Mt Bass- Winifred Falls

Download & Print Map and Notes

2 hrs 30 mins

6.7 km Return

213 m

Hard track

This walk follows Mount Bass Fire Trail, then a bush track, to Winifred Falls. Be prepared to get your feet wet crossing upper Winifred Falls. The Winifred Falls are really nice, and can be complemented by the brilliant side trip down to to South West Arm pools. These pools are a great place for a swim and a bite to eat before returning to the road.

(0km) Int. Bundeena Drive and Mt Bass Trail → Int. Mt Bass Trail and Anice and Winifred Falls Trks

2.6 km

45 mins

-103m Moderate track

From the intersection, this walk heads along the flat ridge, away from the valley. The trail veers right twice, giving views of Sydney CBD (far to the right). The trail soon turns left, down the hill. The walk then leads right, continuing down the hill into an area of tall vegetation for some time, before coming to a rocky surface followed by the end of the management trail.
Veer right: From the end of the management trail, this walk passes the pink ribbon marker on a branch, heading down the track through the trees. The walk continues for approximately 100m, keeping relatively straight, before coming to the sign marked intersection.

(3km) Int. Mt Bass Trail and Anice and Winifred Falls Trks → Upper Winifred Falls

690 m

17 mins

25m

-81m Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk leads in a south-westerly direction, following the sign towards 'Winifred Falls'. The track descends to a creek and then climbs over the spur to a second creek. From the second creek, the track continues for approximately 50m to descend steeply to the right, down the hill. The track descends steeply to near the falls, where the walk turns left onto a rockshelf leading to the creek and waterfall.

(3km) Upper Winifred Falls → South West Arm Pools Trk

40 m

1 mins

-2m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the falls, this walk crosses the shallows to the other side of the creek, then heads downstream past a grass plant for approximately 10m, to continue to the clearing at the intersection.

Winifred Falls

Winifred Falls, Royal National Park, is a large a picturesque waterfall created by a large rockshelf, over which pours South West Arm Creek. The waterfall has a large pool at its base which is an ideal place to get your toes wet.

(3km) South West Arm Pools Trk → South West Arm Pools

370 m

6 mins

-9m Hard track

Veer right: From the intersection the track heads north, down stream, leaving the clearing of the intersection down a steep rocky section of track. The track reaches the pool below Winifred Falls within 15m. The track then leads from the pool along the creek line or above the creek line for approximately 300m down stream to a large pool with three large boulders on the left. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

Maps for the Mt Bass- Winifred Falls walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Port Hacking	1:25 000 Map Series	91294N PORT HACKING	NSW-91294N
Port Hacking	1:100 000 Map Series	9129 PORT HACKING	9129

Cross sectional view of the Mt Bass- Winifred Falls bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Mt Bass- Winifred Falls

Altitude analysis for Mt Bass- Winifred Falls

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	6.7 km
		Time	2 hrs 30 mins
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

Around 2.7km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 690m has short steep hills.

Quality of track

Around 2.7km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 690m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.

Signs

This whole walk, 3.4km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

Around 2.7km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 690m requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 3.4km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 2.7km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 690m has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Mt Bass- Winifred Falls walk.

Winifred Falls

4.4 km One way, 2 hrs

Winifred Falls is one of the best waterfalls in Royal National Park. This walk not only goes to the magnificent falls but has the optional side trip down to the beautiful South West Arm Pools. Anice Falls are not as great as Winifred but worth the visit. The walk then continues through the heath to

Total climbing: 179m

Hard track

Loftus to Winifred Falls

11 km One way, 4 hrs

Following well-maintained bush tracks and service trails, this walk descends into the Royal National Park, to a spectacular set of pools and cascading falls on South Western Creek. The Royal National Park Information Centre, on Sir Bertram Stevens Drive, is approximately in the middle of this walk a

Total climbing: 400m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Mt Bass- Winifred Falls walk.

