Hey Catherine, Thanks for your reply. We are visiting the park first time and do you have an advise which can be the best starting point and exit (Exit to the same place as for the car park). I have seen a part where there is a walk through the cliff which looks amazing. Is it a long cliff walk or a short one. I really do wana try it out but just worried on the height issue thus asking to find out how scary is that part:)

Be aware that much of the National Pass (and Wentworth Pass) is closed due to fatal landslides and rockfalls late last year. You can still walk to the base of the first drop of Wentworth Falls down the Grand Stairway, but no further. You will need to return the same way. You can also descend into the Valley of the Waters below Conservation Hut (and do the clifftop walk between Conservation Hut and the Wentworth Falls picnic ground), but again you need to return the same way as the track is closed below Empress Falls. Yes, plan for cold weather. Winter is approaching and we had a light snowfall the other day. Wear layers. The tracks are very dry though as we have not had rain for a while.

National Pass is closed between the base of the first drop of Wentworth Falls and the base of Empress Falls in the Valley of The Waters.

No, not really! But hey, I've seen people wearing high heels, business shoes, thongs, bare feet, etc etc on the Grand Stairway so what do I know?!

Hi I must say that I always wear boots when I walk in the australian bush. Reason is for both ankle support on the variety of terrain/trip hazards, to provide some protection against snake bites and some tracks even in dry weather can have some muddy/wet bits. In saying this I have seen many walk the track in sneakers. So guess my short answer appropriate no; but manageable with care. NOTE THIS TRACK IS STILL CLOSED DUE TO THE RECENT ROCK FALL/FATALITY - Options Charles Darwin to Centre of the Falls; Conservation Hut to Empress Falls. Overcliff/under cliff. Google these for track notes - particularly a site called Wild Walks

I saw quite a few dogs. Some areas would be a challenge - long dropoffs along narrow paths over slippery stone, with a handrail suitable for humans but not likely to prevent a dog from sliding off into the canyon ... and there are steep sections where hands are useful, as well as spiral stairs. But some sections were perfectly safe.

I would plan for the ~4 hours. Of course, it depends on your fit, how long the breaks on the way would be, etc. But do it, don't skip it ...