Can I swim at Buderim Falls in Buderim Forest Park?
Swimming at Buderim Falls in the Buderim Forest Park is possible but not advisable due to the water quality in this part of the Sunshine Coast. Take the walk to Martins Creek from Lindsey Road or Quorn Close instead.
The Buderim Forest Park is a small, 45 hectare oasis on the northern side of Buderim Mountain. The Sunshine Coast hinterland village of Buderim is best known for its production of ginger, but this little-known beauty spot provides another reason to visit. Buderim Forest Park is surrounded by rainforest, ferns and chirruping birdlife, but it is also home to Buderim Falls.
Alternatively known as Serenity Falls, Buderim Falls is hardly a giant, thundering thing. But it does create a beautiful pool, and combined with the setting, makes for a marvellous photo stop.
If you’re staying in Mooloolaba, the Buderim Forest Park is ten minutes away. If you’re driving from Brisbane to Noosa, then Buderim Falls is a short diversion off the Bruce Highway.
12 fantastic Sunshine Coast experiences to book now
- Taste coffee and ginger, do rainforest walks, and visit the best lookouts on a highlight-packed hinterland tour.
- Take a serene Noosa Everglades cruise along the mirror-like waterways – or canoe through the Everglades.
- Learn to surf at a Sunshine Coast surf school – or try paddleboarding instead.
- Combine sight-seeing and thrills on a fast boat tour.
- Go e-mountain biking on the downhill trails of Tewantin National Park.
- Kayak with dolphins as part of a beach 4WD tour.
- Explore the Sunshine Coast from above on a seaplane flight.
- Take an indigenous cultural tour – with bush tucker tasting.
- Visit the region’s best craft breweries and distilleries on a drinks tasting tour.
- Go jetskiing through the gorgeous Pumicestone Passage.
- Taste wines, cheeses and chocolates on a hinterland food tour.
- Watch migrating humpbacks on a whale-watching cruise.
Swimming at Buderim Falls
But is the Buderim Forest Park nothing more than a photo stop, or can you swim at Buderim Falls? Well, there’s nothing to physically stop you swimming at Buderim Falls, but going for a dip is not advised. The water comes from Martins Creek. It’s little more than a trickle after a dry spell, but turns into a substantial cascade after rain.
The problem is that Martins Creek passes through urban areas, and run-off from the streets (and sometimes the sewers) can get in there. The pictures of Buderim Falls might make you believe it’s a pristine hideaway, but the reality of the water quality is a little different.
Buderim Forest Park walks
To access Buderim Falls (or Serenity Falls if you prefer), there are two entrance paths. One starts at Lindsey Road, and the other at Quorn Close. The Lindsey Road entrance starts with a 600 metre boardwalk, but gets rougher and rockier as it reaches Martins Creek.
From Quorn Close, it’s a steep, 350 metre bush track heading to the top of Buderim Falls, and it brings you out at Serenity Bridge for a view of the falls. There’s a picnic area en route.
If you’re visiting the Buderim Forest Park as part of a wider trip around the Sunshine Coast hinterland, other options include Wappa Falls, Gardners Falls, the Maleny Botanic Gardens and Booloumba Creek in the Conondale National Park. Should markets be your thing, Eumundi Markets is the biggest in Australia and the Yandina Markets in Yandina aren’t too bad either. Shopping in Montville should drain the rest of your wallet, although walking in nearby Kondalilla National Park is much cheaper. Mount Tibrogargan is worth a quick stroll and photo on the way up, too.
More waterfalls in Australia
Ebor Falls in the Guy Fawkes River National Park near Armidale, New South Wales.
Serpentine Falls in the Serpentine National Park near Perth.
Trentham Falls on the Coliban River near Melbourne.
Killen Falls between Ballina and Byron Bay in the Northern Rivers region.
Walk to Erskine Falls in the Great Otway National Park near Lorne on the Great Ocean Road.