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Somersby Falls picnic area

Brisbane Water National Park

Affected by closures, check current alerts 

Overview

Somersby Falls closed for upgrades

Construction at Somersby Falls picnic area is underway and will be completed in June 2024. The visitor area will be closed during construction. Improvements are being made to the car park, visitor facilities and walking track. Find out more about the investment being made to upgrade Somersby Falls picnic area.

A great place to picnic on the Central Coast, Somersby Falls offers barbecues and picnic tables in a lush rainforest complete with waterfalls and a walking track.

Type
Picnic areas
Where
Brisbane Water National Park in Sydney and surrounds
Accessibility
Medium
Entry fees
Park entry fees apply
Opening times

9am - 8pm daylight savings time or 5pm at all other times

Somersby Falls picnic area is the perfect place to escape from everyday life. Enjoy your meal amidst lush rainforest that feels a million miles away but in reality is so close to home. 

It’s a great place to picnic, with free barbecues and picnic tables and plenty of space to set up your own rug and chairs. Whether you picnic under the shade of tall trees at the far end of the carpark or next to Floods creek before it descends over the cascades, you’re bound to see a bird or two. Make sure you look out for the industrious brush turkeys that might be keen on sharing your lunch.

When you’ve enjoyed a tasty barbecue and feel like stretching your legs, try the Somersby Falls walking track. It’s a 500m return walk through rainforest that takes in views of the top and bottom waterfalls. The walk is steep and slippery in places, so keep an eye on the kids as they walk along the track.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Also see:

  • Somersby Falls walking track, Brisbane Water National Park. Photo: John Yurasek

    Somersby Falls walking track

    Somersby Falls walking track in Brisbane Water National Park runs to the bottom of Somersby Falls, with birdwatching opportunities and a nearby picnic area.

  • Girrakool picnic area, Brisbane Water National Park. Photo: John Yurasek © OEH

    Girrakool picnic area

    A great spot for a family picnic, Girrakool picnic area has barbecues, lots of green space to run around and a scenic walking track that features Aboriginal engravings.

  • Girrakool loop track, Brisbane Water National Park. Photo: John Yurasek © OEH

    Girrakool loop track

    A lovely way to finish a barbecue, the Girrakool loop track is a short and easy walk through bushland, featuring an Aboriginal rock engraving site and scenic waterfalls.

 

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A family walk a boardwalk section of Bouddi coastal walk, Bouddi National Park. Photo: John Spencer/OEH.

 

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General enquiries

Park info

  • in Brisbane Water National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region

  • Two picnic areas in Brisbane Water National Park close in the evening:

    • Girrakool picnic area is open 7am to 8pm during daylight savings and is open 7am to 6pm at other times
    • Somersby Falls picnic area is open 8am to 8pm during daylight savings and is open 8am to 5pm at other times

    Other areas of Brisbane Water National Park will be open at all times, however may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.

     

     

  • Park entry fees:

    $8 per vehicle per day. The park has pay machines that accept both card and coins, or you can pay via the Park'nPay app.

    Other fees:

    You will need a permit to hold a wedding or undertake commercial photography within the park.

    Buy annual pass
See more visitor info

What's nearby:

Things to do (40)

Tours (8)

Camping and accommodation (1)

Volunteering (5)

School excursions (2)