Ellenborough Falls is the kind of waterfall that makes you recalibrate. The Ellenborough River simply steps off the edge of the Bulga Plateau and free-falls roughly 200 metres in one unbroken plume — a drop regularly cited among the tallest single-drop waterfalls in Australia, hidden an hour’s drive into the hills behind Wingham and Taree.
Three ways to see it
An easy path from the car park reaches the main lookout in minutes, staring straight across the gorge at the full height of the falls. A second track wanders to The Knoll, a knuckle of rock with a wider view of the plume and the forested valley swallowing it. And for the committed, a staircase of more than 600 steps descends to the valley floor, where the falls tower over you and the spray drifts across the river flats — the climb back up is the price of admission.
The Elands detour
Part of Ellenborough’s charm is remoteness. The village of Elands is a scatter of farms and forest on the plateau top, and the drive up from the Manning Valley — partly unsealed near the end — keeps the crowds thin. There’s a kiosk at the falls with variable hours, plus picnic shelters and toilets.
Know before you go
Entry is free. The steps are steep and can be slick after rain, and phone coverage is patchy on the plateau, so plan fuel and food around Wingham or Comboyne. Details correct at the time of writing (July 2026).
🏅 Own or manage this place? Get your “Featured on AustralianSecret” badge
Show visitors you're featured in our independent directory — copy this snippet into your website. The badge links back to your listing here.
