The 25 best waterfalls in Australia

450 kilometres of Queensland's lush jungle mark the spot for the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Among that vast expanse, you'll find Wallaman Falls: the highest permanent single-drop waterfall in Australia. That means this bad boy runs all year-round, and doesn't buy into any of this trickle business — a humongous stream of water gushes from the top of the cliff down below. You can access the phenomenon just a few paces from the Wallaman Falls carpark, do one of the hikes or spend a night at the campground.  

Where: Girringun National Park, north of Townsville, QLD

Is swimming allowed? Yes (but avoid swimming directly at the base of the falls)

King George Falls in the north Kimberley is the definition of majestic. These twin falls plunge at a thundering 100 meters down sheer red sandstone cliffs, and are only reachable by cruise or scenic flight. If you travel on water, you'll hear the falls before you see them. A massive, crashing sound will accompany an astounding sail past mammoth red rocks, 60,000-year-old Indigenous art and secretive saltwater crocodiles. Once you reach the falls, you'll be blown away by the sheer immensity of them up close. If your boat allows it, we recommend passing beneath the falls for the most adrenaline-packed shower of your life.

Where: North Kimberley, WA

Is swimming allowed? Not advised due to crocs

Fitzroy Falls is one of the most accessible waterfalls in NSW's Southern Highlands – and it’s also one of the most impressive water cascades in the area. Found about 20 minutes from Bowral at the top of the descent to Kangaroo Valley, Fitzroy Falls has a large visitors centre, car park and café on site, which makes it a popular pitstop for tourists to the area. The main attraction – the elevated walkway that sits to the top-right of the waterfall (so close you can feel the mist) – is fully accessible for wheelchairs, and very close to the car park if you’re travelling with kids and need to be in and out of the park quickly. Got time to spare? Take one of the walking tracks through Morton National Park and you’ll find yourself walking over less fierce, but equally impressive drops and falls as you climb and descend through seven kilometres of bushland. The East Rim walk includes eight lookout points and three smaller waterfalls to find and photograph.

Where: Southern Highlands, NSW

Is swimming allowed? Not recommended due to safety

The most popular swimming spot in Litchfield, you can only dip here during the dry season, as strong currents and crocs can come by in the wet. If you do visit during the wet season, the falls (at their thundering, wonderous best) are still worth a look. Accessible by car on the western boundary of the national park, these falls are 150 kilometres away from Darwin. Surrounded by a lush picnic area, monsoon rainforest and gorgeous walking tracks, this very special spot is perfect for a spectacular freshwater swim that will make you feel like you’re on the front page of National Geographic. 

Where: Litchfield National Park, NT

Is swimming allowed? Yes

This waterfall framed by the lushest of greenery seems like something only Instagram's filters and edits could conjure up, but believe the feed, because Millaa Millaa Falls is real and it's breathtaking. If you'd like to relax, you can set up in the picnic area, but if you're chasing the thrill, embark on the Waterfall Circuit that Millaa Milla Falls is part of, and it will lead you to two more beautiful waterfalls. One of the most exciting things about the falls is that the watering hole it forms at the bottom is totally swimmable. 

Where: Atherton Tablelands, QLD

Is swimming allowed? Yes

A short drive from Katoomba is the National Pass walking trail, which is where you’ll find Princes Lookout and Wentworth Falls. Here you need to make a choice: if you want to see the falls and nothing further, have a picnic near the conservation hut and be on your way after 15 minutes. If you came for adventure, prepare for a three-hour walk through the eucalypt forest to see Wentworth Falls up close, as well as Empress, Silvia and Lodore Falls. The looped track is just over five kilometres; however, it’s a hard trek and you’ll want to pack a bag with water, sunscreen and snacks for the route. The mountain track hugs the cliffs, overlooking the Jamison Valley, and ends with a thigh-burning Giant Staircase.

