Things to do - Triplet Falls

What You’re In For

The walk’s 2km all up, takes about an hour if you’re stopping for photos and actually looking at stuff instead of racing through. It’s one of those loop tracks where you go down on one side and back up the other. 

You drop about 100 metres altitude but it’s spread out so it’s not difficult. Still, those steps on the way back will remind you that you’re not as fit as you thought. The track’s open pretty much all the time unless there’s been absolutely mental rainfall and trees have come down.

First waterfall you hit is Little Aire Falls. It’s about 10 metres high, pretty enough, makes a nice photo. But everyone’s really here for the main viewing platform where you can see both Triplet Falls and Henderson Falls at once. Triplet Falls is this skinny elegant thing that drops 25 metres straight down through the forest. Looks like someone turned a tap on at the top of the trees.

The Forest Is Actually the Star

Sure, everyone comes for the waterfalls but the forest here is amazing. Mountain ash trees that are basically skyscrapers – we’re talking 80-90 metres tall. Some of these started growing after the 1939 fires so they’re babies really, only 85 years old. The old stuff that survived, the myrtle beeches, they’re pushing 300-400 years.

Everything’s covered in moss. Every surface that stays still long enough gets colonised. Tree ferns everywhere making it feel properly prehistoric. After rain the whole place drips and steams. Fungi goes mad in autumn – orange brackets, purple jellies, weird coral-looking things. Scientists keep finding new species here which is pretty wild when you think about it.

Animals and Birds and Stuff

Lyrebirds run this joint. They’re always scratching around making a mess, building their weird compost heaps. The males do their interesting sound copying thing – I’ve heard them do chainsaws, camera shutters, other birds, car alarms. One was doing what sounded like a squeaky gate. They’re about the size of a chook but with this ridiculous tail.

King parrots flash past all red and green. Crimson rosellas too. Sometimes a gang of yellow-tailed black cockatoos rocks up and destroys a dead tree looking for grubs. Makes a hell of a racket. You might see a swamp wallaby if you’re quiet, especially early morning near the car park. They’re pretty used to people but still hop off if you get close.

When to Rock Up

Every season’s different here. Winter the falls are pumping but the tracks are muddy and it’s cold as. You’ll get wet from the spray and the dripping trees. But that’s when it looks most like a proper rainforest should – misty and mystical.

Morning’s best for beating crowds and getting good light through the trees. Afternoon works too but by then every man and his dog has had the same idea. Middle of the day the light’s harsh and there’s people everywhere taking selfies at the platform.

Other Stuff While You’re Out There

You’re already in the middle of nowhere, might as well see what else is around. Beech Forest is 10 minutes back down the road. The Californian Redwoods are right there too. Planted in the 1930s, now they’re huge. Kids love it, feels like something out of a fairy tale.

There’s another waterfall called Young Wives Falls on the same road. Smaller, less fancy, but usually empty. If you’re feeling energetic there’s an old tramway track from Triplet Falls to Beech Forest. About 7km one way through the forest. You’d need someone to pick you up the other end though.