Central Coast Bushwalk

Ironbark Falls (0.6km Return)

A short 0.6km return walk to Ironbark Falls in Popran National Park, best after heavy rainfall. For experienced hikers.

At a glance

Distance: 600m return
Ascent: 40m
Dogs: No

This is a great little walk to do. The falls were pumping because of heavy rain when I went so there was a lot of water. Spotted a small water dragon and two dinner plate size yabbies as well. The map at the top shows the walk to be a loop, found part of the trail of the other side of the fall, it petered out though.

Had a look at doing it anticlockwise, the water running underneath the causeway at the top was a little too deep, may go back and explore when there has been less rain. Although it is a short walk it is poorly maintained so I recommend only experienced hikers attempt it. I wouldn't swim here because there would be a lot of runoff from the farms upstream.

Walk directions

Start on Ironbark Road, there is a brown sign on the south side of the raod, its pretty old and hard to see: -33.33399, 151.18259 Google Maps Link
This is the falls location, turn left at the hut with the information to get here: -33.335650, 151.180810 Google Maps Link
Here is the top of the creek just under the causeway, head right at the information hut to check it out.: -33.334374, 151.180254 Google Maps Link

hand painted waterfall sign nailed to a power pole beside a parked van

weathered timber sign reading Ironbark Reserve to waterfall walking trail

water dragon lizard resting on a mossy log covered in pine needles

small weir spilling white water into Ironbark Creek surrounded by rainforest

wide view of Ironbark Falls tumbling over multiple rock tiers into a tea coloured pool

rough dirt track through eucalypt forest leading to Ironbark Falls

vertical view of Ironbark Falls cascading through fern lined sandstone

weathered timber picnic table beside the track through coastal forest

muddy rocky creek bed track winding through ferns and undergrowth

close up vertical view of the tallest cascade at Ironbark Falls flanked by ferns

large yabby freshwater crayfish among leaf litter and a fallen branch

Similar Bushwalks

Mt Wondabyne Loop (8km)Niagara Park to Strickland (10km)Wildflowers Guide

The book

15 waterfall walks in the book

A Cornucopia of Central Coast Walks has a waterfall section with 15 walks, including Somersby Falls, Gap Creek Falls, Strickland Falls and Kariong Brook Falls. Each one has a map and numbered directions, alongside over 100 other walks on the Coast.

See the book

A picture book

A picture book with a waterfall in it

In The Bush Wee, a little explorer swings on a vine, splashes through a waterfall and climbs a great big tree, then realises there is no toilet anywhere nearby. It is my read aloud picture book for children aged 2 to 7, set in the Central Coast bush.

See the picture book

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4.9 out of 5 from 18 Google reviews

This walk is on Darkinung country. Good Architect acknowledges the Darkinung people as the Traditional Custodians of this land and we pay our respects to Elders, past, present and emerging. Darkinjung Land Council.