11 Amazing Sunshine Coast Waterfalls to visit (With Map)

If you’re chasing natural beauty on your next adventure, the Sunshine Coast waterfalls & swimming holes should be at the top of your list. Hidden among lush rainforests, mountain ranges, and hinterland villages, these falls are the kind of places that make you stop, breathe, and truly soak in the scenery.

The challenge for first-timers is figuring out where to go and how difficult each walk is. With so many waterfalls scattered across the region, from easy-access swimming holes to hikes tucked deep in national parks, it can be overwhelming to know which ones are worth your time.

Having lived in Brisbane for 25 years, I can tell you that these waterfalls are more than just a photo stop. In this guide, I’ll share the best waterfalls on the Sunshine Coast for first-time visitors, complete with a pinned map, and everything you need to plan your visit with confidence.

This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Please read my disclaimer, T&C’s & privacy policy here.

Sunshine Coast Waterfalls/Swimming Holes & Map!

The Sunshine Coast is home to some of Queensland’s most beautiful waterfalls and natural swimming holes, tucked away in lush pockets of rainforest throughout the hinterland.

Whether you’re after a peaceful place to cool off, a family-friendly swimming spot, or a scenic hike leading to a rewarding plunge pool, the Sunshine Coast Hinterland delivers an incredible variety of options within easy reach of the beaches.

The best part is, that many of these waterfalls are easily accessible as day trips whether you’re staying in any area of Brisbane, Toowoomba, or the Sunshine Coast. For those based on the Gold Coast, some of the falls will still be within reach, though a few may require a longer round-trip.

This specially curated list of waterfalls (please see the pinned Map HERE) showcases some of the most beautiful natural spots in Sunshine coast Hinterland. All are absolutely worth visiting for photography, swimming, and hiking opportunities.

1. Kondalilla Falls

• Distance:  4.7 kilometres return (round Trip), or 2.4 kilometres return just to the falls
• Difficulty:  Formed track with 300 stairs
• Grade:  Grade 3 Formed track
• Time:  Allow 2 to 3 hours depending on the track walking and swimming time
• Facilities:  Bathrooms at the Picnic area near the start of the track
• Swimming:  Yes, this is a great waterhole to swim in

The Kondalilla Falls swimming hole has to be one of my favourite reasons to visit Sunshine Coast with a waterfall and a great swimming spot too. This is a very popular area for hiking, although, you can choose to complete the entire hike and swim in the middle, or just walk to the falls and return on the same track.

There are a fair few stairs on this one, which is normally the way for hiking around the Glass House Mountains. The great thing is, this one is running almost all the time, or at least it has been, every time I have visited.

2. Booloumba Falls

• Distance:  3 kilometres return on the same track
• Difficulty:  Formed track with slight elevation uphill on the way there
• Grade:  Grade 3 Formed track.
• Time:   Allow 2 hours depending on the track walking and swimming time
• Facilities:  Bathrooms at the Day Area near the campgrounds
• Swimming:  Yes, this is a great waterhole to swim in

Booloumba Falls are a little harder to get to as you need a 4 wheel drive, but well worth it if you have one. The walk to Booloumba isn’t that long, fairly easy and not much elevation.

There is a small stream along the track that’s shallow and well suited for small children. Once you get to the bigger waterfall there are a few different spots you can swim in from the obvious large pool, to a couple of small pools at the top.

You can sit on the flat rock while the water rushes by you, or find small rock crevices with rushing water to sit in and massage your shoulders as it goes down. If you have extra time, then check out the camping spot in the National Park for somewhere to stay.

3. Gardners Falls

• Distance:  800 metres return on the same track
• Difficulty:  Very easy Formed track 
• Grade:  Grade 1 – Flat, well formed track. 
• Time:   Allow 1 hour with Swimming
• Facilities:  Bathrooms & picnic tables at the Car park
• Swimming:  Yes, this is a great waterhole to swim in

Gardners Falls would have to be one of the easiest swimming spots to get to, and one of the many attractions near Maleny.

