Waterfall country in Tropical North Queensland
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TLC’s album, CrazySexyCool, was released in 1994 which included the seminal tune, Waterfalls – the perfect hook to lead into Tropical North Queensland’s numerous, beautiful and exhilarating ‘vertical waterways’. With almost 40 the region boasts more than anywhere else in Australia.
Tropical North Queensland is renowned for its natural beauty, superb beaches and the only place in the world where two World Heritage Sites meet – the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. With its diverse wilderness, mountains ranges, wet tropics and abundant national parks, the area is home to many beautiful hikes, waterfalls and swimming holes.
The widest…
Millstream Falls is Australia’s widest, single-drop waterfall. Located on the outskirts of Queensland’s highest town, Ravenshoe, on the edge of the Atherton Tablelands UNESCO World Heritage area. The tablelands has its own Waterfall Circuit, which includes Millaa Millaa, Zillie and Ellinjaa falls, in addition to Blencoe Falls in Girringun National Park.
The tallest…
Wallaman Falls is Australia’s tallest permanent waterfall with a plunge of nearly 300 metres (980 ft) also found in Girringun National Park and surrounded by World Heritage rainforest.
The biggest…
Located in Barron Gorge National Park, Barron Falls (Djabugay: Din Din) near Kuranda Village is the destination for many a pilgrimage in the wet season (November-March). Over this time, the volumetric flow rate of water over the gorge can reach almost 265,000-megalitres in a day.
The one worth the plunge…
Fairy Falls, outside of Cairns, is tucked in the dense rainforest near the popular Crystal Cascades – but certainly worth the trek through lush greenery and rock hopping to reach this natural plunge pool.
The one with the natural waterslide…
Josephine Falls in the Wooroonooran National Park on the Cassowary Coast, is a tropical haven. Nestled in the foothills of Queensland’s highest mountain range, Bartle Frere, Josephine Falls is a tiered cascade with a natural rockslide.
The one with the infinity pool…
As the lush rainforest of Kuranda changes to typical Australian bush in the Atherton Tablelands, nestled amongst the hills and cascading over giant granite boulders is the incredible Davies Creek Falls. Here, in Davies Creek National Park and Dinden National Park, swimmers can enjoy the infinity pool atop of the falls and pitch a tent at the campgrounds nearby.
The one nearest Cairns…
Just 20 minutes from Cairns is local favourite Old Weir Falls where, after a 2km hike from Stoney Creek through the rainforest along the creek, a cool refuge is the reward.
The one worth the hike…
No trip to the tip of Cape York is complete without a soak and a float in the plunge pools beneath Fruit Bat, Twin and Eliot Falls. The trio are located off the Old Telegraph Track in the Apudthama National Park (Jardine River National Park).
The one with the sad story…
According to local Indigenous legend, Devil’s Pool located at Babinda Boulders south of Gimuy (Cairns) is haunted by the spirit of Oolana who, after being torn away from her lover Dyga, threw herself into the waters in anguish, where she now lures young men to their untimely deaths in the aptly named Devil’s Pool.
This year has already seen a number of new property openings, such as The Elandra Mission Beach which has undergone a multi million dollar restoration, luxury outback accommodation Mt. Mulligan Lodge located on a 70,000 acre cattle station, The Babinda Quarters Art Deco guesthouse opening, as well as increased capacity from 31 March with Singapore Airlines, who offers return rates from £1,099 based on London Heathrow departure to Cairns making it even easier to access Tropical North Queensland.
