The Falls
Mullion Range State Conservation Area
Overview
The Falls, near Summer Hill Creek in Mullion Range State Conservation Area, provide a scenic vista and popular swimming location.
- Type
- Lookouts
- Please note
- There is limited mobile reception in this park
- Remember to take your binoculars if you want to go bird watching
From the carpark by Ophir Road, follow Central Mines trail to The Falls at Summer Hill Creek for breathtaking views of the waterfalls. The falls are lovely all year around, but are particularly striking when water levels in the creek are high following heavy rainfall. At the bottom of these glorious waterfalls, you’ll find a tranquil swimming hole that makes the most perfect place to cool off on a hot summer’s day.
Summer Hill Creek is also a good spot for off bank fishing.
Pack a picnic and drive to nearby Fourth Crossing picnic area, then take a walk along Historic Water Race walking track.
Map
Map legend
Map
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://uat.nswparks.cloud/things-to-do/lookouts/the-falls/local-alerts
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Park info
- in Mullion Range State Conservation Area in the Country NSW region
Mullion Range State Conservation Area is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about The Falls.
Maps and downloads
Learn more
The Falls is in Mullion Range State Conservation Area. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Striking scenic water landscapes
A prominent feature of the landscape of this reserve is the mix of rocky outcrops and the waters of Summer Hill Creek.
Good as gold
Explore the past by discovering fascinating remnants of the Mullion's gold mining boom. From 1860 to 1920, intrepid gold mining pioneers created mining sites and a water race that was built by hand to transport water from the creek to the mining areas.
- Historic Water Race walking track Historic Water Race walking track, near Orange, is a medium-difficulty walk offering birdwatching and gold mining history as well as swimming and fishing along Summer Hill Creek.
- The Falls The Falls, near Summer Hill Creek in Mullion Range State Conservation Area, provide a scenic vista and popular swimming location.
Unique plant and birdlife
You may spot interesting wildlife here, like eastern grey kangaroos, red-necked wallabies and wallaroos bounding through open fields. Gliders scurry among the treetops and platypus paddle their way along the creek. Large swathes of vegetation on the flatter areas of Mullion Range State Conservation Area have remained relatively undisturbed, thanks to the area's mining past. This means you can see a number of plant species and communities here that are rarely found elsewhere in central western NSW, including inland scribby gum, red stringybark and river oak. Mullion Range also provides habitat for many unique and interesting species of woodland birds, such as native parrots, including eastern rosellas and crimson rosellas, superb parrots in the springtime, and owls.
- Fourth Crossing picnic area Fourth Crossing picnic area next to Summer Hill Creek, near Orange, is a great base for exploring gold mining history on walking tracks, swimming or trout fishing.
- The Falls The Falls, near Summer Hill Creek in Mullion Range State Conservation Area, provide a scenic vista and popular swimming location.