But the parking was limited with about 15 spaces, and heaps of people taking a look at the same time (over 100 people when I visited).

Apart from that, the falls were only a couple of hundred metres away and heaps of spots to sit on the lawn. They had some small cascades you could sit under, along with a larger waterfall with 2 rope swings over the waterhole.

Do you need help planning your trip to Queensland? Book a one-on-one consultation call with me, to get your questions answered & personalised help!

4. Buderim Falls or Serenity Falls

• Distance:  700 Metres return from Quorn Close, 1800 return from Harrys Lane
• Difficulty:  Some stairs and walking on rocks. Quorn Close entrance is steeper.
• Grade:  Grade 3 – Formed track.
• Time:   30 mins from Quorn Close, 1 hour from Harrys Lane
• Facilities:  Bathrooms & picnic tables at either Car parks
• Swimming:  Allowed but not advisable. Could be stagnant, fed from storm water or broken bottles in the water.

If your not looking at heading too far out from the Sunshine Coast region, then the Buderim or Serenity falls are located in a little oasis close by. Hidden amongst strangler Figs and native vines, this is 5 minutes from Buderim Village.

There are 2 access points though whether you want a shorter more elevation, or longer easier walk. However either view will have you greeted by an elevated wooden Arch bridge and the same waterfall. 

5. Wappa Falls / Kiamba Falls

• Distance: 50 to 100 metres
• Difficulty: Rock scrambling but very little distance
• Time: 5 minutes 
• Swimming: Allowed but could be stagnant if not running.

Wappa Falls is fed by the Maroochy River and water flow downs the rock formations into a small gorge. Take some care at this one though, as the rocks can get slippery and you have a bit of a scramble to swim.

This is what you would call wild swimming, not much there and Falls can be better after some rain. When you arrive, head to the right hand side, there are some rock stairs and a little easier to get down to the bottom. 

6. Robinson Falls

• Distance:  Approx. 1 kilometres loop track
• Difficulty:  Medium 
• Grade:  uneven track, Rocks, stairs and not always signed
• Time:   20 to 30 minute loop track 
• Facilities:  Bathrooms & picnic tables at Cilento Park area.
• Swimming:  Allowed but not a big swimming area.

Not sure if Robinson falls is a huge swimming spot, but I’m sure you could if you wanted to. The mosquitos were pretty bad for me, so take some repellent. Seems to be a nice spot for a local hike, having the waterfall in the middle of the track.

You can get views of the water flowing over from the top and the bottom and I’m sure it would look heaps better after a bit more rain.

There wasn’t any real signage to find this waterfall, nor to the walk itself. But there was a track clearly marked, so if you make it to Cilento Park it’s not that hard to find. 

7. Gheerulla Falls

• Distance:  Approx. 1.2 kilometres one way, return on the same track
• Difficulty:  Medium 
• Grade:  uneven track, long grass, some rocks at the end.
• Time:   About 1 hour return, longer walking back uphill 
• Swimming:  Allowed but not a big swimming area.

Gheerulla Falls would look really great after some rain as well. The swimming area was small once again and the mosquitoes were out in force to find me. I did see some others walking down for a swim, but not a huge area for that either.

The walk in was fairly easy, but all downhill. The walk back up was a little slower, but I did it all in thongs and seemed fine. The area had some high grass and you should be on the look out for snakes. 

8. Mapleton Falls

• Distance:  50 metres
• Difficulty:  Easy
• Grade:  Grade 1 for lookout, but grade 3 for other tracks nearby
• Swimming:  No

I’m not a huge fan of waterfalls you can’t get close to, or a decent view. These would have to be the least on my list, but seem to be larger than some of the others. The great thing about these falls, is the lookout is right next to the car park and a perfect spot to go if you have limited walking. 

Don’t make the same mistake I did and go to Daymar road. This was where I was directed when googleing. There is limited car parking, hardly any signage and a longer walk to get to the lookout. 

