Tropical North Queensland is a haven of diverse landscapes, ranging from wild sandstone escarpments to lush rainforests and everything in between. One of the best reasons to visit the area, though, is to see the expansive collection of waterfalls that any Atherton Tablelands Tour will reveal. You’ll find numerous pockets of calm in the area, each with its own gushing waterfall and refreshing pool to relax in at the bottom.
Here are some of the area’s best waterfalls:
1. Malanda Falls
Situated close to the Malanda Visitor Centre, this waterfall is nestled in a landscape filled with carpeted rainforest. Despite this, it can be easily reached from the carpark. There are numerous walking trails that lead off from the waterfall and, if you’re lucky, you might even get to catch a glimpse of the elusive Lumholtz tree-kangaroo, one of the region’s rarest critters.
2. Millaa Millaa Falls
This is perhaps one of the most popular waterfalls in the Atherton Tablelands, which is probably due to its breath-taking beauty and photogenic scenery. Cascading 18m, it is an impressive addition to the waterfall trail in the region, and it has even been featured in Herbal Essence shampoo adverts. The waterfall can often get quite busy, but its majestic nature makes it well worth the visit.
3. Ellinjaa Falls
Another of the popular waterfalls on the trail in the Atherton Tablelands. Here, you’ll find a designated BBQ and picnic spot, where you can tuck into lunch surrounded by spectacular scenery. The pool at the base of the falls isn’t particularly deep, so it is not ideal for swimming. However, if you duck behind the waterfall, there is a peaceful spot where you can
kick back and soak up the peaceful atmosphere.
4. Millstream Falls
Located close to the highest town in Queensland, this is the widest single-drop waterfall in the entire country. Its width is impressive, but the surrounding scenery is equally as beautiful, with cavernous gorges and volcanic caves painting a surreal picture. The area was, at one point in time, thought to be occupied by soldiers, so keep your eyes peeled for old, historic relics.
5. Mungalli Falls
Found close to Millaa Millaa Falls, this waterfall is situated in an area known predominantly for its farming industry – more specifically, the Mungalli Creek Dairy. As well as soaking up the pretty scenes of the waterfall, you can also explore the farmland, visit the Education Centre, and tuck into a local bite to eat.
