Australia's Most Amazing Waterfalls

by Lesley Mitchell (subscribe)

There's something about a waterfall that makes you feel fresh and connected to nature the moment you see it. Senses are awakened, you feel enlightened and like you are able to connect with universal energies or maybe it's just to cool off on a hot day - either way, we have been fascinated with waterfalls since the dawn of time.

Magnificent Wallaman falls

So folks, where exactly is the best waterfall in Australia? What have you discovered? Where is your favourite place to connect with the majesty of water falling from mountains?

I'll get the ball rolling with a few suggestions here:

My husband had land for years on the Atherton Tablelands and it is always his favourite place. From the Atherton Tablelands to the Cairns coastal plains in Queensland, you will find Barron Falls.

Protected within the Barron Gorge National Park, when there is substantial rainfalls during the wet season you will see a magnificent waterfall here. At other times of the year, when it is drier, you may only see a trickle. This is caused in part due to the presence of a weir behind the falls, which supplies the Barron Gorge Hydroelectric Power Station.

Barron falls

If the thought of floating around in a beautiful secluded plunge pool, gazing at a 215m-high cascade of water splashing over beautiful red cliffs tickles your fancy, you will love Jim Jim Falls.

Nestled deep in the heart of the Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory, you will need to take a rough 4WD track, followed by a rugged trail to lead to this amazing waterfall. Absolutely beautiful to witness, although do ask a local for advice before diving in, as some salt water crocodiles have been found in these parts and you would not want to become dinner.

Visitors to Kakadu must pay a A$25 park fee; passes can be bought at centres in Darwin, Katherine and the park itself.)

Wallaman Falls
The Wallaman Falls are famous as Australia's highest permanent waterfall, with their single-drop of 268 metres. The pool at the end of the waterfall is 20 metres deep, located at Wallaman Falls Road, Wallaman, QLD.

Jourama Falls
If you like your falls steeped in cultural significance, this may be just the ticket. Owned traditionally by the Nywaigi Aboriginal people, the traditional name for the Paluma Range is Munan Gumburu, which means 'misty mountain'. If you arrive early in the morning, you will see these beautiful mists yourself.

Located at Jourama Falls Road, Yuruga, QLD (91 km north of Townsville or 24 km south of Ingham, via the Bruce Highway)

Mena Creek Falls
Behind the Basilisk Range, just 8 km south-west of Innisfail and 75 km south of Cairns, is where you will find the Mena Creek Falls. A beautiful thick waterfall with a lovely drop viewable from easy to access platforms.

Blencoe Falls
If you are looking for some falls that have a truly Australian feel, Biencoe Falls fits the bill, beautiful rugged cliffs, dropping over 230 feet into the gorge below. Located by road from Mount Garnet on the Kennedy Highway, Blencoe Falls lookout is about 62 km west of Kennedy.

As a child my mum often packed a picnic basket and took us all off to Steavenson Falls.

Cascading down around 84m, it may not be as spectacular as some of the other states, however it is charming, peaceful, and relaxed walk from the picnic grounds - and even at only 84m, it one of Victoria's tallest waterfalls.

Close enough to Melbourne to be a lovely day trip, they often have floodlights present to light up the waterfall at night, power from these lights come from the hydroelectricity of the flow of the river itself.

Located at an easy drive from Marysville. Just follow Falls Rd and the signs for less than 4km. Marysville is about 100km north east of Melbourne and came into the spotlight for the devastation of the Black Saturday bushfires, which wiped out most of Marysville and is now proudly being rebuilt.

Still need to be inspired? Here's a link to 105 amazing waterfalls around the world.

Now, over to you, what amazing waterfalls do you know about?

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