21 Gorgeous Queensland Waterfalls You Must See & Map

When planning a road trip or nature escape, the best Queensland waterfalls to visit often come up at the top of every traveller’s list. From lush tropical cascades in the north to and easy-access falls near Brisbane, Queensland offers waterfall experiences for every type of traveller.

The problem for most people is narrowing it down. Queensland is huge, and without local knowledge it’s hard to know which waterfalls are worth the detour, which ones are seasonal, and how to group them together without backtracking or spending days in the car.

As a local and after years of exploring Queensland’s national parks, road trips, and swimming holes, I’ve broken this guide into three easy sections — North, Central, and Southern Queensland. In the end, this post will help you find the waterfalls that best suit your travel style, timeframe, and location.

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Best Waterfalls in Queensland & Map

Need help finding any of these Queensland waterfalls, then, I have a pinned map to help your find the ones near you!

➡ North Queensland Waterfalls

1. Barron Falls

Today we are starting at the top on the Tropical North, in the Barron Gorge National Park. You will find heaps of waterholes you can access from Cairns, which is evident as you look below. I do want to mention that I have seen Barron Falls several times, and it doesn’t always have this much water.

➡  Compare prices for Tours to Kuranda including Barron Falls HERE

The photo below was taken in March, and therefore a lot of falling water. The sheer size of Barron falls always makes it impressive, loud, and any time of year is good to see it. This is why it’s worth visiting Kuranda Village during the summer months, and riding the Kuranda Scenic Railway or Skyrail Gondola up the mountain.

2. Millaa Millaa

Millaa Millaa Falls is one of the most photographed waterfalls in Australia and part of the three part Circuit in the Atherton Tablelands. This includes other falls like Ellinjaa Falls and Zillie Falls. I think it’s popular due to its easy access, the size and the day tours you can get from Cairns.

➡  Compare prices for Tours into the Atherton Tablelands HERE

There is swimming allowed in the waterhole, but it can get a little cool in the shade. Expecting the summertime from December to March is a perfect time for swimming. We also have a large grassed area for picnics, Toilet facilities, and some Tourist information boards to read up on the region.

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3. Zillie Falls

Zillie Falls is the second one that’s part of the complete waterfall Circuit loop. This is a 20 kilometre loop road where you can access three different falls. Zillie Falls is easy enough to access from the top, but getting to the bottom is a little more challenging, and not sure it’s worth the effort to get down.

The one is amazing, and I would recommend going to see it if your passing by. The hike down was muddy, rocky, slippery and some sections were dangerous.

4. Ellinjaa Falls

I thought Ellinjaa Falls was incredible and the last one on the Waterfall Circuit. These falls were short in size, although they were wide and made for a stunning backdrop on my photos. You can swim here too but can be shallow for anything more than just sitting.

The hike is easy, mostly downhill but a formed track. Although, getting closer to the falls has slippery rocks to walk over, but you can just view them from afar.

5. Josephine Falls

Josephine Falls is located about one hour south of Cairns, not far from the Major A1 Bruce Highway and in the Wooroonooran National Park. It’s easy to get into and lots of different swimming spots as you move up the cascades. We were lucky enough to see these falls on our own, but it can be a popular swimming spot for locals.

➡  Compare prices for Tours into the Atherton Tablelands HERE

Be sure to stay around the common areas and try not to venture off too far when there are crowds. These are also well shaded and very cool in temperature, so the summertime with be very refreshing.

6. Mena Creek

Most people visit Paronella Park for the Spanish castle and the gardens. However, the Mena Creek flows beside it and plays a part in the design of this establishment. Jose Paronella built Paronella Park in the 1930s, inspired by his childhood memories of Catalan Castles.

➡  Compare Tickets prices for Paronella Park HERE

Enjoy incredible storytelling tours, photo opportunities, and the architecture during the day or night. Additionally, it has a fully operational hydro electric generator, café, fish feeding, camping area & accommodation facilities right next door.

7. Fairy Falls

The beautiful and secluded Fairy Falls is relatively hidden near Cairns and can be accessed from the same car park as Crystal Cascades. There is no actual signpost leading the way, but at the end of the car park, you will find a break in the scrub with warning signposts for stinging trees.

