Apsley Falls has been stopping travellers since the 1800s — a reserve was declared here in the 1890s, making it one of inland NSW’s first formal tourist attractions. The appeal hasn’t changed: the Apsley River drops twice into a slot gorge so sheer and narrow it feels machine-cut, and a lattice of steel walkways lets you lean right over it.
Two falls, one gorge
The upper fall plunges around 65 metres into a churning pool; the river then regathers and takes a second leap further down the gorge. From the walkways and platforms on the rim you can look straight down both tiers — after rain the whole slot fills with noise and drifting spray.
The rim circuit
Cross the footbridge above the falls and follow the gorge rim track around both sides. It’s an easy hour of constantly changing angles, including platforms cantilevered off the cliff that deliver the best straight-down views. A historic set of steps cut into the rock recalls the falls’ Victorian-era tourism history.
Know before you go
Entry is free, and the falls are only a couple of minutes off the Oxley Highway east of Walcha — one of the easiest big-gorge experiences in the state. Picnic shelters, barbecues, toilets and a simple campground make it a natural overnight stop between the coast and the tablelands. Details correct at the time of writing (July 2026).
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