Emerald Creek Falls - waterfall and bathing area near Cairns

Emerald Creek Falls - waterfall and bathing area near Cairns

A complete guide for visiting the Emerald Creek Falls, an idyllic waterfall and seaside resort near Mareba, which is easy to reach from Cairns.

Would you like to visit a remote waterfall near Cairns and the Tablelands? You have found yourself in the right place. Emerald Creek Falls is a great small waterfall and seaside resort that is very popular with locals.

The waterfall offers a larger, cascading level and deep swimming holes in a drier eucalyptus basin. This makes it a perfect place all year round to cool off and is a fairly unique waterfall compared to the others around Cairns.

In this short guide, I would like to tell you everything you need to know about visiting this waterfall. I will indicate how you come here, what awaits you, and I will throw in some photos that I hope you will inspire your visit.
Alt = “swimming holes at the Emerald Creek Atherton Tablelands near Cairns”>
When you read my blog for the first time, be sure to read my list of epic sights and activities in Cairns. After visiting this waterfall, also explore other epic Cairns waterfalls or hiking trails or take a look at this list to find out where you can spend the night.

EMALALD Creek Falls-where is that?

Emerald Creek Falls is a multi -stage waterfall in the Dinden West Forest Reserve, near the municipality of Mareba, about 30 kilometers from Cairns. Below I spotted the exact location of the waterfall. However, Google is notorious to lead people in search of this waterfall on the wrong way.

Therefore I suggest that you read on to get the exact directions to the Emerald Creek if from Cairns or Mareba.

Google Maps Pin: "Emerald Creek Falls"-Mareba

How to come here from Cairns

Since this place is somewhat off the leaked path, you must have your own car or means of transport to get to the Emerald Creek if.

The journey here itself should take about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

To get here, take the Captain Cook Highway north towards Kuranda. Then continue to Kennedy Highway. There are some signposts along the street to the Emerald Creek Falls. The junction to Davies Creek is called Tinaroo Creek Road, about 10 kilometers behind the junction Davies Creek.

nearby is the small community of Mareba, where you can stop and eat something or fill your water bottles.

You have to follow this road for about 5 minutes until you reach the Cobra Road, where you turn left. This is a steep, unpaved gravel path that meanders into the valley. There are signs that indicate that the street is not suitable for trailers and caravans.

Do not make the mistake of leading yourself from Google Maps to the Emerald Creek if. We turned wrong and landed on private property. If you come to a dead end around banana plantations with a sign to turn around, you know that you have made the same mistake as I do.
Alt = “Emerald Creek Falls Main Water Fall and Swimming Section”>

Alternative option: Cairns waterfall tour

If you don't have your own car, but still want to experience some epic waterfalls near Cairns, you can book a tour that leads you to some of the best. The following link is the top rated waterfall tour in Cairns, which offers free collection from the hotel and visits to the Millaa Millaa Falls and Josephine Falls to name just a few.

Book the best price for: Cairns Waterfall Tour

Emerald Creek Falls Wanderweg

From the Emerald Creek parking lot if it is only a short 1-kilometer walk to the waterfall viewpoint and to the swimming holes.

You will find that the landscape is drier than the surrounding rainforest. You see eucalyptus trees and small shrubs as well as huge anthill on the edge of the route.

There are several small swimming holes on the way that are fed by the stream and the waterfall. If you want to cool down and have a private bathroom for yourself, just make a small detour to the left of the train and follow the stream.
Alt = “Emerald Creek falls Ant Hill Cairns”>
Alt = "Emerald Creek Falls Gehpur"> The start of the Emerald Creek Falls

presented in: Great things you can do in the Atherton Tablelands

What you expect at the Emerald Creek if

The upper level has the largest waterfall, but in my opinion is less impressive than the lower one. This is due to the fact that, although it is larger, it is falling down large granite rocks instead of freely immersing in a pelvis.

Height of the Emerald Creek Falls: The main waterfall of the Emerald Creek Falls is about 30 meters high. Cumulative between all levels I would say that it is about 50 meters.
Alt = “Emerald Creek Falls Main Water Fall and Swimming Section”>

Do not miss: Kahlpahlim Rock Hike (very close)

alt = “Grayl bottle”>

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Viewption Oberer Wasserfall

About 10-15 minutes after leaving the parking lot there is a signposted fork in the road. The right path leads to the upper waterfall expression platform, the left winds down to the swimming areas.

