Tchupala Falls and Wallicher Falls, Wooroonooran National Park, Cairns

Tchupala Falls and Wallicher Falls, Wooroonooran National Park, Cairns

A quick guide to visiting Tchupala Falls and Wallicher Falls in Wooroonooran National Park. Everything you need to know including how to get here, what to expect and photos of the falls.

Tchupala Falls and Wallicher Falls are two waterfalls in the tropical Wooroonooran National Park. Although not as popular as other waterfalls in the area, they offer great value for the adventure lover who gets to get two waterfalls on the same hike!

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How to get to Tchupala Falls and Wallicher Falls

To get to these incredible waterfalls you will need your own car. While there are several guided tours offering tours from Cairns to Wooroonooran National Park and the surrounding waterfalls, I don't know of any that visit these specific waterfalls.

It's quite a long drive from Cairns and the falls should take around an hour and a half to reach. However, there are many other waterfalls in the area, making a day trip worthwhile.

Drive down the Palmerston Highway in Wooroonooran National Park and stop at a small bend just past Henrietta Creek Campground in the Palmerston (Doongan) area. You will notice a sign indicating hikes and a waterfall. There is a small dirt section where you can park your car.

Below you will find the pin for the trailhead location. It's very easy to miss, and cell phone reception isn't great in the area. I would suggest configuring the route to Tchupala Falls and Wallicher Falls before venturing too far into the national park. Look for a sign near Henrietta Camp Ground and Gooligans Picnic Area and you can't go wrong.

Activity nearby: Mamu Tropical Skywalk

You can also download a map of the area here as an orientation aid for the waterfall hikes.

Also nearby: Crawford’s Lookout

The waterfall trailheads

Once you have parked your car, you will notice a sign indicating the start of the route. Both waterfall trails branch off from the same starting trail, with Wallicher Falls on the left and Tchupala on the right after about 100 meters.
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Tchupala Falls Track – What to Expect

If you only have time for one waterfall then I would definitely recommend Tchupala Falls. We found these waterfalls by chance after exploring the nearby Nandroya Falls and we were completely blown away.

The route winds right after the bend, following a path through dense tropical rainforest and up a steep ridge. After approximately 600 meters you reach the top level of Tchupala Falls, a wide rainforest waterfall fed by Henrietta Creek.
alt=“TCHUPALA FALLS, WATERFALLS IN CAIRNS, BEST CAIRNS FALLS, CAIRNS ATTRACTIONS TO DO”>HIGHEST LEVEL OF TCHUPALA FALLS

Closed waterfall path

Tchupala Falls actually has three main levels, each one as incredible as the last. Unfortunately, due to the devastating power of the waterfalls, the trail is closed during the rainy season.

There are several signs telling travelers not to go further into the lower levels, but after checking the conditions we decided to explore the area anyway.

The paths were completely deserted, and it seemed like they had been that way for years. The old rails are now covered in thick vines and the carved rock steps are swallowed by dirt and moss.

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Tchupala Falls – The lower levels

The path down to the lower waterfall levels was very slippery and steep. However, once we reached the bottom, we took time to admire the sheer power and beauty of the place. On each side there were waterfalls and sheer limestone cliffs covered in thick vines and rainforest flora.
alt=“TCHUPALA FALLS, WATERFALLS IN CAIRNS, BEST CAIRNS FALLS, CAIRNS ATTRACTIONS TO DO”>THE BOTTOM OF TCHUPALA FALLS IS UNREACHABLE
alt=“TCHUPALA FALLS, WATERFALLS IN CAIRNS, BEST CAIRNS FALLS, CAIRNS ATTRACTIONS TO DO”>TCHUPALA FALLS LEVEL TWO
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I do not encourage anyone to hike on closed trails. The flowing rivers can be extremely unpredictable and dangerous. You must exercise extreme caution and use your own judgment.

Wallicher Falls Track – What to expect

If you have time, it's also worth visiting the Wallicher Falls on the same route. Instead of turning right at the first fork, turn left and continue for about 1 kilometer. You will soon reach a viewpoint from which you have a great view of the mighty Wallicher Falls.

In contrast to the Tchupala Falls, the Wallicher Falls is only a single-stage waterfall. However, it is still very impressive and I could imagine it having some serious power in the wet rainy season.

If you want to take a closer look, you can walk down the steep path just in front of the observation deck.
alt=“WALISCHER FALLS, WALISCHER WATERFALL NEAR CAIRNS, CAIRNS WATERFALLS, CAIRNS ATTRACTIONS, THINGS TO DO”>BEST VIEWPOINT OF WALESFALLSX
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We continue to the Palmerston Track

From Wallicher Falls you can continue hiking all the way to Gooligans Picnic Area and Henrietta Creek Campground. The path is a bit long and you won't see any more waterfalls along the way. However, you can certainly spend a full day walking the loop and checking out Nandroya Falls and Silver Creek Falls along the way.

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READ THE FULL WATERFALL GUIDE: THE BEST WATERFALLS NEAR CAIRNS

Cairns Accommodation Guide – Where to Stay

Are you planning a trip to Cairns and wondering where to base yourself? Below I have listed some of the best options near Cairns Esplanade. I have also written a comprehensive accommodation guide for Cairns as well as a comprehensive accommodation guide for Port Douglas.

Crystalbrook Riley – If you’re looking for luxury and location, Crystalrbook Riley can’t be beat. This is the best 5 star resort in Cairns and offers absolutely everything you would expect from a Crystalbrook resort.

Tip: Be sure to head to Rocco’s Bar at the top of Crystalbrook Riley for great views over Cairns!
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Rydges Resort – This hotel offers great value for an epic stay at a decent price! The location is perfect, close to the Esplanade and has three swimming pools, two tennis courts, a hot tub, a fitness center and even an award-winning restaurant.
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Fitzroy Island Resort – If you prefer to stay on one of the picturesque islands of the Great Barrier Reef, look no further than Fitzroy Island Resort. While you can do a day trip here, I highly recommend spending the night so you have more time to explore the reef, coral beaches, and rainforest hiking trails.
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Gilligan’s Backpackers – The best backpacker option for a great atmosphere in Cairns is Gilligan’s Backpackers. That's because this one has a swimming pool, air conditioning, a full kitchen and a great common area to meet other travelers.

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MORE PHOTOS OF TCHUPALA FALLS AND WALLICHER FALLS

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More Cairns waterfalls, hikes and adventure guides

I hope you enjoyed this quick guide to visiting Tchupala Falls and Wallicher Falls in Wooroonooran National Park. For more travel guides and adventure inspiration, check out some of my other Far North Queensland blogs below.

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