26 Best Swimming Holes & Waterfalls near Cairns with Map

When you picture Tropical North Queensland, chances are you imagine crystal-clear swimming holes and cascading waterfalls tucked deep within the rainforest, and Cairns is one of the best places in Australia to experience them. But which ones are worth your time, and how do you actually find them?

For first-time visitors, the challenge is real. With so many options scattered across the Atherton Tablelands, the Gillies Range, and just outside Cairns itself, it can be confusing to figure out which waterfalls suit your trip.

Having explored these waterfalls myself, I’ve put together this complete guide to the best swimming holes and waterfalls near Cairns. Along with tips on how to get there and which ones are ideal for swimming. I’ve also included a pinned map so you can easily plan your route and make the most of your visit.

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Map of the Swimming Holes & Waterfalls near Cairns

The Cairns region is blessed with some of the most spectacular waterfalls and swimming holes in all of Queensland, making it a true paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers.

The guide below highlights a wide variety of spots where you can cool off, chase waterfalls, or relax in natural swimming pools, complete with a specially pinned map to help you find them with ease.

This collection stretches across a broad area, from the cascading falls around Ingham in the south, through the Atherton Tablelands, all the way up to the ancient rainforests of the Daintree National Park in the north.

➡  Find Cairns Hotel Deals HERE with Booking.com

Along the way, you’ll encounter some of the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area, a region famed for its incredible biodiversity and landscapes. Whether you’re after a family-friendly spot close to town, hidden gems tucked away in national parks, or dramatic waterfalls surrounded by dense rainforest, I hope there a few waterfalls that has you intrigued.

➡ Closest to Cairns

1. Barron Falls

Barron Falls (Din Din) would have to be one of the more popular and relatively close to the city itself. It’s located in the Barron Falls National Park, 125 metres high and you can see it on your way, ideally to Kuranda Village. In fact, one of the best ways to see Barron Gorge is on a Day trip from the city.

➡  Tours to Barron Falls HERE with GYG, or HERE with Viator

From December to April each year, Barron Falls are at their fullest and cascade an immense amount of water down the rock into the waterhole below. The flow rate changes from 265 thousand mega litres per day, compared to 350 mega litres per day in the dry season.

You can drive yourself to the lookout point on Barron Falls Road, and takes about 40 minutes to get there from the city. There is a quick and easy path to follow, some of it on a boarded path and a few stairs.

Note: There is no swimming at Barron Falls – This one is just for photos and viewing!

2. Crystal Cascades (Cascade falls)

There are ample places to swim at the Crystal Cascades, as it’s a series of smaller waterfalls and a bunch of swimming holes. It’s so easy to get here, that it’s a perfect place if you only have the one day in Cairns.

There is a big car park available at the end of Redlynch Road, along with Bathrooms, Barbeques and Picnic Tables.

Thousands of tourists will flock to this area every year, mainly because it’s so easily accessible. This is all among an amazing rainforest setting and a perfect place to bring a packed lunch and make a day of it.

3. Fairy falls

You can access Fairy Falls by using the same car park as Crystal Cascades, and you can do them both on the same day.

However, Fairy Falls are not one of the easiest to get to. This one requires a short 15-minute walk, but scaling over slippery rocks and muddy sides.

The path to Fairy Falls is not marked and instead has a sign in the car park for “Emergency Assembly Point” and a warning to “Beware of Stinging trees. While the path looks simple from here, it certainly doesn’t end that way. Take note of what the stinger trees look like, and try your best to stay away from the leaves.

4. Stoney Creek

Once you park the car, there is only a small distance to Stoney Creek, some small waterfalls to admire and great swimming. This beautiful Stoney Creek area is mainly a rocky, swimming hole with crystal clear waters.

It’s a safe, calm spot to swim, but I would recommend insect repellent for any area on your body that’s not submerged. I guess time of year would determine how good or bad the mosquitoes or miggies are.

