Wallaman Falls: Where is Australia’s highest waterfall?
Wallaman Falls is the highest waterfall in Australia, with Stony Creek plunging 268 metres through the Girringun National Park. The nearest town is Ingham in North Queensland. The nearest city to Australia’s highest waterfall is Townsville.
Wallaman Falls in Girringun National Park, Queensland, is the highest waterfall in Australia. Or, at least, the highest single drop waterfall in Australia. Wallaman Falls drops 268 metres off a Great Dividing Range escarpment, often creating a rainbow-coloured mist on the way.
But it’s not exactly on one of the main tourist routes.
Where is Australia’s highest waterfall?
Wallaman Falls is in the Hinchinbrook region of North Queensland. It’s 162km north of Townsville, but you divert inland off the Bruce Highway at Ingham. Australia’s highest waterfall is part of both the Girringun National Park and Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.
The road from Ingham passes through rural areas and forest, but crucially, it is sealed. It’s fine in conventional vehicles, although it’s not recommended that you attempt to take a caravan down there. The drive from Ingham to the car park near the falls should take just under an hour.
How long is the walk to Wallaman Falls?
The main Wallaman Falls lookout is pretty much next to the car park, day use area and campground. There’s no need to strap on the hiking boots. However, you might opt to take on the Djyinda Walk, which heads to the base of the falls.
The Djyinda walk isn’t long, but it is pretty steep in place. It’s 3.2km return and should take about two hours. There’s a decent chance of seeing a platypus in the rockpools on the way, or an Australian water dragon by the edge of Stony Creek.
Can you swim at Wallaman Falls?
The Parks and Forests Department is deliberately ambiguous on whether you can swim at Wallaman Falls. Swimming is not encouraged, but neither is it prohibited. The only warning is against diving or jumping in, because you don’t know how badly submerged rocks might marmalise you.
So yes, you can swim in the pool at the base of Wallaman Falls, Australia’s highest waterfall.
Best Queensland waterfalls
Wallaman Falls is far from the only waterfall in Northern Queensland. Other particularly scenic options include Millaa Millaa Falls, Josephine Falls, Barron Falls, Tchupala Falls, Nandroya Falls and Windin Falls.
More Queensland travel
Shopping at the Carrara Markets on the Gold Coast.
Explore the castle in the rainforest at Paronella Park near Innisfail.
Swimming, boating and fishing at Somerset Dam.
What is the quickest route from Noosa to Hervey Bay?
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