The Falls are situated in a pristine natural environment
inland from the small town of Wingham on the Mid North Coast of New South
Wales. The distance from Wingham is 45 kilometres with
a section of 15 kilometres unsealed but in fairly good condition. The road
meanders through lovely farmland and natural forests to Eland and the Bulga
Plateau. There is a picnic area to relax in under tall shady trees, a kiosk
which is not always open and there are two trails to explore the forest and
view the falls. One trail is a steep
descent to the base of the falls and the other a more gentle walk of 700 metres
taking you to the Knoll and a great lookout spot facing the falls. The forest
features cascading ferns, a variety of gums and massive tallowwood trees, a
species in the eucalypt family growing to heights up to 70 metres with leaves
much favoured by koala’s. The information board at the picnic site contains a
useful commentary on the forest, the falls and the Aboriginal heritage of the
surrounding area.
It is claimed on
official web sites and information boards at the site that Ellenborough Falls
are the second highest in the southern hemisphere. This is highly inaccurate as
the height of the falls at 160/ 200 metres pales into insignificance when
compared to waterfalls in both South America and South Africa which have drops
of up to 800 metres. In fact on the world scale Ellenborough ranks 205th
among the highest falls in the world. However, this should not discourage a
half day visit to this unspoilt natural
and ancient environment. More details can be found on
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