Balaka Falls
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox waterfall
| name = Balaka Falls
| photo = Balaka_Falls.jpg
| photo_width = 250px
| map = Australia Sydney
| relief = yes
| map_width = 250px
| coordinates = {{Coord|-33.778889|151.033056|type:waterbody_region:AU-NSW_scale:50000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| coords_ref = Google
| location = Carlingford, New South Wales, Australia
| type = Tiered{{endash}}cascade
| elevation = {{Convert|70|m}} {{AHD}}
| height = {{Convert|4|-|5|m}}
| height_longest =
| number_drops = 2
| width = {{Convert|6|-|7|m}}
| average_width = {{Convert|6|m}}
| watercourse = Hunts Creek
| average_flow =
| world_rank =
}}
Balaka Falls is a small tiered–cascade waterfall situated in the Greater Western Sydney region of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.[http://www.parraparents.com.au/parks-playgrounds/balaka-falls-hunts-creek-carlingford/ Balaka Falls and Bushwalks in Hunts Creek Reserve | Carlingford] by Kellie from ParraParents.com.au. Retrieved 23 March 2020 It is located on the Hunts Creek in Yarralumla Wildlife Sanctuary in the City of Parramatta and is surrounded by suburbia, making it accessible for nearby residential areas.[https://www.discoverparramatta.com/see-and-do/discover-north-rocks-and-carlingford Discover North Rocks And Carlingford] by Carla Grossetti. Retrieved 23 March 2020{{Cite web|title=Balaka Falls|url=http://australianwaterfalls.com/waterfalls-by-state/245-australian-waterfalls/new-south-wales/greater-sydney/455-balaka-falls|access-date=2021-04-21|website=australianwaterfalls.com}}
Geography
Surrounded by a sclerophyll riparian forest and featuring sandstone rocks, the waterfall features two drops and is located on Hunts Creek. It is roughly a 30-minute drive from Sydney CBD and is situated between North Rocks and Carlingford in the northwestern suburbs. It is best visited after heavy rain events, when spectacular falls can be observed (although it is a permanent waterfall).
Access
The waterfall can be accessed from the suburban streets of Ferndale Avenue and Norfolk Place in Carlingford through a 50-metre and 250 metre long walking track (which are also fire trails), respectively. A sandstone staircase, which is not pram or wheelchair friendly, leads to the bottom of the falls. There is a locator map in the vicinity to address and direct visitors to the falls and the surrounding bushland.{{Cite web| url=https://hillsdistrictmums.com.au/balaka-falls-hunts-creek-reserve-carlingford | title= BALAKA FALLS / HUNTS CREEK RESERVE / CARLINGFORD | author = Hills District Mums HQ | access-date=23 March 2020}}
The M2 motorway and Cumberland Highway are major roads proximate to the falls.
See also
{{stack|{{portal|New South Wales|Environment}}}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Australian Waterfalls |state=autocollapse}}
{{Sydney landmarks|state=collapsed}}
Category:Nature reserves in Sydney
Category:Tourist attractions in Sydney
Category:Waterfalls of New South Wales
{{Sydney-geo-stub}}
{{waterfall-stub}}