Killen Falls

No trip to the Northern Rivers feels complete without chasing a waterfall — and Killen Falls is one of the region’s most accessible and photogenic.

Just a 20-minute drive from Ballina, the falls are tucked away along Friday Hut Road in Tintenbar, surrounded by lush rainforest that forms part of the Big Scrub — once vast, now reduced to just one per cent of its original extent. It’s a special pocket of nature and one well worth slowing down for.

From the car park, a 330-metre walk winds through dense greenery to the top of the falls, where a lookout offers sweeping views down into the pool below. For a closer encounter, follow the steep but manageable track to the base of the falls. It can be slippery, so take care — the reward is a dramatic, ground-level perspective and the chance to spot turtles, birds and other local wildlife.

Don’t miss the small cave behind the waterfall, where you can stand beneath the cascade and look out through the falling water — a favourite photo spot.

An easy and memorable stop while exploring Tourist Drive 28, Killen Falls is a must-see for nature lovers visiting the Ballina hinterland.