Carrington Falls, about 10km from Robertson off the Jamberoo Mountain Road, now lies in Budderoo National Park, run by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

While the Falls would have long been known to Aboriginal people, surveyor Robert Hoddle is credited as being the first European to view them while surveying Kangaroo Valley and surrounding ranges in 1831. The year before he had surveyed a track from Bong Bong, cutting through thick rainforest to the escarpment and down via Barren Ground to Kiama. Despite his efforts, the district’s eastern side remained unsettled until the Robertson Land Act of 1861 attracted settlers to the area.

As settlement began, some land was set aside from sale, including the temporary reservation of 749 acres at the Falls for public recreation, notified in July 1869. It appears, however, that little was done there for the next two decades. The temporary notice was revoked in December 1887 and a new larger reserve of 1,460 acres was notified, encompassing the Falls and surrounding valley, and a trust appointed.

While the Falls was thus recognised, it was still without a name. A Bowral Free Press article in March 1888, after alluding to the attractions of Fitzroy and Belmore Falls, continued that “there is a third fall that has not yet decidedly been baptised, the water being there but not the name. Let the residents of Robertson arrange for a public picnic, and invite His Excellency and Lady Carrington to be present, and let these falls receive the appellation of Carrington Falls.” Being named after Lord Carrington, the then NSW Governor, was in keeping with the other major Falls having been named after Governors Fitzroy and Lowry-Corry, Earl of Belmore. 

Although Lord Carrington often holidayed in the Southern Highlands, no report of him attending a name day at the Falls has been found nor has any official notification surfaced from the time. Nonetheless by 1891 the name had come into usage, as instanced by an article about Robertson in the Sydney Mail of November 28, 1891. After describing Fitzroy and Belmore Falls, it stated that: “Four other waterfalls lie within easy reach of Robertson: the Bridal Veil, the Carrington Falls, the Gerringong and the Macquarie Falls.” In regard to Carrington Falls, they “would perhaps be better described as a cataract. There is a considerable body of water falling to a depth of about 200ft; the surrounding cliffs being in a comparatively narrow gorge, heavily timbered, but withal very beautiful. With the exception of the road to the Falls, the place is in its primitive state, forming a contrast to Fitzroy Falls.”

Lord Carrington, who served a four-year term as governor, was a distinguished and popular figure. Born in 1843 at Whitehall, Middlesex, England, Charles Robert Carrington was the son and heir of the second Baron Carrington. He was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge and was known as the Lord Carrington from 1868. He served in the military and, in particular, with the cavalry. Serving as NSW Governor from 1887, his term spanned much change and trouble as the colony was in the grip of drought, recession and political crisis. He proved an able and tactful governor and his diplomatic work was crucial in paving the way for the Federation Conference of 1890. Lord and Lady Carrington fulfilled their social role with warmth and generosity. Back in England in 1891, his first speeches caused a sensation by his espousal of Australian nationalism. He was appointed Lord Great Chamberlain in 1910 and died in 1928. A fuller account may be found on the Australian Dictionary of Biography website.

The Carringtons were the second vice-regal couple to make use of Hillview at Sutton Forest as a summer residence, the property having been purchased in 1881 and the residence extended to contain 46 rooms. In February 1889 Lord Carrington laid the foundation stone for the Berrima District Cottage Hospital, Bowral.

Although they may never have visited the Falls, surely the Carringtons would have approved the use of their name for the magnificent natural site.