Landers Falls lookout walk

Tumut area in Kosciuszko National Park

Open, check current alerts 

Overview

Landers Falls lookout walk, tucked into the forest between Tumut and Kiandra, wows you with dramatic views of Landers Creek waterfall plunging into the rocky gorge above Talbingo Reservoir.

Accessibility
No wheelchair access
Distance
10.6km return
Time suggested
3hrs 30min - 4hrs 30min
Grade
Grade 3
Trip Intention Form

It's a good idea to let someone know where you're going. Fill in a trip intention form to send important details about your trip to your emergency contact.

Personal Locator Beacon

Hire a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) for free at Snowy Region Visitor Centre in Jindabyne, Perisher Valley Office, Tumut Visitor Centre or Khancoban Visitor Centre.

What to
bring
Drinking water, hat, sunscreen, snacks, topographic map, gps, compass
Please note

Vehicle access to the 4WD carpark is closed in winter (June to October long weekends), so you'll need to park at the 2WD carpark.

This picturesque pocket of Kosciuszko National Park is well worth the detour off Snowy Mountains Highway. Starting from the Cumberland trail 2WD carpark, 300m from the highway, it's a 5km walk to the lookout, or 800m from the 4WD carpark (closed winter).

You can also mountain bike as far as the 4WD carpark, where you join Landers Creek Falls walk. Breathe in the eucalypt-scented air as birds sing overhead and lizards rustle the undergrowth.

The steep last few hundred metres bring you to Talbingo lookout, high above the valley and reservoir, before you climb the final 300m to Landers Falls lookout. Perched on the rim of a deep gorge, the lookout greets you with fabulous views of Landers Creek Falls as it emerges from the cliff opposite and cascades into a rocky ravine.

The tree protruding from the lookout is a Tingiringi Gum, rare in this area of Kosciuszko National Park.

 

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Map


Map legend

Map legend

Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/landers-falls-lookout-walk/local-alerts

General enquiries

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Landers Falls lookout walk.

Track grading

Features of this track

Distance

10.6km return

Time

3hrs 30min - 4hrs 30min

Quality of markings

Sign posted

Experience required

No experience required

Gradient

Short steep hills

Steps

Occasional steps

Quality of path

Formed track, some obstacles

Getting there and parking

Landers Falls lookout walk is in the northern section of Kosciuszko National Park. To get there:

  • Take Snowy Mountains Highway south from Tumut or north from Kiandra or Adaminaby.
  • Turn onto Cumberland trail at the sign for Landers Creek Falls, around 50km from Tumut and 40km from Kiandra.
  • 2WD vehicles can park 300m along the trail. From here, it's a 10.6km return walk to the lookout.
  • In summer, 4WD vehicles can continue along Cumberland trail to the 4WD carpark at the junction with Talbingo Mountain trail. From here, it's 1.6km return to the lookout.

Road quality

Check weather and road conditions before setting out as the track can become boggy when it rains.

Parking

Parking is available at the 2WD carpark or 4WD carpark (summer only) along the Cumberland trail, off the Snowy Mountains Highway.

By bike

Mountain bike riders can follow Cumberland trail to the 4WD carpark, then walk the 1.6km return trip to Landers Falls lookout.

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

Alpine safety

Alpine areas present special safety issues. Conditions can be extreme and may change rapidly, particularly in winter. It’s important to be prepared and find out how to stay safe in alpine areas.

Bushwalking safety

If you're keen to head out on a longer walk or a backpack camp, always be prepared. Read these bushwalking safety tips before you set off on a walking adventure in national parks.

Cycling safety

Hundreds of cyclists head to our national parks for fun and adventure. If you're riding your bike through a national park, read these mountain biking and cycling safety tips.

Mobile safety

Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

Accessibility

Disability access level - no wheelchair access

Prohibited

Drones

Flying a drone for recreational purposes is prohibited in this area. Drones may affect public enjoyment, safety and privacy, interfere with park operations, or pose a threat to wildlife. See the Drones in Parks policy.

This area may be a declared Drone Exclusion Zone, or may be subject to Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) rules for flying near airports, aerodromes and helicopter landing sites. See CASA's Drone Flyer Rules.

Commercial filming and photography

Commercial filming or photography is prohibited without prior consent. You must apply for permission and contact the local office.

Pets

Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.

Smoking

NSW national parks are no smoking areas.

Visitor centre

Learn more

Landers Falls lookout walk is in Tumut area. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

Explore by water, wheels or walking

Tumut Visitor Centre, northern gateway to Kosciuszko National Park. Photo: Elinor Sheargold © OEH

If you need some inspiration, stop by the Tumut Visitor Centre, for tips on top experiences, where to stay, and spot a corroboree frog in the display. Learn more about Kosciuszko National Park’s plants, animals and landscapes on an Aboriginal ranger-led tour (contact the visitor centre). Boat ramps on Blowering Reservoir, Talbingo Dam wall, and at O’Hares campground provide easy access for boating and paddling. There are also plenty of scenic drives, walking tracks and bike trails to tempt you away from the water. If you’re well-prepared, explore the remote Goobarragandra Wilderness or hike part of the 425km Hume and Hovell walking track.