If you want a good view of the upper part, the quick 10-minute walk is worthwhile.
Alt = “Emerald Creek waterfall cascading above Viewing platform View”>
Alt = “Emerald Creek falls from the upper waterfall near Cairns”>

Swimming holes to the Emerald Creek Falls

At the fork you can turn left and go further down, crossing a few boulders and a stream before reaching the lower waterfall level. Here the waterfall pours through three narrow channels and falls into a deep swimming hole.

The water is deep enough for swimming and a perfect place to relax and cool down.

A little further below the waterfall basin there are some smaller rock pools and lagoons, which are also ideal for swimming.
Alt = “swimming holes at the Emerald Creek Atherton Tablelands near Cairns”>

Also near: Turtle Rock Hike, Davies Creek National Park

looking for the private tropical oasis

My favorite place to the Emerald Creek Falls was a small protected rainforest oasis on one of the stream crossings. It looked like from a film set, with soft sand edges that result in crystal-clear freshwater swimming holes.

To round off the whole, there is even a perfectly positioned palm and overhanging tropical plants and vines for shadows.
Alt = “swimming holes at the Emerald Creek Atherton Tablelands near Cairns”>
Alt = “swimming holes at the Emerald Creek Atherton Tablelands near Cairns”>

A dog-friendly waterfall near Cairns

dogs are allowed at the Emerald Creek if. Since it is a state forest and not a national park, there are less strict rules for taking pets.

That means if you are a local in Cairn or travel through Australia with your dog, you can also enjoy the refreshing waterfalls on Emerald Creek. Bright Camping is a great resource to enjoy a camping trip or an adventure with your dog.

Related: Wallaman Falls (Highest in Australia)

Do not miss the Davies Creek if nearby

If you come from Cairns, it is worth stopping at another waterfall nearby. Davies Creek Falls is a much higher waterfall that also has its own swimming holes and lagoons.

by Emerald Creek and Mareba it only takes about 25 minutes and is on the way back to Cairns. So why not make a waterfall day trip and watch the other epic waterfalls near Cairns?

Read more: Davies Creek Falls

alt = “Davies creek if viewpoint“> Davies-Creek-Wasserfall
Alt = "Davies Creek Falls Swimming Area"> Swimming area near Davies Creek

Cairn's accommodation guide-where to spend the night

Are you planning a trip to Cairns and wonder where you should settle? Below I listed some of the best options near Cairn's Esplanade. I also wrote a comprehensive accommodation guide for Cairns and a comprehensive accommodation leader for Port Douglas.

Crystalbrook Riley - if you are looking for luxury and location, the Crystallrbook Riley is unbeatable. This is the best 5-star resort in Cairns and offers absolutely everything you expect from a Crystalbrook resort.

TIP: Definitely go to Rocco’s Bar on the top of the Crystalbrook Riley to enjoy a great view over Cairns!
Alt = “Girl while sunbathing in the Crystalbrook Riley Resort in Cairns”>
Rydges Resort-This hotel offers an excellent price-performance ratio for an epic stay at a decent price! The location is perfect, near the Esplanade and has three swimming pools, two tennis courts, a whirlpool, a fitness center and even a award -winning restaurant.
Alt = “Rydges Esplanade Resort in Cairns, where to stay accommodation”>
Fitzroy Island Resort - if you prefer to stay on one of the picturesque islands of the Great Barrier Reef, you are exactly right in the Fitzroy Island Resort. While you can take a day trip here, I strongly recommend spending the night so that you have more time to explore the reef, the coral beaches and the hiking trails in the rainforest.
Alt = “Fitzroy Island Resort”>
Gilligan’s backpackers-the best backpacker option for a great atmosphere in Cairns is Gilligan’s Backpackers. This is because this has a swimming pool, air conditioning, a complete kitchen and a great common area to meet other travelers.

alt = “Gilligans Backpacker Resort”>

Further epic Cairns adventure ideas

I hope that you liked this shortfooter to visit Emerald Creek Falls near Mareba in the far north of Queensland. Further epic waterfalls, hikes and adventures in the area can be found in my other articles. I am sure you will find something new!

Below are also a few photos from our first excursion to the Emerald Creek Falls. Enjoy your visit!

alt = “swimming holes at the Emerald Creek Atherton Tablelands near Cairns”>
Alt = “swimming holes at the Emerald Creek Atherton Tablelands near Cairns”>
Alt = “swimming holes at the Emerald Creek Atherton Tablelands near Cairns”>
Alt = “Emerald Creek Falls Main Water Fall and Swimming Section”>

alt = “Emerald Creek Falls Pinterest”>
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