Waterfalls, lookouts and national parks in Cairns

The awe in Cairns is of a particular kind: dripping, shaded, loud with birds and frogs. Within a short drive of the city are some of the oldest rainforests on earth, with waterfalls, gorges, lookouts and winding walking tracks. Josephine Falls, Crystal Cascades, Barron Gorge, Babinda Boulders and Millaa Millaa Falls are the names you will hear, and each has a different personality. These are wild places, and the safety message is serious. Currents can be strong, rocks are slippery and water levels rise quickly after rain. Some of these spots have a history of accidents, so the signs matter. Swim only where it is clearly signed as safe, never jump or dive, and keep children close to you. Where swimming is not advised, the walk and the view are the reward. Beyond the water, children enjoy the small things: huge buttress roots, strangler figs, orange fungus, a cassowary warning sign, a freshwater turtle in a creek. A good outing here is slow. Walk a short track, stop often and let a child decide how far to go. The Tablelands, including Millaa Millaa, are cooler and greener, and make a good day trip. Check the listings for what is on site, since facilities can be limited. Bring water, snacks and a spare layer, and expect a day that feels bigger than the distance suggests.

Our picks

  • Josephine Falls, Wooroonooran National Park Josephine Falls, Wooroonooran National Park Bartle Frere

    Josephine Falls is a waterfall and picnic area in Wooroonooran National Park, 75km south of Cairns.

    ★ 4.8 (2,035)

  • Millaa Millaa Falls Millaa Millaa Falls Millaa Millaa

    Millaa Millaa Falls is an 18-metre heritage-listed plunge waterfall near Millaa Millaa on the Atherton Tablelands, about 1.5 hours from Cairns, and the centrepiece of…

    ★ 4.7 (3,137)

  • Crystal Cascades Crystal Cascades Redlynch

    Crystal Cascades is a Cairns Regional Council park in the rainforest near Redlynch with a freshwater swimming hole, where a series of small waterfalls flow into large…

    ★ 4.7 (1,958)

  • Barron Gorge National Park Barron Gorge National Park Kuranda

    Barron Gorge National Park, 18 km (lower section) and 27 km (upper section) north-west of Cairns, is World Heritage rainforest around the Barron River gorge and Barron…

    ★ 4.7 (3,922)

  • Red Arrow Circuit Lookout Red Arrow Circuit Lookout Whitfield

    The Red Arrow is a 1.3 km walking circuit in Mount Whitfield Conservation Park, behind the Cairns Botanic Gardens on Collins Avenue, Edge Hill.

    ★ 4.6 (177)

  • Babinda Boulders Babinda Boulders Babinda

    The Boulders at Babinda is a council-run swimming spot and picnic area in tropical rainforest in the foothills of the Bellenden Ker Range.

    ★ 4.7 (2,192)

Before you go

Best for which ages

Primary-aged children are the sweet spot, as they can walk the tracks and enjoy the water spots that are open. Toddlers do well in carriers on short, easy walks. Teenagers often like the gorge views and the bigger waterfalls, especially with a camera.

What to bring

Closed shoes with grip, plenty of water, snacks, insect repellent, a rain jacket and swimmers if swimming is signed as open. A towel and spare clothes help, and a small first aid kit is a good idea. Leave nothing visible in the car.

Parking and facilities

Parking is usually available, but it can fill up on weekends and holidays. Toilets, picnic tables and shelter vary, so rely on the listing. Phone reception can be poor, so tell someone your plan and download directions before you leave.

Best time of year

The drier months are easier for walking and safer for water, though the falls can be gentler. The Wet makes waterfalls dramatic but increases danger, and some tracks close. Always check conditions before you drive, and go early in the day.

How to make a day of it

Pick one main stop and add a smaller second one nearby. On the Tablelands, a waterfall walk and a lakeside picnic fits well. Near the city, a walk at Crystal Cascades or Red Arrow Circuit can be a gentle morning.

Waterfalls, lookouts and forest walks

Walks the park service or council describes with a length and grade. Each listing says how far, how hard, and what is at the start.

All walks, waterfalls and lookouts in Cairns, free and paid

Questions parents ask

Is it safe to swim at Josephine Falls or Babinda Boulders?
Only if the signs and current conditions say so, and often not. These places have strong currents and slippery rocks, and accidents have happened. Treat the signs as rules, not suggestions.
Which waterfall is easiest with small children?
Millaa Millaa Falls on the Tablelands is a popular family stop, but conditions vary. Check the listing and signs for what is allowed. Always keep little ones within arm's reach.
Are the walks pram friendly?
Most rainforest tracks are uneven, with steps and roots, so a carrier is safer than a pram. The listing gives more detail about each place, and some lookouts are easier than others.
Can we visit when it is wet?
You can, but conditions change fast. Tracks may close and streams can rise. Look for local updates and be ready to turn around if the weather worsens.

Other kinds of free day in Cairns

Waterfalls and walks in other cities