  • Black Perry lookout Black Perry lookout, near Talbingo Mountain in Kosciuszko National Park, offers scenic views over the Snowy Mountains region, and is close to Tumut and Yarrangobilly Caves.
  • Tumut Visitor Centre Tumut Visitor Centre, on Snowy Mountains Highway, is the ideal starting point for a visit to northern Kosciuszko National Park, offering information, booking services, and souvenirs.

World-class wilderness

A woman stands next to a sign at Black Perry lookout, Kosciuszko National Park. Photo: Murray Vanderveer/OEH

In recognition of Kosciuszko's unique value as a conservation area, it’s been named a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. More than half of the park, over 350,000ha, has been declared wilderness, including the Bogong Peaks and Goobarragandra wilderness areas. Black Perry lookout is an excellent place to get a sense of the expansive wilderness areas in Kosciuszko's north.

Snowy Mountains history

Tumut 3 Power Station, Talbingo, near Kosciuszko National Park. Photo: E Sheargold

Tumut area’s more recent history can be seen at Blowering Reservoir, and just outside the park at Talbingo. The Snowy Hydro Scheme is recognised as one of the civil engineering wonders of the modern world. Its vast network of dams and power stations includes Blowering, Jounama and Talbingo reservoirs, and Tumut 3 Power Station, at Talbingo.

Unique landscapes

Landers Falls lookout, Kosciuszko National Park. Photo: Murray Vanderveer © OEH

The change in scenery is noticeable as you drive along Snowy Mountains Highway. The road climbs over 1000m from the Tumut River Valley, through woodland of mountain gum and narrow-leaf peppermint, to the treeless plains surrounding Kiandra.

  • Black Perry lookout Black Perry lookout, near Talbingo Mountain in Kosciuszko National Park, offers scenic views over the Snowy Mountains region, and is close to Tumut and Yarrangobilly Caves.
  • Landers Falls lookout walk Landers Falls lookout walk, tucked into the forest between Tumut and Kiandra, wows you with dramatic views of Landers Creek waterfall plunging into the rocky gorge above Talbingo Reservoir.

Plants and animals protected in this park

Animals

  • Swamp wallaby in Murramarang National Park. Photo: David Finnegan

    Swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor)

    The swamp wallaby, also known as the black wallaby or black pademelon, lives in the dense understorey of rainforests, woodlands and dry sclerophyll forest along eastern Australia. This unique Australian macropod has a dark black-grey coat with a distinctive light-coloured cheek stripe.

  • Yellow-tailed black cockatoo. Photo: Peter Sherratt

    Yellow-tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus)

    The yellow-tailed black cockatoo is one of the largest species of parrot. With dusty-black plumage, they have a yellow tail and cheek patch. They’re easily spotted while bird watching, as they feed on seeds in native forests and pine plantations.

  • Brush tail possum. Photo: Ken Stepnell

    Common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)

    One of the most widespread of Australian tree-dwelling marsupials, the common brushtail possum is found across most of NSW in woodlands, rainforests and urban areas. With strong claws, a prehensile tail and opposable digits, these native Australian animals are well-adapted for life amongst the trees.

  • Eastern common ringtail possum. Photo: Ken Stepnell

    Common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus)

    Commonly found in forests, woodlands and leafy gardens across eastern NSW, the Australian ringtail possum is a tree-dwelling marsupial. With a powerful tail perfectly adapted to grasp objects, it forages in trees for eucalypt leaves, flowers and fruit.

  • Bare-nosed wombat. Photo: Keith Gillett

    Bare-nosed wombat (Vombatus ursinus)

    A large, squat marsupial, the Australian bare-nosed wombat is a burrowing mammal found in coastal forests and mountain ranges across NSW and Victoria. The only other remaining species of wombat in NSW, the endangered southern hairy-nosed wombat, was considered extinct until relatively recently.

  • Emu, Paroo Darling National Park. Photo: John Spencer

    Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

    The largest of Australian birds, the emu stands up to 2m high and is the second largest bird in the world, after the ostrich. Emus live in pairs or family groups. The male emu incubates and rears the young, which will stay with the adult emus for up to 2 years.

  • A juvenile platypus saved by National Parks and Wildlife staff. Photo: M Bannerman/OEH

    Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

    One of the most fascinating and unusual Australian animals, the duck-billed platypus, along with the echidna, are the only known monotremes, or egg-laying mammals, in existence. The platypus is generally found in permanent river systems and lakes in southern and eastern NSW and east and west of the Great Dividing Range.

  • Echidna. Photo: Ken Stepnell

    Short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

    One of only 2 egg-laying mammals in the world, the short-beaked echidna is one of the most widespread of Australian native animals. Covered in spines, or quills, they’re equipped with a keen sense of smell and a tube-like snout which they use to break apart termite mounds in search of ants.

  •  Superb lyrebird, Minnamurra Rainforest, Budderoo National Park. Photo: David Finnegan

    Superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae)

    With a complex mimicking call and an elaborate courtship dance to match, the superb lyrebird is one of the most spectacular Australian animals. A bird watching must-see, the superb lyrebird can be found in rainforests and wet woodlands across eastern NSW and Victoria.

  • Wedge-tailed eagle. Photo: Kelly Nowak

    Wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax)

    With a wingspan of up to 2.5m, the wedge-tailed eagle is Australia’s largest bird of prey. These Australian animals are found in woodlands across NSW, and have the ability to soar to heights of over 2km. If you’re bird watching, look out for the distinctive diamond-shaped tail of the eagle.

Environments in this area