Get ready to see one of the most magical places I found in Queensland! It’s a waterfall with a swimming hole that is ranked amongst some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Tropical North Queensland Australia. Do you have any idea which waterfall it is?
It’s The Josephine Falls. I think it’s a quite famous destination for the people around Cairns. I see that a lot of day tour operators to this place. But don’t spend your money on that. We can easily go there by ourselves. There’s no entrance fee or anything. All for free!
Okay. Enough blabbering. Let’s get straight to the point.
How To Get There?
Departing from Cairns heading west on the Mulgrave Road. Just drive south towards Townsville. The Mulgrave Road soon changes into the Bruce Highway. The Bruce Highway is part of the National Highway and is also known as M1 on some road maps or car navigations systems.
The surrounding scenery is very enjoyable. So, just sit back! I promise, you won’t even know that you drive for more than 74 km from Cairns to get there. You’ll then find a town called Mirriwinni which lies just south of Babinda. From there, take the turn off to Mount Bartle Frere – the highest mountain in Queensland – then, just follow the signs for around 8 km.
Yeay! We’re here! If you’re lucky, the megapode will welcome you. I was surprised to see it at first. It looks like a chicken but I never saw any chicken like that before in Indonesia (even in the forests). But in during my stay in Queensland, I found them a lot. And as I wrote this, I just figured out its name. Is it really called megapode? I know nothing about birds.
The Track to The Falls
You can park the car in the spacious car park. The washrooms are also in that area. If you want to change or shower after / before swimming, you can do it there. Yep, no toilets at the area of the falls. So, make sure you do everything before starting the walk.
Let’s walk, mates! It’s not a long track. Only 700 meters through the beautiful rainforest via a bitumen paved track that can also cater for prams or wheelchairs.
The Deck to The Falls
The air is so good along the track. The trees that surround it protect us from the sun and create a magical vibe. Not to mention the stream that flows peacefully. And finally, the deck is here! From here, you’re going to see the first glimpse of the swimming hole.
It was pretty crowded when I was there. Maybe because it’s in summer holiday. For that reason, it was not easy for me to find a spot to put my bag on. I was ready to dive into the water but I also needed to make sure that my bag and the stuff inside were safe. It’s not wrong to be cautious, is it? Anyway, I found a rock near the bank. After piling everything on one spot, I swam.
Is it Safe to Swim At Josephine Falls?
It’s nice, isn’t it? We can swim in the crystal clear waters, and relax on the sandy beach as the gentle breeze rustles leaves high in the overhead rainforest canopy. Healing is on the go! Oh also, I saw people slide down the bank into the water. I don’t how they did it. The rock surface looks so rough, right? Were their butts okay?
For someone who doesn’t swim very well, be careful. Despite the safety, the current is quite strong and the submerged rocks are everywhere. I couldn’t predict where they were. They might move during the flood seasons. So, gotta be really careful. Besides, it’s quite deep as well. It’ll be better to use floaties if you want to enjoy swimming there. But don’t worry. The swimming hole is not that big. So, if someone is drowned or anything, people can easily reach out to help.
Another Good Spot at Josephine Falls
After swimming (of if you don’t want to swim), you can enjoy the surroundings. The spot that I took the photos of below was not people’s choice, I guess. Everyone only gathered around the swimming hole. It’s right down a bit.
I think I haven’t told you this: the water is so cold! Don’t blame me. I’m an Indonesian. I’m used to warm water. But it should be alright for you. I also found a beautiful little creature! No wonder! As Google says, this region of rainforest is well known for a large variety of butterflies and wonderful tropical birds as they flutter from the wild flowers to the rainforest trees and plants.
I guess, no more to talk about. Just enjoy your day at The Josephine Falls. Where to go next?
