Towns & Villages - FITZROY FALLS

Fitzroy Falls Population: 688 (2006 census) Brief History Fitzroy Falls - the village and the spectacular natural attraction - lies at the edge of the escarpmant towards the coast from the Southern Highlands. Although the view from the Falls shows steep cliffs descending to the valley floor, there is a pathway leading down from the Highlands, first shown to the explorer Charles Throsby by local aborigines in 1818. Throsby, however, did not mention having seen the falls at that time. At the foot of this pathway (closely approximating the current highway) is the beautiful Kangaroo Valley. By the time the Falls were named (by Governor Fitzroy, on a visit to Throsby's property in 1850), they were already well known to other visitors, the Throsby family often taking their visitors there to picnic and admire the scenery. A town was planned in 1862 by Surveyor Robert Hoddle, but little settlement followed. In 1882 some 4000 acres around the falls were set aside as a reserve, by which time it was already popular as a local sightseeing attraction. Fitzroy Falls has always remained a small village, with only several dozen houses and surrounding farmland. (The current population - some few hundreds, is included in census statistics for the Avoca/Myra Vale area.) View from the Falls With the coming of the motor car, Fitzroy Falls became a popular visiting place. Motor 'charabancs' brought day trippers from the railway station at Moss Vale during the 40s and 50s to see the sights, and to stop off at the visitor's centre and cafe. Since the 60s the Falls have been administered by the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service (after the creation of Morton National Park), who have built an impressive tourist centre with information, displays, cafe, and picnic area. The area around the top of the Falls is a well re-established nature reserve, and there are many walking trails to enjoy. Most visitors travelling between the Highlands, Kangaroo Valley, and Nowra make a point of stopping off here. There is a well equipped old-fashioned general store, antique store, pottery, berry farm, riding school - and even sailing and fishing on the lake! View over the lake

Fitzroy Falls Fitzroy Falls QuickGuide Accommodation LIST ALL Shallow Gully Farmstay - Avoca Belmore Falls Burrawang Fitzroy Falls - National Park Picnic Areas Major Events & Festivals Sepember/October: Wildflower Exhibition (Tulip Time) October: Fire Trail Marathon Ranger Discovery Programs for kids held in school holidays What to See and Do For Visitors. First stop is always the Visitors' Centre, with National Parks & Wildlife's displays of its services and our natural heritage. Cafe and picnic area. Walk approx 200m to lookout at top of Falls (wheelchair access). More walks from 1 to 3 km along escarpment to other lookouts. Refreshments available at Settler's Store. Antique store, art and craft galleries, berry farm - pick your own (in season). Self contained accommodation in cabins or farm cottage. Riding School. Picnic area by the lake; sailing club; fishing. Drive on to Robertson via Belmore Falls; Bowral via Burrawang; or picturesque Kangaroo Valley. Self-contained accommodation available in Avoca and Burrawang, a short drive away. NPWS Visitor Information Centre For Kids. Amazing stuffed native animal display at Visitors' Centre; dare to look over the edge of the lookout at the falls; beaut bushwalks along the cliffs to other amazing lookouts; wild natural bush; see a platypus in the creek - if you're lucky. Lots of fun activities run by NPWS during school holidays. Horse riding school - learn to ride! Try your hand at catching a trout in the lake.