Innisfail, QLD: Best tourist attractions and things to do

The best things to do in Innisfail, QLD, are the Johnstone River crocodile cruises with Snapping Tours. Other Innisfail attractions include the Mamu Tropical Skywalk, Tchupala Falls and Nandroya Falls along the Palmerston Highway.

Innisfail, Queensland, tends to be a drive-through town. It’s on the Bruce Highway between Townsville and Cairns, and those heading north are close enough to Cairns to want to push on through.

Book in advance for the best rates on Innisfail accommodation.

There are some things to do in Innisfail that are potentially worth stopping for, however. Or, rather, there are things to do around Innisfail…

Top experiences near Innisfail to book in advance

Get superlative rainforest views – on the Mamu Tropical Skywalk.
Enjoy the strange Spanish castle surrounded by jungle – at Paronella Park.
Save money with a Mamu Tropical Skywalk and Paronella Park combo ticket.

Things to do in Innisfail, QLD: Warrina Lakes

In Innisfail itself, the Warrina Lakes are the main attraction. They’re surrounded by the Warrina Conservation Park and Botanic Gardens. Expect water lilies and turtles on the lake, a children’s playground and barbecues in gazebos near the water’s edges and thousands of rainforest trees. There are a few pushchair-friendly walking trails around the Warrina Lakes, and there’s a good chance of seeing wetland birds.

But let’s be honest, the Warrina Conservation Park is somewhere to pass the time rather than a destination in its own right.

Things to do in Innisfail, QLD: Johnstone River crocodile cruises

More interesting is the Johnstone River. You most certainly don’t want to go for a swim in the Johnstone River, as crocodiles live there. But a boat cruise that takes you to see the crocodiles? That’s much better.

Family-run Snapping Tours runs a series of boat tours along the Johnstone River. The two hour wildlife tours also take in mud crab pots, turtles and bird life, but the main focus is the big saltwater crocodiles. Snapping Tours usually finds the big boys sunning themselves on the sandbanks. The Johnstone River crocodile cruises cost $40 and can be booked via the Snapping Tours website.

National Parks near Innisfail, QLD

There are plenty of national parks around Innisfail, too. The Moresby Range National Park, south of the Johnstone River mouth, is realistically set up for birds rather than visitors. Etty Bay Beach, just to the south of the national park, is a popular locals hangout.

But go west, and you’re very quickly into the Great Dividing Range.

The Palmerston Highway branches off the Bruce Highway from Innisfail, climbing into the Atherton Tableland. The Palmerston Highway passes through Wooroonooran National Park, which is huge and has many sections that aren’t especially accessible from Innisfail. Josephine Falls, Mount Bartle Frere, Windin Falls and Bellenden Ker are further north, for example.

Mamu Tropical Skywalk, Tchupala Falls and Nandroya Falls

Nandroya Falls near Innisfail, Queensland — Nandroya Falls is a short drive along the Palmerston Highway from Innisfail, Queensland. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland

But the Palmerston Highway is the main access route to the Mamu Tropical Skywalk, Tchupala Falls and Nandroya Falls. Further along, Millaa Millaa Falls and Ellinjaa Falls aren’t part of the Wooroonooran National Park, but are spectacular sights nonetheless. Slightly further to the south, Paronella Park has a lost city in the rainforest vibe about it.

What to do on the drive from Cairns to Innisfail

Innisfail is on the Cassowary Coast between Townsville and Cairns. The drive from Cairns to Innisfail is 88km in distance, making for a driving time of 1h8m. This Cairns to Innisfail drive is almost all along the Bruce Highway, travelling via Gordonvale and Babinda. You can detour for a swim at the Babinda Boulders if you like.

If coming from the south, the Townsville to Innisfail drive is 260km in distance, taking approximately three hours and three minutes. Again, this is along the Bruce Highway, passing through Ingham, Cardwell and Tully.