This waterfall is easy to find but there are several viewpoints to savour, so don’t miss any (like I first did).

I’ve stood at Wingham on a 43 degree day feeling like I was being slow roasted, then driven twenty minutes up onto the Bulga Plateau to find it downright pleasant under the canopy at Ellenborough Falls.

That’s the trick of this place, it makes its own weather, and on a stinking hot day there’s nothing quite like standing at the bottom with the spray cooling your face while everyone back in town is melting.

Ellenborough Falls sit up on the plateau, reached along the scenic Tourist Drive 8 from Wingham through to Elands. At 200 metres it’s the tallest single drop waterfall in New South Wales, and one of the tallest anywhere in the southern hemisphere, which is a fairly big claim for somewhere this easy to reach.

The car park has toilets, picnic tables and interpretive signs, though I should warn you the kiosk has closed for good, so bring your own water and snacks, don’t rely on buying anything once you’re up there.

There are four ways to take this place in, and I’d genuinely recommend doing all four if your knees are willing.

1. The teaser at the car park

Right near the car park is the first viewing platform, and it’s a good one, you get the whole waterfall in view. But it’s a tease more than anything, the kind of view that makes you want to go looking for something better. Trust that instinct.

2. The drop off view

A short easy walk of about 80 metres brings you to another viewing spot right near where the water tips over the edge. There are a few stairs here so it’s not wheelchair friendly, but it’s worth it, standing that close to where all that water commits to its fall gives you an odd little thrill, something about barrels and Niagara Falls comes to mind, though thankfully nobody’s actually going over.

3. The knoll lookout

This one’s a proper favourite of mine. It’s about a ten minute walk down a gravel path to a viewing platform directly opposite the falls, giving you the full top to bottom vista as the Ellenborough River tumbles into the ravine below.

Last time I walked it I noticed new benches and picnic tables tucked along the trail, along with fresh interpretive signage explaining what you’re looking at, small touches that make the walk feel properly looked after. For Instagrammers, the falls often sit in shade when viewed from here, which somehow just makes you want to keep going and see more.

4. The full 641 steps to the base

This is the one that separates the curious from the committed. Only attempt it if you’re reasonably fit and carrying water, since there’s no kiosk waiting at the end to bail you out.

Going down takes 15 to 30 minutes, coming back up takes considerably longer, 25 to 40 minutes, and every one of those 641 steps will remind you of it.

At the bottom you’ll find a rock pool wrapped in mist, and splashing that icy water on your face after the walk down is one of life’s small perfect pleasures.

Looking back up at the falls from ground level is genuinely humbling, all that water thundering down puts your own size into proper perspective. The timber walkways have all been replaced since my first walk here, so the going is smoother than it used to be, though your legs will still know about it by the top.

Take the climb back slowly, there’s no medal for speed here. Notice how the plants change as you gain height, keep an ear out for birds moving through the canopy, and use the numbered markers on the steps, 100, 200, 300 and on up to 600, to measure your progress.

Somewhere around 400 you’ll start negotiating with yourself about whether the view was really that good. It was. Keep going.