The Best 21 Waterfalls in Queensland

Continue reading for our top Aussie Bucket List waterfalls to see when visiting Queensland, Australia.

TOP Queensland Waterfalls

1 - Josephine Falls, Far North Queensland

Image credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

Josephine Falls is a scenic waterfall fed by rains falling on Queensland’s highest peak, Bartle Frere, which looms above this popular picnic area in Wooroonooran National Park. Josephine Creek starts as a gentle trickle high on the south-east side of the summit of Bartle Frere. By the time it has travelled the 7.5 kilometres to the smooth granite boulders of Josephine Falls, it is a thundering torrent that will take your breath away.

Enjoy the 1.2 kilometre return walk through lush, world heritage-listed rainforest to viewing decks over the picturesque falls. Stay clear of the restricted access area as serious injuries and deaths have occurred here. Penalties apply. Water conditions can be unpredictable and hazardous. Obey all safety signs and only swim in the designated area.

Add Josephine Falls to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.

2 - Natural Bridge (Falls), Springbrook National Park

Image credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

Natural Bridge is in the western part of Springbrook National Park, part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. The park's Natural Bridge section features a picturesque rock formation, formed by the force of the waterfall over the basalt cave. It is easily accessible from the Nerang-Murwillumbah Road car park. Follow the easy one kilometre circuit (walk in a clockwise direction) and descend through ancient Gondwana rainforest to the Natural Bridge rock arch. Hoop pines emerging from surrounding forest are living relics of the Jurassic Age, 180 million years ago. During the day spot paradise riflebirds, green catbirds, wompoo fruit-doves and also rare and threatened species like the cascade tree frog, tusked frog, sooty owl and koala. At night join a guided nocturnal tour to see the resident colony of protected glow-worms and microbats. On summer nights, also see luminous fungi and fireflies.

Part of Cave Creek in the Natural Bridge section is a Restricted Access Area.

Swimming in the creek, including within the cave, and access to the creek bank is prohibited.

Add Natural Bridge to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.

3 - Twin Falls, Cape York

Image credit: Tourism Australia

Twin Falls is a must-see natural bucket list attraction located near Eliot Falls along the Old Telegraph Track on the Cape York Peninsula, Queensland. A refreshing dip is a great reward after a day of dusty and bumpy four-wheel driving.

Camping is permitted at the nearby Eliot Falls camping ground. Book in advance online with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service so that you do not miss out. Campsites can book out well in advance, especially for peak periods.

Add Twin Falls to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.

4 - Emerald Creek Falls, Mareeba

Image credit: Tourism Tropical North Queensland

The picturesque Emerald Creek Falls forms a series of cascades over smooth granite boulders and contrasts starkly with the surrounding dry, rocky landscape of the forest. Emerald Creek rushes out of the rainforest-clad heights of the Lamb Range and down into open eucalypt woodland. Here the waters of the creek tumble over granite boulders, forming the picturesque falls that plunge into placid pools. Bottlebrush trees sprout from between the rocks, their red flowers giving a splash of colour to the scene in season. Smooth-barked water gums lean over the creek, the trunks of some interestingly twisted by the battering of floodwaters.

Picnic in the day-use area and cool down in the nearby creek. Follow the moderate 1.9 kilometre track to a lookout over the falls with scenic views, not only of the falls, but also back along the valley and across the northern Atherton Tableland. Near the creek, look for dragonflies and damselflies. You may even see the giant petalurid dragonfly, the largest dragonfly in Australia.

Add Emerald Creek Falls to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.

5 - Babinda Boulders

Image credit: Tourism Tropical North Queensland

Located in Wooroonooran National Park in the Goldsborough Valley, Kearneys Falls is part of a cascading tributary of the Mulgrave River. The Wajil Walk to Kearneys Falls begins at the Goldsborough Valley campground, winding through the towering rainforest until finally reaching a viewing platform at the base of the falls. Interpretive signage in the area will teach you about the local traditional Owners and their connection to the rainforest and wildlife. Attractions of Goldsborough Valley include camping, fishing, rafting, swimming and walking tracks.

Add Babinda Boulders to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.