Once you enter the bushland you will only walk a short distance. Actually only takes about 10 to 15 minutes to get to Fairy Falls. However, the walk is not easy and shouldn’t be completed by everyone. There is a lot of rock hopping involved, navigating slippery surfaces, and scaling steep edges.

8. Wujul Wujal Falls (Bloomfield)

The Wujal Wujal Falls is located outside the small town of Bloomfield and in fact, often called the Bloomfield Falls. This makes Cooktown worth visiting in the tropical North, and located between there and Cape Tribulation (along the Four wheel drive Bloomfield Track).

From the car park, the Wujal Wujal Falls is only a short 5-minute walk, or you can get closer by rock hopping around different areas. These would have to be one of the biggest waterfalls I’ve seen and well worth the visit if you’re in the area.

9. Ponytail Falls

This addition to my list is another hidden destination, but “Oh my god” the colours are just amazing and can’t be missed. It’s located in the Tully Falls National Park, and you’ll look out for the number 11 painted on Tully Gorge Road.

When you look across the cliff face on the other side, there is a beautiful waterfall crashing into the gorge. Obviously, this is not a swimming area, but easy enough to dip your feet into the water. The green and blue colours are what make this spot amazing and brilliant for photos.

10. Wallaman Falls

Wallaman Falls in the Girringun National Park is known as the highest single drop Waterfall in Australia and a very popular road trip stop between Brisbane to Cairns. It’s only 3.2 kilometres return to hike into the gorge, but the elevation is a bit steep for some people.

If you don’t want to walk into the gully, then there is a lookout point at the top. However, if you can, then you’re not going to regret completing this hike and witnessing the sheer power and volume crashing into the waterhole below. 

➡ Central Queensland Waterfalls

11. Arulean Cascades

Finch Hatton Gorge or Arulean Cascades would have to be one of my favourite areas to visit, especially for swimming. It takes about 20 minutes one way to walk in on a formed track. Not only that, but the water is always running and very impressive.

Driving to these falls can be harder, especially after high rainfall, and it is recommended for a four-wheel drive.

12. Cedar Creek Falls

I’ve managed to visit Cedar Creek Falls near Airlie Beach a couple of times and I’ll first say that It’s much nicer in the Summertime. The waterhole was still large and would hold a lot of people escaping the tropical heat.

➡  Check Day trips tours to Cedar Creek Falls HERE from Airlie Beach

Not only that, it’s a very shallow waterhole and probably great for small children. Even better that the car park is close by and only 20 metres walk to the falls. And it only takes about 20 minutes to drive there from Airlie Beach.

➡ South East Queensland Waterfalls

13. Kondalilla Falls

We are venturing down into South East QLD now, into the Sunshine Coast Hinterland to explore the attractions near Maleny. This is in the Kondalilla National Park and about 40 mins from Caloundra. Here we have several hikes and bushland to discover, along with several hidden gems to check out.

The Kondalilla Falls swimming hole is one of the best waterfalls near Brisbane. There is a four-kilometre loop track to access and a large, deep waterhole for swimming. The water is often cold, even in the summertime.

14. Buderim Falls or Serenity Falls

Serenity Falls or Buderim Falls couldn’t be any easier to get to in the Buderim State Forest. Located right in the heart of the Sunshine Coast, has 2 different ways to get there, and you can swim if you want. The waterhole is shallow and fed by stormwater drains.

If swimming is off the cards, it can be a lovely backdrop for photos. I thought Harry’s lane entrance was the easiest with boardwalks available. However, the Quorn Close entrance is shorter but steeper.

15. Gardners Falls

Gardners Falls is another available in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. It’s only an 800 metres one-way flat walk to get to and plenty of places to swim along the Obi Obi creek.

The main waterhole is deep with rope swings (if you dare). It’s a popular place and the car park inconveniently tiny. Therefore, many will park along the side of the already small, one-lane road.

16. Cedar Creek Falls

Cedar Creek Falls (Yes another one in Samford, Brisbane), is not a very large. It’s more known as a favoured swimming hole for locals or a stunning location for slow shutter photography. There is a lot of rock hopping and unformed paths to get there.

Furthermore, The pools and water cascades are often better in the summertime or after some decent rainfall.

