Emerald Creek Falls is a gem in the wild. It’s one of the quieter falls you can visit in Queensland’s Tablelands region and you will be pleasantly surprised by what you find. It’s worth the drive out on the gravel road and would serve perfectly as a lunch pit-stop on your road trip from Kuranda to Mareeba.
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Where is Emerald Creek?
Emerald Falls is located in the Tablelands region of Far North Queensland, within the Dinden West Forest Reserve. It is about 70 km from the hub of Cairns (1 hr 15 min drive).
Travel from Cairns to Kuranda for a tropical village experience – search for the elusive cassowary and tree kangaroo, or get yourself a ticket to see the spectacular Ulysses Butterfly at the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary Once you’ve explored the village, start your drive up the winding road to the Tablelands. The drive from Kuranda to Emerald Falls is about 45 km and will take you about 45 minutes to drive. The road is narrow, winding and very steep. Be prepared to take it slowly!
Mareeba is the closest town once you’re up in the hinterland, and is about a 25 minute drive (17 km) from the Falls.
Best Time To Go
As always for this tropical region, the easiest time of year to go is during the dry season, which typically runs from April to October each year. There’s nothing stopping you from braving a visit during the wet season months (November to March), but it’s likely that lots of attractions will be closed due to the dangers that high rainfall presents.
Emerald Falls itself is open all year, however you will need to seriously consider access during the wet season. This is because the way-in has 6km of gravel roads with quite a few low-points that can become inundated with flowing water.
How To Get There
Getting to Emerald Falls is quite straight forward, but does include a 6km gravel road before you get to the head of the trail. The turnoff to the falls is found at Tinaroo Creek Road off Kennedy Highway (the main road connecting Kuranda and Mareeba).
Once you’re on Tinaroo Creek Road, you will drive about 4km until you reach Cobra Road. Here you will turn left and follow the road until it turns into Emerald Falls Road. The last 6km of the drive is a gravel road. When I visited in June there was a small amount of water over the road in some parts. These were primarily where small streams crossed the road. I was in a 4WD, but you certainly do not need a 4WD to get to the Falls in the dry season.
Official advice states that the road is not suitable for caravans and trailers, probably due to the steep runways down and back up out of stream valleys, as well as some narrow sections of the road. If you are travelling in a normal 2WD, I would recommend taking the gravel section slowly, ensuring you don’t crash into hidden potholes or slide off the edge of a narrow crossing. If you are unsure about any water over the road (no matter which vehicle you are in), get out of your car and take a closer look. An easy rule of thumb to remember is that if you cannot walk safely through the water crossing, it will not be safe in your car. Always check the local road conditions before you go, you can check them out here.
Facilities
Once you arrive at the carpark you will see a sign welcoming you to the Emerald Creek Day Use Area! Find yourself a spot to park and get out to stretch your legs. You’ll find some picnic tables and a BBQ in a nice grassy lawn area, the perfect spot for a pre-hike lunch. There’s also toilets located across the carpark.
The Hike – Views from Above
Once you’re ready to hit the trail, you will find the start of the hike at the end of the carpark. The hike is an out-and-back route, and will probably take about 1 hour to walk the 2.9km return trail. If you want to map out your walk, you can find the trail details on AllTrails. The best part about this hike is its versatility.
You can choose to walk all the way to the top of the falls on a wide, well-worn dirt path. It’s not particularly strenuous or technically challenging, it’s even suitable for children. The walk up will take about half an hour, and you can take your time to soak in nature at its finest. Pause to notice the scurry of tiny lizards, and the chirping birds hopping about above you.
Once you get to the top you’ll have a perfect viewpoint over the top of the falls and back down across the valley from the wooden viewing platform. The rocks here are prone to being extremely slippery and will be even more so if there has been any recent rain. Be aware that mist off the falls can also dampen the rocks, having the same slippery effect. You will see signs on the platform asking you not to go any further.
Swim In The Pool At The Base Of Emerald Falls
If you’ve worked up a sweat and are feeling like a swim, you’re in luck. Head back downhill until you reach the sign pointing to the base of the falls. You can take this side trail to the base of the falls, where you can plonk in for a watery cool-down! There are lots of places that you could access the stream for a swim, just be sure to keep other trail users in mind, be considerate and ensure that you don’t destroy any vegetation.
Camping & Things To Do Nearby
The nearby towns of Mareeba and Kuranda offer endless camping and accommodation options as well as an array of dining and food options.
If you’re looking for a close-by campground so that you can get up for a sunrise Emerald Creek Falls hike, look no further than Trinity Plains Tourist Park. It is a well-appointed, very quiet camping ground with various camping options. It’s about a 15-minute drive back towards the Highway and an unpowered site costs $35 per night for 2 people.
If coffee or sweet treats are your thing, Mareeba Coffee Works is the perfect post-hike stop – it’s open every day from 8am until 3pm. They’ve got a dedicated Chocolaterie where they make chocolate onsite…the smell will send you straight to heaven! Pick up gifts for friends, or simply sit in the outdoor garden to enjoy a delicious, fresh, locally-grown coffee.
Other Things To Know About Emerald Creek Falls
- Dogs are welcome, but they must be on a leash
- Entry to the falls is free
- Phone reception is limited (I got patchy Telstra reception at the top of the Falls trail, and none in the carpark)
Safety Tips
The number one thing to be aware of is slippery rocks…they will trick you when you’re least expecting it. Always carry an emergency first aid kit and tell a trusted friend or family member where you are, and when you plan to be back. It’s always helpful to travel with a buddy, but since this is a blog about solo travel I will remind you that having an emergency location device with you at all times could save your life. I have a GME Personal Locator Beacon which you can get from Anaconda Stores. It serves as great peace of mind when hiking alone and could be the difference between life and death if you get stuck in a hairy situation alone.
Be careful during wet weather, particularly when traversing rocks or uneven terrain. Take it slowly and do not attempt anything you’re not comfortable with. Be mindful that there is limited Telstra phone reception, and unlikely to be any coverage with other providers.
Leave No Trace
Whenever you’re out in the wild it’s important to leave the place better than you found it. This could include things like picking up any rubbish you see around the place and always using the bins provided. If there are no bins, take your rubbish out of the park with you.
Take all your food scraps with you – orange peels and apple cores are not a normal part of many animals’ diets, and they don’t break down in the soil.
If you see boot-wash stations, be sure to use them no matter what. Their purpose is to allow you to scrub soil and dirt off your shoes. Many areas of Australia are plagued by dieback, an infectious disease that lives in the soil and eventually kills the trees and plants that grow in it. Protect our wilderness by doing your part not to spread disease.
If there are designated trails or paths – stick to them. Cutting your own tracks through bushland can destroy vegetation as well as disrupting the creatures that live there. If you’re photographing or looking at wildlife, ensure that you give animals plenty of space. Use the zoom on your camera instead of getting too close!
The Best Thing About Emerald Creek Falls
It’s close to everything in the Tablelands, it’s a short hike that you can easily do in a morning, it’s stunning, it’s quiet, and it’s less frequented than many other Falls in the region. Make sure it’s on your list when you head to Cairns!