15 of the Best Swimming Holes Around Queensland

Please note! Conditions can change at anytime during summer, so please check with the relevant authority that the area you’re heading to is open and safe before you leave.

 

The Sunshine State is overflowing with luscious freshwater waterfalls and swimming holes to cool off in. Here are 15 of our favourite swimming holes Queensland has to offer.

We Are Explorers acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Countries on which these adventures take place, who have occupied and cared for these lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

From the rainforests of the tropical north to sand islands and even an outback oasis, a gorgeous place to swim is never far away in Queensland. Pack your cossies, it’s time to go swimming!

Read more: Staying Safe Around Swimming Holes and Waterfalls

Best Swimming Holes Around Queensland

Southern Queensland

1. Paddys Falls

Visited and written by Miranda Fittock

Location: Gold Coast Hinterland

Despite being the biggest (and best) waterfall in Mt Barney National Park, Paddy’s Falls is kept pretty under wraps.

Paddys Falls is an 18m-high waterfall, located in Queensland’s Mt Barney National Park. Driving from Brisbane, it should take around two hours to reach. The 9km return hike to the falls is a moderately challenging walk that takes 4-6 hours to complete.

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

The hike isn’t particularly difficult or long, but requires basic navigation, map reading abilities, and involves a major river crossing. There are no signs or markers along the way. Be cautious of the river conditions following rain.

Paddy’s Falls is absolutely torrential, we were gobsmacked! Mount Barney National Park has a waterfall, and it’s HUGE.

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@miranda_c_fittock

2. Kinbombi Falls

Visited and written by Scout Hinchcliffe

Location: Gympie region

Hidden in the midst of cattle country and the rolling hills of Gympie, you’ll find a little slice of country paradise; Kinbombi Falls.

Arriving at the Kinbombi Falls Rest Area, we wandered down a dirt trail and were suddenly surprised at what was before us – natural rock pools with trickling cascades flanked by steep rocky cliffs.

We spent hours rock hopping through the gorge, spotting turtles, swimming in the refreshing water and enjoying having this hidden gem to ourselves.

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@girlscout__

3. Gudda Gumoo/Rainbow Falls

Visited and written by Eva Davis-Boermans

Location: Central Queensland

Get ready for an epic wild swimming experience you won’t forget at Gudda Gumoo/Rainbow Falls. The hike to the water is about 2km downhill with some steep stairs towards the end. At the bottom you’ll find a clear, sandy-bottomed pool with the falls trickling into it. In the right light, you can see a rainbow reflected in the mist.

This swimming hole is permanent, so you can enjoy a dip even when it hasn’t rained recently. Be warned, it’s cold, but it’s so worth it. Besides, you’ll need to cool off before hiking back up to the car park.

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@evadavisboermans

4. Poona Lake

Visited and written by Lisa Owen

Location: Sunshine Coast

If you don’t have the time or energy to do the full Cooloola Great Walk (4-5 days from Noosa to Rainbow Beach), you can take a pleasant day hike to Poona Lake from Rainbow Beach and sample some of the trail highlights.

@_thelittleadventurer

5. Lake McKenzie 

Visited and written by Scott Pass

Location: K’gari

Lake McKenzie is a perched lake, meaning the lake bed is made up of organic and natural matter, collected over time from the surrounding landscapes.

The lake is filled purely with rainwater and isn’t fed by any other form of stream or groundwater. How cool!

The layer of organic matter prevents rainwater from draining away, making it a rather unique lake form. The pre silica sand on the shoreline gives Lake McKenzie the iridescent blue colour that only dreams are made of. 

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@scottypass

6. Cronan Creek Falls

Visited and written by Lisa Owen

Location: Gold Coast Hinterland

Cronan Creek Secret Falls is named because the Cronan Creek Track doesn’t lead you directly to the falls – you have to bash through about 100m of trees and ferns and slide down a couple of rocks to get to the waterfall.

The waterfall is nestled among dense rainforest at the end of a boulder-strewn creek perfect for rock-hop-loving adventurers.

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@_thelittleadventurer

Northern Queensland

7. Millaa Millaa Falls

Visited and written by Conor Moore

Location: Atherton Tablelands

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. 

We’d reached the falls before the bulk of the tourists and other weekenders and had the whole place to ourselves.

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.

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@conormoorephotography

8. Behana Gorge and Clamshell Falls

Visited and written by Ruby Claire

Location: Cairns region

@mitch.cox

9. Lake Eacham 

Visited and written by Nicole Banks

Location: Atherton Tablelands

Lake Eacham in the Atherton Tablelands is a 3km circuit walk which leads you around the perimeter of this volcanic crater-turned-sparkling lake and plunges you into dense rainforest from the get-go.

The walk concludes back at the lakefront after approximately an hour, though you could be excused for lingering a little while longer to take some snaps of its most impressive features. 

