Top Spots to cool off
between Cairns & Townsville
#12
Enjoy your drive through the North Queensland to take a bath in wonderful spots and capture stunning waterfalls. Follow my itinerary through. Let’s go!
#1
About 1 hour 30 drive from Cairns, take the Bruce Highway, direction Babinda, follow straight and go to Wooroonooran NP to discover Josephine Falls.
Easy & short walks around the site. Enjoy a refreshing swim and try the natural toboggan. The water is fresh because comes from the highest peak in Queensland, the Mount Bartle Frere.
#2
Keep driving South on to Bruce Highway towards South Johnstone as you leave Innisfail.
Voted as Must Do experience in Queensland, Paronella Park is a State and National Heritage listed. Your guide will tell you the story of Jose Paronella, a Spaniard who built this property. You will come in to another world… with waterfalls, a beautiful garden with more than 7,500 tropical plants and trees, and not to forget the castle.
Make sure to take time to stroll around and capture the essence of this site. www.paronellapark.com.au
#3
Go to Cardwell and if you like hiking, take 3 days to walk to amazing Thorsbone Trail on Hinchinbrook island NP .
One of the highlights will be for sure Zoe Bay. You will even need to climb the rope ladder up granite slabs to reach the top of Zoe falls but this is such a breathtaking view from the summit!
Enjoy a swim in the creek at the bottom of the falls, here the water is not cold and jungle perches like playing around. Idyllic!
#4
Always heading South, you reach Ingham, which is by the way a great place for bird lovers (visit Tyto Wetlands and watch hundreds of birds species flying around!).
About 1 hour from Ingham, stands the highest single-drop waterfall in Australia, the Wallaman Falls: 268 metres high! If you feel like working out a bit, go for the walk to the base of the falls and observe the rainbow created from the mist. Spectacular and definitely worth the detour!
The falls are part of Girringun NP.
#5
On your way to Townsville, and about 30 minute drive from Ingham, visit the impressive Jourama Falls. Better during the wet season though, between January and May (more water). A few waterholes to choose from for a perfect moment relaxing!
The falls are part of Paluma Range NP.
#6
About 40 minute drive from Jourama Falls, discover Big Crystal Creek and swim at Rockslides in pristine water in this natural swimming pool. Perfect to do some lengths. Good news for the sensitive to the cold, water is just at the right temperature for you (at least 26 degrees once I got there in October!).
A few kilometers later find Little Crystal Creek is a nice spot for a pic nic on a rock between two falls!