Mowlee Ridge to Garie Beach

13.3 km One way, 5 hrs

This is a long and scenic walk down to Garie Beach. The walk travels along the ridge and then the heath covered cliff edge, with views over the coast and far out to see, as it meanders along to the beautiful Garie Beach. The descent from the headland onto Garie Beach also gives magnificent views of

Total climbing: 357m

Hard track

Flat Rock Creek

294 m Return, 15 mins

This short walk explores a piece of the Royal National Park, with lovely wildflowers in spring, and some great sandstone rock formations. The main highlight is the creek. Flat Rock Creek, as the name suggests, has a solid and flat bed. The rock is red in colour and the water flows across the widt

Total climbing: 21m

Moderate track

Bundeena Road to Marley

9.7 km Return, 3 hrs 30 mins

This walk is the most direct route down to Big and Little Marley. The beaches are fantastic, secluded areas with Big Marley hosting a large sand dune and lagoon. The beaches are not patrolled and can have dangerous surf conditions, so take care. Deer Pool, and it's waterfall, is also a highlight on

Total climbing: 245m

Hard track

Deer Pools

3.8 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

The walk down to Deer Pools takes you through the heath, which is common in Royal National Park. This bush opens out onto Deer Pool, a beautiful little cascade and pool of water. A lovely walk to one of the well known landmarks in the park.

Total climbing: 109m

Hard track

Marley Track

11 km Circuit, 4 hrs 30 mins

This walk takes you down from the ridge to the quiet Deer Pool on Marley Creek. You pass the Big and Little Marley beaches, with an optional side trip to Wattamola Dam. This side trip is well worth it on a hot day to take a dip. The walk then leads away from the coast to loop back to the starting po

Total climbing: 353m

Hard track

Wattamolla to Eagle Rock Lookout

7.4 km Return, 3 hrs

The walk from Wattamolla picnic area to Eagle Rock is an excellent way to see the the Royal coastline and the Eagle Rock formation. This walk heads south from Wattamolla, following the Coast Track, leaving the sea cliffs for a while to pass through some beautiful heath, then back to the coast, to th

Total climbing: 292m

Moderate track

Providential Point

1.6 km Return, 45 mins

Providential Point is a quick and easy walk to see some beautiful coastline. The walk passes through the Providential Point campsite and continues out to the fenced cliff edge. These views are complemented by the large cliffs on either side of the lookout on this great short walk.

Total climbing: 49m

Easy track

Wattamolla to Garie Beach

7.6 km One way, 3 hrs 30 mins

The Wattamolla to Garie Beach walk is a scenic coastal stroll which takes you along the top of the coastal cliffs, before dropping down to the fantastic Garie Beach. The coastal cliffs give views out to sea, with many ledges also giving views down onto the waves crashing into the rock. The descent o

Total climbing: 317m

Hard track

Wattamolla picnic area to Wattamolla Dam

1.7 km Return, 45 mins

This short return walk starts from the Wattamolla picnic area car park, and winds north along the Coast Track to the Wattamolla Dam. The small dam is nestled below a waterfall on Wattamolla creek and is a great spot for a quiet dip before lunch.

Total climbing: 59m

Moderate track

Wattamolla to Big Marley Beach

10.4 km Circuit, 4 hrs

This walk is an excellent loop which takes in both the coast and the heathy inland of Royal National Park. Nearly the whole walk has views of the sea. Big Marley and Little Marley are great places to wet the feet. The dunes behind Big Marley are also worth exploring, as is Deer Pools if time allows.

Total climbing: 343m

Moderate track

Wattamola picnic area to Curracurrang Cove

3.1 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

This return walk starts from the southern car park at the Wattamolla picnic area and winds south, further into the Royal National Park. The walk follows the service trail that provides views across the coast and then follows a bush track down into Curracurrang Cove. The cove is a nice narrow nook

Total climbing: 91m

Moderate track

Wises Track

4.1 km One way, 1 hr 30 mins

This isn't a particularly special walk, but is a nice way to see different heath environments. The walk follows an old road which has now been turned into a service trail. There are many wildflowers and banksia along this walk, providing great flower displays in the warmer months of the year.

Total climbing: 50m

Moderate track