Fitzroy Falls lies at the edge of the escarpment 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. This was 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 bottom of the pathway (close to 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 around 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.

With the coming of the motor car, Fitzroy Falls became a popular visiting place. 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 with 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 prepared old-fashioned general store, antique store, pottery store, berry farm, riding school, and sailing and fishing on the lake.

Australia has always been a sporting nation and these days, many of our elite sports people use the facilities of the Australian Institute of Sport. You can see the world of the champion athletes from the inside as you tour the complex, with an athlete as your guide. Visit the Sports Visitor Centre, which incorporates Sportex - an exhibition of interactive sports displays, videos and tributes, as well as the latest sports technology. Many of the AIS facilities are open to the public to enjoy a swim, a spa or even a game of tennis.