If you love all things shiny, there are a few natural wonders around NSW to pique your interest. Bioluminescent beaches on the South Coast and glow worm caves are some sparkly things that create a dreamy effect when the sun goes down. Another enchanting place in the Blue Mountains that you shouldn’t miss is Horseshoe Falls. Located in Hazelbrook in the Blue Mountains, just a 90-minute drive from Sydney CBD, this is one of the prettiest waterfall walks in the region. It also hides a magical secret under the cover of darkness. In the right conditions, you can see thousands of twinkling glowworms at the back of the cave behind the falls.
Horseshoe Falls, Hazelbrook
At this scenic walk, you’ll find a few waterfalls to explore but if you’re looking for glow worms, you’ll want to head straight to Horseshoe Falls. While it is best to take a torch along as it is pitch black at night, please be mindful of the glow worms and don’t shine it directly at them, this can spook the glow worms and stop them from glowing.
Horseshoe Falls is best to visit after rainfall although prepare to walk through a bit of mud. It’s the second walk on the track which you can reach in around 15 minutes from the starting point. Further down the track, you will find more lovely waterfalls with the last one being Burgess Falls.
Horseshoe Falls is special because it is home to a colony of glow worms. It could even be one of the very best spots in the Blue Mountains to see these bioluminescent insects. The idyllic spot features a horseshoe-shaped cave behind the waterfall, hence the name. Wait for the sun to set, that’s when the cave comes aglow with the twinkling insects. Once again, it is advised not to shine any light on them, give your eyes a few minutes to adjust and you’ll see the spot come alive with glow worms. The walk up to the falls can take around an hour or less; wear comfortable shoes as it can be a bit tricky after rainfall and features some steep sections.
Another cool thing about the waterfalls on this track is that you can actually walk behind three of them — Fairy Falls, Horseshoe Falls and Oakland Falls.
How to get to Horseshoe Falls
You won’t find this hidden waterfall on Google Maps. The best way to get to it is to find the carpark on Oakland Road, continue walking a few meters past the creek and follow the signposts on the way. The first sign should say “Horseshoe Falls Reserve.” You can also catch the train from Central to Hazelbrook which takes around 90 minutes. The walk is kid-friendly but with adult supervision and you can also take your dog along as long as they’re kept on a leash. Head to the NSW National Parks website for more things to do in the Blue Mountains. Find more information about Hazelbrook here.