5. Old Weir Falls

If you notice, Old Weir Falls use the same Car park entrance as Stoney Creek but will require a longer walk to get there. Instead of walking to the Creek for swimming, use the Footbridge over the creek and keep walking uphill, walk over the rocks running beside the creek.

You’ll walk the Stoney Creek Track (otherwise known as Garndal Garndal), and takes about 20 mins to reach the Old Weir falls. This will be a little more secluded and a private swimming spot for you to chill in. However, the water is not as deep, but still good enough to cool off or sit under the lovely 8-metre Waterfall.

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6. Davies Creek Falls

This beautiful location is tucked away behind the mountains and accessing it will require driving north through Kuranda and further south to Mareeba.

There is a short 400 metre walk to Davies Creek Falls that leads to a viewing platform and the higher section of the waterfall. Continue along the track, and you’ll come to the lower section and great area to sit and enjoy the pools.  

If you are lucky enough to visit when the water isn’t rushing too much then you can enjoy the natural Infinity pool from the top waterfall. It’s known as the Davies Creek Infinity Pool and a very unique area to see. Make sure you pay attention though, and don’t get too close to the edge.

7. Emerald Creek Falls

The Emerald Creek Falls are a series of cascading falls, crashing over granite boulders. It’s located near Mareeba and is an easy day trip from Cairns.

Although, some of the drive is on unsealed roads and not suitable for towing. You’re surrounded by Eucalypt Forest and amazing plant and animal life.

You can choose to take the 10-minute track from the car park to the falls, or the 1.9-kilometre track with a lookout to the falls. Either way, you have time for a swim, get some exercise, and enjoy a day in the sun. Make sure you have closed-in shoes if you’re taking the extra hike, the ground is uneven, and stairs and some rocks.

➡ South of Cairns

8. Behana Gorge & Clamshell Falls

Behana Gorge or accessing Clamshell falls is on the northern section of the Wooroonooran National Park. This is an easy rainforest hike ending at a lovely waterfall, with ample swimming spots along the way. It’s a 6.6-kilometre return trek to get to Clamshell Falls and will take roughly 2 hours.

If you get to the end of the track, then you have gone too far. Instead, find the worn trail leading down to the rocks along the creek. You’ll come to an amazing cascading waterfall dropping into the Behana Gorge Below. The deep green pools are surrounded by lush rainforest, and you could easily spend a few hours here. Additionally, If you’re hiking on a hot summer’s day, then the cool dip in the pool will be a refreshing change.

9. Josephine Falls

Josephine Falls is very easy to get to for a day trip, or a short via off the Bruce Highway. This is located on the tip of the Wooroonooran National Park and is often filled with locals escaping from the heat.

It’s fed from the Bartle Frere Mountain Range, which travels 7.5 kilometres from one of the highest peaks in Queensland.

➡  Book Atherton Tablelands Tour HERE with GYG, or HERE with Viator

It’s an easy 600 metres walk to the bottom swimming hole and soon after to the viewing platform at the top. While you can be tempted to swim in the top pool, this can be dangerous and actually prohibited. However, there is a natural waterside, and know you are still contained within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Listed area. 

10. Ponytail Falls

The Ponytail falls were a huge shock to me and well worth the visit for the colour and serenity. That’s why it’s been added to my list today.

They’re a part of the Tully Gorge and accessed from the east side, which is different from seeing the Tully Falls from the west side of the National Park.

The way to Ponytail Falls is not signposted, but shortly after the camping area, you’re going to look out for the “11” painted on the road. Parking is right there, and only a short distance to walk down to the Tully Gorge and look straight out onto the single drop falls. Know this is not for swimming due to the rapids, and only for viewing (we don’t want you to be carried down the Tully river and over the rocks). 

11. Tully Falls (Tully Gorge Lookout)

Different area to the Ponytail Falls and another section of the Tully Gorge, the Tully falls are accessed from the other side of the National Park. This means you’ll drive through Ravenshoe and the Atherton Tablelands.