6 - Behana Gorge

Image credit: Tourism Tropical North Queensland

Behana Gorge lies just a 30 minute drive south of Cairns. Part of the Cairns Regional Council catchment, Behana Gorge supplies Cairns with fresh water from the rainforest. With pristine swimming holes, breathtaking views and stunning waterfalls that flow into a deep granite gorge, Behana is a spectacular sight all year round.

It’s about a 45 minute walk along a sealed road running parallel to the creek to arrive at your final destination, Clamshell falls. Here you will find a beautiful waterfall with a cool swimming hole at its base. There are no facilities so bring water, snacks and sunscreen. It’s best to walk early morning or late afternoon when the sun isn’t as harsh.

Add Behana Gorge to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.

7 - Davies Creek Falls

Image credit: Tourism Tropical North Queensland

Davies Creek Falls, a magnificent waterfall cascading over huge granite boulders; the impressive Clohesy River fig tree; pleasant camping and purpose-built mountain bike trails are features of these national parks. Dinden National Park straddles the Lamb Range, the string of mountains behind Cairns. Rainforest cloaks the wetter eastern side of the range while eucalypt woodland covers the drier rain-shadowed western slopes. Davies Creek National Park is adjacent to Dinden on the western side of the range.

Stay at Davies Creek or Dinden camping areas and enjoy one of the many walks ranging from 1.1 kilometres return to the more strenuous 12.3 kilometre Kahlpahlim Rock circuit. Relax on the sun-warmed water-sculpted rocks beside Davies Creek or refresh with a dip in the cool clear waters of the creek. Enjoy the scenic drive along Clohesy River Road to visit the Clohesy River Fig and marvel at this magnificent tree on the 300 metre return boardwalk.

Access is only by four-wheel-drive vehicles and the creek crossings may be impassable after rain. Take a scenic 33 kilometre return drive along Clohesy River Road to explore Shoteel Creek and Clohesy River valleys.

Add Davies Creek Falls to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.

8 - Gorge Falls

Image credit: Aussie Bucket List

The Cream Track is 5.3 kilometres long and runs from the heights of Springbrook Plateau to the lowlands of Tallebudgera Valley. Meandering past working cattle farms and banana plantations the track traverses through rainforest, creek crossings, wet and dry eucalypt forests.

This challenging track rewards walkers with views from the mountains to the coast. Challenge brings other benefits too − with fewer visitors, areas along the track remain largely undisturbed and have an abundance of wildlife.

Gorge Falls can be found approximately 2.2km along this track from the end of Tallebudgera Creek Road, however the falls are difficult to find. Going off the Cream Track is at your own risk and navigational preparation is recommended.

You will come to a fork in the track, with some steep steps up to the right (sign posts will guide you to go up the steps). To get to Gorge Falls, do not go up the steps, continue walking straight along the track. You will then get to a fork in the creek, take the creek to the left and continue to scramble over the rocks until you reach Gorge Falls. Allow at least 1.30 minutes to get to Gorge Falls. We found the way back is much quicker as you know where you are going on the way back.

Add Gorge Falls to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.

9 - Murray Falls

Image credit:

Murray Falls is an Aussie Bucket List natural attraction located virtually half way between Cairns and Townsville in Far North Queensland. Murray Falls, within Girramay National Park, is one of north Queensland’s prettiest waterfalls, with large volumes of water racing over naturally sculpted granite boulders.

Rainforested mountains and tropical lowlands meet in the attractive foothills of the Kirrama Range. The clear waters of the Murray River cascade over boulders into rock pools in this picturesque spot, within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.

Enjoy a picnic in the grassy and shaded day-use area by the river. Stroll along the boardwalk to a viewing platform near the falls.

For the more adventurous, take moderately graded 1.8 kilometre return walk through a cool rainforest gully, and then up into open forest and spectacular views over the falls and Murray Valley. Look for wallabies, possums and a variety of reptiles. Bring binoculars and watch for many colourful birds.

Enjoy colourful wildflower displays in spring. Access the river from the day-use area but take care as the water is often fast flowing and the rocks slippery, however access to the river upstream of the day-use area is not permitted. Slippery rocks make it dangerous and serious injuries have occurred.

