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Crystal Shower Falls, Dorrigo NSWWaterfall Seasons - The Waterfall Guide
This is a waterfall that lives up to its name with a curtain of showering crystals that sparkle in the sunlight as you slip in behind the falls, via a boardwalk that runs under the rock overhang. The
crystal beads are reasonably transparent, so I could see through the misty curtain to the waterfall pool and the surrounding forest on the other side.
Above: The full height of Crystal Shower Falls from the suspension bridge across the creek
(Order this image)
Whilst the little track from the main walking path to the base of the falls was a little muddy at the start, the boardwalk in behind the falls was sturdy under foot, unlike the scattered collection of jagged rocks that you normally have to scramble over or balance on in this situation at other waterfalls.
I particularly liked the leafy vines framing the view and providing a dark, shadowy contrast to the brilliant white of the falls.
Above: From behind the crystal shower curtain at Crystal Shower Falls
(Order this image)
If you don't feel comfortable walking underneath the rock overhang, you can still enjoy a close and clear view of the falls from the main walking track. It has a suspension bridge that runs high above the creek, directly in front of the falls, where you can lean on the rail and admire the full height of the falls, the waterfall pool and the lush forest surroundings.
The walking track to the falls follows a loop that runs from either the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre or The Glade Picnic Area. If you have two cars, start at the rainforest centre and take the mostly downhill Wonga Walk via Tristania Falls to Crystal Shower Falls and then back to The Glade Picnic Area, for a total of 5 km by foot.
If you only have one car, the shortest option to the falls is 2.8 km return from The Glade Picnic Area, or 4.8 km return if you visit Tristania Falls as well.
The full loop from the Rainforest Centre taking in both falls is 6.6 km. The track is very well defined and maintained, but steep in parts.
Here is a video of the falls taken in winter on a clear morning when the falls were glistening like a chandelier. Bonus points for anyone who can tell me what the fake animal is in this video, hiding in the treetops.
If you are planning on a picnic here, there are no open spaces at the falls, but The Glade Picnic Area has a very large grassy picnic ground including a lookout that rivals that back at the Rainforest Centre. There is also a less scenic picnic ground adjacent to the Rainforest Centre, with access via gold coin donation to the short, elevated "Skywalk" walkway that overlooks the valley and surrounding mountains.
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Above: The full height of Crystal Shower Falls from the suspension bridge across the creek
(Order this image)
Whilst the little track from the main walking path to the base of the falls was a little muddy at the start, the boardwalk in behind the falls was sturdy under foot, unlike the scattered collection of jagged rocks that you normally have to scramble over or balance on in this situation at other waterfalls.
Above: From behind the crystal shower curtain at Crystal Shower Falls
(Order this image)
If you don't feel comfortable walking underneath the rock overhang, you can still enjoy a close and clear view of the falls from the main walking track. It has a suspension bridge that runs high above the creek, directly in front of the falls, where you can lean on the rail and admire the full height of the falls, the waterfall pool and the lush forest surroundings.
The walking track to the falls follows a loop that runs from either the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre or The Glade Picnic Area. If you have two cars, start at the rainforest centre and take the mostly downhill Wonga Walk via Tristania Falls to Crystal Shower Falls and then back to The Glade Picnic Area, for a total of 5 km by foot.
Here is a video of the falls taken in winter on a clear morning when the falls were glistening like a chandelier. Bonus points for anyone who can tell me what the fake animal is in this video, hiding in the treetops.
If you are planning on a picnic here, there are no open spaces at the falls, but The Glade Picnic Area has a very large grassy picnic ground including a lookout that rivals that back at the Rainforest Centre. There is also a less scenic picnic ground adjacent to the Rainforest Centre, with access via gold coin donation to the short, elevated "Skywalk" walkway that overlooks the valley and surrounding mountains.
Your Seasonal Guide:
| Best Time of Year to Visit: | Best Time of Day to Visit: |
|---|---|
| There is likely to be flow over the falls most of the year, particularly after rainfall, with highest flows typically occurring from February to April | Visit from mid-morning to mid-afternoon to see the falls in full sun, which is essential to get those shining crystals. Try and pick a sunny day. |
Other Information Before You Go:
Location: Dorrigo Rainforest Centre or The Glade Picnic Area, Dorrigo National Park, Dorrigo Mountain, 4-5 km south of the Dorrigo town centre and 550 km (approx. 6 hr drive) north of the Sydney CBD.
