Fairy Falls, Cairns: Location, swimming, crocodiles & walk
Fairy Falls near Cairns is a pretty waterfall and swimming hole in the Lamb Range. Swims are refreshing, but crucially crocodile-free.
What is Fairy Falls?
Fairy Falls is a waterfall in the Lamb Range near Cairns, Queensland. It is sometimes known as Dowah Creek Falls, as it is formed by Dowah Creek bouncing over a series of boulders into a photogenic pool at the bottom.
Where is Fairy Falls?
Fairy Falls is a 19km drive to the south-west of central Cairns. Access is via the Redlynch-Intake Road, and a visit can easily be combined with a visit to the nearby Crystal Cascades. The walk from the Crystal Cascades car park takes around 15 minutes.
If you fancy a longer, more engaging walk, then there’s a 6.6km walk through the rainforest to Copperlode Dam.
Save time queuing – Book these Cairns attractions in advance
- From the air: Outer Reef helicopter flight | Sunrise hot air balloon ride | Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.
- At night: Sunset dinner cruise | Pub and club tour | Aquarium by Twilight experience.
- For wildlife: Birdworld Kuranda | Kuranda Koala Gardens | Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome | Cairns Aquarium | Rainforestation Nature Park
- For culture: Cairns Museum tickets | Street art walking tour | City and surrounds highlights bus tour.
- For thrills: AJ Hackett giant jungle swing | High speed jet boat tour | Barron Gorge white water rafting | Mulgrave River tubing.
Can I swim at Fairy Falls?
It is possible to swim in the pool at the bottom of Fairy Falls, although the pool is quite small and there isn’t room for many people in it.
The Fairy Falls pool is, however, too high up for crocodiles. So you can at least swim without fear of being eaten. Expect the water to be surprisingly cold, although on a hot day, that’s exactly what you want.
Trip-booster! 8 great day trips from Cairns to power-up your holiday
- Kuranda combo package – take the Kuranda Scenic Railway up and the Skyrail cable car down.
- Green Island tours with beach time, glass bottom boat and snorkelling. (Or pick a Fitzroy Island trip instead).
- Moore Reef day tour – with underwater observatory, snorkelling gear, glass bottom boat & semi-submersible cruises.
- Great Barrier Reef snorkelling cruise – with snorkelling stops at two excellent spots on the Reef.
- Cape Tribulation rainforest day tour – with Mossman Gorge Aboriginal cultural experience and Daintree River crocodile-watching cruise.
- Atherton Tableland waterfalls and rainforest tour – including wildlife-spotting and a swim in a volcanic lake.
- Outback 4WD tour – visiting Chillagoe Caves, Aboriginal rock art and Granite Gorge.
Accommodation near Fairy Falls
Fairy Falls is easily reached as a short outing from Cairns, but if you’d prefer to stay nearby, the Cairns Crystal Cascades Holiday Park is a few minutes away. This Cairns holiday park offers a range of family-friendly accommodation, including camping sites, cabins, villas and chalets.
Other attractions in Cairns include the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, Cairns Aquarium, Barron Gorge National Park and the Skypark Cairns bungy jumping site.
More Queensland travel
The best stops on a Cardwell to Cairns drive.
How long is the Hughenden to Winton drive?
Where to stop on the Woodgate to Bundaberg drive.
Try sandboarding on Moreton Island.
What to see on the Tully to Cairns drive.