Add Murray Falls to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.

10 - Wallaman Falls

Image credit: Tourism and Events Queensland 

Wallaman Falls, located 51km from Ingham in Far North Queensland, is a must-see Aussie Bucket List attraction. It is known as the highest, permanent, single-drop waterfall in Australia. Wallaman Falls is a part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, home to some of the oldest rainforests on earth, including many endangered plants and animals.

Add Wallaman Falls to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.

11 - Morans Falls, Lamington National Park

Image credit: Anna Osetroff © Queensland Government

Morans Falls track, Lamington National Park, starts near the park's information centre. Subtropical rainforest of booyongs, figs and brush box flank the track for the 140 metre stroll to the lookout over Morans Falls. An excellent view of Morans Falls and Morans Creek gorge can be seen from here. Plummeting 80 metres to the valley floor, Morans Falls fluctuates between a thunderous roar after rain, to a gentle trickle in the drier months. The falls are slowly working through the softer rock beneath, causing rockfalls and reshaping the cliff face—changes that are barely visible in our lifetime. Layers of ancient volcanic lava flows are also visible; the more resistant have formed small cliff-lines along the valley, and are best seen at the second lookout located at the end of the track. Stop for a picnic at the top of the falls.

Think back to a time when a bark hut stood here—the first mountain home of the O’Reilly brothers. This park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, famed for its ongoing geological processes, evolutionary history, and diversity (especially of rare, threatened and endemic species).

Add Morans Falls to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.

12 - Attie Creek Falls, Cardwell

Image credit: Tourism Tropical North Queensland

Attie Creek Falls is a seasonal waterfall located in the Cardwell Forest Drive in Girringun National Park in the coastal town of Cardwell, just 2.5 hours south of Cairns. This beautiful waterfall is just a five minute drive from the Instagram-famous Cardwell Spa Pools and can be reached by a 700 metre walk from the Attie Creek Car Park. This relatively thin falls flows into a calm pool, which makes it perfect for swimming.

Add Attie Creek Falls to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.

13 - Gudda Gumoo Lookout and Gorge, Blackdown Tableland National Park

Image credit: QLD Parks and Wildlife Services

Gudda Gumoo lookout track and Gudda Gumoo gorge track are in Blackdown Tableland National Park. Rising abruptly above the surrounding dry plains, Blackdown Tableland protects spectacular sandstone scenery at the north-eastern edge of the Central Queensland sandstone belt. This is the traditional home of the Ghungalu people, who have visited this place for thousands of years and left behind rock art, vivid reminders of their special culture.

On the 3.6 kilometre return walk to the Gudda Gummoo lookout, walk through stringybarks and spiky grasstrees. Gaze across the gorge to distant plains and hills and learn about the significance of Moonda Gudda to the Ghungalu people. Retrace your steps, alternatively continue onto the gorge walk. To complete the gorge walk, continue on another 400 metres to Gudda Gumoo gorge, where damp fern fronds glisten and colourful birds come to cool off. See water spill over sandstone ledges as it flows down and through the gorge.

Moderate fitness is required for the lookout walk, which involves short, steep slopes, some stairs and loose surfaces. A higher level fitness is required to complete the more difficult gorge walk, which 240 stairs leading to the base of the waterfall and loose surfaces. Allow 1.5 hours for the lookout return walk (or 2 hours for the gorge return walk).

Add Gudda Gumoo Lookout and Gorge to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.

14 - Mossman Gorge, Daintree National Park

Image credit: Tourism Tropical North Queensalnd

At Mossman Gorge, a section of Daintree National Park, crystal-clear water cascades over large granite boulders in the Mossman River. Lush rainforests cloak steep mountainsides from the riverbanks up to the rugged eastern slopes of the Main Coast Range.

Electric shuttle buses operate daily from the Mossman Gorge Centre—every 15 mins from 8 am–6 pm—transporting visitors 2 km to the Mossman Gorge carpark. Fees may apply.