Where: Blue Mountains, NSW

Is swimming allowed? Yes

Sir David Attenborough described these twin waterfalls in Talbot Bay as “one of the greatest natural wonders of the world”, so you know they’re well worth the day trip from Broome. The fast-moving tides force their way through two narrow gorges, creating rapid-like formations that rush through the gap, resembling waterfalls turned on their side. You can experience the thrill of a low-lying scenic flight or feel the rapids on an action-packed boat ride.

Where: The Kimberleys, WA

Is swimming allowed? Yes (but not advised in the fast-flowing torrent itself)

Accessible, delightful and all-round enchanting, Russell Falls in Tassie's Mount Field National Park is beloved for a reason. Located on an easy loop track that is wheelchair accessible, everyone can marvel at Tasmania's most photographed waterfall. You'll walk past towering gum and mountain ash trees on the way to this multi-tiered waterfall that is nestled in emerald mossy rocks. Expect to feel some light, fairy-like spray on your cheeks. 

Where: Mount Field National Park, TAS

Is swimming allowed? No

Descending towards Beauchamp Falls can feel a little like you’re falling deeper and deeper down the rabbit hole. The good news is that the reward is one of Victoria’s best hidden waterfalls. Take the marked path through mountain ash forests, down a constructed staircase and over a few rocks and you’ll reach this awe-inspiring 20-metre tall cascade. The rocks will be slippery when wet, and keep in mind the walk back is a little steep, so take your time.

Where: Otway Fores Park, VIC

Is swimming allowed? Yes

Mount Tamborine has something for everyone - accessible waterfalls, picturesque views, great walking tracks, and plenty of activities for the whole family. Curtis Falls can be reached via a moderate one-kilometre walk through lush rainforest. The falls are stunning, and you can get pretty close via the viewing platform at the end of the walk. Swimming is not allowed at Curtis Falls, but if you’re lucky, you might spot a platypus or even some glow worms. 

Where: Tamborine Mountain, QLD

Is swimming allowed? No 

Cedar Creek is a favourite swimming destination among Brisbanites, especially during the sweltering summer months. The drive to the falls will take you through Samford Village, where you can pick up picnic supplies before driving through the picturesque rolling hills of Cedar Creek Road. At Andy Williams Park, you’ll find picnic tables and a large grassy area to spread out on. There are plenty of options for swimming, from easy-access rock pools to more secluded spots the further you walk along the creek. To reach the falls, follow the creek away from the road, but be mindful that it will involve some rock scrambling as there are no roads or walkways to the waterfall. It should take about thirty minutes to reach the falls from the end of the road, and when you get there, you’ll feel like you’ve found a hidden paradise.

Where: Tamborine Mountain, QLD

Is swimming allowed? Yes

When it comes to views, Tolmer wins. Although swimming is prohibited at this particular cascade in the Northern Territory's Litchfield National Park, looking is not. This massive waterfall tumbles down two stretching escarpments into a deep plunge pool. You can have a squiz at this mammoth flow of water from two viewing platforms that are suspended high above the rocks. Getting there is easy on a sealed road, and after you arrive, a short walk from the car park will take you to the two lookouts. You can stretch the day out with a 1.6-kilometre loop track that'll show you the cascades from above, past pretty sandstone country, and alongside a series of pristine pools. 

Where: Litchfield National Park, NT

Is swimming allowed? No

The Kimberley is known for its wild ruggedness – and the four-tiered Mitchell Falls is no exception. Distinguished by its multiple waterfalls and forest green pools in the red rock, Mitchell Falls – or Punamii-Uunpuu to local Wunambal people – is something to behold. If you've got the dough, you can do a scenic flight and check them out from above, but if not, you can walk there instead. The Punamii-Uunpuu trail leaves from the campground and is an 8.6-kilometre return walk that is graded as moderate to difficult. You'll pass multiple ancient Indigenous sites and gorgeous views before ending up at the falls. Swimming is not permitted, but sometimes getting to look is enough.

