Waterfalls of the Cardwell District

Murray Falls

These falls, among the prettiest in North Queensland with their 30m drop, spectacular sculptured rocks and crystal clear rock pools can be viewed from an easily accessible platform. A 1km up-hill walk, through lush rainforest, is rewarded with views of the falls and surrounding valley from the safety of decking.

A river boardwalk provides safe access to the foot of the falls.

Excellent picnic facilities, including BBQs, are provided making it a great place to spend the day relaxing, swimming and bushwalking.

Take the highway towards Tully, turning lefl 20km north of Cardwell at the Murray upper Road and travel a further 22km to the falls, through the rich banana and Iychee growing area of the Murray Valley (35 mins drive). This road is bitumen except the last 3 kms.

Wallaman Falls

At 305 m Wallaman is Australia's highest sheer drop waterfall. The easily accessible lookout commands superb views of the falls and deeply incised gorge. At times when the creek is swollen the water disappears into a rainbow-fringed cloud of mist.

For keen, fit walkers a unique view of the falls can be had by taking the 2 km track, steep in places, to the base of the falls. As well, an excellent view of the gorge may be had just 300 m from the car park. There are picnic facilities and toilets at the lookout and at the nearby camping area on the banks of Stoney Creek where it is safe to swim.

The road to Wallaman is not suitable for caravans and during wet weather may be slippery and at times impassable. 30 km is unsealed, of which 8 km is narrow, winding, steep and prone to rutting but don't be deterred! The spectacular view of the falls, a scenic drive through eucalypt woodland and rainforest, the possibility of sighting a platypus or cassowary and the opportunity to walk to the bottom of the gorge all make for a great outing.

Wallaman Falls, almost 2 hours driving time from Cardwell, is 52 km west of Ingham (55 km) Disregarding the left turn to Townsville, at the Ingham Information Centre, follow Lannercost St. Travel west 8 km to Trebonne, from where the road is signposted There are no services or fuel beyond Trebonne. As you will be +550m above sea level the air will be cooler than in nearby coastal centres. Allow a full day for the +220km outing.

Blencoe Falls

These spectacular 91m falls are in a remote area behind Cardwell on Blencoe creek and can be reached on a dry-weather-only road, which takes you to the top of the falls, and provides spectacular views of the Herbert River Gorge.

Your drive takes you up the Kirrama Range on a narrow, winding gravel road through the World Heritage rainforest. Lookouts over the Kennedy and Murray Valleys are along the way. The 83km trip takes about 2 hours each way so take a picnic lunch. A walking track to the top of the falls, or, by car, cross Blencoe Creek and continue on to the lookout.

N.B. No fuel or provisions after Kennedy and it's recommended that you advise somebody of your intentions.

Attie Creek Falls

At the car park, there are excellent picnic facilities and barbecues. Close by is a small, shady swimming hole, suitable for younger children and the less agile, but big enough for anyone to cool off.

A steep 500m walk to the Falls is well worth the effort. Here, Attie creek drops 25m into an excellent swimming hole - big, deep and cold!