TNQ Writer
Mighty mountain ranges and Wet Tropics Rainforest create the optimum environment for a myriad of extraordinary waterfalls. Fall in love with these 20 waterfall wonderlands only a short drive from Cairns.
Old Weir Falls at Stoney Creek
Old Weir Falls
Old Weir Falls
Another waterfall tucked away just a 25min drive from Cairns CBD
Another waterfall tucked away just a 25min drive from Cairns CBD
Many great swimming holes and waterfalls walking up the track at Stoney Creek
Many great swimming holes and waterfalls walking up the track at Stoney Creek
Local favourite Stoney Creek is an easy drive away from Cairns CBD. To get here, simply head down Cairns Western Arterial Road turning off at Stoney Creek Road, Kamerunga and follow to the end. A track cuts through the rainforest, over a small footbridge and continues to run parallel to the creek with many pools offering a cool refuge on the 25min walk to Old Weir Falls, the final destination of your journey.
Where: Kamerunga
Distance from Cairns: 20 mins, 15km
Crystal Cascades
Crystal Cascades – only a 25min drive from Cairns CBD
Located only 25mins from Cairns CBD in the Redlynch Valley, Crystal Cascades is a series of swimming holes and cascading falls. Venture to the end of the track for the most impressive of the falls or simply bring your floaty and retreat to one of the more shady pools along the way.
To up the ante on your adventure, zipline, jump, slide and abseil your way down this creek system with Cairns Canyoning.
Where: Redlynch Valley
Distance from Cairns: 25 mins, 19km
Fairy Falls
Fairy Falls is a local secret at Crystal Cascades near Cairns
Fairy Falls is a local secret at Crystal Cascades near Cairns
Cool off in the crystal clear waters
Cool off in the crystal clear waters
Tucked away in the dense rainforest close to Crystal Cascades is Fairy Falls, a picturesque waterfall as magical as its name. Some rock hopping is required to reach this natural plunge pool, but the end result is definitely worth it. The track begins in the scrub on the left side of Crystal Cascade’s carpark and when the well-worn path opens to the creek, it’s time to ditch your shoes and follow the creek bed up for a few minutes. Hot tip: The journey from carpark to falls should take no more than 15 mins. Don’t be fooled by the mistaken path created by the footsteps of past travelers that appears to take you on a very steep incline away from the creek.
Where: Redlynch Valley
Distance from Cairns: 25 mins, 19km
Behana Gorge
Worth the 3.2km hike to Clamshell Falls at Behana Gorge
Worth the 3.2km hike to Clamshell Falls at Behana Gorge
There are many swimming areas and rock pools around the falls
There are many swimming areas and rock pools around the falls
While completely concreted, the 3.2km trek up to Behana Gorge can be tough to combat in Tropical North Queensland’s heat so be sure pack a couple of water bottles before conquering. Your reward? The spectacular Clamshell Falls, the main attraction of Behana Gorge. There’s plenty of space to set up a picnic but not before cooling off in the refreshing and icy waters. For an energy injection before you begin, stop by the bakery in nearby Gordonvale for a fresh homemade pie.
Where: near Gordonvale
Distance from Cairns: 37 mins, 34km
Barron Falls (Din Din)
Barron Falls flowing in March 2018
Arguably the most famous falls of the region is Barron Falls (Djabugay: Din Din) near Kuranda Village. During the wetter months of summer and autumn, the falls put on a show and many make the pilgrimage to see the falls in all its glory.
Over this time, the volumetric flow rate of water over the gorge can reach almost 265,000-megalitres in a day, compared to drier times of the year when the mean daily flow can sit as low as 350-megalitres*. It’s a sight to behold and may only last a few days at its impressive best so if it’s flowing, make sure you get going.
Enjoy incredible vantage points from Skyrail Rainforest Cableway (who also live stream the falls year-round) and Kuranda Scenic Railway, or you can drive yourself.
*Source: Queensland Government Water Monitoring Information Portal
Where: Barron Gorge National Park, near Kuranda
Distance from Cairns: 40mins, 31km
Hartleys Creek Falls
Hartleys Creek Falls
Hartleys Creek Falls
Hartleys Creek Falls
Hartleys Creek Falls
Stream below the falls
Stream below the falls
While its name may provoke images of the nearby Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, rest assured Hartleys Creek Falls is free from the ancient reptile and a safe place to swim. The track leading up to the falls is roughly 7.5kms return and travels through World Heritage Listed Wet Tropics Rainforest, so make sure you pack those runners and plenty of water. Note: Crocodiles may be present in the brackish water further down the creek, nearest to the Captain Cook Highway and swimming here is not permitted.
