Millaa Millaa Falls – Incredible waterfall in the Atherton Tablelands near Cairns

Millaa Millaa Falls – Incredible waterfall in the Atherton Tablelands near Cairns

Millaa Millaa Falls is probably one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Australia. The complete guide to visiting Millaa Millaa Falls in the Atherton Tablelands from Cairns, Queensland.

Millaa Millaa Falls is a very accessible and scenic waterfall in the Tablelands region near Cairns. This particular waterfall is known as the most photographed waterfall in Australia! And it's not hard to see why. It truly is a perfectionist's ideal, with perfectly cascading water and a wide, round swimming pond at the base.

In this post I will outline how to get here and what to expect once you arrive. I have also included some photos of Millaa Millaa waterfall which I hope will inspire your visit to one of Australia's most famous waterfalls.

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How to get to Millaa Millaa Waterfalls?

Millaa Millaa Falls is located in the Atherton Tablelands, near the small community of Millaa Millaa. If you have your own car or transport, it's a 1.5-hour drive from Cairns down the Bruce Highway and up the switchbacks of Gillies Range Road.

I have pinned the waterfall parking lot location below to help you find it.

However, if you prefer directions, head south on the Bruce Highway from Cairns towards Gordonvale. As you approach the obvious Walsh’s Pyramid, look out for signs to the Atherton Tablelands above Gillies Range Road.

Follow this winding road to the Tablelands, pass the crater lakes and continue following the signs south, just past Malanda. Theresa Creek Road (the Waterfall Circuit Road) is only about a minute from the small town.

There are very detailed signs for each waterfall on this road, so you shouldn't have any problems finding Millaa Millaa Falls once you're on the road.

Once you reach the parking lot, the waterfall is just around the corner at the bottom of some stone steps. It's really impossible to miss it.

Alternative: Best waterfall tour from Cairns

If you don't have your own transport, you can also take a waterfall tour from Cairns. Although I didn't take a tour, the tour linked below offers the best value I could find for a full day tour that takes you to many different locations near Cairns.

The total duration of the tour is 10-11 hours and includes:

• Abholung vom Hotel in Cairns
• Englisch sprechender Reiseleiter
• Wandern Sie im nahe gelegenen Wooroonooran-Nationalpark
• Schwimmen Sie an den Josephine Falls (einer meiner Lieblingswasserfälle in der Nähe von Cairns)
• Schwimmen Sie an den Millaa Millaa Falls
• Platypus-Spotting in Yungaburra
• Schwimmen Sie am Lake Eacham

Book: Best waterfall tour from Cairns

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RELATED: Australia's Highest Waterfall (Wallaman Falls)

What to Expect at Millaa Milaa Waterfall

The perfectly formed waterfall cascades down into a beautiful waterhole. The scene appears to be hidden in the dense surrounding rainforest, with tropical palm trees, ferns and vines on every side.

Millaa Millaa Falls has a total waterfall height of 18.3 meters and the waterhole is deep enough for swimming. This waterfall was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register back in 2005.
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This waterfall definitely looks like a tropical North Queensland Waterfall. However, if you're looking for a surreal tropical waterfall at the end of a rainforest hike, this might not be for you. Millaa Millaa Waterfall is understandably a popular tourist destination, with tour buses passing by daily.

A lot has happened here too, perhaps to make it a more attractive destination for weddings and events.

If you prefer a more secluded waterfall without construction or development, I would highly recommend nearby Windin Falls, Dinner Falls, Little Millstream, or the other two waterfalls on the Millaa Millaa waterfall circuit (below).
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Featured in: Great things to do in the Atherton Tablelands

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Tip: Try to spot a platypus

Apparently, if you're very lucky and have a keen eye for spotting wildlife, you might be able to spot a platypus.

I didn't spot any platypuses here, but maybe you'll get lucky! Otherwise, a tip is to go to nearby Yungaburra. There's a viewing platform overlooking Peterson Creek, where a bunch of the little guys live!
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More quick tips for visiting the waterfall

Here are some quick tips for visiting Millaa Millaa Falls.

• Kommen Sie früh – Wenn Sie selbst fahren, stellen Sie sicher, dass Sie früh kommen. Wir kamen bei Tagesanbruch an, um ein paar Fotos ohne Menschenmassen machen zu können. Tatsächlich standen nach etwa einer halben Stunde Horden von Touristen Schlange für das perfekte Wasserfall-Selfie.
• Bringen Sie Ihre Schwimmer mit – Das ist ein Kinderspiel. Es ist ein wunderschöner Wasserfall und ein noch besserer Ort zum Schwimmen!
• Verpassen Sie nicht die umliegenden Wasserfälle – Wenn Sie eine Wasserfalltour buchen, werden Sie wahrscheinlich schon einige mehr sehen. Aber wenn Sie selbst fahren, machen Sie einen Tagesausflug zum Wasserfall.

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NEARBY: Dinner Falls and the Hypipamee Crater Loop

The Millaa Millaa waterfall tour

Millaa Millaa Falls is the main attraction of the Tableland Waterfall Circuit on Theresa Creek Road. In total, there are three very easily accessible waterfalls on this route, each just a few minutes' drive away.

I have written more posts for each of these waterfalls, so if you would like to see more (I definitely recommend it) then you can find them below. Additionally, here is a brief summary and guide to the entire Waterfall Circuit.

• Ellinjaa-Fälle
• Zillie Falls

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See also: How to Spend 5 Days in 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 from my visit to the waterfall

I hope this quick guide to visiting Millaa Millaa Falls has been helpful in planning your adventures in the Tablelands and around Cairns. Looking for more inspiration? Here are some more photos of Millaa Millaa Falls that I hope will inspire your trip.

Otherwise, check out the links below for other nearby waterfalls. You can also check out my complete guide to the best waterfalls in Cairns, the best hikes or this guide to the best things to do in Cairns.

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