Millaa Millaa Falls is an 18 metre high heritage-listed plunge waterfall on the Atherton Tableland of Queensland. This luscious waterfall is super accessible and a delight to swim in. C’mon! Dip your toe in!

Quick Overview

Millaa Millaa Falls is an 18 m high waterfall, located on the Atherton Tableland in Queensland. Driving from Cairns, it should take around 1.5 hours to reach.

 

Highlights

  • Swimming under one of Australia’s most iconic waterfalls
  • Scenic drive up the Palmerston Highway

Hit The Road to Millaa Millaa Falls

Having lived in Innisfail, just down the road from the waterfalls of Millaa Millaa for a few years, I’ve visited the falls plenty of times before. But when my girlfriend suggested a day trip, I didn’t hesitate to load up the Troopy and hit the road.

 

Millaa Millaa Lookout

On the way there, it’s a must to take a pit stop at Millaa Millaa Lookout – half for me, half for the Troopy that struggles up the long uphill straights. A quick stop for a snack and a suss of the views and we were off to the waterfall.

 

Millaa Millaa Falls

We rolled into the car park to unusual quietness. We’d reached the falls before the bulk of the tourists and other weekenders and had the whole place to ourselves. Normally I don’t get in for a swim, but the opportunity with no crowds was too good to pass up! 

I swam straight out to the falls. The power was unreal but I wanted to get closer! We doubled around the back, slipping and sliding over the wet, mossy boulders. We got as close as we possibly could without being sucked under the raging torrent, and just sat to enjoy the thundering roar of the mighty falls.

 

 

I’ve visited Millaa Millaa Falls many times before but have never appreciated it so much. I guess I just had to get in there and get my feet wet.

Essential Gear

  • Swimmers
  • Towel
  • Camera

How To Get There

Millaa Millaa Falls is located on the waterfall circuit on the Atherton Tablelands. From Innisfail it’s a 60km drive up the Palmerston Highway to Millaa Millaa before turning off onto the Waterfall Circuit.

From Cairns it’s a 101km leg up the Gillies Range, through Yungaburra, Malanda and Tarzali before reaching Millaa Millaa. The road to the falls splits – to the left is the public car park and down to the right is for buses.

Skill Level

Easy peasy lemon squeezy

Distance Covered

We drove 60km from Innisfail and a short 50m walk to the falls from the car park.