Brisbane Waterfalls That Will Take Your Breath Away

Cool down amid natural splendour with our pick of the most wonderous waterfalls in Brisbane.

Much like a scavenger hunt, chasing down waterfalls in Brisbane and its surroundings is endlessly rewarding. While the beaches attract their fair share of headlines, it’s the harder-to-find bush-immersed streams that can equally soothe.

From delicate trickles afoot, hidden swimming holes to cascading downpours to utterly hypnotise, waterfalls in and around Brisbane are showstoppers in every shape and form.

1. Cedar Creek

Distance from Brisbane: 50 minutes
Where: Samford
Parking: Yes, there’s a car park, but it’s small
Swimming: Yes

two people swimming in Cedar Creek, Brisbane — The natural rock pool at Cedar Creek is enveloped in leafy trees. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Not to be mistaken for Cedar Creek Falls (more on that one soon), Cedar Creek in Samford, north of Brisbane, is a cluster of baby falls that team up to orchestrate pure magic. Creating a natural rock pool, the itty-bitty gems are enveloped in leafy trees, creating a blanket of lush greenery to help take the sting out of the clingy climate. It runs all the way into Moreton Bay, and you’ll find native critters and incredible plant life in the surrounding bushland.

2. J.C. Slaughter Falls

Distance from Brisbane: 20 minutes
Where: Mount Coot-Tha
Parking: Yes, there’s a car park, but you’ll need to walk a bit to get there
Swimming: Yes

If it’s been soggy for multiple days, grab your wheels and get moving to J.C. Slaughter Falls , the closest waterfall to the centre of Brisbane. Located within Mount Coot-Tha Reserve, the hot spot is a hit with picnic goers, so get there early to secure a prime spot. If there’s been enough rain, you’ll fall in love with this spot’s dramatic rocky backdrops and multiple streams, plus several swimming holes naturally pop up if the weather plays nice.

3. Curtis Falls

Distance from Brisbane: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Where: Tamborine National Park
Parking: Yes, there’s a car park on Dapsang Drive
Swimming: No

As glow worms and platypus call this spectacular corner of the world home, you’re unable to swim at Curtis Falls in Tamborine National Park – but don’t let that deter you from taking a peek.

a woman admiring Curtis Falls in Brisbane — Don’t miss the spectacular Curtis Falls in Tamborine National Park. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Wet season will bring the crowds and slightly more of a downpour, but no matter when you visit, this spot gushes with the good stuff. As a bonus, you might spot those tiny residents slipping through the water and chilling in the nearby caves.

4. Simpson Falls

Distance from Brisbane: 20 minutes
Where: Mount Coot-Tha
Parking: Yes, there’s a car park, but you’ll need to walk a bit to get there
Swimming: Yes

Another waterfall in Brisbane within Mount Coot-Tha Reserve, Simpson Falls is best visited between January and March when the rain is on higher rotation and the swimming holes swell. Again, plan to go after a good few days of rain to spy the many gentle cascades. The scene is a little quieter than J.C. Slaughter Falls, making it even more sacred in our book.

5. Cedar Creek Falls

Distance from Brisbane: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Where: Tamborine Mountain
Parking: Yes, but it’s tiny so parking is limited
Swimming: Yes

a top view of the Cedar Creek Falls, Brisbane — Trot down 80-odd stairs to reach the glistening rock pool at the bottom. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Another hot spot when the heavens open during the days prior, Cedar Creek Falls is a tranquil space with impressive waterworks.

You’ll need to trot down 80-odd stairs to reach the glistening rock pool at the bottom and catch the falls in all their glory but make the effort because the water is clear and delicious.

If the fall’s flowing, sit down and drench your hair beneath it like you’re filming a shampoo commercial (just us?).

6. Kondalilla Falls

Distance from Brisbane: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Where: Kondalilla National Park
Parking: Yes, there’s a car park
Swimming: Yes

the swimming hole at Kondalilla Falls, Brisbane — Kondalilla Falls attracts many Brisbanites for its natural swimming holes. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Nestled within the Sunshine Coast hinterland, Kondalilla Falls attracts many a Brisbanite for its natural swimming holes and frothy waterfalls.

Visit during the wet season (the heat of summer) to spy, especially vibrant sprays, but it really is a masterpiece all year round. Choose a large overhanging rock to perch upon and simply gaze into the hypnotic flow.

7. Gardners Falls

Distance from Brisbane: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Where: Maleny
Parking: Yes, there’s a car park just off Obi Obi Creek
Swimming: Yes

two people exploring Gardners Falls — Stroll down a 300-metre path to reach Gardners Falls. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

You’ll need to stroll down a 300-metre path to reach it, but Gardners Falls is worth every (well-paved) effort. The Sunshine Coast gem is immersed in a leafy forest, creating a cooling canopy as you catch the falls doing their otherworldly thing.

