Federal Falls
Federal Falls
What if we told you that just outside of Orange in the NSW Central West — far above the rooftops and wineries — there’s an isolated sub-alpine mountain that was once a volcano? A place of quiet forest paths, dramatic rocky gullies, and a stunning waterfall. There’s a wildness to this place, like it’s still shaping itself slowly, one drop at a time. This is Federal Falls.
Quick Details
Length: 4.2km
Elevation: 250m
Grade: Easy to moderate
Best season: Anytime after recent rainfall.
Suitable for kids: Yes
Starting the Trail
We arrived at the Federal Falls campground just as the weather turned wild. Heavy grey clouds blanketed the sky, with misty rain and fog curling through the trees. The wind felt like ice — slicing through the air and making us shiver despite our many layers of clothing. A perfect day for chasing waterfalls, right? We had no idea it would snow in the region later that afternoon.
We headed off on the southern trail to complete the Federal Falls Track loop in a clockwise direction. Since the falls sit roughly halfway through the loop, it doesn’t really matter which way you go. The northern trail is a little shorter, but we think the southern side is prettier. The track begins fairly flat before winding downhill through bushland that already felt far removed from town life.
There’s something so magical about foggy forests. The weather might’ve been miserable, but we found ourselves slowing down, marvelling at the scenery around us. This isn't the kind of forest we usually hike in. The pale gum trees with piles of rich red bark at their base, separated by low grasses. I think it’s the lack of scrub bushes that makes it feel so much more open than places we usually hike.
Wait… This is a Volcano?
Millions of years ago, Mount Canobolas was an active volcano. Its eruptions shaped much of the landscape we see today, carving out gullies and depositing layers of basalt rock — it’s even responsible for Borenore Caves to the North. Now, this area is considered an isolated sub-alpine environment — cooler, higher, and distinctly different from the surrounding Central West plains. There are even species of plants here that aren’t found anywhere else in the world.
Back to the Trail
As the trail steepens, the dirt path gives way to stairs — first cut into the ground, then shifting to sturdy metal staircases. It’s been a while since we’ve been out this way, and these upgrades were a pleasant surprise. They make the descent much easier, especially on a wet and slippery day like today.
The rain eased off, and for a moment, the sun broke through the clouds, giving us false hope that the day might warm up. A staircase brings us down to a bridge crossing the creek — a newer one replacing the older structure — and we paused for a quick photo break.
From here, the trail continues along an upgraded path that’s easy to walk and offers fantastic views across the hills and down to the creek beside us. It’s almost hard to believe that this area was badly burned in 2018. While there’s still a charred tree trunk here and there, the forest has bounced back to be as beautiful as it was before the fires.
Almost two kilometres in, we reached a trail junction: left to the falls, right to continue the loop back to the carpark. The falls are just 350 metres away now. What used to be a rough track with narrow switchbacks is now a clearly defined path with even more of those helpful metal staircases.
As we descended, we could hear the falls before we saw them — always a good sign. Federal Falls doesn’t always flow heavily — especially in dry spells. While it was raining during our visit, there hadn’t been much rain in the last few weeks — so we knew not to expect a huge cascade roaring over the cliff.
From the final staircase, we caught our first glimpse of the waterfall spilling over a tall wall of dark, jagged basalt. There’s not a lot of trees growing close to the falls, giving uninterrupted views out to the valley. It’s such a contrast to the sandstone cliffs and falls we’re used to seeing in the Blue Mountains — this felt rugged, ancient, and a little dramatic.
Federal Falls
Storm clouds gathered overhead as we reached the base (because the scene wasn’t already looking dramatic enough I guess). The wind through the falls turned the water to fine mist as it reached the ground. There isn’t a pool of water at the base — instead the water continues to tumble over the rocks to the creek further down the hill.
While it may not be the tallest waterfall you’ll ever visit, you can’t help but feel small standing at the base. The rocks beneath our feet are slick and uneven, but it was worth the climb just to stand here and look up at the water tumbling over the stone wall, framed by the rust-coloured cliff and stormy skies.
There are plenty of large rocks to stand on, or sit on, or climb over — one of the many reasons this is such a great hike for little adventurers. On warmer days most of these rocks are dry — they’re a bit slippery when wet so care needs to be taken. But the best part, is the cave hidden behind the falls.
If you stand with your back to the staircase, you’ll spot a gap in the rocks just to your left of the waterfall. By carefully picking your way down, you’ll find an open space tucked under the rock wall. It’s large enough to stand comfortably in most parts, and a wide opening behind the falls lets in plenty of light. On our visit, a fine mist drifted through the gap — and it’s hard to explain how incredibly magic it looked.
The sky was looking pretty dark as we climbed out of the cave, so after soaking up the views of the falls one last time, we made our way back via the northern side of the loop. The return trail is similar in distance and scenery, though personally, we prefer the southern side.
As we reached the top of the hill and the trail flattened out we found ourselves back amongst the pale gum trees and short grasses — already planning on when we can return here again and explore further.
Getting There
Federal Falls can be found at Mount Canobolas just outside of Orange NSW at the end of Towac Road (just off Mount Canobolas Road). The final section of the road can be a bit rough and narrow in places, but is bitumen the whole way and is 2wd accessible. There’s a large car park at the campground, which is where the trail head starts.
Tips and Tricks
Mount Canobolas is a great camping area — especially if you have little adventurers with you.
The track has been upgraded with staircases and flattened dirt tracks. Aside from a few short steep hills, it’s a fairly easy track overall with all junctions signposted.
The cave behind the falls is worth checking out, but always use good judgement. It can be slippery and dangerous, especially after heavy rain. Don’t risk it if the conditions aren’t safe.
Bring warm layers — even in the warmer months, the weather can shift quickly up here.