Araucaria Falls

Main Range National Park

Rainforest walk to the base of Araucaria Falls and then return. Elevation 830m (base of the falls).

Waterfalls
Swimming
Bird Watching
Rainforest
1029m
Maximum Elevation
189m
Total Climb

Getting there

Type 'Lookout Road, Goomburra' into your GPS.

Pass through Cunninghams Gap on Cunningham Highway. Turn right at Goomburra Rd. Turn right onto Inverramsy Road at the Goomburra Hall and follow this road. The road turns into gravel and crosses the creek a number of times as it passes a number of private campgrounds (Gordon Country). 

When you reach the National Park boundary (signed) take the left branch (Lookout Road). Kurrajong Picinic area is on the right, then cross the creek once more. (This crossing isn't sealed but can handle conventional cars as long as the creek isn't running too high - there is no height sign so pre-walk the creek crossing first).

Araucaria Falls walk is on the left, approx 5km on Lookout Rd.

Maps

http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/main-range/pdf/main-range-goomburra-map.pdf

Route/Trail notes

The trail is very well worn and clear to follow, though being dense rainforest the path can become very muddy after heavy rain.  The first kilometre is level, before you start to descends to the falls.  The trail crosses the top of the falls. Once at the top don't forget to continue up the stairs otherwise you'll miss out on the view.  Once across the other side of the falls, it descends very quickly to the base of the falls. There are exposed tree roots and rock steps used in this section, so on return this may take some time to traverse the ascent.

 Permits/Costs

No permits and No fees.

Other References

More information is available on the Queensland Government website. Not providing a link as the website changes, use a Google search.

http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/main-range/about.html#walking_tracks_in_goomburra

Comments

I have little legs and found this one quite challenging, though very beautiful. Quite a few big steps, so watch your knees. Lovely rainforest walk, coming to the top of the falls, you crossover and head down to the base, lovely spot to spend some time and reflect.

Tanya on 22 Apr, 2023

Nice little walk

Olga on 25 Feb, 2023

This walk is more challenging than the distance would suggest. The signage at the start of the walk is only one way and the walk back up is a little steep in places but very achievable with moderate fitness.

Bobbe on 2 Jan, 2023

Nice short walk. Cannot cross the last river crossing in a 2WD car so had to walk an extra 4km each way.

samkramer on 12 Jun, 2022

Beautiful little falls and swimming pools- you feel like you are in a Steve Parish catalogue. I am not particularly fit and found this walk pretty easy.

Riley Rocco on 20 Mar, 2022

Beautiful scenery and good clear track

Jay on 19 Feb, 2022

Great walk, Id be careful for 2wd access, some parts after the rain may bottom out or scrape the bottom of your car. Walking track is very slippery and muddy in parts so wear appropriate shoes.

Dan on 5 Feb, 2022

Beautiful walk through dense rainforest. Arriving at the top of the falls was a beautiful reward, but continuing on to the base of the waterfall was 100% worth the extra effort.

My 4 & 6 year old loved this walk. Note: The first half of the track was quite slippery on the downhills today (after rain yesterday) and the second half is quite steep and rocky so not necessarily suitable for all walkers.

We did the creek-crossing after the picnic area in a 4WD. Would not have attempted in 2WD in current conditions.

Steph T on 10 Jul, 2021

Easy walk down to water and back.

Boots on 13 Jun, 2021

We had just had maybe 2-3 weeks of rain in the area, so the track was slippery in some parts. The waterfall was flowing and was very loud! We could hear different birds chirping the whole time. The first kilometre is easy, and then the descent begins. 1.8km each way. Very worth it. Beautiful walk, will do again!

sezwalks on 7 Apr, 2021

Nice walk and lovely waterfall. Instructions on how to get there are accurate.

Olwyn on 30 Jan, 2021

Beautiful waterfall and swimming hole. Great to cool off on a hot day.

Saw 3 snakes at the bottom crawling amongst the rocks.

ShavenWalrus on 24 Jan, 2021

We did this in conjunction to Sylvesters Lookout and Mt Castle Lookout. We chose to do this one first and there were many people with the same idea. There was an easy creek crossing (2WDs could do but remove the rocks) to get to the parking area and the road is good (suitable for 2WD) Many people walked down to the first cascades and top of the falls but didn't choose to continue on to the bottom the falls. It is a steep walk down to the falls with many rocks and roots so may not be suitable for everyone. When you get to the base, also go for a walk to the right and see another small waterfall. It gets the heart pumping walking back up. There was water flowing even though it has been dry.

Shazlex on 4 Oct, 2020

Nice walk, but creepy baby crying bird!

Breno on 17 Sep, 2020

Is it horrible to hope that this can stay a little 'Aussie Bushwalking' secret.

This is a gem of a little walk. Cannot wait for summer to it and to head here for the day!

Wandering Brauns on 10 Jun, 2020

A nice easy walk, not much water flowing in the waterfall but there's some nice rock pools and scenery to enjoy.

Brent on 25 Jul, 2019

Did this walk today with our 7 and 9 year olds, and really enjoyed it! Went on a bit of a detour on our way (make sure you follow the advice above and don't rely on google maps!! Positive was we got to see more of the countryside than we'd anticipated).
The last creek crossing, just after Kurrajong Picnic area, was passable in our little Hyundai i30, although I certainly wouldn't want to attempt it any time after it'd been raining!
The walk itself is easy to follow, a little steep in spots, although no problem for us today as it obviously hasn't rained recently. It was a perfect length for the kids, they managed really well (even the steep sections on the way back up), and exploring the falls was definitely the highlight for us all.
We plan to head out another day and do some more exploring! With the detour on the way there, we sadly ran out of time, but we all agreed it would definitely be worth another visit!

Sarah on 12 May, 2019

Quite easy stroll. Falls were flowing , enjoyable walk

J on 5 Aug, 2017

Gorgeous track, like walking through a fairytale. Lots of slippery mud, the odd stinger plant, and a snake or two, so do take care.

mjorn_ on May, 2016

Walk was great, once you reach the top of the falls make sure you keep going otherwise you'll miss the rest of the walk and the view from the bottom (which is great). The ground was quite slippery after the rain, be careful as mud and down hill slops are not always a good combination.

Attempted to go here a week before but the river crossings were too overflown for a conventional car to pass (unless you have a 4WD don't drive all the way out here during wet weather).

If you are heading out this way I recommend combining this walk with the Mt Castle and Sylvesters lookouts very close to this walk.

rob.bushman on 4 Jan, 2015

Where

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