If the rain’s been, little free-flowing falls create an ethereal setting, spilling over to enhance the swimmable freshwater even further.

8. Wappa Falls

Distance from Brisbane: 1 hour and 35 minutes
Where: Yandina
Parking: Yes, there’s a carpark
Swimming: Yes, but be careful as the rocks are very slippery

friends swimming in Wappa Falls, Brisbane — Wappa Falls is set against the backdrop of twin cascades. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Beloved by locals, Wappa Falls, located right near Wappa Dam, is a picture-perfect collection of natural rock pools set against the backdrop of a twin pair of waterfalls. Given its proximity to the dam, you can expect to see the duo in action any time you visit, a factoid not lost on locals who flock to this under-the-radar hot spot for instant cool.

9. Currumbin Rock Pools

Distance from Brisbane: 1 hour and 25 minutes
Where: Currumbin Valley
Parking: There’s plenty of designated street parking off Currumbin Creek Road
Swimming: Yes

people soaking in Currumbin Rock Pools — Currumbin Creek provides year-round good flow to the rock pools. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Technically a jewel in the Gold Coast’s crown, the Currumbin Rock Pools are well worth the day trip from Brisbane. Even if it hasn’t rained tremendously, the pools’ linkage to the Currumbin Creek provides year-round good flow.

You’ll spy a shallow waterfall in the middle of the pools, and while it is quite small, its low-hanging stream means you can sit right under it to create your own natural jacuzzi-style jets. A ton of fun that never grows old.

10. Natural Bridge

Distance from Brisbane: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Where: Springbrook National Park
Parking: Yes, there’s a nearby car park
Swimming: No

visitors admiring the waterfall at the Natural Bridge in the Springbrook National Park, Brisbane — The Natural Bridge in the Springbrook National Park is best viewed from within the cave. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Again, a piece of the Gold Coast Hinterland to make a day out of. The Natural Bridge in the Springbrook National Park is simply spectacular, so get your camera fully charged. Plan to stay through sunset and you’ll spot glow worms making their mark right next to the cascading shower, best viewed from within the cave where the waterfall breaks the surface. Magnificent.

11. Purling Brook Falls

Distance from Brisbane: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Where: Springbrook National Park
Parking: Yes, there are multiple car parks to choose from
Swimming: No

the Purling Brook Falls in Brisbane — Purling Brook Falls is potentially Brisbane’s finest. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Another Springbrook National Park must-visit spot, Purling Brook Falls, is the type of waterfall you’ll struggle to fit into your camera frame (arguably the best type of waterfall in Brisbane, really).

Fair warning: You’ll need to trek about four kilometres to reach it, but the spectacle is dramatic, colossal and potentially the state’s finest.

12. Morans Falls

Distance from Brisbane: 1 hour and 35 minutes
Where: Lamington National Park
Parking: Yes, there is a car park
Swimming: No

the Morans Falls in Lamington National Park — Morans Falls drops water 80 metres off a sharp cliff face. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Shooting water 80 metres off a sharp cliff face, Morans Falls is visible from the top of the drop, so you won’t catch a panoramic cascade snap, we’re afraid. You will, however, score incredible views out over the edge.

Located within the Green Mountains section of stunning Lamington National Park, you’ll need to bushwalk about 4.4 kilometres to get there and back.

13. Cougal Cascades

Distance from Brisbane: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Where: Currumbin Valley
Parking: Yes, there is a car park, but it’s tiny
Swimming: Yes

Drop the car and tackle the short walk up past a string of natural rock pools to hit Cougal Cascades’ downpour. The excellent day trip is easy to access if you just plan on gazing adoringly at it, but if swims are on the agenda, you’ll need to climb down rocky terrain to get in. Our advice? Head back down the road to the Currumbin Rock Pools once you’re done locking eyes with this beauty.

Now read our guide to Brisbane’s best swimming spots.

From the moment you arrive in Moreton Bay, stunning natural vistas, fresh and tasty dining, history and more invite you to stay and play.

Untouched national park, mirror-like lagoons and endless stretches of beaches all make Moreton Bay experiences feel like you’ve stumbled across a secret Queenslanders collectively vowed not to tell. Yet it’s easily accessible. Explore further and discover hinterland farms, ancient rainforest, fresh seafood and more: there’s something on offer for every pace, interest and generation.

Just 20 minutes from Brisbane Airport, it’s hard to believe how underrated this Queensland getaway is. Here’s your ultimate guide to rediscover play with unmissable experiences in Moreton Bay.

