Wallaman Falls | Highest Falls in Australia

By Ellen – (Updated Feb 2023)

⏱ 4 min

Our experience at Wallaman Falls, the highest single-drop falls in Australia at 268m, was one to remember. During our 5-week road trip across Queensland, we did a number of hikes and visited several waterfalls. In this post we recount our experience and tell you everything you need to know about visiting the falls!

How to get to Wallaman Falls

Wallaman Falls is in the Girringun National Park. It is just 53 minutes from Ingham by car, and 2.25 hours from Townsville. The road there is paved and fully sealed, but at one point you will start to ascend and there was a sign that advised trucks and caravans not to make the journey. We were in a campervan (Mercedes Sprinter) and were fine.

This night of the trip will not escape our minds. We were making the trip up to the Wallman Falls campsite in the evening and as we were ascending steep and winding roads, darkness was quickly falling upon us. I was driving and I admit, I was a bit stressed. We were trying to make it to the campsite before an approaching storm hit, it was getting dark and some parts of the narrow road didn’t have a barrier on the ledge. Not to mention, hundreds of frogs 🐸 started to appear! At first, Roberto was insistent that I try not to hit them but there were just too many and I was stressed enough as it was trying to outrun the impending storm.

Wallaman Falls Campgrounds

In the end, we arrived safely at Wallaman Falls campgrounds. Our first recommendation is to camp there the night before so you can get up early and head to the falls before the sun gets too hot. You’ll need a permit to stay at the campgrounds and you can get that online before you go: https://qpws.usedirect.com/qpws/

Park facilities include:

• BBQ
• Pay phone
• Campfires allowed (conditions apply)
• Toilets
• Showers
• Tent and Campervan Camping
• Sheltered picnic tables

How to enjoy Wallaman Falls hike

You can visit Wallaman Falls year-round but the highest flow of water occurs during wet season (Australia summertime) which is December – March. The falls are a part of the traditional lands of the Warrgamaygan Aboriginal People.

Wallaman Falls Lookout

The first glimpse of the falls you will get to see is from the lookout from the carpark. You can see the water from Stony Creek flowing over the cliff’s edge and dropping 268m down into the gorge.

Hike to the Bottom of Wallaman Falls – Djyinda Walk

To reach the base of the falls, head out on the Djyinda Trail walk. The walk down to the base of the falls is about 1.6km one-way. It takes a minimum of 2 hours to do the return trip (3km total). Don’t be fooled by the short distance – the path becomes steeper and rougher the closer to the bottom you get. Remember, it is a 220m descent in height, over just 1.6km in distance and you’ll have to climb back up.

Eucalyptus trees surround you in the beginning of the trail. The further down you go, the thicker the rainforest becomes while you can start to hear the falls crashing into the pool.

Swimming at Wallaman Falls

Once you reach the bottom of the gorge, you’re rewarded with a spectacular viewpoint of Wallaman Falls. You may be keen for a dip in the 20m deep pool at the bottom of the falls after the work you did to get down there. Use precaution at all times, and particularly during wet season as the waterflow can be heavy.

Top tips for visiting the falls

To summarize, here are the top tips and considerations for visiting Wallaman Falls

1. Camp at the campgrounds the night before so you can get to the Falls early if you plan on doing the hike down to the base of the falls.
2. 3.2km return hike to the falls doesn’t sound like much but TRUST us, do not wear sandals/flip flops. Wear some good walking/hiking footwear.
3. The walk back up can be brutal under the hot sun and it is a steep climb
4. Bring your own water and save enough for your hike back up
5. Give yourself some time to relax at the base of the waterfall before hiking back up
6. Enjoy the view from the lookout at the carpark

Looking for more places to explore in Queensland, Australia?