You can even snorkel or dive Lake Eacham. But if you happen to spot the resident freshwater crocodile just leave it be – it’s reportedly harmless if left alone.

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@nicole.banks.writing

10. Davies Creek Falls & Infinity Pool

Visited and written by Ruby Claire

Location: Cairns region

Never has there been an infinity pool that requires so little effort! It’s just a 300m stroll from the car park to the top of the falls, and the pool beckons a dip. The water temperature is divine, especially if you’re coming from the southern states! 

You should only plan to swim in the infinity pool during the drier months (winter and spring). After heavy rainfall the current can be quite strong, which is a sight to behold from afar!

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@mitch.cox

11. Finch Hatton Gorge 

Visited and written by Jacquie Tapsall

Location: Mackay region

My friend and I tackled the beautiful Finch Hatton Gorge hike which has two impressive waterfalls along the way; Araluen waterfall and Wheel of Fire Casacades.

The walk to Araluen waterfall was along an easy, well-defined path that gradually sloped downwards for 1.4km. We then came to some big boulders that gave a natural ‘viewing platform’ of the waterfall. 

Wheel Of Fire Cascades is a bit further away, around 2km from the turnoff to Araluen waterfall. This is a slightly harder hike as it’s mainly an upward gradient the whole way but it would still be manageable for most people.

As we slid into the waterhole we were surprised how cold it was. The cascades were also extremely loud and the enormity of them was impressive! The best thing was, we were all alone. We didn’t pass anyone on the walk and had the swimming hole all to ourselves. 

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@isobelgrace.jpg

12. Big Crystal Creek

Visited and written by Tiffany Hulm

Location: Townsville region

Big Crystal Creek is a fresh-water swimming spot, located in Queensland’s Munan Gumburu/Paluma Range National Park. Driving from Townsville, it should take around an hour to reach. Once you’re in the car park it’s only a 500m walk to the water!

@nomadicdreamer

13. Mossman Gorge

Visited and written by Haz and Loz

Location: Cairns region

In the southern edge of Daintree National Park, nestled amongst the rainforest, is one of Australia’s most stunning wild swimming destinations, Mossman Gorge.

To experience this swimming hole, make your way to the Mossman Gorge Centre and hop onto one of the daily shuttle buses to the heart of the gorge, where a gentle stroll through the rainforest-fringed boardwalk will lead you to its sandy banks. Smooth granite boulders, crystal clear water and lush vegetation awaits. 

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@haz_and_loz 

14. Wallaman Falls

Visited and written by Alex Mitcheson

Location: Townsville region

A little over two hours northwest of Townsville and nestled in the Girringun National Park is one of Australia’s most mesmerising water features: Nginba Warrgamaygan Ngarji/Wallaman Falls. The country’s highest permanent single-drop waterfall and an absolute marvel. 

Depending on the time of year, your experience at the bottom of the falls will vary. In the wet season (November to April), swimming isn’t always possible due to the sheer strength of the water’s flow – but this makes for a damn impressive view! 

During the dry season is the best time for a dip, when water can resemble a cascading rainbow.

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@alex_mitcheson_writes

Western Queensland

15. Wugudaji-Adels Grove 

Visited and written by Brenton & Grace Keller

Location: Outback Queensland

The historically crafted botanical-collection-gone-wild at Adels Grove, combines with a crisp swimming hole on Lawn Hill Creek to create a genuine oasis in the Queensland desert that’ll quench your thirst for outback adventure.

Adels Grove is a camping area located 10km from Lawn Hill National Park in Queensland that offers swimming, hiking, and canoeing adventures. The drive from Townsville to Adels Grove will take about 13 hours to complete.

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@wild.explorer

Swimming Holes Queensland FAQs

Can you swim at Blue Hole, Daintree?

The Blue Hole in the Daintree Rainforest is a spectacular waterhole, however it’s also a sacred area for the local Kuku Yalanji people as it’s a healing and birthing pool, so visitors are asked to only admire the pool and not to swim in or touch the water. People have been known to get sick after ignoring signs and entering the water without permission.

When can you not swim in Queensland?

Queensland is a big place, so the reasons you may not people able to swim in some spots won’t affect others. During the tropical north’s wet season (Nov-March) waterfalls can become very heavy and dangerous, meaning many of the freshwater swimming holes there may not be safe to swim in. There are also crocodiles in Far North Queensland which need to be considered whenever swimming in waterholes around there. Obey signs and be crocwise.

Read more: How To Stay Safe in Croc Country

Are there crocs in the Daintree?

Yes there are Saltwater crocodiles in the Daintree River.

Can you swim at Tully Gorge?

Yes you can swim at Tully Gorge.

Feature photo by @isobelgrace.jpg
Tables of contents photo by @alex_mitcheson_writes