Swim at Rainbow Falls in Blackdown Tablelands National Park!

If you’ve been scrolling through social media and spotted the stunning images of Rainbow Falls in the Blackdown Tablelands National Park, you might be wondering how to get there and whether it’s worth the effort.

The tricky part is that many first-time visitors confuse the Rainbow Falls swimming hole with the nearby Instagram-famous rock pools, but they’re NOT the same spot. If you’re not clear on the differences, it can make planning your hike a little confusing and potentially disappointing.

Having hiked the Gudda Gamoo trail myself, I can confirm that Rainbow Falls is an experience in its own right, with towering cliffs and cascading water. In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know, from how to get there, to walking track details. This way, you’ll know exactly what to expect and won’t miss a thing on your adventure.

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Chris (Aquarius Traveller) swimming in the Rainbow Falls pool at the bottom of the cliff

How to get to Blackdown Tablelands National Park

The Blackdown Tablelands National Park is located about 2 hours west of Rockhampton (please see location map here), along the Capricorn Highway.

It has one main road that leads you in, and the end of the road is the Car park you need to complete the Gudda Gamoo/Rainbow Falls Trail. It’s relatively straightforward, and I have a PDF Map here to help you find your way!

Map from Rockhampton to Rainbow Falls Lookout & Walking Trail in Blackdown Tablelands National Park

While no public transport or tours are available, you can easily get to National Park by hiring a car or driving your own. There is a turnoff to the National Park between Dingo and Bluff.

From entry into the park, arriving at the Gudda Gamoo or Rainbow Falls Car Park will still be another hour. This is passing by several lookout points and the Munall Campgrounds.

Watch our video from visiting Rainbow Falls!

Do you need a 4wd?

A 4WD vehicle is recommend for driving around the Blackdown Tablelands National Park and some understanding on how to be safe on dirt roads in Queensland.

The off-road trails vary from packed dirt to loose sand, and some stretches are at a significant degree in high elevation. Therefore, the terrain and conditions can be difficult to maintain in a standard vehicle.

With that said, I have heard of locals visiting in standard vehicles, but this would depend on the weather and the track’s current conditions. So, if you’re not entirely certain about the road situation, then a four-wheel drive vehicle is your safest bet.

Chris Standing on the rocks, looking up to Rainbow Falls in the Blackdown Tablelands National Park — The Falls might have been slow, but still a very pretty area to be in

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Gudda Gamoo/Rainbow Falls Walking Track & Difficulty?

The Gudda Gamoo walking track to Rainbow Falls is roughly 4 kilometres return and will take 1.5 hours to complete. But you’ll need to add on extra time for swimming and any other stops you make for exploring.

It’s definitely worth the effort and great if you love a good outdoor walk. The route itself is quite diverse, and along your journey, you can take in phenomenal views, the sounds of the local wildlife, and lush forest greenery.

Just make sure you bring swimwear (or make sure you’re wearing them) if you plan on taking a swim. Since no bathrooms are near the falls, there is nowhere private to change.

Matt walking the Hiking Track to Rainbow Falls Blackdown Tablelands National park, Queensland

As a whole, the track wasn’t that difficult to walk. Getting there is mostly a downhill slope (Uphill on the way back), and the last bit down the stairs to get into the canyon.

However, most of the walk has very little shade, so make sure you’re wearing sunscreen and a good wide-brim hat.

I will stress to you is the need for sturdy closed-in shoes and to take it slow when walking. In this instance, there were little rocks or stones covering the track, and I found they made me slip or roll on the track several times.

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How many Steps are there into the canyon?

As mentioned before, most of the track is a gradual elevation. However, the last bit down into the falls has 240 steps past the ferns, and smooth rock faces into the canyon. Obviously, this is no worries on the way in, but it will be a bit of a heart starter on the way back up.

Ultimately, the steps are over pretty quickly, and you’re at the waterhole and waterfall in about 5 minutes. On the other hand, it takes about 10 minutes to get back up, especially if you make a couple of stops like I do!

