Killen Falls, NSW: Ballina waterfall height, walk & swimming
Killen Falls on Emigrant Creek is a 15 minute drive from Ballina via Tintenbar, or a half hour drive from Byron Bay via Bangalow and Newrybar. Once there, enjoy the swim…
What is Killen Falls?
Killen Falls is waterfall near Tintenbar in New South Wales.
This Northern Rivers waterfall is close to both Ballina and Byron Bay, and has a much-loved swimming hole at the bottom.
The easiest way to visit Killen Falls is on a Byron Bay region nature tour.
Northern Rivers waterfalls
Killen Falls shows off the embarrassment of riches in New South Wales’ Northern Rivers area.
The most famous waterfall in the Northern Rivers region near Byron Bay is Minyon Falls in the Nightcap National Park. But it is by no means the only waterfall worth seeing. Further south, nearer Ballina, the pool at the bottom of Killen Falls offers one of the most beautiful swimming holes in the Northern Rivers. It’s one of several waterfalls near Ballina.
Book in advance for the best Byron Bay accommodation deals.
and reserve your place on the top byron bay tours and experiences.
Surrounded by one of the few remaining patches of Big Scrub rainforest, Killen Falls is formed by Emigrant Creek plunging 10 metres over cave-like rocks.
How long is the Killen Falls walk?
The walk to the Killen Falls lookout is an easy one. From the car park, a 660 metre return path leads straight to the lookout.
However, if you’re coming here, chances are you want to get to the pool at the bottom of Killen Falls.
This is a bit trickier. The walk to the base of Killen Falls is rated as a grade 3 walk – it’s steep and tricky in parts. The walk is only 1km return, but you need to watch your footing.
Once there, however, you can get in the water. The pool at Killen Falls is pretty shallow, so you need to get fairly close to the falls themselves to be able to swim properly. The other option is to walk into the cave behind the falls, and watch Emigrant Creek pour over in front of your eyes.
8 amazing Byron Bay experiences worth booking today
- Experience the region’s glorious natural landscapes from above – on a hot air balloon ride.
- Go kayaking with dolphins – and get much closer to them than on a boat tour 🐬.
- Learn to surf – on a half day surf lesson 🏄♀️.
- Discover the local secrets – let a guide show you the hidden beaches and waterfalls 🏖️.
- Go on a three habitat wildlife safari – spotting koalas, kangaroos and flying foxes 🐨🦘.
- See glowworms light up the World Heritage-listed rainforest.
- Explore the Byron Bay hinterland – including the rainforest walk to Minyon Falls.
- Taste craft beers and spirits – on a tour of Byron’s breweries and distilleries 🍻.
- Also try… Skydives | Sea-kayaking | Whale-watching.
Waterfall near Byron Bay: Driving to Killen Falls
Killen Falls is around half an hour’s drive from Byron Bay. Take the Bangalow Road, then turn south onto the Hinterland Way at the Pacific Motorway junction. Turn west onto Brooklet Road at Newrybar, then south down Friday Hut Road at Brooklet.
Friday Hut Road follows Emigrant Creek, but at the southern end, turn east onto Killen Falls Drive. The car park for this waterfall near Byron Bay can be found here, but space is limited.
Killen Falls tour from Byron Bay
Alternatively, you can book on a tour from Byron Bay. The Behind The Bay tour aims to show off lesser-explored attractions in the region, such as Lake Ainsworth and the Broken Head Nature Reserve.
At the time of writing, this Killen Falls tour costs $119. For instant confirmation and mobile-friendly tickets, book here.
From Ballina to Killen Falls, it’s a 15 minute drive. Head to Tintenbar, then join the Friday Hut Road going north. If you’re flying into Ballina Airport then driving north, it’s an easy detour on the Ballina to Byron Bay drive.
5 Ballina experiences to book in advance
- Go on a dolphin watching cruise – sightings are very reliable.
- Take a guided coastal walk – learning about the natural environment on the way.
- Clink glasses as the sun goes down – on a Richmond River sunset cruise.
- Take a cruise to the Julian Rocks Marine Reserve – with a marine biologist pointing out the dolphins, turtles and dramatic cliffs.
- Learn to surf – on a private surfing lesson.
More waterfalls in Australia
Ebor Falls in the Guy Fawkes River National Park near Armidale, New South Wales.
Serpentine Falls in the Serpentine National Park near Perth.
Steavenson Falls in Marysville, Victoria.
Trentham Falls on the Coliban River near Melbourne.
Buderim Falls near Mooloolaba on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.