Where: The Kimberley, WA

Is swimming allowed? No

The coastal region close to the Great Ocean Road is ravenous with waterfalls, and Erskine Falls is certainly one of the best. Located a short ten-kilometre drive from Lorne, this thunderous waterfall plunges about 30 metres down into the gully of the Erskine River. You can view it from two lookouts: the upper lookout is an easy five minutes from the car park, and the lower lookout is a steeper descent to the base of the falls. For the adventurous types, there’s a 23-kilometre hike that takes you past a few smaller falls near Erskine as well.

Where: Great Otway National Park, VIC

Is swimming allowed? Not advised due to safety

Tasmania's tallest waterfall does not disappoint. Plus, it shares a name with an Aztec emperor, which makes things even cooler. With a plunging drop of 104 meters, Montezuma is a mammoth water display that can only be found after doing an 11.5-kilometre return walk through the wilderness. The grade two trail winds through emerald undergrowth, mossy rocks and old-growth trees, and follows an ancient tramway (now abandoned) from the 1800s. The falls are thunderous and immense, and best seen after a heavy rain. Pro tip: Prepare to get your shoes wet. 

Where: West Coast Tasmania

Is swimming allowed? Not advised due to safety

These majestic 200-metre cascades at Jim Jim are renowned for their power and jaw-dropping splendour. In the wet season, getting up close by foot is basically impossible, which is why we suggest you hit Jim Jim up in the dry. Just 43 kilometres down the Kakadu Highway from Bowali, this is a four-wheel-drive-only trip over ten kilometres of soft sand – so make sure you're equipped. However, once you clear this almighty adventure, you're in for a treat. Clamber across a 900-metre track until you get to the plunge pool. Swim beneath the deep red Arnhem Land escarpment in heart-rendingly clear water and then bask on a white sandy beach. Pure magic.

Where: Kakadu National Park, NT

Is swimming allowed? Yes

Trentham Falls is located in the Hepburn Shire, near Daylesford and Hepburn Springs, and has the distinct honour of being one of the longest single-drop waterfalls in Victoria. Head in after a good downpour and you’ll see water gushing some 32 metres over 40,000-year-old basalt cliffs. The falls are also very easy to get to. Follow signs to the Trentham Falls car park, then it’s just a short walk down a signposted path towards the viewing area.

Where: Central Highlands, Victoria

Is swimming allowed? No

The Carrington Falls walking track is supremely popular, but Budderoo National Park has another gem up its sleeve: Nellie's Glen. The lesser-known picnic spot connects the top of Carrington Falls with a secluded rock pool and smaller waterfall that you can swim to, shower in, and take a seat under. Park your car and first take a look at Carrington Falls from its flat top. You can walk over the mossy bedrock and sit in the plunge pool, or just stand in the small slipstreams and look out at the treetops of the Southern Highlands. There are warning signs, but it’s worryingly easy to walk to the edge of the waterfall and peer over the edge – don’t. Walk around to Nellie’s Glen – around 100 metres up the hill. There's a natural rock pool that's deep enough for laps and people take turns in the shower, including young kids. Bring towels and settle in for the afternoon, watching the dragonflies and butterflies that skim the water.

Where: South Coast of New South Wales

Is swimming allowed? Yes

There’s nothing quite like the walk towards Mackenzie Falls. Found smack bang in the middle of the dry and craggy Grampians National Park, Mackenzie Falls is a gorgeous surprise. You’ll hear the falls before you actually see them as you descend down the steep yet well-marked path. Eventually, you’ll set eyes on the cascade, which thunders over a vertical slab of rock into a deep pool of fresh water. Signs will say that you’re not allowed to swim here, but if it’s the middle of summer and you’re sweating through your capri pants, we would turn a blind eye if you wanted to dip your toes in.