9. Baxter’s Falls

• Distance: 6.8 km return (from Flaxton Mill Road carpark via the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk)
• Difficulty: Moderate – includes some steep sections, uneven ground, and creek crossings
• Grade: Moderate
• Swimming: Yes – there’s a natural rock pool at the base of the falls

Baxter’s falls is located in the Kondalilla National Park, so one you might like to pair with Kondalilla Falls. There are two walking trail entrances, the first at Flaxton Mill Road (Southern End) or the other at Suses Pocket Road (Northern End).

The hiking trail is not well maintained and is a little rough, so best for closed-in shoes. I think they recommend it for experienced hikers, but it’s not that challenging. This is one small section of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk, and just make sure you follow the signs.

This track is about 6.8 kilometres return from the Southern end and takes just under 3 hours to complete. The time certainly depends on how long you stay at Baxter’s Falls, which is great to bring a packed lunch or snacks. In addition, about 100 metres from the falls you’ll get to a suspension bridge, and is safe for swimming.

➡  Looking for tours on the Sunshine Coast? Search HERE with GYG.

10. Artist Cascades

• Distance: Approx. 10 km return (via Booloumba Creek Day Use Area on the Conondale Range Great Walk)
• Difficulty: Moderate – long distance with uneven terrain and some creek crossings
• Grade: Moderate
• Swimming: Yes – you can swim in the rock pools at the base of the cascades.

The Artists Cascades is part of the Conondale National Park and one you might like to pair with Booloumba Falls. The official walk starts from the Booloumba Creek Day use area (Area 2), but you can access it from all the camping areas as well.

From the Day use area, its 10.6 kilometres return to complete the walk. You’ll be trekking through a wet subtropical rainforest, with plenty of birds chirping in the distance. Looks out for other wildlife on the ground like big goanna’s on the hunt for food. Additionally, see other points of interest like the Old Gold Mine and the Strangler Cairn. The Strangler Cairn is made of stone and an art piece that had to the helicoptered into the park.

11. Kureelpa Falls Circuit

• Distance: Approx. 8–10 km return (depending on the trailhead you start from on the Kureelpa Falls Circuit)
• Difficulty: Moderate – includes creek crossings, uneven terrain, and a longer walk
• Grade: Moderate
• Swimming: Yes – swimming is possible at the falls and nearby rock pools, but the water is often cold and conditions vary with rainfall

Kureelpa Falls Circuit is part of the Mapleton National Park, and has the main entrance at the Mapleton Day use area. This is just less than 9 kilometres of return and will take about 2.5 to 4 hours.

Alternatively, you can get a shorter walk from the end of Kureelpa Falls Road, but often difficult with creek crossings and after rain. Obviously, if you don’t mind walking in water and rock hopping, then this might be the better way to get to the falls.

From the Day use area, you need to follow the Number 4 signs and generally downhill all the way there. Keep in mind this will be uphill on the return, and you’ll need relatively good fitness to complete.

Best Time to visit the Waterfalls?

The best time to visit the waterfalls and swimming holes on the Sunshine Coast is during the summer months, from December to March. This is when consistent rainfall feeds the creeks and keeps the waterfalls flowing at their best.

The warmer temperatures also make swimming far more inviting, and popular spots like Gardners Falls, Kondalilla Falls, and Serenity Falls feel refreshingly cool after a hot, humid walk.

While some waterfalls run all year round, many shrink during the drier months, so planning your visit in summer gives you the best chance of seeing them at full strength.

That said, each season offers something a little different. For me, Winter is usually too cold for swimming unless you’re especially brave, but it’s an excellent time for hiking and the crisp, dry conditions make the trails more comfortable, and great for my photography.

No matter when you go, the Sunshine Coast hinterland always delivers a beautiful day out, you just need to pick the season that suits your style.

Wrap up!

Thanks for reading this blog post today on the best Sunshine Coast waterfalls and I hope you found what you were looking for. Please remember to look into more posts on The Sunshine Coast or the South east Queensland area.