Minyon Falls
Our experience
About an hour’s drive from Byron Bay, please note that this area often has no signal in the hilly terrain, so it’s a good idea to download offline maps before you set off.
There are two trails to get to the bottom of the waterfall. The Minyon Falls Lookout trail is approximately 13 km round trip and takes 3-4 hours. The Minyon Grass Picnic Area trail is about 5 km round trip and takes around 2-3 hours. Both trails pass through tropical rainforests, have rough terrain, moderate difficulty, and are shrouded in mist with the sounds of insects and birds, creating a mystical atmosphere.
Nightcap National Park has the highest rainfall in NSW and is best explored after a few dry days. Otherwise, the trails can be very muddy and slippery, especially when nearing the bottom of the waterfall, where you’ll need to climb over several large rocks. However, the view from the bottom of the waterfall is spectacular and well worth the effort. (Note: Some pictures show the waterfall with less water, resulting in a less impressive view. When there’s more water, the trail can be more challenging, so plan accordingly).
Wear sturdy athletic shoes, preferably waterproof, as you’ll likely end up with a layer of mud after the hike. In the summer when water levels are high at the bottom of the waterfall, your clothes might get wet from the mist, making the return journey feel chilly. Having a waterproof jacket is a plus. You can swim in the waterhole at the bottom of the waterfall, so consider bringing swimwear.
Killen Falls
Our experience
The waterfall is called Killen Waterfall and is located near the town of Ballina, close to Byron Bay. The waterfall is completely free to visit, and the scenery is stunning.
You can simply use Google Maps for navigation. Once you arrive, park your car and then follow the path in picture three for about ten minutes to reach the waterfall.
We initially thought it might be an unknown, less crowded waterfall, but on the day we visited, there was a tour group of students. We didn’t encounter any snakes, but we did see fish leaping out of the water. Since this waterfall doesn’t connect to the sea, there are no sharks!
You can go swimming, but please be cautious about safety. Some parts in the middle of the lake can still be quite deep, so if you’re not a strong swimmer, it’s best not to venture too far in.
Crystal Shower Falls
Our experience
Dorrigo National Park has become our favourite forest park in Australia. We hiked the longest loop, 6.6 kilometres, which took a little over three hours. We got to see two waterfalls: Dangar Falls and the one that left the deepest impression on us, Crystal Shower Falls.
We quietly made our way to the back of the latter and looked out from behind a waterfall curtain. It was incredibly refreshing and fun. At this point, we’d recommend setting your phone to time-lapse mode to capture the cascading water in a video, or you can shoot normally and slow down the video speed in post-production, adding some light music for an extra soothing and beautiful touch.
The trails in this forest park are quite easy to walk, and from time to time, you’ll encounter some exceptionally tall trees, as well as various types of fungi and ferns. You’ll even pass by a tree called the “Prince of Timber”!
We also came across naturally formed vine swings along the way, and they were impressively sturdy. If you find one that’s relatively smooth, you can confidently sit on it, and it feels surprisingly secure.
There aren’t many mosquitoes or those annoying flies here, but it’s still a good idea to have some insect repellent handy. The mountain area can get a bit chilly, so wearing long pants is a good call.
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