Ida Falls
Ida Falls
A quiet little waterfall just outside of Lithgow. It feels surprisingly removed from the world for somewhere so close to town. After a bit of rain, the creek comes alive, the forest seems to glow green, and the falls become more than just a trickle over rock. It’s the kind of walk that feels bigger than it looks on paper — a short wander that somehow turns into a proper little adventure. This is Ida Falls.
Quick Details
Total Length: 3.4km
Elevation: 100m
Grade: Easy to moderate
Best season: After rain
Suitable for kids: Yes, if they’re ok with less defined tracks
Starting the Trail
It was one of those perfect late autumn-early winter kind of days. The sky above was bright blue, while out to the horizon dark grey clouds threatened an early end to any hike. We’ve just pulled off the road to a parking area filled with workmen utes. “Do you think they’ll mind if I park behind them?” said Jess. “You’re driving a ute, they’ll probably think we’re one of them” I replied.
We jumped out, and unclipped our newest hiking buddy from the back of the ute — Jess’ new Border Collie puppy “Flick”. Despite tripping over her own paws, Flick was bounding with energy and ready to take on her first bushwalk. We crossed the road and headed down to the stone tunnel under the railway line.
We reached the edge of the creek and went to step inside the tunnel, only to feel that all too familiar tug on the leash. I turned around to find Flick looking at the water and then looking at me as if to say “Girl, I didn’t bring my floaties”. The creek through the stone tunnel is a great feature of this hike that’s sure to be a hit with kids — just maybe not first-time bushwalking puppies.
It’s actually kind of surprising how on the other side of the tunnel the area just opens right out to this clearing. It just looks so different to the little residential street from where you start. We crossed the creek, and headed out deeper into the grass.
Scattered through the clearing are the remnants of what we guess must have been a house. Although there’s not much left aside from some bricks and an old concrete trough. There's also a couple of rusted out cars. Flick didn’t seem to notice or care about any of that though, not once she found a wombat hole and dove head first into the dirt… We fished her back out by the leash, and carried on.
The little dirt track winds through the grass and ferns, leading us around to the tree line on the other side.
Tucked into the grass is a small metal arrow, painted blue, and pointing to our left. It’s always nice when a trail marker points you in the right direction.
We’re still in the clearing, the path skirting round the edge of the trees, the sky still undecided if it wants to be sunny or cloudy — Flick still undecided if she wants to be a bushwalker or a lap dog.
The track leads into the trees as we walk through a narrow corridor of ferns and undergrowth.
A world of new sights and smells keeps Flick occupied as she happily follows us along the trail. The sound of voices carries on the wind and we look up to realise that the Zig Zag railway station “Top Points” is above us. The train is there waiting for people to jump back onboard, giving an almighty puff of steam into the crisp air as it prepares to leave.
The trail wanders up and down a few short hills, and it isn’t long before we’re brought down to a small clearing, with an old brick wall over the creek. We took a moment to sit and enjoy the picturesque view of the creek.
The deeper we get the more overgrown the trail becomes. We managed to drop the trail a couple of times before finding it again, so if you’re not confident with off track walking be sure to have an offline map of the trail.
Tall sandstone walls rise either side of us, seemingly out of nowhere. More than a few trees are lying over the track to be navigated around. Flick, who had to be carried over the first few, finally found that Border Collie instinct to jump, and before long was leaping over logs like a champion showjumper.
We had to cross the creek a few times, the trail was thick with undergrowth. We both agreed that the trail was actually a lot more enjoyable than what we had originally thought it was going to be. We were expecting nothing more than a short wander through the bush, but it felt like a proper hike, even though we were still so close to town.
We started to hear the familiar sounds of rushing water — always a good sign that the waterfall will be flowing nicely. We pushed our way through the undergrowth, to catch our first glimpse of the falls ahead.
Ida Falls
We definitely picked a good time to visit. This is one of those waterfalls that dries out to not much more than a trickle without recent rain. Today, though, it was flowing nicely.
It would make a great spot for a picnic. We don’t think it’s overly popular, so chances are you'll have it to yourself if you decide to visit. I sat down to make a few notes, while Jess wandered around taking photos — and Flick discovered that actually, water can be a lot of fun.
Maybe it’s the tall walls creating a sort of natural amphitheater around the falls, but there’s something about being here that feels like you’re tucked away in a pocket of the bush that most people have forgotten about.
We actually ended up staying at the falls for ages. When the sun managed to come out from behind the clouds it was actually quite pleasant to just sit there with the sounds of the falling water.
Eventually though, the dark clouds to the east started rolling in and we decided to pack up and head back. Much to Flick's dismay, as she’d just discovered that she could hide herself under the ferns.
The trip back felt easier than the trip out. Maybe there were less hills in this direction, maybe it’s because we had an idea of where we were going this time — maybe it was the threat of getting caught in a thunderstorm if we didn’t hurry up and leg it.
All too soon we were back at the tunnel, and this time Flick had no reservations about bounding through the water and straight into the tunnel. Think it’s safe to say she enjoyed her first bushwalk…
Getting There
The trail head to Ida Falls can be found on Bell’s Road in Lithgow — not quite at the end of the road, but where the houses stop. There’s a small area just off the road where you can park. The tunnel is visible from the road, which should tell you you’re in the right place.
Tips and Tricks
It’s best to visit after rain to see the falls at more than just a trickle. However, if the water is flowing fast and deep through that tunnel, please do not attempt the hike, you need to cross the creek a few times and it can be risky to do so if the creek is flooded.
The trail is overgrown, particularly close to the falls, there are also a few little sidetracks to the creek here and there. Bring an offline map of the trail with you if you struggle with undefined tracks.
The trail is dog friendly, but be sure to keep them on a leash.