Walking tracks start from the Gorge carpark. Take an easy 10 minute stroll along the elevated boardwalk that meanders through the lower rainforest canopy and return along the riverside track, enjoying views from several small lookouts along the way. Be amazed by bright butterflies and look closely for well-camouflaged Boyd's forest dragons clinging to tree trunks.

More adventurous visitors can cross the Rex Creek suspension bridge and enjoy the 2.4 kilometre Rainforest circuit track through lush rainforest.

Add Mossman Gorge to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.

16 - Purlingbrook Falls, Springbrook

Image credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

Spectacular waterfalls and cool ancient forests await you in the beautiful World Heritage-listed Gondwana rainforest of Springbrook National Park. On this beautiful circuit walk, in the Springbrook Plateau section of the park, pass through open eucalypt forest of New England ash, before descending into the gorge to view the falls from below. After crossing the suspension bridge a steady climb through forest brings the walker back to the picnic area. Look for ancient lepidozamias, colourful hakeas and dazzling wildflowers along the way to this stunning waterfall.

There are 265 steps on this walk and it's easier to walk in a clockwise direction. For visitor safety Purling Brook Falls has a restricted access area at the top and base of the waterfall. There are sheer cliffs and waterfalls so keep to the track. If you've got time, detour on the Warringa Pool track, which leads downstream from the base of the falls; you'll add another 2 kilometres to the walk and need to allow another 40 minutes to return. 

Add Purlingbrook Falls to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.

17 - Windin Falls

Image credit: Tourism Tropical North Queensland

Located in Wooroonooran National Park, Windin Falls boasts unparalleled views over the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Accessible via the Old Cairns Track, the falls is an approximate 90 minute hike each way. Exercise extreme caution and stay back from the edges. There is a natural infinity pool at the top of the falls that drops deep into the valley below. The track can be quite muddy at times.

Add Windin Falls to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.

18 - Millaa Millaa Falls

Image credit: Tropical Tablelands Tourism

The spectacular Millaa Millaa Falls are surrounded by lush rainforest located on the Waterfalls Circuit, along with Zillie and Ellinjaa Falls. The falls cascade perfectly to a pristine waterhole below where you can enjoy a refreshing swim in the cool water. There's also a lovely grassy picnic area for you to relax. Millaa Millaa Falls are one of the most photographed in all of Australia, so make sure you bring your camera. And if you're lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of a platypus!

Add Millaa Millaa Falls to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.

19 - Little Crystal Creek, Paluma National Park

Image credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

The crystal clear waters and pristine waterfalls of this freshwater creek are ideal for a refreshing swim. The mountain water cascades under a picturesque heritage-listed stone arch bridge built in the 1930s depression. It's bridge is a popular place amongst the Townsville locals on the weekend. Just above the bridge as some very spectacular waterfalls. It's also the most popular place in Little Crystal Creek and for good reasons. A perfect place to escape the summer heat by having a quick dip in refreshingly cool water. The rain forest has a good canopy so the vegetation isn't too dense.

Add Little Crystal Creek to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.

20 - Elliot Falls

Image credit: Tourism Australia

Elliot Falls (sometimes referred to as Eliot Falls) are a must-see natural bucket list attraction and camping ground located along the Old Telegraph Track on the Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland.

You can camp at the nearby Elliot FAlls camping ground. There are picnic tables, fire places and toilets here. The campsites are suitable for tents and camper trailers. Camping permits are required and should be booked online via the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services website well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Please take care when swimming here as the rocks can be very slippery and water levels can rise rapidly after rain.

Add Elliot Falls to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.

21 - Fairy Falls

Image credit: Tourism Tropical North Queensland

Fairy Falls is a picturesque waterfall, found tucked away in the dense rainforest close to Crystal Cascades. The track begins just to the left of Crystal Cascades car park. Follow the path along for approximately 15 minutes. When the track forks, be sure to stick to the creek and don’t head uphill. Keep a look out for stinging plants that are found along the track, there are warning signs in place to help identify these plants.

Add Fairy Falls to your Aussie Bucket List HERE.

Are your favourite Queensland waterfalls not on this list? Be sure to message us! We'd love to hear your feedback and suggestions: gday@aussiebucketlist.com.au

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