Attention walkers, wanderers and waterfall chasers: RIGHT NOW is the time to seek out spectacular waterfalls in the Scenic Rim – recent rain has filled the region’s rivers and creeks, and Mother Nature is in full performance mode!
At just an hour’s drive from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and brimming with incredible places to stay and eat, the Scenic Rim is also home to roll call of wonderful waterfalls, some requiring a decent hike through ancient rainforests, and others just a casual walk from the car.
Fill your water bottles and lace up those boots, here are 11 waterfalls for your bucket list these holidays.
Cedar Creek Falls at Tamborine Mountain
An easy day trip to Tamborine Mountain gives you Cedar Creek Falls. There’s parking and the short walk gives wanderers a range of great viewing points, looking down from the first platform is breathtaking, and further down gives views up at the majestic 15-20m waterfall. STAY at Cedar Creek Lodges in a choice of stylist self-contained lodges and holiday cabins set amid the lush rainforest or glamp, and take the rockpools walk as well.
Witches Falls at Tamborine Mountain
The Witches Falls section of Tamborine National Park was declared in 1908, making it Queensland’s first national park. Witches Falls Circuit takes wanderers through lush rainforest before reaching a lookout over the waterfall with inland views of the Great Dividing Range. It’s a 3.1km circuit, and easy going. Added bonus: visit the Witches Falls Winery afterwards for local wine and cheese!
Curtis Falls in Tamborine National Park
One for all ages, stages and abilities. In the heart of Tamborine Mountain, Curtis Falls is fed by Cedar Creek all year ‘round. The circuit is an easy stroll at 1.5km, about half an hour in total. Set amongst super lush rainforest, there’s the Curtis Falls Café for a bite before or after the walk. To see another, add on the Joalah Lower Creek Circuit – it’s quite spectacular right now. Tamborine Mountain has a wonderful range of accommodation, from quaint guest houses to bed n breakfast places, hotels and more.
Cronan Creek Falls in Mt Barney National Park
About 100m off the beaten path – in this case, the Yellow Pinch trailhead – there’s the “secret” Cronan Creek Falls. From the Yellow Pinch Reserve, follow the Cronan Creek Track past stunning views of the Great Dividing Range and Mt Barney. Pack spare socks, water and a charged phone or camera for this 13km, four-hour roundtrip.
Lower & Upper Portals, Mt Barney National Park
Not exactly waterfalls, but they fill the wanderer’s cup just the same as a series of incredible waterholes (great for having a dip) as Mount Barney Creek cascades down the mountain between often towering rocks and cathedral like cutaways. Both tracks follow a three-hour return route and are for more experienced walkers.
Elabana Falls in Lamington National Park
A beautiful waterfall in Lamington National Park – take the Main Border Track from O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and walk 3.5km – including a scramble over rocks in the creek – and wanderers will find the cascades before retracing your steps back to O’Reilly’s.
Moran’s Falls in Lamington National Park
The plunging Moran’s Falls are reached by following a descending 4.4km return track about a kilometre back from the O’Reilly’s car park. Walks through the sub-tropical rainforest of booyongs, figs and brush box – it’s a well-marked track – and then visit the clearing or the lookout – or both – and return for a well-earned treat at O’Reilly’s Mountain Café.
Chalahn Falls at Lamington National Park
Accessed via the Tooloona Creek Circuit, the Chalahn Falls walk to and from O’Reilly’s is around 10.5km. Creek crossings mean wanderers should prepare to wade. The track can degrade in heavy rain and there’s some fallen trees but it’s the perfect spot for a picnic and an awe-inspiring view at the end.
Stairway Waterfall in Lamington National Park
This waterfall is at the turnaround point of a 14km hike beginning at @oreillysrainforestretreat, where there’s plenty of places to cool off along the way, including the Blue Pool. It is a more difficult walk, but passes through gorgeous scenery. Wanderers will definitely get wet feet as there’s multiple creek crossings.
Coomera and Yarrabilgong Falls at Lamington National Park from Binna Burra
Off the Coomera Circuit at Binna Burra, the Coomera and Yarrabilgong Falls are a 17.5km return trip that takes between five and seven hours, depending on the wanderer! Dense forests, creek crossings, waterfalls, gorges and cliffs will all be encountered. Binna Burra Lodge has wonderful accommodation options ranging from luxe Sky Lodges to Safari Tents, as well as a restaurant, café and great coffee. NOTE: once at Binna Binna, there’s a whole range of wonderful walks to choose from, and after this rain, most have waterfalls or cascading water involved!
Mirror Falls at Lamington National Park from O’Reilly’s
One for the fitter wanderers, and the 20km trek is well worth the effort, starting from O’Reilly’s. The views are spectacular. Accommodation at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat studio apartments and suites that all boast equally spectacular views! This is sky high wandering at its best!
A NOTE FOR WANDERERS AND WATERFALL CHASERS:
A reminder to walk carefully through Mother Nature’s beautiful places. Protecting our natural environment is a priority, and a responsibility of every wanderer. Always plan and prepare, stick to designated tracks and go only where it’s permitted. Some activities may require proper guidance, navigation skills, special permits, or equipment so please check with local tour operators or visitor information centres for up-to-date information and guidance.
FOR MORE WATERFALLS AND PLACES TO STAY IN THE SCENIC RIM – visitscenicrim.com.au
In a major international coup, the Scenic Rim was named by global travel authority Lonely Planet as one of the hottest destinations to visit in 2022! Just an hour from Brisbane and 30 minutes from the heart of the Gold Coast, the Scenic Rim stretches from Canungra to The Lost World, Beaudesert to Boonah, Tamborine Mountain to Kalbar and is home to the ancient World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests, six historic national parks, charming towns and villages, adventure parks, farm stays, craft breweries, boutique wineries, ecolodges, gourmet experiences, world class camping and glamping and breathtaking spaces in between. It’s a region of more than 4,200 square kilometres of rich volcanic soil surrounded by ancient mountains and home to thousands of farmers and food creators, more than 30,000ha of parkland and three dams – Lake Moogerah, Lake Maroon & Wyaralong.