➡  Book Tours HERE to Tully River/Gorge ( including Rafting)

The Tully Falls are best visited in the summertime (December to March) or after a lot of rain. If you can see it during this time, the water plunges 300 metres into the pool below, and you can enjoy it from a lookout point.

This was once a Queensland Icon, but the Tully Dam installed for a hydro Power station, which changed the flow back in the 1950s.

12. Mena Creek falls (Paronella Park)

Visiting Paronella Park is a brilliant day trip from Cairns, or stopping in on your way through. However, you can still see the falls without paying admission to the park. Just to the right of the Park’s entrance is a small walkway connected to a suspension bridge, which allows you to walk over the waterfall.

➡  Book Paronella Park Tickets HERE with GYG, or HERE with Viator

Paronella Park was built in the 1930s by Jose Paronella and circles around a Spanish Castle. Along with the Mena Creek Waterfall as the main feature.

If you pay the admission to enter the park you will get different views of Mena Creek Falls, as well as everything else the park has to offer.

13. Babinda Boulders

Babinda Boulders is an amazing swimming hole, worth visiting, and a brilliant day trip from Cairns. It’s only a short via off the main A1 Bruce Highway and has plenty of parking and easy stair access to the water.

➡    Book tours HERE to Babinda Boulders & The Atherton Tablelands

There is one main swimming hole, as well as a short walk and the lookout point for the Devils Pools.

There are plenty of facilities with toilets, barbeques, picnic tables, as well as a couple of different walking trails. Although, always read the warning signs and only swim in the designated areas.

For safety reasons, the Devil’s Pools are only for viewing and are of significant importance to the Aboriginal People.

14. Cardwell Spa Pools

Cardwell Spa Pools is one you might want to stop in on your way past, Instead of on a day trip from Cairns.

It’s only a short 15 mins via off the A1 Bruce Highway along a dirt road, and the Spa pools are right beside the large parking area. The colour of the water here is absolutely amazing and something you just have to witness in person.

This is just a standard rocky swimming hole that creates a spa effect with moving water. Due to a few different naturally occurring factors, the waters are a brilliant blue colour. Consequently, this makes the perfect place for your next Instagram Picture and a nice cool-off.

15. Murray Falls

You could see Murray Falls on the same day as the Cardwell Spa Pools, or even use the Murray Falls Camping area as a place to stay for the night after visiting both. The Falls are right beside the camping ground and a short 300-metre walk. In fact, to can hear them from the campground and relax as you try to go to sleep.

While the actual falls are restricted for swimming, it still makes for a picturesque setting. If you still want a swimming location, then walk a few hundred metres more to a swimming hole and a natural waterslide to enjoy.

16. Wallaman Falls

Wallaman Falls is the furthest on my list today, but it’s an impressive site. It’s the highest, single drop waterfall in Australia, coming close to 268 metres in size. It’s so tall, that the constant mist will create rainbows, making it an enchanted site.

Choose to view from above in an easy lookout position, or walk the 3.2 kilometres trail down to the bottom.

While the walk down will be fairly easy, the elevated hike back up will require a moderate level of fitness and 2 to 3 hours to complete. Furthermore, the 20-metre pool in the bottom is great for a quick deep, but it will be on the cooler side.

17. Alligators Nest Swimming Hole

About 2 hours south and just outside of the small town of Tully, you have the Alligators Nest Swimming hole. I was very impressed with my visit here, although I need to return in summer when it’s a little warmer.

We were the only ones there at this time, but expect this is a very busy swimming hole during the holidays.

There was a nice easy staircase entrance, shallow and deeper waters to choose from, and the creek was crystal clear. Perfect spot to relax with a book or laze around on a donut floaty. Back in the park, you had bathrooms, picnic tables, and plenty of grassed areas to sit down.

