Best Waterfalls in Queensland to Visit on Your Next Holiday

While Queensland is a holiday destination best known for pristine white sand beaches and tropical islands, if you head inland, you’ll soon find ancient rainforests brimming with hidden wonders. There are hundreds of breathtaking waterfalls in Queensland, each of which will take your breath away.

Here are ten of the best waterfalls in Queensland to visit on your next holiday to the Sunshine State.

Wallaman Falls, Girringun National Park

Surrounded by World Heritage-listed rainforest, Wallaman Falls is a must-add to your Queensland waterfall bucket list. Plunging 268 metres, this is the highest permanent single-drop waterfall in Australia. Wallaman Falls flows year-round, although is at its most impressive between November and April.

Plus, Girringun National Park is the gateway to the Wet Tropics Great Walk. Tackle one of two day walks that stretch from Wallaman Falls to the Herbert River Valley to discover lush gorges, cascading waterfalls and breathtaking viewpoints.

Kondalilla Falls, Kondalilla National Park

Nestled in the stunning Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Kondalilla Falls is a favourite amongst locals and travellers alike. Kondalilla means ‘rushing waters’ in the local Aboriginal language, which makes sense when you set your eyes on this cascading 90-metre waterfall.

Reaching Kondalilla Falls is a bit of a hike – the 4.8-kilometre return Kondalilla Falls Circuit takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and requires climbing around 300 stairs. However, a swim in the ice-cold waters of this spectacular waterfall is well worth the trek.

Josephine Falls, Wooroonooran National Parkmy-queensland-two-people-at-josephine-falls-in-wooroonooran-national-park

Josephine Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Tropical North Queensland. Located just an hour from Cairns, this waterfall is fed by rains falling on Queensland’s highest peak, Bartle Frere. Josephine Falls plummets down before cascading gently over huge granite boulders.

Take a 1.2-kilometre walk through the verdant, World Heritage-listed rainforest to an incredible viewpoint over Josephine Falls before taking a dip in the rock pools at the base of the falls. There’s even a natural waterslide where you can zoom down into the cool waters below.

Natural Bridge, Springbrook National Park

Springbrook National Park is a natural paradise, tucked away in the breathtaking Gold Coast Hinterland. This national park is home to one of the best waterfalls in Queensland, Natural Bridge, which is a picturesque rock arch, formed by the force of the waterfall over the basalt cave.

Natural Bridge is easily accessible, with a one-kilometre circuit that takes you above, below and around the waterfall. Plus, you can even visit at night to join a guided nocturnal tour to view the resident colony of protected glow worms light up the cave!

Mena Creek Falls, Innisfail

While all of the best waterfalls in Queensland will leave you captivated, there is something unique about Mena Creek Falls. Tucked into the gardens of Paronella Park, the power of this waterfall was used to create North Queensland’s first hydro-electric plant.

While you can view Mena Creek Falls for free from the suspension bridge above, it is well worth purchasing tickets to Paronella Park to explore the beautiful Spanish-style castle. Plus, the park also offers several other vantage points of the falls and makes for a great day trip while holidaying in Cairns.

Barron Falls, Kuranda my-queensland-two-people-overlooking-barron-falls-kuranda

If you want to visit the most impressive waterfall in Queensland, head to Barron Falls near Kuranda. This thundering waterfall is best visited during the wetter months of summer when the volumetric flow rate of water can reach almost 265,000 megalitres. This is truly a sight to behold.

You can easily witness the glorious Barron Falls during a visit to the popular Kuranda Village. Take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway up the valley, stopping at the Din Din Barron Falls Lookout for views from one side of the gorge. For a different perspective, catch the Kuranda Scenic Railway back down.

Purling Brook Falls, Springbrook National Park

Purling Brook Falls is another popular waterfall in the Gold Coast Hinterland’s Springbrook National Park. Known as one of the most dramatic waterfalls in the region, Purling Brook Falls plunges 300 feet into a picturesque gorge.

The walking circuit to the base of Purling Brook Falls is a four-kilometre return trip that takes approximately two hours to complete. While there are some steep ascents and 265 steps to climb along the way, the stunning forest scenery makes it all worthwhile, as does the chance to take a dip in the cool waters upon reaching the falls.

Crystal Cascades, Cairns

If you’re holidaying in Cairns, don’t miss a visit to Crystal Cascades, a series of water holes and cascading waterfalls just 20 minutes from the city centre. To reach the main waterfall, simply follow a short 1.5-kilometre trail, which will lead you past numerous other swimming holes. Better yet, Crystal Cascades is shaded by a rainforest canopy and surrounded by granite boulders, meaning that the pools stay cool year-round, even in the thick of Queensland summer.

For those seeking extra adventure, why not join a tour with Cairns Canyoning, which will see you jumping, ziplining, abseiling and sliding down this freshwater creek system?

Buderim ‘Serenity’ Falls, Buderim my-queensland-buderim-serenity-falls

Buderim Falls, also known as Serenity Falls, is one of the Sunshine Coast’s best-kept secrets. Hidden amongst the greenery of Buderim Forest Park, this tranquil waterfall and surrounding rock pools are just minutes from the centre of Buderim Village, making it one of Queensland’s most accessible waterfalls.

You can access Buderim Falls via two paths, your choice of which should be based on time and fitness level. Regardless of which path you follow, you’ll be granted gorgeous views of the falls and the cave behind.

Millaa Millaa Falls, Atherton Tablelands my-queensland-millaa-millaa-falls-in-the-atherton-tablelands

Millaa Millaa Falls, located in the verdant Atherton Tablelands, is known to be one of the most photographed waterfalls in all of Australia, and it’s easy to see why. Surrounded by lush rainforest, Millaa Millaa Falls cascades perfectly to a pristine waterhole, perfect for a refreshing swim.

Platypuses are known to frequent the waters of Millaa Millaa Falls, so be sure to keep your eye out! After exploring Millaa Millaa Falls, why not continue through the Atherton Tablelands’ famed Waterfalls Circuit to the nearby Zillie and Ellinjaa Falls?

Chase Waterfalls on Your Next Queensland Escape

No matter where you choose to holiday in Queensland, you’re never too far from a spectacular waterfall. Discover your dream getaway with My Queensland, perfectly packaged exclusive bonus inclusions like resort credits, room upgrades, local experiences and so much more.

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