Where: Wangetti
Distance from Cairns: 42mins, 42km
Spring Creek Falls
Tranquil Spring Creek Falls
Tranquil Spring Creek Falls
Resting next to Spring Creek Falls
Resting next to Spring Creek Falls
Many cascades at Spring Creek Falls
Many cascades at Spring Creek Falls
Rock Pools along Spring Creek
Rock Pools along Spring Creek
In the secluded Mowbray Valley, just outside Port Douglas, you’ll find Spring Creek Falls. With no set path, your best way to get there is a guided bush walk from Back Country Bliss. The tour includes complimentary pick-up from Mossman or Port Douglas followed by a challenging 3km rock-hop stopping by multiple waterfalls and deep pools.
Where: Mowbray Valley, near Port Douglas
Distance from Cairns: 55mins, 57km
Davies Creek Falls
Infinity pool above the waterfall
Infinity pool above the waterfall
Atop of Davies Creek Falls
Atop of Davies Creek Falls
Davies Creek Falls from the lookout
Davies Creek Falls from the lookout
Pitch a tent only metres from beautiful swimming holes
Pitch a tent only metres from beautiful swimming holes
As the lush rainforest of Kuranda changes to typical Aussie bush, you may find it hard to believe that nestled amongst the hills, cascading over giant granite boulders is the incredible Davies Creek Falls. Swim in the infinity pool atop of the falls and pitch a tent at the campgrounds nearby so you can appreciate the area a bit longer. Davies Creek Road turnoff is 21km past Kuranda and the gravel road to the falls is accessible to conventional vehicles for most of the year (caravans are unsuitable).
Where: Davies Creek & Dinden National Park, near Mareeba
Distance from Cairns: 1hr, 57km
Babinda Boulders
Views from the Devil's Pool walk
Views from the Devil's Pool walk
Babinda Boulders swimming hole
Babinda Boulders swimming hole
Main swimming hole
Main swimming hole
Babinda Boulders, located around an hour south of Cairns, features an incredible open swimming hole, picnic area and barbecues and a short scenic walk on the Devil’s Pool trail, where crystal-clear waters tumble over massive smooth granite boulders creating a picturesque chute waterfall and rapids viewable from the lookout point and along the track.
This is an area of significance to the local Yidinji Traditional Custodians, where you can read the tragic love story of Dyga and young Aboriginal woman Oolana where it is said her spirit remains to this day. Please ensure you only swim in the designated swimming hole at Babinda Boulders and remain behind the fence at all times along the Devil’s Pool walk.
Where: near Babinda
Distance from Cairns: 1hr, 65km
Josephine Falls
The falls has a large swimming hole
The falls has a large swimming hole
Josephine Falls – popular amongst locals and visitors alike
Josephine Falls – popular amongst locals and visitors alike
Slide down the natural rock slide
Slide down the natural rock slide
Just an hour south of Cairns, a tropical haven awaits. Nestled in the foothills of Queensland’s highest mountain range, Bartle Frere, Josephine Falls is often referred to as “nature’s playground” with a natural rockslide being the main attraction of the beautiful cascades. It’s an easy 600m walk to the bottom swimming hole with wheelchair access available to the viewing platform at the top pool. While it looks tempting, swimming in the top pool is prohibited but there’s plenty of space at the bottom pool to spread out.
Where: Wooroonooran National park near Mirriwinni
Distance from Cairns: 1hr 10 mins, 75km
Emerald Creek Falls
The main swimming hole
The main swimming hole
View from the main lookout
View from the main lookout
A popular swimming spot for locals
A popular swimming spot for locals
Calories don’t count on a hot day when there’s ice-cream involved. Pick your favourite frozen treat at Emerald Creek Ice-Creamery before hitting the dirt road to Emerald Creek. A short ten-minute walk from the carpark will get you to the falls which, like Davies Creek, flows from the rainforests of the Lamb Range through to dry sclerophyll forest surrounds. In recent times Emerald Creek Falls has become one of the region’s most Instagrammable locations with its clear waters tumbling over smooth granite, into placid ponds.
Where: Dinden West Forest Reserve, near Mareeba
Distance from Cairns: 1hr 15 mins, 72km
Vision Falls, Lake Eacham
The magical Vision Falls are tucked away in the rainforest a short walk away from Lake Eacham
Appropriately named, these falls truly are a vision to behold. Tucked away in the rainforest surrounding Lake Eacham, a short 300m walk will bring you to this secret spot. As the road out of Lake Eacham divides into two (the left to Atherton and Yungaburra), take the right turn, which leads you down Wrights Creek Road – follow the road until you reach a small bridge, which marks the start of the walking trail. If you’re feeling peckish after all that adventuring, head to nearby Yungaburra Pub and keep an eye out for a black and white photo of the falls hanging amongst other historic imagery of the Tablelands.