Latitude:-30.372112 Longitude:152.724613
Getting there: From the Pacific Highway at Raleigh, head west along Waterfall Way (B78) towards Dorrigo. Just before reaching Dorrigo, turn right into Dome Road, which leads to the Rainforest Centre. Continue down Lyrebird Lane (gravel road) until you reach The Glade Picnic Area. As mentioned above, it is a 2.8 km return walk to Crystal Shower Falls from this picnic area.
Water source: Unnamed tributary of the Rosewood River
Approx. height: 15-20 metres
Approx. width: 5 metres
Approx. length: Vertical drop
Swimming available at the falls: No, swimming is not permitted
Facilities: At the top of the falls there is a bridge that acts as a viewing platform, and a boardwalk behind the falls, but no other facilities. At The Glade Picnic Area there are lawns, sheltered and unsheltered picnic tables, sheltered public bbq, lookout, public toilets, drinking tap, rubbish bins. Similar facilities plus an information centre and cafe at the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre.
Entrance fee: None. Gold coin donation if you are walking out onto the Skywalk at the rainforest centre.
Opening times: Open 5am to 10 pm
Sun shade: Shade available at the picnic area, along the walk, and at the falls.
Wheelchair access: None to the falls. The Dorrigo Rainforest Centre has wheelchair accessible toilets, and wheelchair access to the Skywalk lookout.
Prohibitions: No cats or dogs, no camping, no smoking, no campfires, no solid fuel burners, no drones.
Accommodation Options: See my accommodation suggestions close to Crystal Shower Falls.
Managing authority: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
Nearby attractions: Tristania Falls along the same walking track, and Dangar Falls north of Dorrigo township, and other falls along Waterfall Way.
Before you head out, make sure to read the
waterfall safety information and check with the managing authority for any current change of conditions. Specific to this site, the managing authority
warns that the walking track includes slippery surfaces, steep slopes, unstable edges, and that children should be supervised.
Latitude:-30.372112 Longitude:152.724613
Getting there: From the Pacific Highway at Raleigh, head west along Waterfall Way (B78) towards Dorrigo. Just before reaching Dorrigo, turn right into Dome Road, which leads to the Rainforest Centre. Continue down Lyrebird Lane (gravel road) until you reach The Glade Picnic Area. As mentioned above, it is a 2.8 km return walk to Crystal Shower Falls from this picnic area.
Water source: Unnamed tributary of the Rosewood River
Approx. height: 15-20 metres
Approx. width: 5 metres
Approx. length: Vertical drop
Swimming available at the falls: No, swimming is not permitted
Facilities: At the top of the falls there is a bridge that acts as a viewing platform, and a boardwalk behind the falls, but no other facilities. At The Glade Picnic Area there are lawns, sheltered and unsheltered picnic tables, sheltered public bbq, lookout, public toilets, drinking tap, rubbish bins. Similar facilities plus an information centre and cafe at the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre.
Entrance fee: None. Gold coin donation if you are walking out onto the Skywalk at the rainforest centre.
Opening times: Open 5am to 10 pm
Sun shade: Shade available at the picnic area, along the walk, and at the falls.
Wheelchair access: None to the falls. The Dorrigo Rainforest Centre has wheelchair accessible toilets, and wheelchair access to the Skywalk lookout.
Prohibitions: No cats or dogs, no camping, no smoking, no campfires, no solid fuel burners, no drones.
Accommodation Options: See my accommodation suggestions close to Crystal Shower Falls.
Managing authority: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
Nearby attractions: Tristania Falls along the same walking track, and Dangar Falls north of Dorrigo township, and other falls along Waterfall Way.
Locality Map:
The marker indicates the approximate location of the car park at the start of the walk to the falls from The Glade Picnic Area. If the map is not zoomed in locally, as can sometimes occur when loading, simply click or tap on "View Larger Map" below.
View Larger Map
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