Queen Mary Falls is Waterfall Royalty

Queen Mary Falls is a truly regal display of nature. The hike around the falls may be short, but it’s the perfect destination for a road trip, with more waterfalls and beautiful views to take in on the drive from Brisbane.

We acknowledge that this adventure is located on Bundjalung Nation, the traditional Country of the Bundjalung people who have occupied and cared for this land and water for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

Waterfall Royalty

Queen Mary Falls lies right on the border between QLD and NSW; a short and spectacular road trip from Toowoomba or Brisbane. It’s perfect for a day trip to explore the countryside of the Scenic Rim, which offers something for the active, the photographer, the connoisseur, and the adventurer within us all.

Read more: 3 Adventure-Fuelled Road Trips Around NSW’s Northern Rivers and South East QLD

Head south out of Toowoomba along the Sunflower Route (seasonal), or west from Brisbane and wind your way along the state border. Stop off at Lake Moogerah as you travel; it’s a good spot to immerse in nature and soak in the views of the mountain vistas that the falls are tucked into.

Queen Mary Falls is accessed through a short, well sign-posted, 2km trail that leaves the ridgeline and winds its way to the base of the waterfall. Standing at its base, the mist in your face, its a sight of pure beauty and the rawness of mother nature. Even with little rainfall, she still flows with significant force.

The trail then winds back up the ridgeline, at quite a manageable incline, before hugging the clifftop that the waterfall flows over. This perspective is incredible. Queen Mary Falls flows off the side of what was once an active volcano, and the water plunges down a 40m drop that flows on to form part of the headwaters for the Murray Darling River system.

At the end of the walk, there’s a picnic area, a campground, and a cafe offering a bite to eat where lots of local birds love to play.

Take The Long Road Home

For more of a taste of the local scene, keep heading west to Killarney. It’s an old timber and dairy town brimming with country charm, and a popular lunch stop for travellers. There’s a heritage centre, the local pub of course, and a volunteer-run collective of work by local artists.

If waterfalls are what you’re chasing, there’s a total of five in the area. Two of them, Daggs Falls and Brown Falls, are along the road to Queen Marys.

If you’ve driven from Brisbane, continue the road trip by returning via Cunninghams Gap. North east of Warwick, and from the New England Highway, it’s home to a few more hikes offering outstanding views east back to the coastline. The road offers gorgeous scenery as it winds its way back down the range.

Essential Gear

• Sneakers/hiking boots
• Water
• Snacks
• Camera
• Tent/swag if you’re camping

Read more: Remember to leave no trace!

How To Get There

Queen Mary Falls is just over two hours from Brisbane, or 1.5 hours from Toowoomba, and both routes offer a beautiful road trip. 

For a scenic road trip from Brisbane, take the Lake Moogerah turnoff from the Cunningham Highway. This road becomes Head Road, and winds through gorgeous green hills as you climb the ranges into the beautiful scenery that surrounds the waterfall. For maximum opportunity to immerse in nature and snap those Insta-highlights, when you’ve finished hiking at Queen Mary, continue west to Warwick and onto the New England Highway. This’ll loop you back through the Ranges via Cunninghams Gap, and return to Cunningham Highway. 

From Toowoomba, take the New England Highway to Warwick, and follow the signs to Queen Mary Falls. During spring and summer, this route is also the Sunflower Route, and stopping off in the small towns like Allora is a must. From the falls, continue east and wind down the range to check out Lake Moogerah. Join onto Cunninghams Highway and return back up the Ranges through Cunninghams Gap. From here, you can pick up the New England Highway back into Toowoomba.

Skill Level

Beginner 

The waterfall trail is well built, signposted, and not too long. For those wanting to explore further, or use the area as a basecamp, more advanced walks exists all along the neighbouring Main Range National Park, and at Cunninghams Gap.