The Atherton Tablelands is truly blessed with a collection of spectacular waterfalls. The hard columnar basalt from lava flows solidified in drainage valleys. Subsequent water erosion of softer rocks cut into these valleys eventually forming the many waterfalls through this region.
Visitors are encouraged to allocate a few days to visit the many waterfalls, or spend a day to experience the top 10:
Millstream Falls
Millstream Falls is reputedly Australia’s widest single-drop waterfall. The falls flow over the edge of a columnar basalt lava flow, a legacy of the Atherton Tableland’s volcanic past.
Ellinjaa Falls
Ellinjaa Falls are picturesque falls that are part of the Waterfalls Circuit along with Millaa Millaa and Zillie Falls. There’s a 200 metre walkway to the base of the falls where turtles and platypus are often spotted. The falls are a great spot for swimming.
Malanda Falls
Malanda Falls, on the North Johnstone River, tumbles over basalt rock formed by an ancient lava flow that spread from the Mount Hypipamee area 15km away. The Aboriginal Traditional Owners of this area, the Ngadjon-Jii, welcome you to Tutamonlin (Malanda Falls). Please take care of their sacred country when you venture into the forest to experience the culture, history and lifestyle that is sacred to this landscape and its Aboriginal people.
Barron Falls
Rugged peaks, steep gorges, tumbling waterfalls, lush rainforest, varied wildlife, easy access, a colourful history and a range of recreational opportunities make this one of Queensland’s most popular national parks.
Mungalli Falls
Mungalli Falls is located on Brooks Road Millaa Millaa, a short 14-minute drive from Millaa Millaa Falls.
Mungalli Falls is a tiered waterfall where the middle drop is the longest one.
Zillie Falls
Zillie Falls are spectacular falls located on the Waterfalls Circuit with Millaa Millaa and Ellinjaa Falls.
There is a lovely viewing platform at the base of the falls where you can enjoy a view of the cascading water and rapids.
Nandroya Falls
The 6.6 kilometre Nandroya Falls Circuit begins to the west of the Henrietta Creek camping area, Palmerston Highway. You can either cross the creek or walk along the highway and across the bridge to reach the trackhead. The walk winds about 700 metres into the rainforest before forking to form a circuit. The left hand fork is shorter – about 1.5 kilometres and past Silver Falls to reach Nandroya Falls.
Millaa Millaa Falls
Millaa Millaa Falls are magnificent waterfalls 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. 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!
Dinner Falls
Dinner Falls Circuit adjoins the walk to the crater at Mount Hypipamee National Park. Mt Hypipamee Crater was formed by an explosive eruption of volcanic gases which blasted through solid granite. Angular blocks of granite as large as refrigerators can be found in the surrounding rainforest, giving testimony to the power of the explosion that hurled them there. The Crater has sheer granite walls rising 58 metres above the lake which is 82 metres deep.
Tchupala Falls
Tchupala Falls is part of a network of walks in the Palmerston section of Wooroonooran National Park. It can be walked separately or as part of a longer walk from Henrietta Creek to Tchupala Falls Trackhead and possibly on to Crawfords Lookout and the North Johnstone River.
