Killen Falls Byron Bay – Ultimate Visitors Guide (2025)

Killen Falls

Killen Falls is an incredible waterfall and wild swimming location near Byron Bay. It makes for an awesome day trip and is a great place to cool down on a summers day. This guide will share the essential information you need to know when planning a trip to Killen Falls, including what to expect and best time to visit.

Why visit?

Killen Falls is a popular destination due to its natural beauty, proximity to Byron Bay and easy access. If you’re wanting somewhere to cool down in nature then this spot is a must. Firstly, you are allowed to swim here, whereas there are other waterholes and waterfalls where swimming is banned. Secondly, the unique appearance of the cave behind the waterfall really makes Killen Falls stand out from the crowd, you can even stand behind the waterfall itself!

Where is it?

The waterfall is located approximately 30 minutes southwest of Byron Bay. Its proximity to the tourist hub is why it is so popular. However, there are no public transport options to the waterfall. You will have to hitch a ride or a hire a car if you don’t have transport yourself.

If you’re searching for car hire in Australia we would recommend Eastcoast Car Rentals.

Click here for the exact location on Google Maps

Arriving at Killen Falls

Upon arrival, there is a small car park located at the start of the trail. The car park fits about 10 cars, so you may have to park on the side of the road. To avoid parking issues it’s best to arrive early and to visit during the weekdays.

There is a toilet in the carpark if needed but take note this is the only public toilet in the area.

The trail

A reason this location is so popular is that the walk itself is relatively short at 1km return and takes about 10/15 minutes to reach the base of the falls from the carpark.

The first section of the walk is straightforward and follows a maintained path. It also passes an incredible lookout platform about 300m in which is well worth a stop. The platform looks right down on to the waterfall making for a great perspective.

The second half of the walk to the base of the waterfall itself is the trickier part. There is a metal railing as you leave the maintained path to help you descend down some uneven surfaces. Overall, the path is doable for most, the only risk would be slipping on the rocks so you just have to take it a bit slower. We wouldn’t recommend walking this section in flip-flops!

As you make your way down to the river bed you turn left and you should see a larger body of water which is the base of the falls. Continue walking along the river bed until you reach the falls or find a spot you’d like to sit and enjoy the view.

What to expect

Once you’ve arrived at the falls you’re free to swim in the waterhole if you’d like. We visited in November on a sunny day and it had a constant stream of visitors, with many choosing to swim.

The ferocity of the waterfall alters depending on the recent rainfall. If it’s particularly big then we would advise caution swimming underneath the fall as sometimes there’s debris from the rain.

If you visit during winter and outside of wet season you may be disappointed as the waterfall may have turned into a trickle with the lack of rain. It would be good to ask locals or to check social media posts beforehand to see what the waterfall is currently looking like.

Due to the erosion, a cave has formed behind the waterfall which is a real highlight of this destination. You are able to walk behind the waterfall which is really fun but we would warn you to be careful of the wet rocks, it would be very easy to slip if you aren’t looking where you’re walking.

What to pack

When visiting Killen Falls we would recommend packing an everyday backpack with a few essentials. If you’re planning to swim, you will need a towel and your swimming costume/shorts. In addition to sun safety items such as sunscreen, hat and sunglasses. Summer in Australia can reach temperatures of 30°c+ so always have water with you.

Grippy shoes or hiking boots would be best for walking to the falls due to the uneven surfaces on the latter half the trail.

Also, there is no bin on the trail or at the base of the falls so ensure you take all your rubbish with you on your exit.

Byron Bay Temperature (average low/high)

SUMMER	WINTER
22°C-29°C (71-84F)	13°C-20°C (55-68F)

What else is there to do in Byron Bay?

Byron Bay offers plenty of things to do, it’s packed with incredible cafes and eateries as well as an array of activities.

If you’re wanting to visit another waterfall in the area, we would recommend Minyon Falls. Located in Nightcap National Park, Minyon Falls descends 100m to the rainforest floor and is home to an incredible lookout that overhangs the waterfall.

Otherwise, if you’re looking for water based activities there’s no better place than Byron Bay to have a try at surfing or even enjoy a snorkelling tour.

Additionally, we would also highly recommend the Cape Byron Lighthouse track, its a must do and takes you to the most Easterly point of mainland Australia – a popular location for sunrise!

There is also much to do in the surrounding Northern Rivers region, including the charming town of Bangalow where we would recommend enjoying a bite to eat at Woods cafe.

Thank You

Hi adventurers, thanks for reading this guide!

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