18. Ellinjaa Falls

Welcome to the Waterfall Circuit, where you’ll get to enjoy Ellinjaa Falls and 2 other beautiful Waterfalls near Cairns.

Theresa Creek Road is a 20-kilometre circuit in the Atherton Tablelands. Ellinjaa Falls on it’s own, has a short 10-minute walk downhill, where you’re eventually greeted with a wide cascade over a rock face.

While the swimming hole at the bottom isn’t very deep, you can still swim there to cool off. However, the falls do make a beautiful backdrop for a photo opportunity, or slow shutter effects. More importantly, If you’re really quiet, there have been siting’s of platypus around too.

19. Millaa Millaa Falls

Millaa Millaa falls are one of the most photographed waterfalls in Australia. They’re running all year round, have some great facilities available with Car and Bus parking.

It’s the main waterfall visited along the Waterfall circuit and should not be missed.

➡    Book Millaa Milaa Tours HERE with GYG, or HERE with Viator

There is a huge grassed area for picnics and large gatherings, a swimming hole if you want to take a dip, and disabled access for those with low mobility. It’s certainly an impressive site to see after some rainfall during the summertime, although there’s still a lot of water coming down in the winter.

20. Zillie Falls

Zillie Falls is the third and final Waterfall to visit along the Theresa Creek Road, and Waterfall loop road from Cairns.

However, there is limited parking, and it’s a little harder to see in full view. Within a couple of minutes, you arrive at a lookout point to the side of the Falls and can hear the rushing sounds of the water.

There is an unformed track to take you down and view Zillie Falls from the bottom. However, I wouldn’t recommend this track unless you’re comfortable walking over uneven ground, and slippery rocks. Once at the bottom, it requires scaling large boulders for a better view, and sometimes this may not be worth it.

21. Malanda Falls

The Malanda Falls area is a top tourist spot with a swimming area, Rainforest walks, a picnic area, and an amazing cascade of water to enjoy. It’s located in the Atherton Tablelands and could be explored along with the others available on Waterfall Circuit. These are very easy to access and close to the small town of Malanda.

These falls are very different from the others we have been talking about today, being four metres high and 30 metres wide. They flow over old basalt lava beds, which were common in the area, created a long time ago. Don’t forget to check out the Visitor Information centre a learn about Malanda Fall’s History.

➡ North of Cairns

22. Mossman Gorge

The Mossman Gorge swimming hole has a very nice set up here with a large tourist information centre, café, and a free bus service to get you into the Gorge. During the day (about 8am to 4pm) the gates are shut, and the only access you have is using the bus services, which runs about every 15 minutes.

➡  Book Mossman tours HERE with GYG, or HERE with Viator

There are various walking trails you can take around Mossman Gorge. This includes Baral Marrjanga (270 metres), Lower river Track(300 Metres), Rex Creek Bridge (460 metres) & The Rainforest Circuit (2.4 Km return).

Note: Another options could be the River Drifting and snorkelling tours, but this is a different area of the river.

23. Wujal Wujal Falls

The Wujal Wujal Falls or Bloomfield falls is an amazing site to see for the first time, and I’m glad I got to stop in on a recent visit to North Queensland.

It’s located along the Bloomfield, Four-Wheel-Drive Track, in between Cape Tribulation and the Highway leading into Cooktown. However, this is a dirt track and is recommended for a four-wheel drive vehicle only.

This is a great way to get from Cape Tribulation to Cooktown and doesn’t require driving a longer distance along the highway. You will go through creek crossings, bridges, and thick rainforest, which makes the journey exciting and well worth it.

Not only that, but a chance to stop off at the Lion’s Den hotel for a quick drink, or one of their big lunchtime pizzas.

24. Spring Creek Falls or Black Rock Waterfall

This waterfall use to be called Black Rock Falls but are now more commonly called Spring Creek Falls. Depends who you talk to, but know they are talking about the same place.