Note: Although, If you don’t want to use the steps? There is a lookout point to the canyon area, but for me, it wasn’t worth it, and you really need to walk down to the falls.

Matt walking down the 240 steps to Rainbow Falls — You need to walk down 240 steps to Rainbow Falls

What to expect at the Falls?

What to expect at Guddo Gamoo or Rainbow Falls really depends on the prior rainfall situation. For our visit in November, the rain was very subtle, and the waterhole was almost stagnant.

On the other hand, we could walk almost everywhere over the creek bed, which would be harder in heavy rain.

While there is a fixed waterhole under the falls, the excess water will keep flowing out. The water was very clear and deeper towards the falls, but I could still touch the bottom in most of it.

The falls rise up about 40 metres over the cliff edge. What I didn’t know at the time of my visit was the rock pools available at the top of these falls. Surprisingly, this is one of the top Instagramable spots in the National Park, and I’m just kicking myself I didn’t get to see it. So hopefully, my next visit will have a more straightforward path marked out!

Sign Post for Gudda Gumoo Falls before walking in

Best Time to visit?

If you’re visiting Rainbow Falls for swimming, I think summertime would be the best between December and March. However, you would also need to keep an eye on the weather and visit after a bit of rain. But just so you know, rain is more prone to happen around January and February.

My visit in November was about 30 degrees Celsius at the peak of the day, which was incredibly hot and humid. On the other hand, swimming there was absolutely refreshing – still cool enough, without being too cold.

However, the downside was that the falls weren’t running that much and would have been nicer with a bit more water. So, I guess you can’t have everything!

Alternatively, wintertime is a great time for hiking in the Central Queensland Outback area. It tends to be cool enough without breaking into a big sweat with a little exercise.

FAQ’s – Common Questions

Are there bathrooms?

Sorry but No, there are no bathroom facilities at Rainbow Falls or in the Car Park. The closest facilities will be available in the Munall Campground, about 10 kilometres before you get to the Falls, so please make sure you use them before driving in.

Pot Hole Swimming at Blackdown Tablelands National park, Queensland

About the Blackdown Tablelands National Park

The Blackdown Tablelands National Park is the traditional home of the Ghungalu people. It rises above the dry plains of Outback Queensland while supporting the gorges and waterfalls that lie within. Also containing a diverse plant life of dry eucalypt forests, magnificent ferns, and orchids.

The area covers roughly 47,000 hectares and has several things to do, including walking tracks, swimming, 4-wheel driving, wildlife, and picnic areas.

Camping

The Munall Campground is available in the National Park, and a few bush camping facilities are available. Along with two different Toilet facilities at each end of the campground.

You will need to supply your own water for drinking and showering. But, there is lots of shade, hikes all around the campground, and Mimosa Creek running alongside. If you want to stay there, you can purchase your Blackdown Tablelands National Park Permit HERE.

Aerial Shot over Rainbow Falls in the Blackdown Tablelands National Park

Safety tips!

You are exploring a bush location with limited service and facilities, so you must always take care of and respect your surroundings. Here are just a few points to consider:

Never jump off the rocks into the waterhole.
Wear closed-in shoes on walking tracks.
Carry a small first-aid kit.
Take plenty of water, a few snacks, and wear sunscreen.
Always keep children within viewing distance.
Never via off-the-formed tracks.
Stay within fenced areas.
Be aware of wildlife and stay away from dangerous animals
Leave only footprints and take only photos. Take all rubbish with you.
Don’t destroy the natural environment.
Know your own limits.
Don’t swim alone, and don’t put yourself or others at risk
Always read and heed on-site information and signs
For all emergencies, call (000)

Wrap up!

Thanks for reading today’s blog post on How to get to Rainbow Falls in Blackdown Tablelands National Park. I hope you found the information you were looking for and enjoy the Hike and swimming hole available. But, If you’re still researching, please check out my other Queensland Blogs for inspiration.