Family-friendly waterfalls near Brisbane

Tamborine National Park’s not-so-secret watering hole, Cedar Creek Falls offers year-round access and plenty of pretty walks for all abilities, making it a great option as a day trip from Brisbane. Boasting gentle trails, lookout points out across the valley and calm waters for a swim, this lovely little family-friendly waterfall ticks all the boxes.

Three rockpool formations sit at the bottom of the falls, their calm shallow waters ideal for a paddle at any time of year, while the gently sloping rock formations surrounding the rockpools are smooth, making it a good spot to drop a towel.

While the walk down to the rockpools isn’t suitable for prams or wheelchairs, the sealed 900m of path makes (relatively) light work with little ones.

Accessibility: Especially good for young families, there is a car park not 500m from the gorge and lookout point, with an easy walk down to the waterfall and rockpools.

Distance from Brisbane: 1 hour.

Gardeners Falls, Maleny

Cool mountain waters and plenty of shade from the surrounding rainforest, Gardeners Falls in the beautiful setting of Maleny is the perfect family-friendly waterfall. A beautiful split waterfall and multitude of rockpools, this gorgeous spot on the Sunshine Coast hinterland offers the perfect reprieve on a scorching summer’s day.

The waters here run clear and are much cooler than down the ranges, thanks to the dense rainforest and hinterland location, with locals often coming to cool off in the dead of summer. Shaded by giant gum trees, pack a picnic and let the little ones explore the banks of the shallower rockpools adjacent to the falls.

Accessibility: Parking is provided alongside Obi Obi Creek in Obi Lane, with a covered (and reasonably flat) path which follows the creek to the rockpools and waterfall.

Distance from Brisbane: 1.5 hours.

Queen Mary Falls, Killarney

With the makings of a perfect day trip from Brisbane, Queen Mary Falls will delight even the littlest members of your family. In the picturesque Southern Downs area, Killarney, this majestic family-friendly waterfall plunges 40m from its peak to the valley floor – boasting a lookout platform at the top and a soft mist at the bottom – perfect for cooling off in.

The circuit from top to bottom is a 2km round trip through fragrant eucalypt forest and lush rainforest, with picnic facilities at the entrance to the trail.

Accessibility: The trail, while not overly challenging, can get slippery from the spray, and is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.

Distance from Brisbane: 2. 5 hours.

J.C Slaughter Falls, Mt Coot-tha

A quintessential day out for Brisbane locals, the hikes and trails up Mt Coot-tha are a great way to keep the kids entertained. As family-friendly waterfalls near Brisbane go, JC Slaughter Falls ticks all the boxes, boasting ample picnic and BBQ facilities at the entry of the trails.

While the falls are impressive during the wetter months, there’s still plenty to see and do. Follow the signs at the edge of JC Slaughter Falls picnic area; the 600m one-way walk is moderately steep at times, winding through the forest and past the falls until you reach the Mt Coot-tha Lookout where eager little walkers are bribed rewarded with an ice cream and stellar views across the CBD.

Accessibility: There is ample parking before the entrance to JC Slaughter picnic area (but be aware it gets very busy on weekends) and well-designed paths through to the picnic and BBQ sections of the park. The trail can be steep at times, with a dirt track unsuitable for prams of wheelchairs.

Distance from Brisbane: just 15 minutes west of the city.

Buderim ‘Serenity’ Falls, Buderim

Babbling brooks, lush green foliage, and a picture-perfect waterfall complete with refreshing watering hole; there’s a reason Buderim Falls has been dubbed ‘Serenity’. There are two ways to access Serenity Falls; Harry’s Lane and Quorn Close. Quorn Close is great for young families as it provides access to a watering hole and waterfall where they can paddle, taking you along a quaint forest amble complete with wooden boardwalk along the easiest part of the walk, hugging the banks of Martins Creek. There’s also a very pretty, arched bridge to the side of the falls – the perfect lookout spot.

Accessibility: From the car park, it’s approx. 600m along a wooden boardwalk, however this ends a few hundred metres before the falls and rockpools, giving way to a dirt track (often slippery after recent rainfall) which is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.

Distance from Brisbane: 1hr 40 to Buderim.

