Killen Falls is a magnificent cave waterfall that spits out of Emigrant Creek to a 10-meter drop and into a shallow rock pool below. It’s the perfect little adventure to get away from the bustling streets of Byron Bay and enjoy some peace and quiet in nature.
I have put together this complete guide of Killen Falls including how to get there, the best time to visit, and what to expect when you arrive.
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Table of Contents
WHERE IS KILLEN FALLS?
Killen Falls is a 30-minute drive southwest of the main tourist hub of Byron Bay.
Click here to see the location on Google maps.
HOW TO GET TO KILLEN FALLS
You will need your own vehicle to get to Killen Falls Byron as there is no public transport to this area.
Upon arriving, you will see a car park at the top of the nature reserve and you will have to hike down to the falls for approximately 10 minutes.
It’s an easy hike through beautiful bushland and it’s suitable for people of all ages.
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The main falls
On the trail to the waterfall
KILLEN FALLS TOUR FROM BYRON
Another alternative to visiting this awesome location is to book a full-day tour to see the highlights west of Byron Bay.
The Byron Surrounds Waterfall Tour is the most top-rated tour with great reviews and hundreds of bookings.
This full-day tour covers some of the best spots west of Byron Bay including Killen Falls, the Eltham Hotel, Nimbin town, and Nimbin Rocks!
BOOK NOW → BYRON SURROUNDS WATERFALL TOUR
The natural swimming hole
WHAT TO EXPECT AT KILLEN FALLS BYRON BAY
There is no entrance fee to access the falls, so just park your car in the parking lot and follow the signs down to the waterfall.
As you begin the walk down the trail, the path will fork off to the left to where you can find a wooden viewing platform that overlooks the falls from above.
The water source that creates this beautiful waterfall flows out of Emigrant Creek and down the valley till it reaches a 10-meter drop into a large swimming hole below.
When you reach the bottom of the trail, you will hike along large river stones on the creek’s edge till you reach the swimming hole and the main attraction.
The rock has eroded significantly behind the waterfall which forms an impressive cave that you can walk into and get behind the falls. You can also scale around the larger cliffs in the bowl-like amphitheater and find yourself in some other smaller caves.
Swimming beneath the falls is allowed but it’s not recommended for any cliff jumping as the depth of the water in the swimming hole is too shallow.
Marveling at the falls
Behind the falls
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit is early morning around 8 to 9 am to beat the crowds. There are no toilet amenities here, so just be mindful of that.
You will also have to take your own food and water as there is no means of a shop in the area, and an even better excuse for a picnic down by the falls.
The water temperature is quite fresh in the mornings and afternoons, but once the sun’s rays fill up the amphitheater and the swimming hole, it quickly becomes more bearable and enjoyable.
The day before I visited it rained heavily and therefore turned the water a brown color, but by all means, the water was still clean and refreshing.
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The main falls
The cave behind the falls
WHERE TO STAY NEAR KILLEN FALLS
Killen Falls is best visited on a day trip from Byron Bay. There are countless accommodation options to choose from in Byron so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to fit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: The Watermark
Mid Range: Glen Villa Resort
Budget: Nomads Backpackers
AIRBNB BYRON BAY
Another option for accommodation in Byron is to stay in an Airbnb, which generally has some great deals!
Use the search box below to search for all available Airbnb’s in Byron Bay.
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OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST
The coastline and hinterland areas between Byron Bay and the Gold Coast boasts awesome beaches, lakes, waterfalls, hikes, and many more fun-fuelled adventures waiting to be had!
This is what Australia is all about and what I aim to share with you all in these guides.
You may want to see my other related posts near Killen Falls in the Northern NSW region:
Wategos Beach Byron Bay
BEST BYRON BAY TOURS
MORE AUSTRALIA TRAVEL GUIDES
Click on the links below to see more related posts:
- Hamilton Island: 10 Things To Do In Hamilton Island
- Agnes Water: 17 Things To Do In Agnes Water
- Yeppoon: 10 Best Beaches In Yeppoon
- Brisbane: Things To Do In Brisbane
- Gold Coast: 3 Day Gold Coast Itinerary
- Fraser Island: Fraser Island Day Trip
- Springbrook: Springbrook Waterfalls
- Byron Bay: Things To Do In Byron Bay
- Crescent Head: 9 Things To Do In Crescent Head
- Forster: 7 Things To Do In Forster
- Port Macquarie: 7 Best Beaches In Port Macquarie
- Sydney: Things To Do In Sydney
- Kiama NSW: 3 Awesome Things To Do In Kiama
- Melbourne: Things To Do In Melbourne
LONELY PLANET AUSTRALIA
One of the best books to take on your trip is the Lonely Planet Australia Guide!
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MY SHOP
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FINAL THOUGHTS
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions, please drop me a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can!
Happy Adventuring!