though small, are incredibly picturesque and deep enough for a proper plunge.
From Willawong you’ll head back to the main track and just over 100m later reach Little Terrace Falls. The first time I ever saw this waterfall (which was during La Nina and it was in full flow) I’d earmarked it as one to come back to for a dip and it was even lovelier than I’d remembered.
The pool, though relatively small, has crystal clear water and a sandy bottom making it a beautiful place for a plunge.
The surrounding rock walls and dense foliage give it a jungly vibe and there’s plenty of large rocks to sit on beside the waterfall inbetween dips.
Watch out for the resident yabbies who are in plentiful supply. We even witnessed one moving an entire log which was quite something to behold!
Though this waterfall is directly on the main Terrace Falls walking track, the walk is generally quiet enough that you are unlikely to encounter anyone here.
To the boulder canyon pool
From Little Terrace Falls you’ll cross the creek (on stones) and climb uphill which offers a fantastic view of the falls from above, it’s possibly my favourite view of them as you can really take in the whole setting.
The track now continues alongside a series of stunning cascades and mossy boulders which really make you feel like you’re in the rainforest.
It’s the best part of the whole walk in my opinion. You’ll continue climbing gently uphill and arrive at the canyon pool 250m after leaving Little Terrace Falls.
The pool is small but it’s so atmospheric. A dainty cascade flows between two large boulders and the fern covered cliff walls give the impression you’ve suddenly arrived at a canyon.
There’s even an octopus tree with its sprawling roots growing out of the wall on the right hand side.
To get into the pool you have to step off the rocks, but it’s not difficult and once inside the water the bottom is sandy.
It’s not overly deep, but as with Little Terrace Falls, far deeper than the first two pools and perfect for a proper plunge. None of these pools get a lot of sun, so they warm up a bit later in the season than you might expect, if you’re not a fan of cold water, pick a hot day in summer for your visit.
To Terrace Falls and completing the circuit
The canyon pool is just 150m from Terrace Falls. You’ll continuing heading uphill and as you climb you leave the cooler gullies behind and the temperature will rise a little.
You’ll pass some beautiful rock walls and a prominent knobbly tree before coming to the turn off and signpost for Terrace Falls, where you can follow the steps downhill to the rock platform.
The first time we ever visited Terrace Falls the rock platform was almost entirely under water and very slippery. This time, with a more modest flow, it wasn’t slippery and was so easy to walk across to see the waterfall (you can’t see the upper terraces without walking onto the far side of the rock platform).
The waterfall isn’t as impressive with less water, but still very much worth seeing. Sadly following various flooding events a large amount of debris has washed into the overhang beside the falls and this means it’s not as photogenic as it used to be (though in time the debris may get washed away reverting it back to its former glory).
After returning to the main track you’ll continue ascending for 100m before reaching the junction with Victor Falls. If there’s a decent flow in Terrace Falls you should absolutely make the short detour to Victor Falls which is really impressive after rain.
Victor Falls
We personally didn’t this time, but here’s what to expect from our last visit.
If you simply want to take the shortest route back from Terrace Falls, you will turn right at the junction. The climb continues on a mix of stone steps and sandy stone track and the bush gets drier and drier.
After 250m you’ll reach another junction and turn right again, still heading uphill. You’ll reach the fire trail 50m later.
The uphill continues but more gradually for 30m before flattening and then descending for 250m.
At this point (just over 4.2km into the walk) you’ll reach the Terrace Falls Reserve signpost again and the final 715m to the parking area are on the fire trail you walked in on. It’s all uphill but not overly steep.
Keep them wild
Please remember to take all rubbish with you and keep these places wild and pristine - as with anywhere in the outdoors. It’s important to leave them exactly as you found them so they will remain beautiful for generations to come.
Litter tends to breed litter, so if you do spot any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the area, it will go a long way to keeping the area clean.
Getting to Terrace Falls
Terrace Falls Reserve is in Hazelbrook, just under 90km, and a one and a half hour drive from Sydney. It’s just over 20 minutes drive from Katoomba.
It is marked on Google Maps as “Terrace Falls Walking Trail” (you can find the location by clicking here). There is no official car park for the trail anymore, unless they start unlocking the gate at the start of the fire trail again. You can find pull outs just before you get to the gate on Valley Road.
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