💧 Free · Best After Rain
Cedar Creek Falls
Cascades and rock pools in the Tamborine Mountain section of the national park, about an hour south of Brisbane — spectacular after rain and a series of quiet pools when the creek is low.
~1 hr
South of Brisbane
Free
National park
After rain
When the falls run
Uneven
Rocky track
Cedar Creek Falls sits in the Cedar Creek section of Tamborine National Park, on the northern side of Mount Tamborine about an hour south of Brisbane. It is free, it is a genuine rainforest creek rather than a manicured attraction, and how good it is depends almost entirely on recent rainfall.
When the Falls Actually Run
This is the thing to settle before you drive an hour. Cedar Creek is rain-fed. After decent rain the cascades run properly and the pools fill. Through a dry winter the flow reduces to a trickle and the falls are a series of still pools among rock.
Neither version is bad — the pools are pleasant in dry conditions and the cascades are impressive in wet — but they are different experiences and it is worth knowing which you are driving towards.
The frustrating part is that the rain which makes the falls run also makes the rock slippery and the track harder. It is a genuine trade-off rather than a free win.
The Walk and the Pools
The track from the car park descends to a series of viewing points and rock pools along the creek. It is not a level path — expect steps, exposed rock and uneven ground, and it climbs on the way back.
The rock around the pools is smooth and stays wet, which makes it genuinely slippery. Most injuries here are from people moving confidently across wet rock in unsuitable footwear.
Swimming in the pools is popular in warm weather. Water levels, depth and submerged rock all change with the season, so entering feet-first and checking depth is basic sense rather than caution.
Safety, Honestly
Waterfalls in South-East Queensland account for a steady number of serious injuries, and the causes are consistent: jumping into water of unknown depth, climbing on wet rock above pools, and going beyond fenced or signed areas.
Stay on the tracks and behind the barriers, do not jump, and treat wet rock as slippery even when it does not look it. Flash flooding is possible after heavy upstream rain even when it is not raining where you are standing.
What to Bring
Closed shoes with grip — this is the single most useful thing. Water, since there is none on the track. Sun protection for the open sections and insect repellent for the rainforest.
There are toilets and picnic facilities at the car park area. Mobile coverage is patchy in the gully.
Making a Day of It
Cedar Creek on its own is an hour or two, which does not justify the drive from Brisbane by itself. It works best as part of a Tamborine Mountain day.
The mountain above carries Gallery Walk, cellar doors, distilleries, the Botanic Gardens and Curtis Falls — a second and quite different waterfall walk. Combining the two waterfalls with lunch on the mountain makes a full and varied day.
Getting There
Cedar Creek Falls is about an hour south of Brisbane by road, via the M1 and the Tamborine Mountain approaches. The final stretch is narrow and winding.
There is no useful public transport, so this is a vehicle or charter destination. Parking at the reserve fills on warm weekends and after rain.
Questions About Cedar Creek Falls
No. The creek is rain-fed, so the cascades run properly after decent rain and reduce to still pools through a dry winter.
Swimming in the rock pools is popular in warm weather. Water levels, depth and submerged rock change with the season, so enter feet-first and check depth.
Not a level path — steps, exposed rock and uneven ground, with a climb on the return. The rock stays wet and is genuinely slippery.
About an hour south by road via the M1 and the Tamborine Mountain approaches. The final stretch is narrow and winding.
Yes, it is national park with free access, toilets and picnic facilities at the car park.
Closed shoes with grip, above everything else. Most injuries here come from confident movement across wet rock in unsuitable footwear.
On its own it is an hour or two. It works better combined with a Tamborine Mountain day — Gallery Walk, the cellar doors and Curtis Falls.
Keep Exploring Brisbane
Mt Tamborine Wine ToursThe mountain aboveScenic Rim Day TourMore rainforest and fallsBrisbane Hiking TrailsWalking near the cityDay Trips from BrisbaneFull-day optionsBrisbane AdventuresMore active optionsThings To Do in BrisbaneThe full list
Cooee Tours acknowledges the Turrbal and Yuggera (Jagera) peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which Brisbane stands. We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
See It With a Local
Cedar Creek pairs naturally with a Tamborine Mountain day. Family owned and operating in South-East Queensland since 1974.
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