7 epic QLD waterfalls where you can camp

There’s nothing like falling asleep to the roar of a waterfall. Think invigorating morning swims, topped by starry nights around the campfire. Waterfalls are nature’s ultimate mood boosters, bursting with negative ions to add some R&R to your RV adventures. Here are seven epic Queensland waterfalls with campgrounds.

Wallaman Falls

If you’re going to camp by a waterfall, make it a cracker. Wallaman Falls is the highest permanent single-drop waterfall in Australia, and she’s a beauty. You will find Wallaman 50km south-west of Ingham, at the end of a long, twisting road that snakes through Girringun National Park. Stand on the clifftop overlooking the Herbert River Valley and watch as Stony Creek plunges 268 metres into a misty rainbow-tinged abyss. Walk to the base of the falls on the Djyinda track (3.2km return) and rock hop carefully over the slippery boulders for a swim – if you dare. Keep your eyes peeled for cassowaries on the hair-raising drive up the mountain.

Facilities

Wallaman Falls Campground is about 1.5km south of the day-use area and is suitable for tents and compact camper trailers. There are toilets, cold showers, picnic tables and fire pits.

Big Crystal Creek

The Big Crystal Creek Camping Area is situated on the banks of Paradise Waterhole, which tells you everything you need to know about this idyllic swim spot. Jump off the smooth rocks into the deep creek, home to darting fish and turtles – a stone’s throw from your RV. Part of the Paluma Range National Park, the swimming hole – just north of Townsville – is one of the most accessible you will find. But the real excitement lies 6km deeper into the national park at the end of a gravel road, where you’ll find the Rockslides. This natural slippery slide connects two dreamy pools, the top one fed by a gushing waterfall.

Facilities

Big Crystal Creek Camping Area is suitable for all camping set-ups and has toilets, cold showers, fire pits, electric BBQs and picnic shelters.

Jourama Falls

A little further north along the Bruce Highway, at the top end of Paluma Range, is Jourama Falls, another majestic waterfall with a campground. The campsites nuzzle Waterview Creek, where you can cool off and spot turtles in the crystal-clear water that forms part of the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics. Further upstream, a walking trail leads to a series of tranquil pools and cascades, climaxing with the big one – Jourama Falls, which can also be viewed from a lookout.

Facilities

Jourama Falls Camping Area is suitable for all RVs and has toilets, cold showers, electric BBQs and picnic tables.

Eliot Falls

For any RV adventurer with their sights set on Cape York, Eliot Falls is high on the bucket list. Straddled by Eliot and Canal creeks, the campground here has three cascades at its doorstep – Elliot Falls, Twin Falls and The Saucepan, so named because of the shallow handle-like rock shelf that flows into a deep basin of water. Part of the Jardine River National Park, the falls are 130km south of the ‘The Tip’ and comprise a chain of outrageously photogenic cascades that spill over rock terraces into deep plunge pools. This is the spot to bring your pool noodle, luxuriate in a natural jacuzzi and maybe even ride the rapids.

Facilities

Elliot Falls Camping Area is accessible to high-clearance 4WDs only. All 25 bookable sites are suitable for small off-road caravans and camper trailers. The campground has toilets, picnic tables and fire pits.

Nandroya Falls

Forget crowded Millaa Millaa Falls on the Atherton Tablelands. At this under-the-radar gem 20 minutes down the range, you can have the cascades all to yourself. Nandroya Falls thunder 50 metres down a basalt chute into a majestic swimming hole ringed by rainforest in Wooroonooran National Park, 40km inland from Innisfail. Set up camp at Henrietta Creek Camping Area and take the 6km return trail to the cascades. There’s a smaller pool and waterfall just downstream of Nandroya or, if you can’t be bothered walking, you can cool off in the small swimming hole at the campground.

Facilities

Henrietta Creek Camping Area is suitable for all camping set-ups and has electric BBQs, toilets and picnic tables.

Murray Falls

Halfway between Cairns and Townsville Just north of Cardwell is Murray Falls – a roaring (non-swimmable) waterfall with a tranquil downstream waterhole where you can wet your togs. This large camping and day-use area is located within Girramay National Park, just north of Cardwell, and is a great overnight pitstop on the journey to or from Cairns. Follow the boardwalk to the viewing platform where the Murray River (no, not that one!) roars over the escarpment into a swirling granite pool. There’s also a 1.8km return walk to the top of the falls. Bring the insect repellent in spring – the March flies are vicious!

Facilities

Murray Falls Camping Area is suitable for all RV set-ups, with open grassy spaces ideal for large rigs and nervous reverse parkers. The campground has toilets, cold showers, fire pits and picnic tables.

Blencoe Falls

This remote natural wonder on the western edge of the Wet Tropics offers a trifecta of drawcards – waterfall, gorge and a swimming hole to boot. Blencoe Falls is at the end of an unsealed road, two hours’ drive inland from the nearest big town (Cardwell), so you might just have the campground all to yourself. Part of Girringun National Park, the falls tumble 90 metres down the cliff face into a natural pool, before cascading a further 230 metres to the bottom of Herbert River Gorge. Take the Jabali Walk to Blencoe Falls Lookout (5km return), tackle a section of the Wet Tropics Great Walk, or just enjoy a peaceful swim in the river.

Facilities

Blencoe Falls Camping Area is accessible to 4WDs and off-road caravans and camper trailers, with a handful of undefined sites, some hugging the river. The campground has toilets, and campfires are permitted.

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