Dangar Falls

Dorrigo, New South Wales

The view of this large, circular pool from the elevated platform high up on the canyon wall promises an exciting swim below. At around 40 metres in diameter, and with a reliable flow of water most of the time, this is one of the larger waterfall pools I have visited. Above: The pool at Dangar Falls (Order this image)

After reclaiming your breath from the view up above, from the car park head through to the end of the playground, being careful not to get sucked into the labyrinth along the way. The 200 metre path down to the water is mostly quite easy, with steps and boardwalks over the more difficult sections of terrain. It is only the last few steps down off the boardwalk to the ground in front of the pool that can be a little slippery, uneven and sometimes muddy. Above: The rocky entry into the shallows at Dangar Falls (Order this image)

When first entering the water, wade in carefully through the shallows, trying to keep your balance on the stones that push your feet at odd angles. Swimming shoes helped to maintain my grip on the uneven surfaces. The views from the water are equally impressive to those above. In this sunken landscape, the high, circular walls wrap around the pool. Apart from the spray drifting across from the waterfall, there was no wind down here at all, despite a fairly strong gale up at the car park. If you stay away from the waterfall itself, this swim is in a surprisingly calm environment. The only drawback for me was that the water was a little cloudy, which meant it was not straightforward to see where you were placing your feet when wading in, particularly with the sun reflecting off the water making it harder to see. Above: Enough to take your breath away - the pool at Dangar Falls from the viewing platform (Order this image)

Whilst I did not venture to the back of the falls because the flow running over the top was too strong when I visited, it is apparently possible to venture in behind the falls, underneath a slight overhang, when the flow over the falls is low. Inflatables are a good option if you are prepared to carry them down or blow them up at the bottom. Before you head out, make sure to read the swimming safety information and check with the managing authority for any current change of conditions. Specific to this site, the managing authority warns that the walking track includes steep and uneven sections and to please watch your step. It also advises to never jump from the top of the falls, to stay behind railings and barriers, to not jump into the swimming holes or river, to not swim after heavy rain, to never swim alone, to please keep sunscreen and insect repellent and soaps out of the water, and to stay on the tracks and keep off any regeneration areas. Lastly it advises that during drought periods, water quality may be unsafe for swimming. ABC news reported that a man died here in early 2024 after jumping in off the cliff. The marker indicates the approximate location of the car park in front of this swimming spot. If the map is not zoomed in locally, as can sometimes occur when loading, simply click or tap on "View Larger Map" below.
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