Where: Lake Eacham
Distance from Cairns: 1hr 15 min, 66km
Mena Creek Falls
View the beautiful Mena Creek Falls from a 20th century Spanish castle
In a scene more fitting to a painting, Mena Creek Falls sits adjacent to the moss clad Spanish castle, Paronella Park. While you can view the falls for free from the suspension bridge above, admission fee to the park will connect you with the greatest love story in Tropical North Queensland. Not only will you get a better view of the falls, you’ll find a magical wonderland slowly being reclaimed by the rainforest. The guided tour will explain the history of the castle and how the Spaniard harnessed the power of the falls to create North Queensland’s first hydro-electric plant. While there’s no is no swimming at Mena Creek Falls, the beauty of the park is enough to keep you occupied.
Where: Paronella Park, Mena Creek
Distance from Cairns: 1hr 30 mins, 108km
Windin Falls
Above Windin Falls
Lace up your hiking boots and get ready for unparalleled views over the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Accessed via the Old Cairns Track, Windin Falls is a well-deserved reward following a 90min hike each way.
Exercise extreme caution and stay back from the edges.
Where: Wooroonooran National Park, near Topaz
Distance from Cairns: 1hr 35min, 87km
Pepina Falls
Pepina Falls, only 15mins away from Millaa Millaa
Close to the world-renowned Millaa Millaa Falls is the lesser known Pepina Falls. From Millaa Millaa follow the Old Palmerston Highway stopping at Middlebrook Creek bridge and take the short walk down to the falls from here. These smaller falls are great for those wanting to escape the crowds and cool off somewhere more private. They are best viewed after the wet season when the rain has replenished the water supply.
Where: Between Millaa Millaa and Ravenshoe
Distance from Cairns: 1hr 45mins, 106km
Little Millstream Falls
Little Millstream Falls
Introducing Little Millstream Falls, the younger, lesser known member of the Millstream Falls family. Follow the walking track to the base of the falls and take a swim in the large inviting plunge pool. Located just minutes away from Queensland’s highest town, Ravenshoe, take the opportunity to stock up on some picnic supplies and make a day of it at this tranquil spot.
Where: near Ravenshoe
Distance from Cairns: 1hr 50mins, 119km
Souita Falls
Souita Falls
Souita Falls
Top falls
Top falls
Bottom falls
Bottom falls
Tucked away in the Misty Mountains area, not far from Pepina Falls is Souita Falls, a pair of two beautiful waterfalls. Surrounded by lush vegetation, the first falls are a 150m walk and the second a further 70m down. From Millaa Millaa head down the Old Palmerston Highway for 7kms turning off at Middlebrook Road and following a further 4.8kms. The track down is easy to miss so keep an eye out as you pass over the creek crossing.
Where: Between Millaa Millaa and Ravenshoe
Distance from Cairns: 1hr 55mins, 110km
Halls Falls
Take the plunge into the deep pool at Halls Falls
Tucked away in Herberton Range Conservation Park, just south-west of Atherton, Halls Falls boasts a stunning pool in between two waterfalls – all under a 15 minute walk from the car park. Kick back and relax in the clear water as you take in the uninterrupted beauty of the surrounding forest. If you’ve found this little gem, then it’s highly likely you’re into local secrets. Make tracks for the nearby township of Herberton and spend the rest of your day discovering the treasure trove that is the Historic Village Herberton, the only Queensland museum to be named in Australia’s Top 10 Museums by Trip Advisor.
Where: Herberton Range Conservation Park
Distance from Cairns: 1hr 55mins, 106km
Murray Falls
Murray Falls from the lookout
Murray Falls from the lookout
Upper Murray Falls near Tully
Upper Murray Falls near Tully
Crystal clear waters, naturally sculptured granite boulders and a heavy rush of water makes up the picturesque Murray Falls approximately halfway between Tully and Cardwell. While swimming at the falls itself is restricted, it’s only a few minutes walk to a great swimming hole downstream, complete with its very own natural waterslide. The Yalgay Ginja Bulumi walk offers views from above which looks out to the Kirrama Range and Murray Valley. The best way to experience the Murray Falls and surrounds is to pitch a tent at the campgrounds, a mere 300m from the waterfall.
Where: Between Tully and Cardwell
Distance from Cairns: 2hr 20mins, 175km
Ponytail Falls, Tully
Ponytail Falls
Located along the Tully River, you have two ways to reach the beautiful Ponytail Falls – Drive or raft. If you’re driving, follow the river downstream from Cardstone Weir and look out for the number 11 painted on the road. If you’re taking the more adrenaline-pumping approach, book a white-water rafting tour with Raging Thunder and admire the falls as you tuck into a BBQ lunch on the embankment overlooking this single drop waterfall between rapids.
Where: Tully Gorge National Park
Distance from Cairns: 2hr 20 min, 180km