Mapleton Falls, Mapleton National Park

Winding through ancient rainforest and eucalypt trees, even the trail to Mapleton Falls through the National Park is vastly beautiful. This family-friendly waterfall trail has everything you’ll need for a relaxing day out; well-signed and maintained trails, as well as ample picnic and BBQ areas along Pencil Creek for you to enjoy a pre- or post-walk lunch.

Follow the Wompoo Circuit to get to Periguine Lookout; it has a very lovely view of the 120m waterfall and Obi Obi Valley beyond and given it’s only a 1.3km round trip, makes it all the more worthwhile.

Accessibility: The area immediately before the start of the trail has toilets, BBQs and a large, grassy picnic area, with adjacent car park and accessibility for wheelchairs and prams.

Distance from Brisbane: 1hr 40mins toward the Sunshine Coast.

Cougal Cascades, Currumbin Valley

Cougal Cascades is a lovely little waterfall residing in the lush surrounds of Currumbin Valley often having the edge on overcrowded family-friendly beaches in the area on weekends. Its series of rockpools and gently cascading waterfalls make it perfect for young families looking for calm waters to paddle in, while the adventurous types will enjoy the viewing platform and historic sawmill on the track.

Accessibility: Parking and picnic areas are ample, and the trail is completely covered as it follows Currumbin Creek, making light work for wheelchairs and prams.

Distance from Brisbane: 1hr 20 mins.

Artists Cascades, Conondale National Park

Tucked away just outside Kenilworth in Conondale National Park, Artists Cascades is a great day out for slightly older families keen to get their adventure on. The 11km circuit sounds tough, taking roughly 4hrs to complete, but the reward is some of the loveliest, and most private cascades and watering holes going.

Take the Strangle Cairn trail as it follows Booloomba Creek as it winds through ancient forests. With ample wildlife sightings in the area and a fantastic swimming spot in the rockpools at the bottom of the cascades make for a memorable day. Camping spots are also available in this section of the National Park if you’re tempted by an overnighter in the area.

Accessibility: You’ll find the entrance to the trail off Boomumba Creek Road. If you want to drive in further from here, you’ll need a high clearance 4WD as both walking and 4WD trails are unsealed.

Distance from Brisbane: 2hr 15 into the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.

Twin Falls, Springbrook National Park

Part of the Gondwana Rainforest World heritage area, Twin Falls in Springfield National Park offers a certain something when it comes to family-friendly waterfalls near Brisbane. Rugged and flanked by dense, beautiful rainforest, the relatively easy 4km Twin Falls Circuit (starting at either the Tallanbaba picnic area or Canyon Lookout) encompasses the top and bottom of the falls.

Visitors are rewarded with both stunning views out across the National Park at the Springbrook Plateau, as well as swimmable cool water rockpools at the bottom kids of all ages will love. The walk takes you across small trickling streams, through cavernous rock clefts and even behind the cascades themselves, perfect for little adventurers.

Accessibility: Parking is available at Canyon Lookout, with the viewing platform fully covered for full access to visitors. The trail itself is quite strenuous at times, with the trail giving way to rough track surfaces and dense rainforest unsuitable for prams or wheelchairs.

Distance from Brisbane: 1hr 30 toward the Gold Coast Hinterland.

Kondalilla Falls, Kondalilla National Park

Another family-friendly waterfall near Brisbane, this time just 1.5hrs from the city, Kondalilla Falls in Kondalilla National Park is one of the most elegant in South East Queensland. With a drop of over 80m that tumbles into the creek below, surrounded by leafy forest and shrubs, it makes for a popular family day out.

Follow the leisurely 1.3km Picnic Creek Circuit before continuing along the Kondalilla Falls circuit for incredible views from the base of the falls. here are swimmable rock pools at both the top and bottom of Kondalillla Falls, picnic benches and facilities at the start of the trail. The whole thing is approximately 4km and, while an easy distance, has a lot of stairs and narrow path – so be prepared for a bit of a climb!

Accessibility: there’s ample parking at the entrance to the trail off Kondalilla Fall Road but gets extremely busy at weekends. The path is covered for the first section but becomes very narrow and dirt after a short time, so wheelchairs and prams are not advised.

Distance from Brisbane: 1hr 30 mins toward Montville on the Sunshine Coast.

Featured image: @noosariveria