It’s located near Mowbray, just outside Port Douglas and about an hour north of town.

There is a decent amount of trekking required for this one, coming close to 1.5 to 2 hours each way (3 kilometres one way). There is also no specific path to follow and instead requires you to follow the creek until you reach the waterfall. This also requires scaling up and down some rocks and is recommended for closed-in shoes.

25. Emmagen Creek

This is another swimming spot located along the Cape Tribulation Bloomfield Road and recommended for a four-wheel drive to get there. This is one of your major creek crossings, so expect to see cars passing throughout the day. 

➡  Book Your 4WD Tour HERE through the Daintree National Park

There is a small amount of room for cars off to the side, but the creek is right there with beautiful crystal clear waters. Keep in mind with the rainforest around, the area is completely shaded, and the waters can be cold. However, this is a small piece of paradise, and you could spend a lot of time relaxing the day away.  

26. Hartley’s Creek Falls

Venturing further north, you can access the Trailhead near Hartley’s Crocodile Adventure or near the Retreat.

This might make you think the waterfall may contain crocodiles, but it is listed as a safe place to swim. However, there is a bit of a hike to get there, so ensure you have closed-in shoes, plenty of water, and snacks for the day.

Its 7.5 kilometres return trek to complete and will take roughly 2 hours (more time needed for swimming). It follows the banks of Hartley’s Creek, with some slight elevation and wide, easy-to-follow tracks. You’ll eventually end up at some rocky banks, follow the sign to the left, and soon to Hartley’s Creek Falls.

Are Crocodiles a Concern?

While it’s not common ( except in the ones mentioned), The waterfalls mentioned in today’s blogs are NOT prone to crocodiles.

Know that crocodiles like warm, murky waters and the cooler temperatures are not ideal for them.

However, you should always adhere to warning signs posted around the waterholes, and if you are not certain, then it’s probably best to view, without swimming. Consequently, you’ll find the bulk of the options mentioned today will have locals swimming in them before you get there.

Best Time to visit?

Most of the choices mentioned today are running all year and can be visited any time of year. Keep in mind, that the summer months from December to March, has the heaviest rainfall.

Visiting just after the summer months from March to May might have these waterfalls still in their prime, on sunny days for you to enjoy. However, wintertime from June to September is obviously a cooler season, but the days will still be warm and tropical.

The Dry season runs from June to November each year, and some of the heavier flowing Waterfalls like Barron Falls, are reduced to near nothing.

Do you need a car?

While there are some Tours available to see these the Waterfalls in todays blog, it’s not always possible. However, If you have your own vehicle, you have the flexibility to travel under your own schedule and visit as many or as few falls as you like.

➡Find your favourite brand & compare prices for your Rental Car HERE

Take note of which ones you want to visit and ensure you have access to a vehicle that can drive on dirt roads. It’s very easy to get around, and use Google maps and the maps supplied above, for your directions.

My Best tips for Safety!

• Rope swings are sometimes available and used at your own risk. 
• Only wear thongs on the walking track if they are comfortable. Closed-in shoes on walking tracks are always safer.
• First Aid Kit might be handy in the car.
• Take plenty of water, and a few snacks, and wear sunscreen.
• Leeches are common in wild swimming holes, please do your research on how to remove them.
• Always keep children within viewing distance.
• Never via off the formed tracks.
• Be aware of wildlife and stay away from dangerous animals like snakes or spiders. 
• Leave only footprints and take only photos.
• Stinging Trees (Gympie Gympie) are prone in Tropical North QLD. Please research what they look like, how to avoid them, or what to do if you accidentally touch one.
• Take all your 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 & Read More!

Thanks for reading this blog today on my best selection of swimming holes and waterfalls to visit near Cairns. I hope you found the information you were looking for and have a great choice to select from this list. If you’re still researching, dive into more Cairns stories here for planning and inspiration.

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