1. G’Day Adventure Tours, Bribie Island

G’Day Adventure Tours’ Sea to Table Experience should be your first agenda item in Moreton Bay. Take a 4WD journey through the sandy tracks of Bribie Island’s beaches to the still, glassy waters of the island’s lagoons. Glide over perfect replicas of paperbarks and fluffy blue clouds mirrored in the lagoon waters in your kayak. Listen as native birdsong echoes around you.

Then, it’s on to Fort Bribie. During the Second World War, these concrete bunkers – now slowly being enveloped by the dunes – were the last line of defence for Moreton Bay.

End the day with a sun-dappled beach picnic of locally caught Queensland prawns and famous Moreton Bay bugs. As you head home, watch the dolphins playfully dart in and out of the surf.

2. Morgan’s Seafood at Scarborough

Right on the Scarborough Boat Harbour, you’ll find Morgan’s Seafood . Between the luxury yachts, you’ll also spot trawlers and fishermen delivering their day’s catch right to Morgan’s. The family-owned and operated spot is one of the best places to try the region’s eponymous Moreton Bay bug. Or, sample more of the area’s direct-from-the-boat seafood fresh at their oyster and sushi bar. If you’re lucky, your visit might coincide with a day they’ve caught tuna.

Picture fish caught that day, prepared and then served to you as fresh sashimi as the sun sets over the unique silhouette of the Glasshouse Mountains.

3. Woorim Beach, Bribie Island

On Bribie’s eastern coastline, you’ll find Woorim Beach : aka the closest surf beach to Brisbane. Find a place on the sand by the patrolled area or wander further south to find a quiet spot and while the day away between the shaded dunes, the pages of your book and the peaceful sound of rolling waves.

Ask any local where to grab lunch, and they’ll direct you to Bribie Island Surf Club Bistro . Tuck into a fresh, local seafood platter, just metres from the beach.

4. D’Aguilar National Park

D’Aguilar National Park is a 40,000-hectare slice of greenery that stretches from urban Brisbane right up to Woodford (home of the Woodford Folk Festival). The vast expanse of park is home to ancient rainforests, eucalypt forests and shaded swimming spots hidden within gorges and under waterfalls. The area is significant for the Jinibara and Turrbal people, with ceremonial bora rings and dreaming trails all found within the park.

Carve out some time in your itinerary to explore the park’s many trails. The Maiala day-use area is the perfect starting point for walks for all levels of ability.

5. Arcade Wine Bar

arcade wine bar moreton bay — Sit down to a menu inspired by Italy.

Opposite the Redcliffe Jetty and down a laneway, you’ll find an unassuming wine bar. Venture inside and quickly fall in love with Arcade Wine Bar , one of the region’s most beloved local haunts.

Owners Danilo and Matt have a combined 50 years of sommelier experience, which they have poured into the menu, styling and wine list. More than just a hole-in-the-wall wine bar, Arcade Wine is an enoteca (a wine repository), whose walls are lined with bottles upon bottles of Italian wine varietals from every corner of Italy.

Settle in with a wine and work your way through the menu inspired by Danilo’s native Italy: traditional meatballs, their quick-to-sell-out terrine, or a selection of Italian cheeses, charcuterie and arancini.

6. Wamuran & Loop Rail Trail

Away from the ocean, tucked in the hinterland, is the Wamuran & Loop Rail Trail . Perfect for cyclists or walkers, the trail was built to showcase the history of the Caboolture to Kilcoy rail corridor (last operating in 1964) and makes for the perfect family day out. The trail runs for 10.5km and connects Wamuran and Caboolture via an accessible path.

Pass through former railroad, bridges and shaded bushland as you cut from A to B. Plus, visit in winter for a detour along the way to one of the many pick-your-own strawberry farms.

7. Farm Visits

Beaches, mountains and history make an enticing combination. But Moreton Bay also brings hinterland, family-friendly farms to the table. Trevena Glen is one of the area’s most loved, with bunnies, ponies, sheep, alpacas (and more) available to visit for the kids. For the adults, book a horse-riding session and be treated to a grazing platter as you watch the sun set over the mountains of D’Aguilar National Park.

At White Ridge Farm , find camels, putt-putt, train and tractor rides and all kinds of animals. The entire farm is paved, making it accessible for all.

8. Miss Sprinkles

Miss Sprinkles Gelato moreton bay — Pick your scoop at Miss Sprinkles Gelato.

An ice cream at the beach is one of life’s most perfect pleasures. While in town, stop by Miss Sprinkles for the locals’ pick of homemade gelato on the Scarborough foreshore.

The gelato here is made the authentic Italian way and scooped up just across from the beach. Or, settle in at their kitschy pink wooden tables for traditional gelato in the sunshine. Aside from the homemade gelato, you’ll also find tarts, pies and even doggie gelato.

To start planning your Moreton Bay trip, or for more information, head to visitmoretonbay.com.au.

13 of the best waterfalls in and around Brisbane