Kurrawonga Falls facts for kids

Kurrawonga Falls is a beautiful waterfall found in the Mount Kaputar National Park. It's about 52 km (32 mi) east of a town called Narrabri in northern New South Wales, Australia.

About Kurrawonga Falls

The falls are a constant part of Horsearm Creek. This creek flows through thick, natural bushland across the Kaputar Plateau. Then, it drops over 30 metres (98 ft) into a deep crack in the rocks, called a chasm. The water lands in a sinkhole below. The amount of water flowing over the falls changes depending on how much rain has fallen. So, sometimes it's a powerful rush, and other times it's a gentle flow.

How to Visit Kurrawonga Falls

You can reach Kurrawonga Falls by taking a long hike. The trail is about 20 km (12 mi) long, going there and back. It starts from the Scutts Hutt Firetrail, which you can find off Kaputar Road. There are also camping grounds nearby at Bark Hut.

A smaller path, about 1.7 km (1.1 mi) long, branches off the main trail and leads to an old hut called Scutts Hutt. This path is marked with signs. However, the last 450 metres (1,476 ft) down to the falls is not marked, so you need to be careful.

The trail is known as 'Grade 5'. This means it's very steep, difficult, rough, and has obstacles. The path goes up a lot, gaining 806 metres (2,644 ft) in height. Because of this, it's only recommended for experienced hikers. The whole trip usually takes about 10 to 12 hours. Also, remember that mobile phone service is very limited in this area.

Bushfires and the Falls

In January and February 2020, big bushfires spread across eastern Australia. These fires also went through the national park where Kurrawonga Falls is located. Because of the fires, the park had to close for a while. This meant people couldn't visit the falls or other attractions until it was safe again.

Images for kids

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  Kurrawonga Falls