17. Queens Mary Falls

Queen Mary Falls is close to the border of New South (Killarney) and has two lookout points and a hike down into the gorge to see it. The two kilometre hike will take roughly 40 minutes and take you very close to the falls themselves.

If you don’t want to take the hike down into the gorge, then there is a short walking path that take you to two different lookout points and walking over the falls themselves. This is a brilliant waterfall to visit after a little bit of rain and plunges 40 metres into the valley floor.

18. Daggs Falls

Daggs Falls would have to be one of the easiest falls to get to, being 20 metres away from the car park. There is only access to a lookout point and would recommend an afternoon visit due to the glare from the sun.

This is located along Waterfall Road, together with Queens Mary Falls.

19. JC Slaughter Falls

After 20 years of living in Brisbane, I still haven’t seen much water at JC Slaughter Falls. This is included in one of the many things to do at Mount Coot-tha and part of the hiking trails over the area, including the popular Summit Walk.

20. Natural Bridge

One of the biggest highlights to the Gold Coast Hinterland is finding your way to Natural Bridge Waterfall. This is unlike any other waterfall I have featured today and conveniently placed within a short one-kilometre formed track (with a few stairs).

➡  Find Tours to Springbrook National Park HERE.

The low light here makes for a photographer’s dream. Alternatively, there are Glow Worms spotting opportunity’s at night in the cave and you can see this HERE by watching my YouTube video.

21. Purling Brook Falls

Lucky for you, Purling Brook Falls can be explored from the top or the bottom. It has a lookout point 100 metres from the car park, which is convenient if you can’t make the hike. Or, the four-kilometre track is worth it, but make sure you’re prepared for the uphill climb on the return.

The Springbrook National Park is an easy day visit from the Gold Coast and including in the UNESCO Gondwana Rainforest. As much as you have the water around, there are also plenty of hikes and wildlife to check out!

Interesting Facts about Waterfalls!

• QLD has some of the most beautiful falls in Australia.
• The state is home to over 3,000 different falls, ranging from small cascades to large plunge pools and plenty of them are brilliant for swimming.
• The majority are located in the rainforest regions, National Parks, and UNESCO areas of the state.
• The tallest waterfall is Wallaman Falls, which plunges 268 meters into a gorge below.
• Some have been featured in popular culture, with many movies and television shows being filmed in and around them. This occurred at Millaa Millaa Falls for a Peter Andre Music video for “Mysterious Girl.”
• They are a popular subject for photographers, with many people visiting QLD specifically to photograph its waterfalls.
• A waterfall where water flows over a vertical drop in the landscape.
• Falls can be found worldwide in both natural and man-made settings.
• They all vary in size, with some being as small as a few feet tall and others reaching heights of over 1,000 feet.
• The largest worldwide waterfall is Victoria Falls, bordering between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
• Niagara Falls is one of the most well-known waterfalls in the world and is located between Canada and the United States. You can actually see Niagara from both sides of the country.
• Waterfalls are often formed when a river flows over a band of rocks that are resistant to erosion.
• Over time, the river will erode away the softer rocks surrounding the harder ones, creating a waterfall.
• Glaciers can also create waterfalls as they flow over cliffs and steep slopes.
• Many are used as hydroelectric power plants, as the flowing water can be used to generate electricity. This is the case for Mena Falls at Paronella Park in North QLD.

Different Waterfall Classifications?

Every waterfall in the world can be classified depending on how they fall. Therefore, some of the classes are mentioned as below:

• Plunge: The water falls downward, losing contact with the bedrock surface.
• Horsetail: Descending water remains in contact with bedrock.
• Cataract: A very large and powerful waterfall.
• Multi-step: A series of waterfalls, each with a unique plunge pool approximately the same size.
• Block: flows down from a much wider body of water above them, such as a stream or river.
• Cascade: The water falls over the smooth rocks, gradually making its way down in a series of small rocky steps.
• Segmented: When different streaks of water forms.
• Tiered: This has a series of unique steps or drops.
• Punchbowl: There is a narrow stream and then fans out into a wider pool.
• Fan: Water widens as it flows downward while staying in contact with the ground beneath.

Wrap Up!

Thanks for reading my blog post today on the Best Queensland Waterfalls and I hope you found what you were looking for. However, If you’re still researching, please journey into more Queensland stories HERE for inspiration.

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