Where: Grampians, VIC

Is swimming allowed? No

Springbrook National Park is home to a host of natural wonders, including Natural Bridge, Twin Falls, Goomoolahra Falls and Purling Brook Falls. Springbrook is just over 100 kilometres south of Brisbane, and many of the waterfall lookouts are only a short distance from the car park, meaning you can easily check out several in one day. For one of the most dramatic waterfalls near Brisbane, we recommend heading to Purling Brook Falls. Take the four-kilometre circuit track down to the bottom of the gorge, stopping along the way to marvel at the stunning views of the falls from both above and below. Swimming at the falls is not recommended, but Warringa Pool is an extra six-kilometre trek if you are keen for a dip.

Where: Gold Coast Hinterland, QLD

Is swimming allowed? Yes, at Warringa Pool at the base of the waterfall

Does the thought of standing at a tumbling, enchanted waterfall while surrounded by twinkling glow worms sound like a fairytale to you? Horseshoe Falls is a waterfall tucked away in Hazelbrook in the Blue Mountains. There's actually a track with four main waterfalls to explore, but our top tips are checking out Horseshoe and Glow Worm Nook Falls. If you want to maximise your glow worm action, there are loads to see at the first stop, Horseshoe Falls, if you head there in the dark – a daunting prospect that's best left to the more adventurous among us. When the sun goes down, the cave behind the waterfall is said to come alive with a veritable galaxy of thousands and thousands of glow worms. More warnings: It is absolutely vital that you do not touch the glow worms or shine any light on them at all. This means switching your torches off in the cave. If you want some light to see inside the cave, you need a red light torch, which is less disruptive for worms than white, artificial light, and should be a must-bring item on this adventure. Read more over here.

Where: Blue Mountains, NSW

Is swimming allowed? Yes

If you want to hit up some waterfalls without leaving the city, check out the Mt Coot-tha Reserve. The reserve is home to two spectacular waterfalls and is just a 15-minute drive from Brisbane’s CBD. The uphill hike to the falls follows Ithaca Creek and along the way, you’ll see plenty of native flora and fauna. If you’ve worked up a sweat, you can have a dip when you reach the falls, but that will depend on how much rain Brisbane has had – the falls are more impressive after a big storm. If you’ve worked up an appetite, you can make use of the nearby barbecue and picnic facilities, or head up to the café at the lookout, which boasts some of the best sunset views over Brisbane.

Where: Brisbane, QLD

Is swimming allowed? Yes, but it's mostly too shallow

Steavenson Falls is one of Victoria's tallest waterfalls, dropping a total of 84 metres into the Steavenson River valley. Visitors can walk the short 350 metres towards the viewing platform under the falls, where they can see a usually consistently strong flow cascading over tiered rock platforms. If you’re up for it, there’s a steep track that leads up to the top of the falls and gives a great view of the nearby mountain peaks. Continue your walk over towards the Keppell Lookout (13km return) or head to the tree fern gully (8km return).

Where: Marysville, VIC

Is swimming allowed? No

Often overlooked for the larger Wattamolla Falls, Winifred Falls is the ideal spot for a peaceful afternoon of swimming during the warmer months. Located within the Royal National Park, the falls are a four-kilometre walk (it’s worth it, we promise) along the Winifred Falls Fire Trail, which can at times be quite steep, so make sure to pack sturdy boots. The secluded area makes it ideal for sunbathing on the rocks, picnics and, of course, taking a dip in the calm waters of the creek. If you visit during the week or late afternoon, there’s every chance you could have this place to yourself.

Where: Sydney, NSW

Is swimming allowed? Yes

Nestled in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Kondalilla Falls is one of Montville’s hidden gems. Just an hour north of Brisbane, a day trip to Kondalilla National Park is an excellent way to escape the heat of the city. Kondalilla means ‘rushing waters’ in the local Aboriginal language, and the falls more than deliver on this promise, especially after big rains. The main waterfall boasts a drop of more than 90 metres into a lush rainforest valley, and there is also a smaller four-metre waterfall with a deep pool for swimming in. With plenty of picnic tables nearby, make sure you take refreshments as the 45-minute circuit walk has over 300 stairs and can be tiring, especially for little legs. 

Where: Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Is swimming allowed? Yes