I acknowledge the Kabi Kabi and the Jinibara peoples as the Traditional Custodians whose lands and waters we all now share on the Sunshine Coast. I pay my respects to their Elders past and present.
I’ve been meaning to publish this post for years and never seem to get around to finishing it. It’s still not quite finished but I thought I might as well get out what I have. 🙂
As I’ve said elsewhere, the Sunshine Coast isn’t exactly blessed with incredible waterfalls but you can still find a surprising number of waterfalls.
They may be small and may even be hardly more than cascades but after some rainfall, you can see some of them hurdling down cliffs.
BEST WATERFALLS ON THE SUNSHINE COAST
The waterfalls on the Sunshine Coast are almost exclusively in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, except for Serenity Falls in Buderim. Some of the waterfalls require a bit of walking while others are accessible almost from your car.
Most of these waterfalls are best accessed by car. Public transport is tricky around the Sunshine Coast and involves irregular timetables and a bit of trekking to/from bus stops.
BEST TIME TO SEE THE WATERFALLS ON THE SUNSHINE COAST
If you want gushing waterfalls, summer is best given our usual heavy rainfalls at this time of the year. But you’ll also generally have to contend with pesky mozzies and other creatures that you may or may not appreciate.
End of summer (late March) tends to be a good option as you might still get sufficient water rushing down the falls to make your visit worthwhile, and yet not be inundated by flying critters.
Late winter / early spring (August/Sep) is usually when you’ll only get a trickle at most falls (unless we’ve had some heavy winter rains).
A cautionary note on swimming: Most of these rock pools are safe for swimming but not during or after heavy rain. Exercise caution and don’t just jump in. You don’t know what’s submerged underneath the water’s surface.
1. SERENITY FALLS | BUDERIM
DISTANCE: 2km loop
ACCESS: Car park at end of Quorn Close (steeper access) or Harry's Lane, Buderim
Serenity Falls is often touted as a hidden gem but it really isn’t. It just feels hidden, secreted away in a beautiful rainforest pocket in the middle of Buderim.
In summer it’s not always as serene as you might like as the rock pool below the falls is a popular swimming spot. The loop walk is a great way to get away from any crowds though.
The walk from Harry’s Lane is a bit longer but less steep than approaching the falls from Quorn Close (it’s downhill but then, of course, uphill on the way back). It’s a lovely walk from either trailhead.
2. ROBINSON FALLS | NAMBOUR
DISTANCE: 0.9km loop
ACCESS: Cilento Bushland Conservation Reserve, Waterfall Road, Nambour (park at the end of the road, no dedicated car park); public transport possible (exit Nambour Hospital)
Robinson Falls is less well-known than Serenity Falls. Often locals don’t even know that there’s a small waterfall in Nambour.
Apart from Robinson Falls, Cilento Park (Cilento Bushland Conservation Reserve) also offers a lovely playground and a large grassy area.
There is also a short loop walk around the park and the waterfall.
3. WAPPA FALLS | KIAMBA
DISTANCE: A few metres
ACCESS: Car park at the end of Pump Station Road, Kiamba
Wappa Falls feed into Wappa Dam, and they can be very dangerous depending on the water flow.
Be careful around the edge and do not dive in (or even swim here) as there are plenty of submerged rocks, strong currents and little eddies can form and drag you under, especially after heavy rain.
This is not a spot where you’d want to swim (people have died here as recently as January this year).
But they’re impressive enough to look at if they’re flowing well. Unless you have too much time on your hands or want to see all the waterfalls, I would probably combine looking at them with a picnic or walk at Wappa Park. 🙂
4. KONDALILLA FALLS | MONTVILLE
DISTANCE: 4.7km loop
ACCESS: Day-use area at Kondalilla National Park, Kondalilla Falls Road, Flaxton
Kondalilla Falls is probably the most popular waterfall on the Sunshine Coast. To see the falls from all angles, you’ll need to do the 5km loop that involves a lot of steps (about 300).
Depending on the water flow, you can go for a dip at the base of the falls but most people jump into the rock pool at the top of Kondalilla Falls.
The walk through the rainforest is actually quite nice but can be a bit mozzie-infested (and possibly leeches) if you’re there in summer.
Definitely worthwhile though, especially since there’s a nice picnic area with BBQs as well.
5. KUREELPA FALLS | MAPLETON
DISTANCE: 8.5km loop
ACCESS: Mapleton day-use area at Mapleton National Park, Mapleton Forest Road, Mapleton
The Kureelpa Falls Circuit is along one of the shared trails in Mapleton National Park.
