Bridal Veil Falls (Govett's Leap)

Blue Mountains / Blackheath, New South Wales, Australia

About Bridal Veil Falls (Govett’s Leap)


Hiking Distance: roadside
Suggested Time:

Date first visited: 2006-11-05
Date last visited: 2006-11-05

Waterfall Latitude: -33.63087
Waterfall Longitude: 150.31404

Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

There were numerous waterfalls around the world named Bridal Veil Falls, but in this particular case, we’re talking about a wispy, light-flowing, cliff-diving waterfall that may also be known as Govett’s Leap.

Given its light-flowing nature when we saw it, we couldn’t say for sure how reliable the falls was.

Govetts_Leap_001_11042006 - Bridal Veil Falls or Govett's Leap
Bridal Veil Falls or Govett’s Leap

All we could really say about its reliability was that we visited during a storm and that it occurred on a year when most of southeastern Australia was seeing some of its worst drought in its history.

Thus, it was difficult to tell how the waterfall would normally behave.

Aside from the uncertainty of the waterfall’s flow, as you can see from the photos on this page, the Govett’s Leap Lookout certainly boasted some of the most spectacular views in the Blue Mountains.

The waterfall itself really accentuated the expansive panorama not far from the town of Blackheath.

We definitely felt like we were on top of the world taking in the panorama and going on some of the walks in our attempt to get closer to the falls.

Govetts_Leap_002_11042006 - The nice thing about visiting Bridal Veil Falls was getting these expansive views from the Govett's Leap Lookout
The nice thing about visiting Bridal Veil Falls was getting these expansive views from the Govett’s Leap Lookout

As for getting closer to the falls, we weren’t successful in doing that. However, to be honest, we didn’t try all that hard.

Walking around Govett’s Leap Lookout

Speaking of other walks, we also did a short walk towards another wispy, cliff-diving waterfall called Horseshoe Falls.

I believe it was so-named because the wide amphitheater it was in was curved and perhaps reminded someone of a horseshoe.

Apparently, the falls was one of many very temporary waterfalls in the area.

However, we were unsuccessful getting a clean view of it due to line-of-sight obstructions.

Govetts_Leap_026_11042006 - Our futile attempt at trying to spot Horseshoe Falls in its curved amphitheater that might have been how the falls got its name
Our futile attempt at trying to spot Horseshoe Falls in its curved amphitheater that might have been how the falls got its name

That said, the walk allowed us to experience a bit more of the precipitous cliffside views.

If we were so inclined, we easily could’ve occupied several hours meandering about on the many trails within the trail network on this part of the Blue Mountains.

Even though we happened to show up during a brief break in some bad weather, the views were still impressively beautiful.

I can imagine that on a clearer day, you’d get much better views as well as maybe even a glimpse of that bluish mist that gave the Blue Mountains their name.

Authorities

Bridal Veil Falls resides in the Blue Mountains National Park near Blackheath in New South Wales. It is administered by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, visit their website.

Govetts_Leap_009_jx_11042006 - A little obelisk dedicated to William Govett
Govetts_Leap_006_11042006 - Closeup of Bridal Veil Falls
Govetts_Leap_010_11042006 - Contextual look at the Bridal Veil Falls
Govetts_Leap_022_11042006 - Wide expansive look from the Govett's Leap Lookout
Govetts_Leap_014_jx_11042006 - Signs telling us how far some of the tracks were.  We took the short one to Horseshoe Falls
Govetts_Leap_003_jx_11042006 - A more direct perspective of the Govett's Leap Waterfall as we were testing out some of the trails in the area


The Govett’s Leap Lookout is at the end of a well-signed spur road (aptly named Govett’s Leap Road). As you drive Hwy 32 into Blackheath (about 11km or under 15 minutes drive west and north of Katoomba), look for the signs for the falls or be on the lookout for Govett’s Leap Road to your right (or left if you’re on Hwy 32 coming from the west or north). Then follow the Govett’s Leap Road to its end. There’s a car park and plenty of space for the expansive lookouts here.

For further context, Blackheath is about 128km (under 2 hours drive) west of Sydney CBD.

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Tagged with: blue mountains, blackheath, katoomba, wentworth falls, macquarie, new south wales, australia, waterfall, govetts leap, bridal veil, sydney



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Blackheath Waterfalls March 28, 2012 7:02 am by Peter Lockwood - I noticed the pictures of the Bridal Veil Falls & Horseshoe Falls at Blackheath were taken in an "off" year. Here are the pictures I took in 2009 after some good rain. ...Read More

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Johnny Cheng

About Johnny Cheng

Johnny Cheng is the founder of the World of Waterfalls and author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls. Over the last 2 decades, he has visited thousands of waterfalls in over 40 countries around the world and nearly 40 states in the USA.
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