The trail itself is not that exciting and you’ll have to hike half the track to get to Kureelpa Falls. When it’s drier, they won’t be flowing much so don’t expect too much if you’re there in winter or early spring.
You can go for a dip here but obviously be careful about how you get in and out.
A little tip: If you really just want to see Kureelpa Falls, you also take Kureelpa Falls Road, park right at the end and take the goat track across the creek to the falls.
6. GHEERULLA FALLS | MAPLETON
DISTANCE: 11km return
ACCESS: Leafy Lane car park at Mapleton National Park, Mapleton Forest Road, Mapleton
Gheerulla Falls are tucked away in Mapleton National Park along the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk. Visiting them can be done as a quick walk or as part of a longer hike (about 11km).
For a longer hike, start at the Leafy Lane trailhead and follow the signs to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk. Once you join the Great Walk, follow the signs all the way to Gheerulla Falls, and then return the same way.
If you’re starting from Leafy Lane, you’ll drop down into Gheerulla Valley, and will then have to climb up again on your way back.
For an easier option, start along Delicia Road (look for the gated entrance). There’s not much of a parking area, you just park off the road. From here, it’s around 3km return and relatively flat.
Gheerulla Falls don’t really make for a great swimming spot.
7. MAPLETON FALLS | MAPLETON
DISTANCE: 0.5km return
ACCESS: Mapleton Falls day-use area at Mapleton Falls National Park, Mapleton Falls Road, Mapleton
I’ve included the lookout at Mapleton Falls here because technically you can see the falls if you crane your neck a bit as the falls are tucked away behind the lookout. It mostly provides expansive views of the Obi Obi Valley.
If there’s been a bit of rainfall, you’ll have more luck of seeing the falls. You’re actually better off walking to Peregrine Lookout along the short Wompoo Circuit to see Mapleton Falls from afar.
8. GARDNERS FALLS | MALENY
DISTANCE: 0.5km return
ACCESS: Day-use area at Obi Lane South, Maleny
This popular swimming hole is easily accessible and requires very little walking. Park at the end of Obi Lane South and walk along Obi Obi Creek until you reach the small falls.
Gardners Falls can be very busy on hot days so head into Maleny for some gelato if it’s all a bit too much for you. 🙂
9. ARTISTS CASCADES | CONONDALE NATIONAL PARK
DISTANCE: 10.6km return
ACCESS: Booloumba Creek day-use area at Conondale National Park, Conondale - 4WD required
Like Booloumba Falls, Artists Cascades are only accessible by 4WD. To get to the day-use area, you have to cross Booloumba Creek three times. It’s usually a shallow crossing but you do need a high-clearance vehicle as the creek bed is quite rocky.
Even when Booloumba Creek is very busy (and it gets insanely busy here over the summer and public holidays!), there tend to be fewer people at Artists Cascades.
Probably because you have to hike through dense forest for 5km first.
It’s a really beautiful spot though, the water is refreshing and the rock pool is safe for swimming.
10. MORE WATERFALLS
I’ve been meaning to include a few other waterfalls on the Sunshine Coast but both my health and the rainy weather over the last few months have put a stop to getting out and taking some photos.
But if you’re keen on more waterfall hikes, you could head to Baxter Falls near Flaxton in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland (part of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk), or drive up to the Conondales and visit Booloumba Falls (3km return) or Summer Falls (day walk) along the Conondale Great Walk.
Keep in mind that you’ll need a 4WD vehicle to visit either Booloumba Falls or Summer Falls in Conondale National Park.
FINAL THOUGHTS
So while the waterfalls on the Sunshine Coast are nowhere near as stunning as at Springbrook or Lamington National Park in the Gold Coast Hinterland, you can still get some good hiking done and be rewarded with expansive lookouts and picturesque falls.
During heavy rainfall, we also get some temporary waterfalls off Mount Coolum though I’ve never been lucky enough to see them in real life.
Let me know in the comments if I’ve missed any waterfalls on the coast, and I’ll be super happy to go check them out! 
Happy waterfall chasing,
MORE POSTS ON THE SUNSHINE COAST
If you’re keen on more walking without a waterfall, I’ve also got plenty of suggestions for short hikes or longer hikes on the Sunshine Coast.
Alternatively, you could visit some coastal lookouts, some of which you can conveniently drive to in your car or just walk a couple of hundred metres.
And if you want more details on the Noosa Coastal Track or the Mount Coolum Summit Walk, I’ve got posts on these as well.
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